Chord Electronics Power Amplifiers and Monoblocks
Chord Electronics power amplifiers and monoblocks are available for demo and purchase at our expansive showroom. For more information or questions, call the shop at (619) 223-8151
Amplifiers > Chord Electronics
Suzi
Designed by John Franks, the Suzi is an innovative ULTIMA-tech modular power amplifier, delivering 30 W per channel. The Suzi allows the direct integration of the new Suzi Pre preamplifier, Hugo 2 or Hugo 2 and 2go. The Suzi has three primary use case scenarios: as an analogue pre/power amplifier (a Suzi Pre with a Suzi); a DAC/amplifier (a Suzi with a Hugo 2), plus a streaming amplifier (a Suzi with a Hugo 2 and 2go). The Suzi can also be used as a standalone 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.
Bertti
Pure Soundscape
With the birth of the Grandioso M1X, our flagship monoblock power amplifier, the Esoteric amplifier design platform has been completely revamped. The Grandioso S1 has now been reborn as the Grandioso S1X, the new flagship in a completely different class of Class-A stereo power amplifiers.
The monoblock M1X embodies Esoteric’s idea of the ideal amplifier. The dynamic sound of the M1X, produced by a completely redesigned drive stage and a powerful power supply unit that incorporates an enormous amount of material, has captivated audiophiles around the world. The S1X, a Class-A stereo model, beautifully follows the M1X’s signature sound of “a sense of dynamism that unleashes the full power of music” and “a sense of grand scale.” In exchange for its high power of 2,400W/1 ohm, the S1X offers a half the space form factor and the transparent and detailed expressiveness that only Class-A can deliver.
Here, is a milestone model that realizes Esoteric’s ideals of the Class-A stereo amplifier.
Ultima 6
The ULTIMA 6 currently offers the most affordable way into our next-generation ULTIMA family of stereo power amplifiers. It builds upon its award-winning predecessor, the SPM 1050 MK II, adding our ground-breaking next-generation ULTIMA amplifier topology.
The new 180-watt model, which benefits from John Franks’ ground-breaking dual-feed-forward circuit delivers a lightning-fast response coupled with effortless power for astonishing dynamics and timing, delivering unrivalled fidelity.
30-years-in-the-making, our new dual-feed-forward topology offers breakthrough performance and is our first all-new circuit in three decades. ULTIMA amplifiers have been engineered for the very finest hi-fi systems; ULTIMA is the ultimate expression of the finest high-performance, ultra-fast, high-power amplifier technology available today.
The ULTIMA 6 has an incredible 16 proprietary MOSFET power devices which demand the most advanced and refined drive circuitry, featuring an ultra-low-distortion, high-voltage amplifier operating at very high speed: 300 volts per microsecond.
Ultima 5
ULTIMA 5 is a progression of our most famous stereo power amplifier, the legendary SPM 1200 MK II (widely considered to be the definitive Chord Electronics amplifier).
Now incorporating our latest-generation ULTIMA circuit topology, the new ULTIMA 5 is set to become a future classic. Considered to offer the ideal balance between performance and price, the ULTIMA 5 offers an impressively affordable 350 watts – enough to drive all but the most demanding loudspeakers.
The ULTIMA 5 has built upon the inherent strengths of the SPM 1200 MK II and taken performance to the next level. By implementing our advanced dual-feed-forward error-correction, topology incorporating our own advanced concepts in ultra-high-frequency power supplies, we have been able to deliver supremely fast and powerful performance, with an extraordinarily high peak output current (the speed at which dynamic peaks can be delivered), bringing astonishing dynamics, timing accuracy and, as a result, unrivaled musicality.
Etude
The multi-award winning Chord Electronics Choral family of products has never sounded so good. Welcome Étude to the table, a 150w Class AB stereo power amplifier featuring the first fundamentally new topology since Chord Electronics’ inception in 1989, using highly advanced technologies seen within the aerospace industry.
The Choral Étude has been designed to both compliment and exploit the full potential of the multi-award winning DAVE DAC, which has preamp functionality, and the brand new topology has even faster power delivery than exiting designs, offering unrivalled dynamics, life-like delivery of transient information, plus effortless control over loudspeaker drive units.
The design for Étude is based upon multi-feedback and dual feed-forward error-correction amplifier technology that intelligently adjusts and compensates the individual linearity of the 250-watt lateral structure high-power proprietary MOSFETs. Internally there are three individual high frequency switch mode power supply units, one for each active power rail and a final for the auxiliary rails. When paired with advanced internal shielding, active cooled plenum chamber design, and custom Chord Electronics MOSFETs, you have Étude, an world class extremely fast crystal clear amplifier.
Although the amplifier is conservatively rated at 150W into 4Ω, if you run Étude in bridged mono mode you can increase this to 300W into 4Ω.
Weight: 3.45kg
Ultima 3 Mono
Our flagship ULTIMA amplifier topology has been integrated into a new mono power amplifier as part of our ongoing 30th-anniversary celebrations, introducing ULTIMA 3.
The new ULTIMA amplifier topology (which to date has been exclusive to the range-topping ULTIMA power amp), is now more affordable than ever before having trickled down into the new ULTIMA 3 mono power amp, which is every bit a Chord Electronics thoroughbred and shares the same winning formula as its range-topping cousin.
The new 480-watt ULTIMA 3 replaces the SPM 1400 MKII and sits in the Full Size range. The amp has been given a remodelled fascia featuring John Franks’ latest design. The precision CNC-machined fascia is made from aircraft-grade aluminium and features a reassuringly solid 28-mm thick front panel, enhanced by a recessed spherical polycarbonate power button that illuminates for standby and operation modes; a discreet and hidden front panel switch neatly located in the vertical split line, enables the lighting to be dimmed.
Ultima 2 Mono
As part of our extended 30th-anniversary celebrations in 2019, we have implemented our flagship ULTIMA amplifier topology into a new mono power amplifier, Ultima 2.
First unveiled in October 2018, the new ULTIMA amplifier topology (which to date has been exclusive to the range-topping ULTIMA power amp), is now more affordable than ever having trickled down into the new ULTIMA 2 mono power amp, which shares the same Chord Electronics DNA as in its range-topping cousin.
The new 750-watt ULTIMA 2 is a direct replacement for the SPM 6000 MKII and forms part of our flagship Reference range. The amp has been given a remodelled fascia featuring John Franks’ latest design. The precision CNC-machined fascia is made from aircraft-grade aluminium and features a reassuringly solid 28-mm thick front panel, enhanced by a recessed spherical polycarbonate power button that illuminates for standby and operation modes; a discreet and hidden front panel switch neatly located in the vertical split line, enables the lighting to be dimmed.
Ultima Mono
The ULTIMA mono power amplifiers have been conceived for the very finest high-end audio systems, those which by their very nature, tend to have the most demanding and most difficult-to-drive large loudspeakers. They deliver unsurpassed power and are capable of effortlessly driving any speaker.
ULTIMA is the company’s most accomplished amplifier in its 34-year history and one that draws on Chord Electronics’ three decades of proprietary-technology amplifier manufacturing. It features an all-new circuit topology, the first completely new design since the company’s inception. The new dual-feed forward error-correction amplifier technology is a progression of Dr Malcolm J Hawksford’s (emeritus professor at Essex University) technical paper, refined by Bob Cordell of Bell Labs.
ULTIMA contains Chord Electronics’ next-generation amplifier tech, a design which features Cordell’s advanced dual-feedforward error-correction topology, with the important addition of John Franks’ own advanced concepts in ultra-high-frequency power supplies.