Chord Electronics
British electronics maker in Kent, founded in 1989 by John Franks after a career in aerospace. Chord write their own digital conversion code and run it on FPGA hardware rather than using off-the-shelf DAC chips.
About Chord Electronics
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Why Chord Electronics do not use off-the-shelf DAC chips
First, a point of confusion worth clearing up. Chord Electronics and Chord Company are separate businesses with no connection between them. Chord Electronics build DACs and amplifiers in Kent. Chord Company build cables in Wiltshire.
John Franks founded Chord Electronics in 1989, bringing power supply techniques from aerospace into audio. The company's reputation now rests mainly on its digital work. Almost every DAC on the market uses a conversion chip bought from one of a handful of semiconductor manufacturers, which means the filter design is largely inherited. Chord do not. Rob Watts writes the conversion code, and it runs on FPGA hardware that Chord program themselves.
The practical result is that Chord DACs sound recognisably like each other across a very wide price range. A Mojo and a DAVE share the same conversion approach, differing in the number of processing taps and the quality of the analogue stage around it. That is unusual, and it is why the entry products get taken as seriously as the reference ones.
The casework is machined from solid aluminium in-house, which is why the products look like nothing else and why they hold their value well.
Browse by Range
Chord Electronics is a family of products rather than a tiered ladder. The right choice usually depends on where the unit will live and what it needs to drive, rather than which model is better. Portable, desktop and reference units all share the same conversion approach.
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£329.17Ex. VATThe Mojo 2 is a revamped version of the already-groundbreaking Mojo, now featuring a superior USB-C connection and brand-new menu system alongside reworked electronics. This new version does still offer compatibility with the Poly, as well as a double-output for shared listening and the superlative design that is synonymous with Chord Electronics. -
Chord Electronics
Chord Electronics Poly Wireless Streaming Add-On Module for MojoSKU: Chord Poly
(6 reviews)£329.17Ex. VATPoly enables Chord Electronic's award-winning Mojo headphone amp/DAC as a fully fledged high-resolution wireless network music player, streamer and SD card playback device, with wireless playback and control from smartphones.
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From£829.17Ex. VATThe 2go streamer/server transforms the abilities of the Hugo 2, adding both Ethernet and wireless streaming, plus 4 TB of microSD card storage to the award-winning DAC/pre/headphone amp
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Chord Electronics
Chord Electronics 2YU Musically Transparent Audio Interface for 2GOSKU: 2YU
(3 reviews)From£375.00Ex. VATThe 2yu digital interface turns the 2go streamer/server into a multi-output standalone streamer capable of working with the Hugo M Scaler and a range of DACs -
★ AwardChord Electronics
Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Transportable DAC / Headphone Amplifier - Jett BlackSKU: Chord Hugo 2-Jett Black
(1 reviews)£1,495.83Ex. VATThis award-winning Hugo 2 can be used both at home and on-the-go, either with headphones or within a conventional audio system. Its line-level output and full-function remote control adds real flexibility in full-size and desktop systems. Voted Best DAC 2018 - 2018 by EISA.
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★ AwardChord Electronics
Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Transportable DAC / Headphone Amplifier - Argent SilverSKU: Chord Hugo 2-Argent Silver
£1,495.83Ex. VATThis award-winning Hugo 2 can be used both at home and on-the-go, either with headphones or within a conventional audio system. Its line-level output and full-function remote control adds real flexibility in full-size and desktop systems. Voted Best DAC 2018 - 2018 by EISA.
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£958.33Ex. VATNewly unveiled by Chord Electronics, Huei is a multi-cartridge compatible phono stage in the compact Qutest chassis. Keeping with Chord Electronic's usual high standards of design and manufacture, Huei offers support for a wide range of cartridges due to its capability of switching between Moving Magnet/Moving Coil cartridges, alongside various gain and impedance options selectable via the easily accessible front controls.
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★ Award£1,082.50Ex. VATAnni is a desktop integrated amplifier that introduces Chord Electronic's next-generation ULTIMA technology to both headphones and compact loudspeakers. -
★ AwardChord Electronics
Chord Electronics Qutest Standalone Digital Audio ConverterSKU: Qutest
(17 reviews)£1,041.67Ex. VATWinner of What Hi-Fi?'s Best DAC £500-£1200 & Product of the Year, Qutest is Chord's ‘pure’ DAC (it does not contain headphone amplification or rechargeable batteries like some of its range stablemates) and is designed to improve sound quality in the home. It is the latest evolution of their most affordable standalone DAC, the multi-award-winning 2Qute, which it directly replaces.
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Chord Electronics
Chord Electronics Qutest Stand System - Individual StandSKU: Chord Qutest Stand System
(1 reviews)£220.83Ex. VATThe Qutest Stand System by Chord Electronics is designed to simplify and streamline your Qutest system, allowing you to neatly stack multiple units. It is engineered with a mind to heat transfer, meaning that your components stay cool for optimal performance. -
£3,329.17Ex. VATAudiophiles looking for high-end audio performance in a small package will love the Chord Electronics BerTTi stereo power amplifier. With 75 watts of power per channel, BerTTi is equipped with all the features of Chord Electronics advanced ULTIMA amplification line-up, including their advanced error-correction topology, two high-frequency power supplies, and proprietary MOSFETs. -
★ AwardChord Electronics
Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler Standalone 1M-Tap Digital Upscaling DeviceSKU: Hugo M Scaler
(1 reviews)From£2,995.83Ex. VATUsing technology first seen in the flagship BLU MKII digital/CD transport, the Hugo M Scaler is a standalone upscaling device containing the world’s most advanced digital filter. When used with a dual-BNC-input Chord Electronics DAC, it is capable of redefining digital audio sound quality.
