Our flagship preamp, ULTIMA, neither adds to or takes away from, the precious incoming signal
Designed to be entirely uncompromising, the ULTIMA preamp 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 preamp 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, ULTIMA 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 preamp 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.
Frequency Range:
2.5Hz – 200kHz +/- 3dB
Total Harmonic Distortion:
0.002% 20Hz – 20kHz
Intermodulation Distortion:
-125dB on all inputs
Signal to Noise Ratio:
-117dB on all inputs
Channel Separation:
20Hz @ 110dB, 1kHz @ 105dB, 10kHz @ 100dB, 20kHz @ 95dB
Channel Balance:
0.01dB
Input Max Voltage:
17v RMS Balanced – 8.5v RMS Unbalanced
Output Max Voltage:
17v RMS Balanced – 8.5v RMS Unbalanced
Output Offset:
0mV (Both Channels)
Potentiometer Performance:
0dB 0.5dB, -20dB 0.2dB, -60dB 0.24dB (13seconds Full Travel)
Nominal Gain:
All inputs subject to six levels of switchable gain (x0.5, x1, x1.5, x2, x2.5, x3)
Input Impedance:
100 kΩ Balanced – 50 kΩ Unbalanced
Output Impedance:
100Ω (Short Circuit Protected)
Operating Voltage:
85v – 270v AC (50Hz – 60Hz) Auto Switching
Power Consumption:
60w
Dimensions Without Integra Legs:
420mm (w) x 355mm (d) x 310mm (h)
Dimensions With Included Integra Legs:
480mm (w) x 355mm (d) x 350mm (h)
Weight:
30kG