Skynet6Sorry for the late response. I can't advise you on the Chord, having never had one. There are plenty of portable DAC/Amp combos nowadays, like the Oppo HA-2SE, and far too many for any but the pros at Head-Fi to have a comprehensive knowledge of the market. I was just endorsing the Pico because it is an excellent device, and not that many people outside the enthusiast community know the maker. Whether it is competitive with newer designs, that I don't know.
On the other hand, I am suspicious of manufacturers like Chord who make outlandish claims, tout over-the-top specs like 768kHz PCM, or claim they can deliver high-quality audio over lousy connections like Bluetooth. Who are they marketing to? Dolphins? Then again, even reputable firms like Bryston have yielded to audiophile snake-oil cultists and started selling power conditioners.