CES 2014 sees the launch of Hugo – a headphone amp for
wherever ‘you-go’
KENT-BASED CHORD ELECTRONICS announced the launch of a
portable headphone amplifier at CES 2014 in Las Vegas this month. Called Hugo –
because you can take Hugo wherever ‘you-go’ – the palm-sized player claims to
offer studio sound quality, advanced connectivity and uncompromising fi le
playback capability. The maker tells us the Hugo headphone amp/DAC offers five
digital inputs as well as A2DP apt-X Bluetooth, plus 384kHz PCM and DSD 128
playback for high-resolution DXD (Digital eXtreme Definition) music fi les. Two
USB inputs: one driverless input for legacy USB devices and one asynchronous
high-definition USB port for operation up to 384kHz. There are also coaxial and
optical digital inputs. The silver aluminum casework has a hard-anodized finish
and the top-mounted ‘porthole’ shows the internal circuitry, which changes
color dependent on incoming sample rates. The built-in battery reaches full
charge in two hours and offers 14 hours of use, the maker says.
Chord Electronics Launches
Hugo
Following the launch of the SCM7 and SCM11 stand mount
loudspeakers in late 2013, ATC has recently announced the inclusion of two
additional models to join its Hi-Fi Passive Series, completing the lineup. The
second-generation SCM19 stand mount and SCM40 floor standing models both employ
the company’s all-new SH25-76 25mm soft dome tweeter, sharing technology with
the company’s soft-domed mid-range unit.
ATC adds to
Passive Series
The all-new ATC tweeter employs a dual suspension system
suggesting improved performance at high power output levels, while a 5.5mm
alloy waveguide provides optimum dispersion, a flat on-axis frequency response
and resonance-free operation, the maker tells us. Partnered with a 150mm
mid/bass driver on the stand mounting SCM19 speaker design, and individual 75mm
soft-dome mid-range and 164mm bass drivers on the SCM40 three-way floor
standing design, the improved speaker crossover stages afford the ATC Hi-Fi
Passive Series range of speakers greater power handling, frequency integration
and clarity, says ATC. All Hi-Fi Passive Series models are housed in high
rigidity curved cabinets and are available finished in cherry or black ash
veneers with anthracite grey metal grilles fixed to the front of the cabinets
by concealed magnets. As with all ATC loudspeakers the model number denotes the
speaker’s internal cabinet volume in Litres, and each comes with a six year
maker’s warranty.
SCM19 speaker
