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Chord Electronics ULTIMA
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.
The ULTIMA mono amplifier unit has an incredible 64 proprietary MOSFET power devices that demand the most advanced and refined drive circuitry, suitably devoid of sound-degrading components. The drive circuitry features an ultra-low-distortion, high-voltage amplifier operating at very high speed: 300 volts-per-microsecond technologies with advanced feed-forward and feedback compensation techniques.
ULTIMA is incredibly powerful and offers 780 watts into 8 ohms, 1,400 watts into 4 ohms and 2,500 watts (!) into 2 ohms. ULTIMA’s peak output current exceeds 500 amps, an extremely high current differentiated by the speed at which the dynamic peaks can be delivered, bringing astonishing dynamics, timing accuracy and unrivalled musicality.
ULTIMA is truly an unprecedented amplifier design with exceptional performance and is one of the most advanced hi-fi amplifiers in the world.
Other accessories & custom options
Raw aluminium Integra leg option.
Black anodised aluminium Integra leg option.
Inputs:
1x Balanced XLR Inverted Input
1x Balanced XLR Non-inverted Input
1x Gold Plated Unbalanced RCA Inverted Input
1x Gold Plated Unbalanced RCA Non-inverted Input
1x 12v Trigger Input – Chord Electronics Auto Start
Output:
2x Pair of High Quality, High Current, Gold Plated Type Speaker Terminals (Bi-wireable)
Key Features
780w into 8Ω
Class AB Sliding Bias
Dual feed-forward error correction
HF Switch Mode Power Supply
Proprietary Chord MOSFETs
Fully Balanced Circuitry
Convection Cooled
Balanced XLR Inverted Input
Balanced XLR Non-inverted Input
Unbalanced RCA Inverted Input
Unbalanced RCA Non-inverted Input
12v Trigger On/Off Input
Dimmable feature lighting
Included Top Light Ring
Solid Aluminium Chassis
Included Accessories
ULTIMA Quickstart guide
Safety instructions
15A Mains IEC cable
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
96/100
Value for Money
85/100
Blistering power delivery and laser-like control define the ULTIMA, with HiFi News praising its slam, speed, and subtlety, while Edgar Kramer heard a black background, superb separation, and huge dynamic scale. It’s a commanding, highly resolved amplifier that thrives on demanding speakers and rewards systems built to reveal its spacious, unwavering composure.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers massive power and authoritative speaker grip, giving music explosive dynamics and firm bass control.
Excellent resolution and low-level detail, with reviewers noting a black background, ambient cues, and natural, unforced texture.
Creates a spacious, well-separated soundstage with strong image stability and convincing scale.
Build quality is repeatedly praised as superb, with faultless finish, immaculate assembly, and premium casework.
&
Cons
Can sound a little too clean or methodical in some systems, so it may not suit listeners wanting extra warmth or lushness.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers consistently praise the Ultima for exceptional clarity, low-level detail, and a very black background, with remarks about ambient cues, brushed strings, breaths, and a sense of natural, unforced reproduction. They also describe it as richly spacious and stable, with only a little caution that it can sound a touch too clean for its own good in some setups.
Transparency Resolution
96/100
Reviewers repeatedly highlight the amplifier’s detail retrieval and transparency, from a 'black' background to the ability to reveal ambient cues, brushed strings, breaths, and other low-level information without strain. The sound is described as highly resolved, open, and naturally revealing rather than etched or analytical.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
The Ultima is described as natural, unfatiguing, and musically satisfying, with good body and presence on acoustic instruments and a convincing sense of harmonic richness. One reviewer notes it can sound 'a little too clean for its own good,' which is the main caveat against an even higher mark.
Dynamics
96/100
Dynamics are a major strength, with repeated comments about 'boundless' power, scary dynamics, slam, speed, and complete command over difficult speakers. Reviewers say it grabs bass control firmly, handles crescendos with ease, and delivers attack and transient snap without smearing.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
Reviewers describe a massively spacious presentation with superb separation, strong image lock, and convincing room-filling scale. The stage is praised for stability and separation more than for an especially holographic or depth-obsessed character, so it reads as excellent rather than extravagant.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
96/100
Construction draws strong praise across the reviews, with comments about faultless finish, immaculate assembly, a massive CNC-machined front plate, and superbly built casework. Reviewers also note the dual-mono execution, abundant output devices, advanced circuitry, balanced and single-ended inputs, speaker terminals, and trigger integration as signs of serious engineering.
Value for Money
85/100
None of the reviews present the Ultima as a bargain, but they also do not frame it as poor value; instead, they treat it as a money-no-object, reference-level purchase aimed at the top end of the market. At its asking price, reviewers emphasize what it delivers in power, control, and refinement rather than any sense of affordability.
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Authorized dealers for Chord Electronics ULTIMA
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Acoustic Designs Inc. — in-store — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Ajasom — in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
and 200 more verified dealers