Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 2

The Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 2 is an eight-input analog preamplifier with four balanced XLR connections, six gain levels per input, dual headphone outputs, and two independent selection buses for simultaneous recording. It sits between the entry-level Ultima Pre 3 and the reference Ultima Pre, built for systems where a single source and a volume knob are not enough.

Key Features

• Eight inputs: 4 XLR balanced + 4 RCA single-ended
• Six gain levels per input for precise level-matching across sources
• Dual headphone outputs for simultaneous private listening or headphone comparison
• Two input selection buses for recording one source while listening to another
• AV bypass input for home theater integration
• Balanced XLR and RCA outputs
• Full remote control with color-coded input indicators
• 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.

Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 2 in the ULTIMA Range

The Ultima Pre 2 is the middle preamplifier in Chord's ULTIMA lineup, positioned between the five-input Ultima Pre 3 and the reference Ultima Pre. Where the Pre 3 covers most stereo systems with its five inputs and AV bypass, the Pre 2 adds a third balanced XLR pair, a fourth RCA connection, dual headphone outputs, and two independent selection buses. For systems running multiple source components (a DAVE for digital, a phono stage, a CD transport, a tape deck, and a home theater processor), the Pre 2 has enough connectivity to handle all of them without unplugging anything.

Six-Level Gain Matching

Each of the eight inputs has six selectable gain levels, letting you match the output voltage of every source in the system. A phono stage running through its own gain stage might output 1V. A DAVE in variable mode might output 3V or more. A CD player sits somewhere in between. Without per-input gain matching, switching sources means reaching for the volume knob every time. The Pre 2 eliminates that. Set the gain once per input, and every source plays at the same perceived volume when you switch between them.

Dual Selection Buses

Two independent input selection buses let you route one source to the outputs for listening while simultaneously routing a different source to a recording device. This is a feature borrowed from professional studio monitoring controllers and rarely found in consumer preamplifiers. If you're digitizing vinyl through a separate ADC while listening to your digital source, the Pre 2 handles both paths at once.

Headphone Outputs

Two headphone jacks on the front panel allow simultaneous listening, useful for comparing headphones side by side or for two listeners sharing a late-night session without speakers. The outputs are driven by the same power supply and amplification topology as the main outputs.

AV Bypass

A dedicated AV bypass input routes the signal from a home theater processor directly to the Pre 2's outputs, bypassing the volume control entirely. This lets you integrate a two-channel system into a multichannel home theater setup without double-processing the volume (once in the AV processor, again in the preamp). When the bypass is active, the AV processor controls volume. When you switch back to a stereo input, the Pre 2's own volume control takes over.

Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 2 Power Supply

Chord's proprietary high-frequency switch-mode power supply operates above the audio band, delivering fast, clean energy to the preamp circuitry without the magnetic interference that low-frequency toroidal transformers introduce. In a preamplifier handling microvolt-level signals across eight inputs, power supply noise rejection is critical. The SMPS charges its capacitors thousands of times per second, responding to dynamic demand faster than a conventional 50-60 Hz transformer.

The ULTIMA Range

The Ultima Pre 2 pairs naturally with Chord's ULTIMA power amplifiers: the Ultima 6 for stereo, the Ultima 5 for higher power stereo, or the Ultima 3 mono blocks for dedicated left/right amplification. Balanced XLR connections between the Pre 2 and any ULTIMA amplifier allow long cable runs without signal degradation, so the amplifiers can sit near the speakers while the preamp stays at the listening position. 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. At this level, every detail matters, and we're here to make sure you get it right. Whether you need help with system matching, setup guidance, or just want to talk through your options before pulling the trigger, owner Mike Hoaston is a phone call away. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, and our support lasts well beyond the sale. Call or text 410-239-2020.

Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 2 Specifications