[x RELIC x]

Canada/U.S.A. Chord Hugo2 Tour​

​

Chord Hugo2 Webpage​

I don't think anyone really needs an introduction to the Hugo2, but here's a brief summary:

The legend, remastered. The world’s most advanced transportable DAC/Headphone Amp has undergone a drastic redesign - Welcome to Hugo 2.

Beginning with 26,000 taps back in 2013 with the original Hugo, Hugo 2 now has an incredible 49,152 and uses techniques developed over the past four years to deliver a stunningly clear audio performance, such has never been heard from a mobile DAC/Headphone Amp before.

Hugo doesn’t just deliver better performance and measurements, it’s got all new casework developed by Chief Designer - John Franks, increases PCM support to 768kHz and adds up to DSD512 (Octa-DSD) native playback, now includes four filter options, remote control functionality, increased Bluetooth range, and sports Micro USB charging.

Hugo 2 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:​

Chipset: Chord Electronics custom coded Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA

Tap-length: 49,152

Pulse array: 10 element pulse array design

Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB

Output stage: Class A

Output impedance: 0.025Ω

THD: <0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω

THD and noise at 3v RMS: 120dB at 1kHz 300ohms ‘A’ wighted (reference 5.3v)

Noise 2.6 uV ‘A’ weighted: No measurable noise floor modulation

Signal to noise ratio: 126dB ‘A’ Weighted

Channel separation: 135dB at 1kHz 300Ω

Power output @ 1kHz 1% THD:

94mW 300Ω
740mW 33Ω
1050mW 8Ω

---

Calling all Canadians​

I've been fortunate enough to have been selected by Chord to organize the Canadian tour for the Hugo2 and I can't wait to share with my fellow Canucks! There are other regions planned but as far as I know Chord has not selected the organizers for the tours in different regions. The tour unit(s) will likely not arrive until mid to late March but I wanted to gather interest before hand. Hopefully we'll have enough people signed on by then. Again, I'm not exactly sure if the tour units will be available in March but I thought it would be good to start gathering applicants.

Update - June 20th: The first batch of tour units are being shipped and the tour will commence shortly!!!

Calling all Americans​

​

With the help of @Hansotek and @Barra to handle the American side of the tour this will now be a combined Canadian/U.S.A tour!!!! The decision was made to keep both tours in the same thread so that impressions and links would be easier to find for Head Fi'ers. For Head Fi members living in the United States please apply to this thread and @Hansotek and @Barra will organize who and where the units will go to across the States. Once the tour members are chosen I will list the names in the second and third posts of this thread. Again, I'm not exactly sure if the tour units will be available in March but I thought it would be good to start gathering applicants.

Update - June 20th: The first batch of tour units are being shipped and the tour will commence shortly!!!

Tour Rules​

1. Only established members of Head Fi will be selected. Minimum 100 posts.
2. This tour for Canadian and U.S.A. residents.
3. Each applicant must write a review if selected. Your honest opinions are appreciated.
4. Each tour member must treat the unit with respect. I know you will but it needs to be said.
5. Pictures are a requirement. Alternatively, a video review may be done.
6. Each selected tour member will have approximately 10 days with the Hugo2 (may be increased or decreased depending on the interest level).
7. When you receive the unit you must notify this thread.
8. When your time is up each tour member will pay to ship the unit to the next tour member.
9. The unit must be packaged in the original packaging you received it in for safe travels, and be shipped to the next tour member with signature required.
10. Please post your review to the Chord Hugo2 product page, and post link to your review in this thread.
11. Enjoy your time with the unit!

Application​

Please apply by posting in this thread:

1) General location (i.e., City, State/Province).

2) Links to previous reviews (if any).

3) Brief list of previous / Current gear owned if not listed in your profile and up to date.

4) Headphones / IEMs you wish to try with the Hugo2 if not listed in your profile and up to date.

5) Agree to the terms of completing a product review for the Hugo2.

-- If you have any questions - please let us know via PM or in this thread --​

 

[x RELIC x]

To keep the tour moving here are some extra terms.

