Short answer: the Chord Hugo 2. Both are rated 4.5/5 (#17 and #18 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos), and the Chord Hugo 2 costs $2,595 against $14,900 for the Chord DAVE, with the ratings tied, the lower price decides it.
What the Chord DAVE does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 110 dB, so noise and distortion stay clean for nearly all listening. The tradeoff: It costs vastly more than the Fosi Audio ZH3, which rates higher and measured cleaner in Audio Science Review’s tests.
What the Chord Hugo 2 does well: Audio Science Review measured 112 dB SINAD, clean for nearly all listening, and Chord rates it at 740 mW into 32 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones. The tradeoff: It costs far more than the SMSL DS20, which rates the same and measured higher SINAD.
Buy the Chord Hugo 2. Both are rated the same, and it costs $12,305 less than the Chord DAVE.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Chord DAVE | Chord Hugo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14,900.00 | $2,595.00 |
| Ranked | #18 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #17 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp | DAC and headphone amp |
| SINAD | 110 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 1,400 mW into 33 ohms (manufacturer rated) | 740 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 154 mW (manufacturer rated) | 94 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm | 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) | No |
| Inputs | USB-B, 4 x coaxial (BNC), 2 x optical, AES/EBU | Micro USB, optical, coaxial (3.5 mm), Bluetooth |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA |
| DAC Chip | Custom FPGA (Xilinx Spartan 6) | Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA (Chord pulse array) |
| Volume Control | Digital (rotary encoder, remote) | Digital (1 dB steps) |
| Dimensions | 13.2” x 3.1” x 6” (335 x 78 x 152 mm) | 3.9” x 0.8” x 5.1” (100 x 21 x 130 mm) |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) | 0.8 lbs (365 g) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Battery Life | - | 6 hours |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Amps and DACs In Full
Chord DAVE: $14,900.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 110 dB, so noise and distortion stay clean for nearly all listening. Chord rates it at 1,400 mW into 33 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones, and it doubles as a full DAC preamp with USB, four coaxial, two optical and AES/EBU inputs plus RCA and XLR outputs. A remote and digital volume control make it easy to run as the hub of a desktop or speaker system.
Cons: It costs vastly more than the Fosi Audio ZH3, which rates higher and measured cleaner in Audio Science Review’s tests. Its only headphone jack is a single 6.35 mm socket with no balanced headphone output, and at 5 kg it is a large desktop unit.
Full Chord DAVE review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| DAC Chip | Custom FPGA (Xilinx Spartan 6) |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 13.2” x 3.1” x 6” (335 x 78 x 152 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm |
| Inputs | USB-B, 4 x coaxial (BNC), 2 x optical, AES/EBU |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 154 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 1,400 mW into 33 ohms (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 110 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Digital (rotary encoder, remote) |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Chord Hugo 2: $2,595.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured 112 dB SINAD, clean for nearly all listening, and Chord rates it at 740 mW into 32 ohms, enough for most planar magnetic headphones. It is a battery powered portable unit with about 6 hours of play, Bluetooth with aptX, and optical, coaxial and USB inputs. RCA outputs let it double as a home DAC.
Cons: It costs far more than the SMSL DS20, which rates the same and measured higher SINAD. There is no balanced headphone output, the USB port is the older micro USB type, and battery life is short at about 6 hours.
Full Chord Hugo 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | No |
| Battery Life | 6 hours |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| DAC Chip | Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA (Chord pulse array) |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 0.8” x 5.1” (100 x 21 x 130 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm |
| Inputs | Micro USB, optical, coaxial (3.5 mm), Bluetooth |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 94 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 740 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Digital (1 dB steps) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (365 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons