Chord Electronics Ultima 3

The Chord Electronics Ultima 3 is a 480-watt mono power amplifier, the entry point into Chord's ULTIMA mono block lineup. It uses the same dual feed-forward error correction topology as every amplifier in the ULTIMA range, driven by a 4kW switch-mode power supply operating at 70 kHz. Sold as a pair, two Ultima 3 mono blocks deliver dedicated amplification per channel with enough power to drive demanding loudspeakers to their full potential.

Key Features

• 480W into 8 ohms (mono)
• ULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction
• 4kW high-frequency switch-mode power supply operating at 70 kHz
• 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.

Why Mono Blocks

A mono block amplifier dedicates its entire power supply, circuit board, and output stage to a single channel. In a stereo amplifier, the left and right channels share a power supply, which means a heavy bass note on one channel can momentarily reduce the current available to the other. Mono blocks eliminate that interaction entirely. Each Ultima 3 has its own 4kW power supply feeding its own output stage, so the left and right channels operate with complete electrical independence. The audible result is wider stereo imaging, tighter bass, and better dynamic contrast on complex material.

480 Watts and ULTIMA Topology

At 480 watts into 8 ohms, the Ultima 3 has enough power for virtually any loudspeaker on the market. The dual feed-forward error correction circuit monitors the output signal at two points, comparing it against the input and correcting deviations in real time. This is not negative feedback in the traditional sense, where the output signal is fed back to the input. Instead, a dedicated error correction amplifier runs alongside the main signal amplifier, catching distortion that a single feedback loop would miss. The result is low measured distortion at all power levels, not just at 1 watt into a test load.

Chord Electronics Ultima 3 Power Supply

Each Ultima 3 contains a 4kW switch-mode power supply running at 70 kHz, well above the audio band. At 480 watts output, the amplifier needs substantial current reserves for dynamic peaks, and the 4kW supply provides more than eight times the amplifier's rated output in stored energy. The high switching frequency charges the supply's capacitors up to 70,000 times per second, meaning the power supply responds to transient demands faster than any conventional 50-60 Hz toroidal transformer. The practical difference is tighter bass control and faster recovery on percussion and orchestral crescendos.

Proprietary MOSFET Output Stage

Chord designs and closely matches their own proprietary MOSFET output transistors rather than using off-the-shelf devices. Close matching between transistors ensures that each device in the output stage handles its share of the load identically, reducing the thermal stress and distortion that come from mismatched pairs. The fully balanced circuit topology carries the signal from input to output with no conversion between balanced and single-ended stages, preserving common-mode noise rejection throughout the entire signal path.

The ULTIMA Range

The Ultima 3 is the entry mono block in Chord's ULTIMA lineup, sitting between the Ultima 5 stereo amplifier and the Ultima 2 mono blocks. For preamplification, the Ultima Pre 3 or Ultima Pre 2 provide balanced XLR connections for long cable runs between the preamp and the mono blocks. Positioning the Ultima 3s near the speakers and running long XLR cables from the preamp keeps speaker cable lengths short, which is the preferred configuration for high-power mono block systems. 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 stereo amplifier like the the Ultima 3, 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 3 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 3'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 3 Specifications