Short answer: the Chord Hugo 2. It ranks #17 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos by measured performance, rated 4.5/5, at $2,595. The NAD C 658 ranks #39, rated 2.8/5, at $2,299, $296 cheaper, which does not close the gap in measured performance.
The Chord Hugo 2 is the better-sounding choice. 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.
The case for the NAD C 658: It is a full streaming preamp with Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with aptX HD, two optical and two coaxial inputs, analog RCA inputs and an MM phono stage. It supports aptX HD Bluetooth, which the Chord Hugo 2 lacks. The catch: Audio Science Review measured only 90 dB SINAD, so sensitive in-ear monitors may reveal hiss or noise.
Buy the Chord Hugo 2. It is rated higher, and the $296 saving on the NAD C 658 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Chord Hugo 2 | NAD C 658 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,595.00 | $2,299.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #39 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp | DAC and headphone amp |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 90 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 740 mW (manufacturer rated) | - |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 94 mW (manufacturer rated) | - |
| Headphone Outputs | 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm | Headphone jack |
| Balanced Output | No | Yes (XLR line out) |
| Inputs | Micro USB, optical, coaxial (3.5 mm), Bluetooth | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 x optical, 2 x coaxial, 2 x line RCA, MM phono |
| Outputs | RCA | RCA preamp, XLR preamp, stereo subwoofer |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC, aptX HD |
| Battery Life | 6 hours | - |
| DAC Chip | Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA (Chord pulse array) | ESS Sabre |
| Volume Control | Digital (1 dB steps) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 0.8” x 5.1” (100 x 21 x 130 mm) | 17.1” x 3.9” x 15.9” (435 x 100 x 405 mm) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (365 g) | - |
| Equalizer | - | Yes (Dirac Live room correction, bass and treble) |
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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 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
NAD C 658: $2,299.00 Upscale Audio eBay
Pros: It is a full streaming preamp with Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with aptX HD, two optical and two coaxial inputs, analog RCA inputs and an MM phono stage. Dirac Live room correction, stereo subwoofer outputs and XLR preamp outputs make it a flexible hub for a speaker system.
Cons: Audio Science Review measured only 90 dB SINAD, so sensitive in-ear monitors may reveal hiss or noise. NAD doesn’t publish a 32 ohm power figure for the headphone jack, and the SMSL M10 rates higher for far less.
Full NAD C 658 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX HD |
| DAC Chip | ESS Sabre |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 17.1” x 3.9” x 15.9” (435 x 100 x 405 mm) |
| Equalizer | Yes (Dirac Live room correction, bass and treble) |
| Headphone Outputs | Headphone jack |
| Inputs | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 x optical, 2 x coaxial, 2 x line RCA, MM phono |
| Outputs | RCA preamp, XLR preamp, stereo subwoofer |
| SINAD | 90 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons