Short answer: the Yulong DA10. It ranks #14 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos by measured performance, rated 4.6/5, at $1,092; the Chord Hugo 2 ranks #17, rated 4.5/5, and costs $2,595, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Yulong DA10 does well: Audio Science Review measured 112 dB SINAD, clean for nearly all listening. Watch for: The Fosi Audio ZH3 rates higher with slightly better measured SINAD for much less.
Why pick the Chord Hugo 2: 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 catch: It costs far more than the SMSL DS20, which rates the same and measured higher SINAD.
Buy the Yulong DA10. It is rated higher than the Chord Hugo 2 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yulong DA10 | Chord Hugo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,092.00 | $2,595.00 |
| Ranked | #14 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 | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 3,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 740 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 460 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) | 94 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR balanced | 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | No |
| Inputs | USB, AES/EBU, coaxial, optical | Micro USB, optical, coaxial (3.5 mm), Bluetooth |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA |
| DAC Chip | AK4497 | Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA (Chord pulse array) |
| Volume Control | Digital (99 steps) | Digital (1 dB steps) |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 2.4” x 8.3” (248 x 60 x 210 mm) | 3.9” x 0.8” x 5.1” (100 x 21 x 130 mm) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4 kg) | 0.8 lbs (365 g) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Battery Life | - | 6 hours |
Related Amp and DAC Comparisons
How Yulong DA10 compares with other leading options:
- D&A Alpha Pro vs Yulong DA10
- JDS Labs Element IV vs Yulong DA10
- Benchmark DAC3 HGC vs Yulong DA10
- SPL Phonitor x vs Yulong DA10
- Yulong DA10 vs Chord DAVE
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
Yulong DA10: $1,092.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured 112 dB SINAD, clean for nearly all listening. Yulong rates it at 3,000 mW into 32 ohms and 460 mW into 300 ohms from the balanced 4-pin XLR jack, enough for nearly any headphone, and it accepts USB, AES/EBU, coaxial and optical with RCA and XLR outputs.
Cons: The Fosi Audio ZH3 rates higher with slightly better measured SINAD for much less. It is a large, heavy 4 kg box with no Bluetooth input.
Full Yulong DA10 review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | Yes (4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
|---|---|
| DAC Chip | AK4497 |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 9.8” x 2.4” x 8.3” (248 x 60 x 210 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | USB, AES/EBU, coaxial, optical |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 460 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 3,000 mW (manufacturer rated, balanced) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 112 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Digital (99 steps) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4 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