Chord 2Go + Hugo 2 = high-end audio in EVERY room 

LIKE THIS VIDEO? Please support what we do via Patreon: www.patreon.com/johndarko Backstory: darko.audio/2020/04/a-short-film-about-the-chord-2go-hugo-2/ 10 more thoughts on the Chord 2go + Hugo 2: darko.audio/2020/04/10-more-thoughts-on-the-chord-2go-hugo-2/

Another mojo/poly owner here. The combo sounds fantastic... when it works, but it seems to be a fundamentally flawed product. Plenty of software bugs, clunky & often frustrating UX, Airplay is unreliable (random dropouts on the go). I've had multiple polys die on me, with no international warranty support (one died while I was travelling and I couldn't replace it until I could reach the store I purchased it from), another one took months to be replaced. Based on my experience, I'd caution anyone from running out and buying this, without researching and possibly demoing it. I.e. if you're just using it with Roon it may be everything you could ever want, but if you're planning on using it just an airplay endpoint, you're probably better off just getting a DAP

I own the Chord Hugo2 and just purchased the 2go. I am thus far sampling with my B&W P7 headphones. Next up will try my Audeze LX2. My (not very technical) preliminary review is: WOW!!!. Setup is easy (manufacturer acknowledges problems with Mojo/Poly software / firmware challenges in setup that have apparently improved in this product), streaming is phenomenal, and sound quality is superb. I tried streaming via Roon with audio library on my iMac (mostly high resolution HDTracks files) as well as RU-vid music from my MB pro via AirPlay. So, far no complaints. With those who are having trouble with AirPlay, my impression: AirPlay quality depends a lot on the source device (I have a lot of drop outs with AirPlay from my AppleTV but not much trouble from my MB Pro streaming to B&W Zeppelin Wireless).

I feel better already. A new video from Darko has dropped. A million thanks John!

Your videos are the best in the audiophiles reviewers... good camera shots... editing.... script....etc. The rest pale in comparison. Carry on John.

Like the addition of the captions and descriptions for the various pieces of gear shown in the video, good work.

Fantastic video as always! Thanks for making it.

Thank you very much John, for the 2go video which I have been waiting for so long! Now the 2you question left :) Stay safe ✊

Thanks John - this is the review I've been hoping you would produce. Excellent as usual and looking forward to your written follow up on the website.

It connects just like an IKEA furniture!

I’m often sitting on the toilet waiting for the drop!

Great video John. Thank you!

Love Chord products. Thanks for the great review John.

The Tomorrows world of Audio. I wish Chord would make a Walkman type of player.

I love the sound of the chord products ... the only pain in the ass is the micro-usb connector at the mojo & hugo I really hate it

Did I just hear someone is playing New FADS as part of a listening review. Wow, wonders will never cease.

Mconnect! I've been so frustrated not having gapless playback with my Chord Poly until now. Your suggestions are so helpful. Thank you!

Of course it's for using on the toilet. That's why it's call 2Go.

The music at the start is phenomenal

Do like your stuff John. Keep it up, and stay safe over in Europe-Berlin. Luv your passion for audio. Think you had the Meze Empyrians. Maybe one day I'll snag a set. 😁 Interesting look at the Hugo 2 and 2go, and your comparing it, to the mojo and Polly; as well as the Qutest. Audiophile land, is ideal, in these times; i.e., tough isolated times. 🙏🏼✌🏼

I love my Chord Poly/Mojo combo - sounds epic. This must be amazing! Great review, as always.

John, I've got the Hugo2go and agree wholeheartedly with your emphasis on "around the house" portability. Especially as the whole family is now living in close quarters while sheltering-in-place, it's great to be able to pick up and move your audio system to another room, no cables, no power cords, no bother. FYI, I got a Jansport "Weekender" mini bag (US$20) to give me a bag and shoulder strap for my Hugo2go, making it even more grab-and-go-able around the house.

10:50 re: the negative influence of the room, listening to speakers nearfield (where the speakers are in the middle of the room) on a much lower volume reduces the effect of the room tremendously. If you end up liking it then choosing speakers takes on a whole new realm as speaker characteristics for nearfield are completely different.

Thank you for calling out the nonsense of those rubber bands, I also got them with my iFi Nano. They either block your display or fiddle with buttons on the side of your phone. And the whole package is too bulky anyway. :)

I absolutely love your music selection for your videos. My dirty secret is I go to your list and find the music in AM to add to my play list.

