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 Sennheiser HDV 820 ranks #34, rated 3.6/5, at $1,999.95, $595.05 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
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. Watch for: It costs far more than the SMSL DS20, which rates the same and measured higher SINAD.
The case for the Sennheiser HDV 820: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 108 dB, clean for nearly all listening. Watch for: Sennheiser doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, so it is hard to judge how well it drives low impedance planar headphones.
Buy the Chord Hugo 2. It is rated higher, and the $595.05 saving on the Sennheiser HDV 820 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphone Amps and DACs rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Chord Hugo 2 | Sennheiser HDV 820 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,595.00 | $1,999.95 |
| Ranked | #17 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #34 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) | 108 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 | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Balanced Output | No | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Inputs | Micro USB, optical, coaxial (3.5 mm), Bluetooth | USB, optical, coaxial, RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | RCA | XLR |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours | - |
| DAC Chip | Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA (Chord pulse array) | ES9028PRO |
| Volume Control | Digital (1 dB steps) | Hardware knob |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 0.8” x 5.1” (100 x 21 x 130 mm) | 8.8” x 1.7” x 12” (224 x 44 x 306 mm) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (365 g) | 5.3 lbs (2.39 kg) |
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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
Sennheiser HDV 820: $1,999.95 Sennheiser eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 108 dB, clean for nearly all listening. It has 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced and 4-pin XLR balanced headphone outputs, and accepts USB, optical, coaxial, RCA and XLR inputs, so it can also serve as a standalone amp for another DAC.
Cons: Sennheiser doesn’t publish a power figure into 32 ohms, so it is hard to judge how well it drives low impedance planar headphones. The Loxjie D40 rates higher and measured much cleaner for a small fraction of the price.
Full Sennheiser HDV 820 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| DAC Chip | ES9028PRO |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 1.7” x 12” (224 x 44 x 306 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, RCA, XLR |
| Outputs | XLR |
| SINAD | 108 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.39 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons