Chord Electronics Anni

The Chord Electronics Anni does what desktop amplifiers three times its size cannot: it drives headphones and loudspeakers from one palm-sized chassis using the same ULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction found in Chord's flagship mono blocks. Ten watts of Class AB power into 8 ohms, a 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone output on the front, and a DC pass-through that powers the Qutest DAC and Huei phono stage without extra wall plugs. Stack all three and you have a complete system on a desk.

Key Features of the Chord Electronics Anni

• ULTIMA-derived dual feed-forward error correction in the most compact Chord amplifier ever made
• 10W per channel into 8 ohms Class AB sliding bias amplification for bookshelf speakers
• Two headphone outputs (3.5mm and 6.35mm) for simultaneous or individual listening
• Two stereo RCA inputs with front-panel selector via the volume control knob
• Two-stage gain switch for matching output to speakers or headphones
• DC pass-through output powers the Qutest DAC and Huei phono stage from a single PSU
• 4mm banana speaker outputs for direct connection to compact loudspeakers
• Auto headphone/speaker detection with color-coded power indicator (green = headphones, cyan = speakers)
• CNC-machined aluminum billet chassis at 160mm x 96.6mm x 42.5mm, weighing just 625g
• Qutest range form factor designed to stack with Qutest DAC and Huei phono stage

ULTIMA Circuit Topology in the Anni

The Anni is the most affordable entry point to Chord's ULTIMA amplification technology. At the heart of ULTIMA is a dual feed-forward error correction architecture where two amplifiers work in tandem: the main amplifier generates the signal and power, while the second monitors and corrects errors in real time. The result is consistent distortion performance regardless of output load, keeping THD at 0.02% whether driving headphones or speakers.

This trickle-down from Chord's high-end amplifier range (the same basic topology powers the Etude at $7,165 and the Ultima 2 mono blocks at $61,000) means the Anni inherits a level of amplification refinement that its compact size and price do not suggest. The single-ended Class AB sliding bias design feeds both headphone and speaker outputs, switching automatically when headphones are plugged in.

Headphone Amplifier

The Anni treats headphone amplification as a primary function, not an afterthought. Both a 3.5mm and a 6.35mm jack sit on the front panel, and they can be used simultaneously for shared listening. Output drops from the full 10W speaker rating to approximately 3W at 32 ohms and 500mW at 300 ohms, which is more than enough for planar magnetics and high-impedance dynamic headphones.

Plugging headphones in automatically mutes the speaker outputs and changes the power indicator from cyan to green. No button press required. The volume control on the front panel works identically for both outputs, and Chord's circuit ensures the same low-noise, low-distortion signal path whether you are driving speakers or cans.

Desktop Power Management

The Anni ships with a 15V external switching power supply that connects via a 4-pin socket on the rear. What makes this power supply clever is the DC pass-through output on the Anni itself. Connect the included 5V conversion kit (a short USB-A to micro-USB cable and a voltage adapter) and the Anni feeds power directly to the Qutest DAC. Add the Huei phono stage and the Anni's DC out handles that too. Three components, one wall plug, one power supply brick.

This shared power architecture is not just convenient. It eliminates the noise that can come from multiple switching power supplies running on the same circuit, and it reduces the cable clutter that makes desktop audio systems look like a science experiment gone wrong.

Speaker Amplification

The rear-panel 4mm banana plug sockets connect the Anni directly to compact loudspeakers. Ten watts into 8 ohms is not going to fill a large room, but it is purpose-built for nearfield desktop listening with efficient bookshelf speakers. The two-stage gain switch (approximately 5dB low, 13dB high) on the top-panel orb controls lets you match the Anni's output to your specific speakers without running the volume control at extremes.

A grounding terminal above the right speaker sockets eliminates hum if your setup is prone to ground loop issues, a thoughtful detail for a desktop amplifier that might sit near computer monitors and other electronics.

The Qutest Desktop System

The Anni shares identical dimensions and design language with the Qutest DAC and Huei phono stage. All three are CNC-machined from aluminum billets with the same polychromatic orb controls and translucent viewing windows. Stacked on the optional Qutest Stand System (recommended for ventilation, as the Anni runs slightly warmer), the three form a complete digital and analog playback system in a footprint smaller than most integrated amplifiers.

Where the Anni Fits in the Chord Amplifier Lineup

The Anni is Chord's only desktop-format amplifier and the most affordable ULTIMA-derived amplifier in the range. For more power and the modular docking system, the Suzi delivers 30 watts per channel in the Hugo range. The BerTTi steps up to 75 watts in the Table Top form factor. The Anni trades power for portability and headphone capability: no other Chord amplifier combines speaker drive and dual headphone outputs in a unit this small.

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 Anni Specifications