I definitely like the Chord products but my biggest gripe is the with potential battery replacement, both in the cost and that it's not meant to be user replaceable. When the battery in my Mono finally goes I'm going to remove the battery and just run it off of an external battery or USB power supply.

Neat concept. The device itself has dreadful aesthetics. It looks like a kids toy from the 80s. The functionality is pretty cool, though.

I like your website more. Videos are nice with great production but the website provides a better perspective along with your very well crafted writing.

As always... very helpful and good video! Cheers!

im so confused ... yet I still enjoy these videos

Great video; thank you. I also just started listening to your podcast. Well done. Thanks.

I just started watching your videos and bloody love them. UK lockdown means I have more time to dedicate to enjoying music and doing so has made me realize my system isn't very good. Search on how to improve led me to your videos. I have repositioned my speakers away from the wall and repositioned my chair which has improved things massively, far less boomy and muddy. My speakers are probably too big for the room but they are all I have and have a love for them having inherited them from my Dad, childhood memories etc. Anyway at the moment my system is two pioneer cs607 speakers, a yamaha htr-5540RDS av receiver, a very cheap Bluetooth receiver and my phone. My budget is low, (furloughed). Any tips on what to buy to improve my listening experience etc? I'm a complete novice to home audio. I'm also thinking of buying or building some stands to get my speakers off the floor, again any tips or products I should look at? Cheers all.

Nice video, this thing seems to be brilliant. Having just ordered a pair of Meze headphones the Hugo+2Go seems like a nice dac/transport. Having USB between the units makes me wonder if they lost the advantage of being able to pull data from the source using only one clock or if there still is a clock in the 2Go that has to synchronize with the Hugo hence introducing more jitter than necessary...

I've got the Poly / Mojo and it's been a bag of washing. Would I buy one for my Hugo2 - No.

“Do I listen to music on the toilet?” Form and function - an audiophiles approach. Next weeks video.

Used to own the mojo+poly combo. It’s a complete nightmare especially with the go figure app. Chord should develop their own player control app to provide an intuitive user experience. With the go figure + a 3rd party app it’s just way too clutter IMHO.

I just bought the Hugo 2 and love it so far with my Audeze LCD-X. I stream Qobuz via my iPhone plugged into the Hugo 2. Since I only have my phone as my only source, are there any advantages to the 2Go?

Usefull. As allways. Thanks

Great video. Toilet bit was funny😊

Hi John, thanks for the good video. I have Qutest and i'm very happy about that DAC. I've noticed Chord Huei on the audio rack. Is the video/review coming of that too?

From Hugo to Lego in just couple of bricks. 🔝

Quick question: Can the 2Go cut hair? Asking for a friend. It's getting serious out here.

Congratulations John, your make GREAT videos. Excelent presentation, soundtrack and cinematography, world class really. You have come a LONG way since your first videos on this channel that were made in 2015. But I must ask.. What in the word where you using to film those 2015 videos with!? They look like they were shot using one of those camcorders from the early 90s, or the cameras from early 2000 flip phones. Cheers John, stay safe.

Chord 2Go + Hugo 2 + 64 Audio U18 Tzar is one of the craziest setups if have ever heard. You can hear the spinning of the protons! :D

I'm sure it sounds extraordinary and I am all in favour of expensive gear, if it makes sense. But this makes no sense. It costs 3500 euros, it is extremely bulky and lacks proper control app for the streaming part. Personally I would just pick up an IFI xdsd (or nano bl) for on the go and spend the rest on a really good fixed streamer/dac for the main stereo. The Chord Qutest, which you already mention is better, costs only 1500 euros, leaving another 1500 for a brilliant streamer like the innuos zen.

Looking at the Hugo+2Go offering, it just seems like their are more compelling offerings for the dollar. I feel like with the ~$4k price tag of this combo, I would find something like the Fiio M15 for portable use, combined with any number of $3k Amp/Dac/Streamers combos(Brooklyn Bridge, Altair G1, etc....), much more compelling. Considering the additional availability of independent streamers, such as the Volumio Primo, I would again find the offering of a portable DAP such as the M15, a Volumio, and then many of the endless $2500 Amp+Dac combos, to be more compelling then the 2Go + Hugo. Chinese companies have incredible offerings right now, like the Topping D90 dac, or any of the high end Audio-GD offerings. I would almost certainly prefer to be listening to a Benchmark HPA4+Topping D90, pretty much top of the line in their respective categories under 5k, even if I had to use a Raspberry Pi as a streamer, as compared to the Hugo offering. Especially considering the pain in the ass it will be to have to disconnect/reconnect all the cables from the Hugo setup every time I leave the house, and come back in the afternoon.

