Chord Electronics Etude

The Chord Electronics Etude is an 80-watt stereo power amplifier built on Chord's ULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction technology, the same amplifier architecture found in their reference mono blocks. Designed as the natural partner for the DAVE DAC and Prima preamplifier, the Etude brings serious amplification to the Choral range's compact form factor.

Key Features

• ULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction derived from Reference ULTIMA amplification
• 80W per channel into 8 ohms in stereo mode
• Bridgeable for mono operation (pair two Etudes for increased power and control)
• Fully balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs
• Proprietary MOSFET output transistors with close channel matching
• High-frequency switch-mode power supply charging capacitors up to 20,000 times per second
• Choral form factor for stacking with DAVE, Prima, Symphonic, and Ensemble Stand

Why We Carry Chord Electronics

Chord Electronics has been doing digital conversion differently since 1989. While every other manufacturer buys off-the-shelf DAC chips, Rob Watts designs custom FPGA algorithms with tap lengths that dwarf anything from ESS or AKM. Their proprietary Pulse Array technology, MOSFET amplification stages, and high-frequency switch-mode power supplies are all designed and built in Kent, England. From the portable Mojo 2 to the flagship DAVE, every product runs code that Chord wrote themselves.

ULTIMA Technology in the Choral Range

The Etude borrows its amplifier topology directly from Chord's ULTIMA reference power amplifiers. Dual feed-forward error correction monitors and corrects the output signal at two points in the circuit, catching distortion that single-loop feedback designs miss. This is not a marketing label applied to a standard Class AB circuit. The error correction amplifier runs alongside the main signal amplifier, comparing the output against the input in real time and correcting deviations before they reach your speakers. At 80 watts per channel, the Etude has enough power for most bookshelf and floorstanding speakers in typical listening rooms.

Chord Electronics Etude Power Supply

Where most amplifiers use toroidal transformers operating at 50-60 Hz, the Etude's switch-mode power supply runs at frequencies above the audio band entirely. Chord's custom SMPS design charges its capacitors up to 20,000 times per second, delivering current on demand faster than a conventional transformer can respond. The result is tighter bass control and better dynamic response, particularly on transient-heavy material where the amplifier needs to deliver sudden bursts of current to the loudspeakers.

MOSFET Output Stage

The Etude uses Chord's proprietary MOSFET output transistors, custom-designed and closely matched between left and right channels. Off-the-shelf MOSFETs vary in characteristics from unit to unit. Chord specifies and matches their own devices to ensure both channels behave identically under load, maintaining stereo imaging accuracy even at high output levels.

Bridgeable for Mono Operation

Two Etudes can be bridged into mono operation, one amplifier per channel, for systems that need more power or more demanding speaker loads. This pairing works particularly well with the Prima preamplifier and DAVE as a source, creating a full Choral-range system with no compromises in amplification. Balanced XLR connections between components allow long cable runs without signal degradation, so the Etude can sit close to the speakers while the source components remain across the room.

The Choral Range

The Etude is part of Chord's Choral range, sharing its form factor with the DAVE, Prima, Symphonic, and Choral Ensemble Stand. All Choral components stack neatly on the Ensemble Stand for a unified system aesthetic. Available in black or silver finish.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Chord Electronics Etude Specifications