Chord Electronics Ultima 2

The Chord Electronics Ultima 2 is a 750-watt mono power amplifier powered by three separate 4kW switch-mode power supplies, giving each amplifier 12kW of total power supply capacity for a 750-watt output stage. It uses the same ULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction as every amplifier in the range, with proprietary matched MOSFET output transistors and a fully balanced circuit from input to output. Sold as a pair, two Ultima 2 mono blocks are built for loudspeakers that need serious current to perform at their best.

Key Features

• 750W into 8 ohms (mono)
• Three 4kW switch-mode power supplies per amplifier (12kW total capacity)
• ULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction
• Proprietary MOSFET output transistors (closely matched)
• Fully balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs
• Fully balanced circuit from input to output
• Sold as a pair (price is per pair)

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.

750 Watts and Triple Power Supplies

The Ultima 2 generates 750 watts into 8 ohms from a single mono chassis. That power comes from three independent 4kW switch-mode power supplies running at 70 kHz, giving each amplifier 12kW of total supply capacity. The ratio matters: 12kW feeding a 750-watt output stage means the power supply never strains, even on the hardest transients. When a full orchestra hits a fortissimo passage or a kick drum drives a subwoofer cone to its excursion limit, the supply has sixteen times the rated output in reserve. That headroom translates directly to dynamic ease, the sense that the amplifier is coasting rather than working.

Chord Electronics Ultima 2 and ULTIMA Topology

Dual feed-forward error correction is the defining technology across every ULTIMA amplifier. A dedicated error correction amplifier runs alongside the main signal amplifier, monitoring the output at two points in the circuit and correcting deviations before they reach the speaker terminals. At 750 watts, maintaining signal accuracy under heavy load is harder than at lower power levels. More output transistors are switching, more current is flowing, and more heat is being generated. The dual feed-forward topology keeps measured distortion low across the entire power band, not just at the 1-watt figure that looks good in a spec sheet.

Three Power Supplies at 70 kHz

Each of the three 4kW power supplies operates at 70 kHz, far above the audio band. Traditional amplifiers this powerful typically use massive toroidal transformers that can weigh 30-40 pounds each and generate magnetic fields at 50-60 Hz, right in the range the amplifier is trying to reproduce. Chord's switch-mode approach eliminates that interference. The three supplies charge their capacitors up to 70,000 times per second, responding to transient current demands within microseconds. The result is an amplifier that delivers 750 watts with the speed and control you would expect from a much smaller amplifier, without the weight or heat of a conventional Class AB design running three toroidal transformers.

Proprietary MOSFET Output Stage

Chord designs their own proprietary MOSFET output transistors and closely matches them in production. At 750 watts, the output stage requires many paralleled transistor pairs sharing the load. If those pairs are not closely matched, some devices run hotter and harder than others, leading to thermal runaway risk and increased distortion. Chord's matching process ensures each device in the output stage shares the load equally. The fully balanced circuit carries the signal from input to output without any conversion between balanced and single-ended stages.

The ULTIMA Range

The Ultima 2 sits between the Ultima 3 (480W mono) and the reference Ultima (780W mono) in Chord's power amplifier lineup. For preamplification, the Ultima Pre 2 or reference Ultima Pre provide balanced XLR connections and the gain-matching flexibility that a system at this level requires. Run long XLR cables from the preamp to the Ultima 2s positioned near the speakers, keep speaker cables short. Available in black or silver finish.

The Listening Room Difference

At The Listening Room, we don't just sell high-end audio, we provide a level of service that's as refined as the products we offer. When you invest in a mono amplifier like the the Ultima 2, you're not just making a purchase, you're making a commitment to world-class sound, and we match that commitment with world-class service.

Owner Michael Hoaston will personally deliver the Ultima 2 to your home, anywhere in the country. This isn't a curbside drop-off. Mike will painstakingly ensure that every detail of your setup is dialed in perfectly. From room placement and fine adjustments to full system integration, he'll work to optimize the Ultima 2's performance within your space. When you buy from The Listening Room, you're getting the expertise and dedication of someone who truly understands what it takes to bring a system to life.

Chord Electronics Ultima 2 Specifications