Chord has just announced their third and most affordable stereo preamplifier in the ULTIMA line called the ULTIMA PRE 3. It joins the existing preamp models, which include the ULTIMA PRE 2 and flagship ULTIMA PRE (no number).
Affordability from the esteemed British high-end audio brand still garners a high asking price of 6,000 pounds (~$7500 USD). With that brings an entirely new analog design along with a striking new fascia design, all masterminded by the company’s founder and owner, John Franks.
The ULTIMA PRE 3 harnesses more than 30 years of British amplifier-building expertise and takes advantage of the very latest developments in advanced low-distortion power supplies; these new devices offer exceptionally low noise and outstanding amplifier operation. Coupled with the company’s latest circuit design, the ULTIMA PRE 3 offers new levels of preamplifier performance.
Benefiting from five analogue 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 and input selector, plus a combined balance and AV bypass control.
All casework is precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium, 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.
The new ULTIMA PRE 3 is perfectly suited to a wide range of power amps, including the ULTIMA 5 and ULTIMA 6 stereo power amplifiers. It can also be used with the ULTIMA 2 and ULTIMA 3 monoblocks.
Price & Availability
The Chord ULTIMA PRE 3 is available to order now UK SRP: £6,000 in either Jett black or Argent silver. It will make its European show debut at High End, Munich, 2022.
For more information: chordelectronics.co.uk
Comparison
| ULTIMA PRE 3 | ULTIMA PRE 2 | ULTIMA PRE | |
| MSRP | £6000 | £12,500 | £30,000 |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz-200 kHz +/- 3 dB | 10Hz – 200kHz +/- 3dB | 10Hz – 200kHz +/- 3dB |
| THD | 0.002 % 20Hz-20 kHz | 0.002% 20Hz – 20 kHz | 0.002% 20Hz – 20 kHz |
| Signal to noise ratio | -105 dB on all inputs | -102dB on all inputs | -102dB on all inputs |
| Inputs (XLR) | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Inputs (RCA) | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Inputs (XLR Bypass) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Outputs (XLR) | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Outputs (RCA) | 1 | selectable (1) | selectable (3) |
| USB Type-A | 1 | – | – |
| 12v Trigger | – | Yes | Yes |
| Input/Output Buffering | – | Yes | Yes |
| Input impedance | 100 kΩ | 100 kΩ | 100 kΩ |
| Output impedance | 560 Ω | 100 Ω | 100 Ω |
| Input maximum voltage | 10V RMS | 10V RMS | 10V RMS |
| Output maximum voltage | 17V RMS | 17V RMS | 17V RMS |
| Gain | x1 | x0.5, x1, x1.5, x2, x2.5, and x3 | x0.5, x1, x1.5, x2, x2.5, and x3 |
| Channel separation | 100 dB | 100 dB | 100 dB |
| Operation voltage | 80-250 V AC auto-switching | 80-250V AC auto-switching | 80-250V AC auto-switching |
| Power consumption | 40W | 30W | 60W |
| Dimensions with legs | 485 mm (w) x 355 mm (d) x 130 mm (h) | 420mm (w) x 355mm (d) x 133mm (h) | 420mm (w) x 355mm (d) x 310mm (h) |
| Dimensions with included Integra Legs | 480mm (w) x 355mm (d) x 173mm (h) | 480mm (w) x 355mm (d) x 350mm (h) | |
| Weight | 12.7 kg | 18 kg | 30 kg |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
