Chord Electronics Phono Stages
Chord Electronics Phono Stages are available for demo and purchase at our expansive showroom. For more information or questions, call the shop at (619) 223-8151
Phono Stages > Chord Electronics
Suzi Pre
Designed by John Franks, the Suzi Pre is a versatile pre-amplifier, with a built-in MM/MC phono stage. The Suzi Pre allows the direct integration of the new Suzi amplifier to create acompact amp, preamp and phono stage system or can be used as a standalone pre-amplifier.
The Suzi system has been conceptualised to offer consumers myriad options while accommodating existing Hugo 2 and Hugo 2/2go owners by offering a purpose-designed ULTIMA-technology amplifier solution with similar space-saving chassis dimensions.
The Suzi Pre and Suzi will be formally launched in the autumn 2024.
Symphonic Phono Stage
Nestling in the Choral range, the Symphonic is our flagship MC phono stage, offering a range of advanced features over the entry-level Dual. The high-performance Symphonic uses our latest high-frequency power supply technology to exploit vinyl’s full potential, along with many new key features, to bring the performance levels in line with the Choral range, home of the DAVE DAC/preamp.
The Symphonic offers an almost infinite number of input impedance and gain options as well as balanced and unbalanced input options to the cartridge, making it a highly flexible device for integrating high-quality turntables into Chord systems. The comprehensive settings options are all externally selectable, with selections signified internally with illuminating LEDs.
A rumble filter removes unwanted low-frequency rumble signals appearing on both channels. The Symphonic Phono stage conforms to the RIAA curve without the IEC roll-off when the Rumble filter is set to ‘off’ Preamps: CPA 2500, CPA 3000, CPA 5000, and CPA 8000. Preamps: CPA 2500, CPA 3000, CPA 5000, and CPA 8000.; this is commensurate with the high calibre of Chord amplification. The IEC curve response can be added by setting the Rumble filter to ‘on’. According to the wiring of the tone arm on the turntable used, the Symphonic can be operated in either an unbalanced or balanced mode.
Huei Phono Stage
Entirely conceived, engineered and manufactured in Great Britain, Huei has been carefully designed to provide turntables with the same high standards of amplification that Chord Electronics has become known for over the past 30 years.
Benefitting from both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil functionality, Huei offers compatibility with a huge range of cartridges thanks to comprehensive gain and impedance-matching options; Huei’s high- and low-gain switching settings are easily accessible via front-panel controls, introducing welcome flexibility.
Huei’s advanced design offers (for the first time in a Chord Electronics phono preamp) ultra-low-noise microprocessor control of its main features, including a convenient memory function. With multiple options for impedance-matching, eight-stage switchable gain and a switchable rumble filter, Huei’s design offers comprehensive compatibility.
Precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet, Huei has a similar form factor to the company’s Qutest DAC and also offers a top-mounted viewing window into the illuminated electronics within. The design also shares the same polychromatic control spheres the company has become known for in its digital products. The illuminated front-panel spheres offer direct access to Huei’s gain and impedance settings, selection for MM/MC cartridges and access to the on-board rumble filter.
Huei is a stylish, practical and high-performance solution for integrating turntables into Chord Electronics’ (and other) systems and features both unbalanced (RCA) and balanced outputs (XLR) with RCA inputs. A high-quality 12V external power supply is also supplied.
Ultima Pre
Designed to be entirely uncompromising, the ULTIMA PRE is a world-class amplifier with advanced proprietary Chord Electronics technology. A product of three decades of research, design and engineering here in the UK, it benefits from true dual-mono construction with separate ultra-high-frequency power supplies for each channel, giving the best possible separation. With the addition of valuable low-noise circuitry, the noise floor performance is exceptional, at beyond -117dB.
Featuring impressive double-height dimensions, the ULTIMA PRE has been created to perfectly complement the flagship ULTIMA mono power amplifier, also the most advanced in the company’s 30-year history. With wide-ranging inputs and outputs, including balanced connectivity, the ULTIMA PRE offers complete flexibility for high-performance partnering equipment, enhanced further by the fascia-mounted separate frequency EQ adjust controls for the left and right channels. Headphone outputs offer further flexibility for late-night and personal listening in style.
Each ULTIMA PRE is hand-made in the Kent factory, with the various stages of build and production carefully overseen by one highly skilled technician. Sensitive internal circuit features are protected by solid milled aluminium shielding to prevent RF interference and Chord Electronics’ legendary UK-produced aircraft-grade aluminium provides a solid and resonance-eliminating enclosure for the electronics within, complemented by the famous Integra Leg System.
ULTIMA is the ultimate expression of the finest high-performance, ultra-fast, ultra-high-power amplifier technology available today.
Prima
Our Prima preamp forms part of the stylish and compact Choral range and has been designed to complement our Etude power amps. Despite its compact dimensions and space-saving footprint, the Prima is every bit a pedigree Chord Electronics amplifier.
Precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet, the Prima offers both remote control and front panel operation. Prima’s fascia offers volume and balance controls while its push-button controls atop the unit, offer input selection and tape line selection, the latter enabling its tape outputs to be selected for recording from source components. Further design features include a top panel display, offering input choice and volume information, plus a clever porthole which enables the internal circuit board to be seen.
The Prima also benefits from a custom Ultra-High-Frequency power supply, which delivers efficient and fast energy charge/discharge for delivering power to capacitors when required. Prima offers fully balanced circuitry throughout and useful flexibility with five inputs, four unbalanced RCA and one balanced XLR, plus a balanced XLR output and a tape output. For added versatility, Prima’s audio circuit offers six independent input gain adjustments for the five inputs and low impedance outputs.