• Upon Receipt of Tour Kit:
  • Post Receipt on Thread: Please immediately post receipt and condition of kit.
  • Please PM next Participant: Please immediately PM the next participant and the tour Captain for your group for shipping address. If no response in 2 days, please PM the next and so on giving preference to the order. This is critical to keep the tour moving.
• Shipping/Hand Off:
  • Day 11: Please ship out on day 11 or before. It is our goal to keep this tour on track so everyone gets an audition ASAP.
  • Signature and Tracking Required: To keep track of responsibility, participants must use signature required with tracking when shipping out the kits.
  • Hand Off: If the next participant is local and a hand off is a reasonable option, this would be preferable to save time and money.
• Reviews/Impressions:
  • Impressions: Please post impressions to the tour thread to keep things interesting for the readers and waiting participants. A healthy discussion is a nice way to wait during the tour.
  • Reviews: When your review is complete, please post a link to the tour thread so that others have notice and links to reviews will be updated in the third post of this thread.

Hugo2 Tour member lists

This is the list of accepted tour members. Please PM @x RELIC x , @Hansotek or @Barra - depending on the tour group you are in - as soon as possible if you can not make the tour or if there are any circumstances preventing your tour order that we need to be aware of. We will contact each member to gather your shipping address when your time with the Hugo2 is near.

Canadian Tour List - @x RELIC x

First group (black Hugo2):

1. [S]@Sonic Guild[/S] - Halifax, NS
2. @Sonic Defender - Ottawa, On
3. @Whazzzup - Ajax, On
4. @justrest - Toronto, On
5. @makan - Toronto, On

Second group (silver Hugo2):

1. @peterinvan - Vancouver, B.C.
2. @canali - Vancouver, B.C.
3. @Malfunkt - Edmonton, AB
4. @cs098 - Markham, On
5. @dmance - Burlington, On


U.S.A. Tour List 1 - @Hansotek

First group (black Hugo2):

1. @howdy - MN
2. @ruthieandjohn - Ann Arbor, Michigan
3. @WhiskeyJacks - Terryville, Connecticut
4. @sheldaze - Washington, DC
5. @DoctaCosmos - Bradford, Pennsylvania
6. @twiceboss - Ames, IA

Second group (silver Hugo2):

1. @edwardsean - Chicago, IL
2. @Mshenay - Myrtle Beach, SC
3. @warrior1975 - Delray Beach, FL
4. @highwind2008 - Atlanta, GA
5. @Ike1985 - Elizabethtown, Ky


U.S.A. Tour List 2 - @Barra

First group (black Hugo2):

1. @H2Ologd - Duvall, WA
2. @nmatheis - Portland, OR
3. @jarnopp - Bay Area, California
4. @Mediahound - San Francisco Bay Area, California
5. @ray-dude - San Diego CA

Second group (silver Hugo2):

1. @Barra - Anthem, AZ
2. @Allanmarcus - New Mexico
3. @EagleWings - Austin, TX
4. @Likeimthere - Houston, TX
5. @ngoshawk - Warrensburg, MO

 

[x RELIC x]

Reviews!!

Canadian Tour

Group 1 (black Hugo2)

@x RELIC x - Review
@Sonic Defender - Review
@Whazzzup - Review
@justrest - Review
@makan - Review

Group 2 (silver Hugo2)

@canali - Review pending
@Malfunkt - Review
@cs098 - Review pending
@dmance - Review


U.S.A. Tour 1

Group 1 (black Hugo2)

@howdy - Review
@ruthieandjohn - Review
@WhiskeyJacks - Review pending
@sheldaze - Review pending
@twiceboss - Review


Group2 (silver Hugo2)

@edwardsean - Review
@Mshenay - Review
@warrior1975 - Review pending
@highwind2008 - Review
@Ike1985 - Review pending


U.S.A. Tour 2

Group 1 (black Hugo2)

@H2Ologd - Review
@nmatheis - Review pending
@jarnopp - Review pending
@Mediahound - Review
@ray-dude - Review

Group 2 (silver Hugo2)

@Barra - Review
@Allanmarcus - Review
@EagleWings - Review
@Likeimthere - Review pending
@ngoshawk - Review

 

[Mojo ideas]

Wonderful Thank you!

 

[dmance]

xRELICx,
Very happy to help out this effort.

1) General location within Canada (i.e., City, Province).
Burlington, Ontario.

2) Links to previous reviews (if any).
No published reviews although I have pursued my own analysis and product comparisons (buy-try-sell-repeat) for USB chain, DACs and High Efficiency speakers (>95dB).