Thank john that very interesting! Hopfully you'll take a look at the 2yu as well at some point, but nice to see that this works well.

Here I was wanting the usual Spotify playlist link lol. Review video was nice. I don't own any portable or fancy headphones but the looks on that machine, the design, those LEDs, the convince... made me think I need one

Very very similar to my Chord Mojo Poly. Yes I know you already did this one.

I do like your attitude towards audio!

So leaving the transportabillity aside, would you go for this combo or the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge? Primarily for headphone listening.

I was sold on the toilet compatibility. Shut up and take my money!

Great video! Thanks again as always, also, who makes the bass traps sitting behind the JBL'S?

You've made numerous strong cases for the LG phone models with excellent audio.

So basically the 2go replaces the USB cable between your Hugo and phone? Or does it do more?

Well why not just loudspeakers in your toilet, like in the bathroom. Most houses does have central heating and my house does allso have a central stereo. Think the Hugo will well perform in the car, or am I wrong?

Thanks John. The reason I gave up on my Mojo 1 was the sheer bulk and wires

The Hugo 2 + Meze Empyrean is my dream setup. One day.

I thought this set was lossy since it's not cable-connected but it's not! Now I want them.

02:53, ahh now everything makes sense! I was asking myself whether the two Micro-USB connectors would hold the child and the mothership in place! Well, that's how you lock two shelves together, smart.

Does this make sense to use instead of the DAC on an Eversolo or Fiio?

Portable at a push, but would you carry a 2 grand bit of kit out and about on a regular basis?

Hi john, quick question: since it doesn’t support MQA is it still possible to stream tidal on the highest quality? And if that isn’t the case is it maybe a better investment because it is also much cheaper to buy the pro-ject pre box s2 + pro-ject stream box S2 I would really appreciate your answer(s) and thoughts about it! Keep up these great videos!

A bit late to this one and I just also read your "10 more thoughts on the Chord 2go + Hugo 2" which covers the comment I was about to make on your 6th thought - "Chord rate the 2go’s battery life at 12 hours. Is that accurate? When the Hugo 2’s battery runs out of go-juice in under seven, does the question even matter?" TL;DR - I think battery life can matter and personally would have liked the Chord 2 Go to be bigger to allow a higher capacity battery. In the absence of that for someone wanting more battery life strapping a power bank to the back of a Chord2Go+Hugo2 combo, anywhere from 5,000 - 25,000 mAh capacity depending on how much extra life you want to get to and how much extra bulk bothers you, might be an option for some. My more fully articulated thoughts on this are as follows and I'll preface this by saying that there are a vast spectrum of customer requirements any reasonably sized customer base and I am sure that Chord knows its customer base far better than I do so I will make this comment humbly and gently as my musings rather than an assertion that Chord is right and I am wrong, it is very possibly me that is wrong and the outlier in terms of my personal customer requirements, but I wonder if just possibly Chord made a slight design misstep on the Chord2Go. You John highlighted what I think is the key issue in this video. Chord has the Mojo/Poly for its portable offering and the Chord2Go/Hugo2 is maybe better considered as a transportable rather than a portable device. WIth that in mind I see its use case more in line with the use you have gravitated towards, an arm-of-sofa or desktop device. As such I think Chord should have seriously considered doubling the length of the Chord2Go to give an appreciably bigger battery (which only makes sense if we do assume that once the Hugo2 dies after 7 hours the C2Go can act as a battery bank until it itself is also depleted). If you are only transporting the device between sofa, office and ... let's not go there! ... then the extra size and weight would in no way compromise that transportability (in my opinion) and I do think that getting at least closer to the 20+ hour battery life of Bluetooth headphones or high capacity speakers is worthwhile not because you're going to do high end audio listening for 15 hours in a row but because in a home environment it is entirely possible to forget to put something back on a charger overnight so a > 12 hour battery life gives you the headroom to forget once, probably 2 or maybe even 3 nights in a row, and still be OK. Having said that high capacity power banks are getting compact and cheap with a gazillion choices on Amazon and elsewhere so an option for people wanting more battery life might be to go full circle and come back to the start of your video but, instead of strapping a phone to the Hugo 2, strap (or more permanently affix with double-sided sticky tape, a power bank to the back of the Chord2Go+Hugo2 combo that is permanently plugged into the Chord2Go. The bigger size of the Chord combo vs just the Hugo 2 you had at the start should actually make it less obtrusive than the setup at the start of your video plus 10,000mAh battery packs can be very thin or if not enough ~25,000mAh packs are still not huge.

