Chord Electronics Ultima Pre

The Chord Electronics Ultima Pre is the reference preamplifier in Chord's ULTIMA lineup, with eight variable-gain inputs, three dedicated outputs, dual headphone jacks, independent high and low frequency EQ adjustment per channel, and two selection buses for simultaneous source routing. It is built for systems where every source in the room connects to one box, and that box needs to control all of them without compromise.

Key Features

• Eight inputs: 4 XLR balanced + 4 RCA single-ended
• Three outputs: balanced XLR and RCA options for multi-amplifier configurations
• Six gain levels per input for precise level-matching
• Independent frequency EQ adjustment (high and low, per channel, bypassable)
• Dual headphone outputs capable of driving any impedance
• Two input selection buses for simultaneous listening and recording
• AV bypass input for home theater integration
• Full remote control
• High-frequency switch-mode power supply

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.

Reference Preamplifier

The Ultima Pre is not just a higher-priced version of the Ultima Pre 2. It adds a third output (allowing tri-amplification or simultaneous connection to multiple power amplifiers), independent frequency EQ adjustment per channel, and the ability to drive any headphone impedance from its dual headphone outputs. These are features that exist because systems at this level are complex. A reference system might run a DAVE as digital source, a phono stage for vinyl, a CD transport, a reel-to-reel, and a home theater processor, all feeding the Ultima Pre, which then routes to a pair of Ultima or Ultima 2 mono blocks for the main speakers, a separate amplifier for subwoofers, and a headphone amplifier for late-night listening. The Ultima Pre handles all of it from a single chassis.

Frequency EQ Adjustment

Independent high-frequency and low-frequency EQ controls for left and right channels let you fine-tune the Ultima Pre's output to match your room and speakers. This is not a graphic equalizer. It is a subtle adjustment tool for compensating room acoustics or speaker characteristics at the frequency extremes. If your room has a slight bass buildup in one corner (common in asymmetric rooms), you can reduce the low-frequency output on that channel. If your speakers are slightly bright with a particular recording chain, you can soften the high end. The EQ can be bypassed entirely for a flat signal path when correction is not needed.

Three Outputs

Three dedicated outputs (balanced XLR and RCA) allow the Ultima Pre to feed multiple amplifiers simultaneously. In a bi-amplification setup, one output feeds a pair of amplifiers for the woofers while another feeds amplifiers for the midrange and tweeter. In a tri-amplification setup, all three outputs are active. The outputs can also serve different zones or a combination of speaker and subwoofer amplifiers. Having three dedicated outputs means no Y-splitters, no compromised connections, and no impedance issues from parallel-wired single outputs.

Dual Headphone Outputs and Selection Buses

Two headphone outputs on the front panel drive headphones of any impedance. The output stage has enough current to handle planar magnetic designs that demand more than typical headphone jacks provide. Two independent selection buses allow simultaneous routing: listen to one source through the main outputs while recording a different source through a secondary path. This is the same capability found on the Ultima Pre 2, carried forward to the reference model.

Chord Electronics Ultima Pre Power Supply

Chord's proprietary high-frequency switch-mode power supply operates above the audio band, keeping its switching noise well away from the signal frequencies the preamplifier handles. With eight inputs, three outputs, and dual headphone jacks all active simultaneously, the power supply needs to service a complex circuit without introducing noise at any node. The SMPS charges its capacitors thousands of times per second, maintaining voltage stability under varying load conditions.

The ULTIMA Range

The Ultima Pre is the natural partner for the reference Ultima and Ultima 2 mono block amplifiers. Its three outputs, frequency EQ, and comprehensive input routing make it the control center for systems where the amplification alone costs six figures. Balanced XLR connections between the preamp and mono blocks allow long cable runs without signal loss, the standard 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 preamplifier like the the Ultima Pre, 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 Pre 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 Pre'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 Pre Specifications