First unveiled in October 2018, the new ULTIMA amplifier topology (which to date has been exclusive to the range-topping £30,000 ULTIMA power amp), is now more affordable than ever having trickled down into the new mono power amps, both of which share the same Chord Electronics DNA as in their range-topping cousin.
The new 750-watt ULTIMA 2 (£18,360 each) is a direct replacement for the SPM 6000 MKII and forms part of the company's flagship Reference range; the smaller 480-watt ULTIMA 3 (£11,000 each) replaces the SPM 1400 MKII and sits in the full-sized range. Both amplifiers are ready now.
Both new ULTIMA amplifiers have 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.
Like all of Chord Electronics' Full Size and Reference range amplifiers, the new ULTIMA 2 and ULTIMA 3 are available in a choice of Jett Black, or Argent Silver finishes. The amplifiers can also be specified with either the stackable Integra Leg system in Jett Black, Argent Silver or Nickel finishes or the highly polished black acrylic side block option.
The amplifiers' rear panel contains both balanced and unbalanced connections, high-quality loudspeaker terminals, a 12V trigger and a C-19-type IEC.
ULTIMA technology is Chord Electronics' most accomplished amplifier design and one that draws on the company's three decades of research, design and engineering in Great Britain.
Each mono amplifier is painstakingly hand-built at the riverside Kent factory, The Pumphouse, over several days, with each build overseen by a dedicated engineer. Chord Electronics' renowned aircraft-grade solid aluminium casework offers a reassuringly high-end and entirely non-resonant enclosure for the electronics.
The ULTIMA 2 and 3 mono amplifiers have an incredible 32 proprietary MOSFET power devices which 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. It also benefits from Chord Electronics' TO3-style dual die lateral matched MOSFETs, which are continuously monitored with output stage error-correction circuitry and feature fully balanced input circuitry with DC-tracking servos and full temperature compensation.
The ULTIMA topology is incredibly powerful with an extraordinarily high peak output current (the speed at which the dynamic peaks can be delivered), bringing astonishing dynamics, fidelity and unrivalled musicality.
Price and availability
ULTIMA 2 £18,360 (each); ULTIMA 3 £11,000 (each); both are available now.
Tech Specs
ULTIMA 2 mono power amp
- Output Power: 750W RMS per channel @ 0.05% distortion into 8ohms; 1305w into 4ohms
- Frequency Response: -1dB @ 0.2Hz to 46kHz and -3dB 0.1Hz to 200kHz
- Signal to Noise Ratio: Better than -89dB
- Channel Separation: Better than 90dB
- Input Impedance: 100kohms Unbalanced/Balanced
- Output Impedance: 0.04ohms
- Gain: 30dB
- Dimensions without integra legs: 420mm (w) x 670mm (d) x 310mm (h)
- Dimensions with included integra legs: 481mm x 176mm x 681mm
- Weight: 86kg
ULTIMA 3 mono power amp
- Output Power: 480W RMS per channel @ 0.05% distortion into 8ohms;
- Frequency Response: 1dB @ 0.2Hz to 46kHz and -3dB 0.1Hz to 200kHz
- Signal to Noise Ratio: Better than -84dB
- Channel Separation: Better than 90dB
- Input Impedance: 100kohms Unbalanced/Balanced
- Output Impedance: 0.04ohms
- Dimensions with included integra legs: 481mm x 176mm x 377mm
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