Chord Electronics has announced an all-new ground-up-design analog preamplifier, the Ultima Pre 3. The new design harnesses more than 30 years of the company’s amplifier-building expertise and takes advantage of the very latest developments in advanced low-distortion, switched-mode power supplies. According to the British company, coupled with the company’s latest circuit design, the Ultima Pre 3 offers exceptionally low noise and new levels of performance.
The Ultima Pre 3 preamp is an entirely fresh design both inside and out, and benefits from the latest Chord Electronics preamplifier technologies, along with a striking new structural design, all masterminded by the company’s founder-owner John Franks. The fully balanced design is perfectly suited to a wide range of power amps, including Chord’s Ultima 5 and Ultima 6 stereo power amplifiers. It can also be used with the Ultima 2 and Ultima 3 monoblocks.
Featuring five analog inputs, two balanced and three unbalanced, plus a separate AV bypass input, all five of the Ultima Pre 3’s main inputs enjoy individual buffering and are selectively filtered against potential ingress from radio frequency interference. Selection switching is performed via sealed relays, controlled by microprocessors.
Externally, the Ultima Pre 3 benefits from a completely redesigned front panel. The new fascia offers a perfectly symmetrical design, centered on a circular power on/off sphere which uses the company’s familiar polychromatic indicator lighting, giving a clear and simple indication of the amplifier’s playing status. The power sphere is flanked by a newly designed combined volume (Blue Velvet ALPS Potentiometer) and input selector, plus a combined balance and AV bypass control.
All casework is precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum, including the Integra legs. A black acrylic side-block alternative to the Integra legs is also available as a no-cost option. The upper panel features a pleasing vented design, which is enhanced with a dimmable LED light.
In addition to its five inputs, the Ultima Pre 3’s rear panel features both balanced and unbalanced outputs, a 12 V trigger and IEC power inlet, plus a convenient 5 V/3 A USB Type-A output to power peripheral devices, including Chord Electronics’ DACs such as the Qutest and Hugo 2.
According to the company, orders for the Ultima Pre 3 are available now in either Jett black or Argent silver, and the new design will make its European show debut at High End, Munich, 2022. Retail price is approximately $7,400 USD at the current exchange.
www.chordelectronics.co.uk