3) Previous / Current gear owned.
Sources: JRiver 22 on Lenovo Thinkpad, Macbook - latest OS's, Server 2012 based server/streamer. Wired and wireless.
Intona,MP-U1,jitterbug,ferrite cables for USB
RME HDSPe AIO for TOSLiNK, SPDIF, AES/EBU digital
4TB of digital content, extensive 24/192 and DSD collection (SACD, analog tape direct to DSD)
DAC (owned in house and available): exaSound E22, 2Qute, HoloSpringL3, APL DAC-S, MojoAudio MystiqueV2, ANK 2 & 5, Dragonfly 1.2 & Red.
AMPs: 45 & 2A3 SET, FirstWattF7.
Speakers: Coherent 10, 12(own), 15. Focal Twin6Be, Mundorf MA30, JBL.
Cables: Nordost, XLO, various.

4) Headphones / IEMs you wish to try with the Hugo2.
I am not a headphone guy...

5) Agree to the terms of completing a product review for the Hugo2.
Of course.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Ike1985]

Will there be an American tour?
 
64 Audio ADEL A12
64 Audio APEX A18
Chord Mojo
ALO CDM
Empire Ears Zeus XR ADEL (soon)
 
ADEL Modules:
B1, S1, G1, MAM
 
I'm such a Chord nerd I'd consider jumping the border for this. (please make an American tour) =P

 

[514077]

1) General location within Canada (i.e., City, Province). 
Windsor, Ontario
2) Links to previous reviews (if any). 
None, but I promise there will be after this one.
3) Previous / Current gear owned. 
DAPs:  IPod 160GB,  FiiO x5(I),  Questyle QP1R (currently)
AMP/DACs:  Leckerton UHA6MK II,  ALO RX,  Chord Hugo
IEMS:  UE TF10s,  Shure SE846s,  JHA Angies
Headphones:  AKG K240,  Grado SR-325i,  Grado PS1000e  Audeze LCD-X
Digital chain:  Old computer W7>AQ Jitterbug>Regen>SilverDragon USB with ferrite chokes just in case.
4) Headphones / IEMs you wish to try with the Hugo2.  
I'm excited and curious to test the new filter settings with some overcooked but still loved tracks I own, with my PS1000Es.  I've noticed that some re-released and remastered CDs seem to be hard on the ears due in part to the extended treble which makes them cut a bit too much.  I like using my Grados sometimes, and look forward to testing the various filters to see how they'll respond.
My main choice are my Audezes, which will also get quite a bit of time.  My Angies, of course are my OTG IEMs, but I'll try the Shures with the filter settings as I've found they could use a little more bass, which I hope the lower impedance might resolve.
As for pictures:  Not quite sure how to do that.  But, my son will help me out with taking some.  And, I'll be asking you, Craig, how to post them when the time comes.
 
5) Agree to the terms of completing a product review for the Hugo2.   
On my wee dog's grave, I aggree.

 

[peterinvan]

Hi
Very interested in doing a review...


1) General location within Canada (i.e., City, Province).. Vancouver

2) Links to previous reviews (if any).
No reviews, but see my detailed posts with pictures for Fostex mods...
http://www.head-fi.org/t/452404/just-listened-to-some-fostex-t50rps-today-wow/10935#post_11276497

Post 10947

And
http://www.head-fi.org/t/452404/just-listened-to-some-fostex-t50rps-today-wow/10995#post_11321413

Posting 10996




3) Previous / Current gear owned.

See signature below

4) Headphones / IEMs you wish to try with the Hugo2. 

LCD2F, Oppo PM-3, SE215

5) Agree to the terms of completing a product review for the Hugo2. 

Yes

 

[Barra]

Please let me know if the tour come to the US, I would love to participate.

 

[Sonic Guild]

1) General location within Canada (i.e., City, Province).
Halifax, NS.

2) Links to previous reviews (if any).
Non

3) Previous / Current gear owned.
 