John, How would you compare the mojo and poly combo to this combo? Significant step up? Heard some might even prefer the mojo and poly combo and that adding the poly gives the the mojo a nice jump in sound quality? Thanks!

I’m not convinced by this one . It looks great and takes some wires out of the mix when using it as a ‘trans’portable unit , but Go figure was just horrific to configure under the mojo / poly and had a long running issue with native qobuz support . I hope they’ve done the promised upgrade work on the UI and qobuz done their bits too . Since upgrading the mojo to the Hugo2 I’ve paired it with the latest schiit magni 3+ and it’s the most amazing office headfi setup (DCA Aeon 2 closed), but I’m still looking for a reason to spend this big money on the 2go. (I’ve got a Qutest at home which is really only a few quid more than the 2go by itself - now THATS nuts)

John do you think 2go 2 you is best streaming option for Chord Dave ? Currently using Project Ultra S2 and looking to find an improved product wish they had something in similar form factor like Chord devices , streamer with M scaler build-in wound be so cool

Listening to music while during your daily #2..... sounds like me for sure.

I'm using Bluetooth connections on my IPhone 8 plus and its already sounds nice, I did not hear any differences by connecting Hugo 2 using a ridiculous long cable setup hahaha. Like anyone else comment I'm disappointed when they still using micro USB port instead of type C port. I did not buy 2GO instead I choose AK Kann CUBE. I love my AK Kann Cube even bigger than the original KANN and its sounds better even without my Hugo 2. The best thing it uses type C port and easy to configure as network streamer.

You say that it's much better than the Bluesound Node 2i... hopefully!! Only the Dac cost almost 3 times the cost of the Bluesound. You didn't mentioned the price in the video.

Thanks for the video. Question: if I'm streaming wireless over my network, does it really matter if the server is of an 'audiophile' quality. i.e. will my desktop PC (iMac) used as a ROON core work just as well as a dedicated audio PC such as; a ROON nucleus or an Innuos??

Dear John, I’m not quite sure I should be thankful for this video as previous videos of yours made me buy a H390 from Hegel last month and this one a Hugo2/2Go combo after I finished watching it. Can you make a video on how you do your sound recording/editing so my wife will stop thinking some witchcraft is involved ? Thanks a lot

Ugly?? I am sure there is a practicality to the small form factor, and I appreciate it makes a lot of sense for people on the go to look into the Hugo2 , but I just cannot warm to it. I like looking at my hi fi almost as much as I like listening to it an enjoy the symmetry of the full sized components in my rack flanked by tower speakers. I listen with my eyes open and that's what I am looking at 95% of the time. It sounds churlish, and I am sure this product sounds fantastic, but I could never see myself purchasing anything that looked like that. Thanks for sharing. - PS you have a lot of PS Audio gear. Didn't realise you were a fan.

On Android I use BubbleUPnP (gapless) with a Poly / Mojo. To get gapless run BubbleUPnP - select Now Playing - select Renderer (square icon on rhs of display) - select 3 dots - select Settings - enable Gapless. Hope this is of some use.

After installing room-treatments in our toilet there wasn’t any room left to go to the toilet. Bass-trap made a handy bog-roll holder though.

John, was an early adopter with Poly and love it with 2.0. Had the 2go for a few weeks now as well and love it with Roon. Was curious to know if you like the sound pairing with the Solaris. I have the Atlas and Cascade. Been on the fence with the Solaris.

