AshKChord Electronics is now available in New Zealand from Technical Audio Group NZ Ltd.
Chord Electronics is a well-known manufacturer of high-end audio products. Since 1989, under the leadership of proprietor John Franks, Chord Electronics has been creating fine hi-fi, home cinema and professional audio equipment.
The company was forged from the highly demanding world of aircraft avionics, and maintains a commitment to exemplary engineering, cutting-edge technology and exceptional build quality.
Since 1996, Chord has collaborated with Robert Watts, a digital design expert with 30 years’ of DAC technology development experience. This partnership has produced a number of advanced digital products including the new Hugo DAC.
Hugo is a multi-award-winning mobile DAC and headphone amplifier that uses Chord Electronics’ bespoke technology to deliver class-leading sound quality.
Whether users have their music on a phone, tablet or laptop, or regularly use a CD player, Hugo’s advanced, reference-level technology is said to be able to transform the sound of portable and home audio.
With five digital inputs, including two USB and aptX Bluetooth, Hugo’s 10-hour battery life makes it the ideal travel companion. In addition, home users can connect Hugo directly to their hi-fi systems to add the latest DAC technology to their set-up.
Here’s a video looking at Hugo’s design:
Hugo’s features are as follows:
Inputs:
Optical TOSLink 24-bit/192kHz-capable
RCA coaxial input 24-bit/384kHz-capable
Driverless USB input 16-bit/48kHz-capable (designed for tablets/phones)
HD USB input 32-bit/384KHz and DSD128-capable (for computer/laptop playback; see driver details below)
Technical specs:
Advanced digital volume control
Crossfeed filter network
Battery powered for approximately 12 hours operation
Input, sample rate and volume level indication by colour-change LEDs
26K tap-length filter (more than double when compared to the QuteHD DAC)
Headphone output: 110dB SPL into a 300ohm headphone load
Output power – 1KHz 1V sinewave both channels driven 0.1% distortion
600 ohms 35mW
300 ohms 70mW
56 ohms 320mW
32 ohms 600mW
8 ohms 720mW
THD – 1KHz 3V output: 0.0005%
Dynamic Range: 120dB
Output impedance: 0.075 ohms
Damping factor >100
Weight: 0.4kg
Dimensions: 100x20x132mm (WxHxD)
Outputs:
2×3.5mm headphone jacks
1×6.35mm (1/4 inch) headphone jack
1x (pair) stereo RCA phono output
RRP $2,799