Headphone Inventory	[size=inherit]Current headphones:[/size] LCD3 Fazor LCD4 Utopia HD800 S HE1000 PM2 PM3 V-ModaM100 AKG 550 Custom Art EI-XX CIEM Bose QuietComfort 20 Used to have headphones: EL8 Closed HE560
Headphone Amp Inventory	[size=inherit]Current amp: [/size] [size=inherit]Moon Neo430 HAD[/size] [size=inherit]Chord Mojo[/size]   [size=inherit]Used to have amps:[/size] Burson Conductor Virtuoso PCM. Oppo HA1 Oppo HA2
Source Inventory	[size=inherit]Auralic Vega[/size]
Cable Inventory	AudioQuest Coffee USB, AudioQuest Mackenzie XLR, Dana Reference Lazuli, Cardas Clear Utopia.
Other Audio Equipment	Songs Faber Olympica 3 speakers, Moon 340i B&W MM-1

 
4) Headphones / IEMs you wish to try with the Hugo2.
LCD3 Fazor
LCD4
Utopia
HD800 S
HE1000
PM2
PM3
V-ModaM100
AKG 550
Custom Art EI-XX CIEM

5) Agree to the terms of completing a product review for the Hugo2.
YES.

 

[elnero]

A chance to hear Mojo's big brother? Count me in!!!
 
1) Stratford, Prince Edward Island
 
2) There's links to couple in my sig. and here's some links to older ones 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/99162/review-eastern-electric-minimax-tube-output-cd-player-headphone-amp
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/589458/my-thoughts-on-the-neko-audio-d100-mk2-dac#post_8080530
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/34281/audio-technica-w100-and-w1000-comparison
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/32920/w100-and-cd1700-impressions-and-comparison
 
3) Currently own: MacBook Air, Chord Mojo, Audioquest NightHawk, Cardas A8, NuForce HEM2, Oriveti Primacy. Previous gear can be viewed in my profile
 
4) Audioquest NightHawk, Cardas A8, NuForce HEM2 (if required I have access to more, like HD650, MDR-Z7, K701, RS1's through a friend)
 
5) I Agree to the terms of completing a product review for the Hugo2. 
 

 

[twiceboss]

Anyone in the US wants to do the tour too???? I want to join haha

 

[nimbostruck14]

I really hope you end up continuing the tour into the United States!
It looks like a clever and wonderful device!

 

[Malfunkt]

hi there, would be great to take a listen
 
1) General location within Canada (i.e., City, Province).

Edmonton, Alberta 
 
2) Links to previous reviews (if any).

I have a number, but recently a featured thread here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/832713/headphone-comparison-sennheiser-hd700-denon-ah-d2000-sony-mdr-7520-audeze-lcd-2-rev-1-and-a-pair-of-logitech-ue6000s 
 
some other reviews: 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audeze-lcd2-planar-magnetic-headphones/reviews/13729
http://www.head-fi.org/products/sony-mdr-7520-professional-headphones/reviews/13891

 
3) Previous / Current gear owned.

Current: Headphones: LCD2 (early rev), Denon D2000, HD700, MDR7520
Current Amp and DAC: Mayflower O2/ODAC, Rotel RA-01
 
Previous: Headphones: HD650, AKG K271, Sony MDRV6, MDR7506, AKG K271, MDR7550, UE6000, HD25 1-II, HD280, many others.
Previous Amp DAC: JDS Labs C5D
 
4) Headphones / IEMs you wish to try with the Hugo2. 
 
LCD2 (early rev), Denon D2000, HD700, MDR7520, perhaps HD800 if I can get my hands on one.
 
5) Agree to the terms of completing a product review for the Hugo2. 

Would be glad to do a written review and agree to the terms.

 

[justrest]

Thank you for this great opportunity. I am really happy with my Hugo and I am considering to buy Hugo 2. 
 
1) General location within Canada (i.e., City, Province).
Toronto, Ontario.

2) Links to previous reviews (if any).
http://www.head-fi.org/products/effect-audio-x-empire-ears-arthur

3) Previous / Current gear owned.
Currently own source : Lotoo Paw Gold, Chord Hugo, Astell & Kern AK120, Dragonfly Black. 
Previous source : Hifiman HM901s, Chord Mojo, DX90, Paw5000..etc
Currently Own IEM: S-EM9, (W500 coming) PFE012, SE215spe. 
Previous IEM : Zeus-R,Oriolus MK2,K10UA,REF1,SE846,IE800,FX850,UM Pro50-30,UM3X,UM1, Kicker,SE535,Velvet...etc

4) Headphones / IEMs you wish to try with the Hugo2.
HD800s, Utopia 

5) Agree to the terms of completing a product review for the Hugo2.
Definitely agree.