I love that you can have fun with a little toilet humor in your reviews. Anyhow, I have a Qutest on my main system and use the Auralic Aries G1as my streamer. I absolutely LOVE that combo. But, I found myself listening to more headphones lately at home and at the office. So, I started to research PDPs and immediately thought of the Mojo/Poly combo. I auditioned one and it was lovely. Then, my dealer told me about the upcoming 2Go unit for the Hugo. He said if I wanted something that sounded a little more like my Qutest, this may be something to consider. At the end of the day, I would be listening to local files via a memory card and stream Tidal when I could as my office does not have wifi that can be used on non business devices. I didn't much care for the way the Mojo/Poly was controlled via an app and decided to go with a more traditional (if there is such a thing) PDP. Once I saw the recent sale price on the discontinued Astell and & Kern Kaan, I picked one up. It's been a great way to listen to my Quad ER1s cans around the home and Campfire Audio Solstice CIEMs out and about. If I didn't already have a nice streamer and DAC, I could see something like this Hugo2 and 2Go combo being a nice all-rounder.

Had the Mojo+Poly combo- not too stable even today. Hugo 2+2Go feels like a different product entirely with no issues to talk about whatsoever! (Well, so far)

I listen to music on Spotify (320KB). Is it worth spending the money on a Hugo 2?

But why spend a grand when you can just wire yr Hugo 2 to phone or iPad which is what I do. With the 2go u still need phone or ipad

Mr. Darko, as much as I truly enjoy your videos and I watch every single one of them, your taste in music astonishes me. As soon as I saw Chris Clark record being played I jumped out of my chair :D You made my day sir :)

Best Video- & Sound.👌😍

This in probably not the best place for this comment. I have been listening to John and have concluded he is a good/genuine/classy man.

O you are killing me. I have the Focal Arche for my Focal Utopia cans ,but it has no network. Now, I'm thinking of the chord 2 m the go . Price is higher but lossless sound. I wondering will this sound better than the Arche. I have only 7 days left to return the Arche . Have u heard the Arche? . ...any thoughts. Thanks for the video and me twisted and wondering what I should do. I'm all about resolution/clarity . PS. If I'm listening to my music and heading toward the bathroom ,its no way I'm taking it off. So yeah, rock on even in the bathroom on the throne.

Say if you have a good pair of headphones, but no integrated amp or speakers. If you want to buy a good Bluetooth speaker like a soundboks 3, can the Hugo 2 stream over Bluetooth to the soundboks 3 at better than CD quality, though it's a lossy format?

Listening to this through my Meze Empyrean's connected to my Hugo2go w/ audio streamed via Airplay from my Macbook ;) Also, I just wrote in a comment on FB yesterday how this combo was more "transportable vs. portable." Seems we've had identical experiences.

Great review!

@John Darko Based on your experience, which DAPs the V30 and G7 could rival?

Maybe a stupid question.... could I use this device outside where I won't have wifi but still stream Tidal if I'm paired to my iPhone? Purpose is to use this for morning/evening walks and the gym (once its safe to go back if ever)

John, just wondering if the Evergreen RCA's you're using here is because of preference i.e. complimentary with the Hugo. Or did you not really feel the need to experiment with some of the more expensive interconnects you have on hand? (Or if the Evergreens were just something easy you grabbed for filming on that particular day) Stay safe and keep well!

Sweet looking unit

Hi, could you clarify - I use a Node 2i and am looking at auditioning some DAC options; you said that this chord combo sounded better than the Node 2i, but were you talking about the Node 2i on it’s own? Because you also suggested you were using the stand alone Hugo with the Node 2i before - if there is a difference between the transport sections of either set up I’d be keen to know. Thanks for another great video and for having a workable taste in source material!

Holiday cancelled this year. I'm sure the missus wont mind me spending the money on this instead...

Someone should make a phone case that has a "module" that is a DAC/AMP. You could take the module away and put it back in and the case acts as a "dock" to the phone that you can put into your pocket!

The background sound great on my Meze Empyrean :)

Great video and a 'like' for Darko. Really love the Mojo but this combo's price is high; almost the price of a hiend 'rackable'/Kallax-fi/whatever...DAC/stramer! Yes, if I had a small place I would buy it...Oh! And no more isolation for now please!

How are the Meze’s holding up?

The Hugo2 offers bluetooth input and I could stream music from my phone to Hugo2 through BT. What's the point of having 2go then?

May I ask why you are using and iPhone all of a sudden? Does the app not work on your LG?

Hi, like you i am also a ROON enthousiast user. I feed my Hugo 2 directly from my iMac mini. Maybe a not so smart question, but is it possible to use also use the 2go as a ROON core ? What is the impact/benefits if i add the 2go between the imac mini and the hugo2