Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 3

The Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 3 is a five-input analog preamplifier built on the same design principles as Chord's reference Ultima Pre, scaled to a more accessible price point without abandoning the architecture that makes the range distinctive. Two fully balanced XLR inputs and three single-ended RCA inputs handle any combination of source components, with both XLR and RCA outputs feeding your choice of power amplifier. It pairs naturally with the Ultima 6 or Ultima 5 stereo amplifiers.

Key Features

• Five inputs: 2x XLR balanced, 3x RCA single-ended
• Balanced XLR and RCA outputs for connection to any power amplifier
• AV bypass input for integrating a home theater processor without affecting volume control
• Color-coded input selection via the volume control light ring or remote
• 5V USB Type A output for powering a Chord Qutest or Hugo 2 DAC directly
• Integra legs or side blocks to personalize the chassis aesthetic
• Proprietary high-frequency switch-mode power supply
• Designed and built in Kent, England

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.

Ultima Pre 3 in the ULTIMA Range

The Ultima Pre 3 is the newest preamplifier in Chord's ULTIMA lineup, positioned below the eight-input Ultima Pre 2 for systems that need fewer connections but the same core design philosophy. Where the Pre 2 adds headphone outputs, dual selection buses, and three additional inputs, the Pre 3 focuses on the essentials: clean gain staging, balanced connectivity, and the same proprietary SMPS technology that runs through every ULTIMA component. If you have a DAC, a phono stage, and maybe one or two other sources, the Pre 3 covers it without paying for inputs you will never use.

AV Bypass and System Flexibility

The dedicated AV bypass input routes signal directly to the output, skipping the volume control entirely. This lets you integrate an AV processor or home theater receiver into a two-channel system. When watching films, the processor controls volume; when listening to music, the Pre 3 takes over. It is a clean handoff between two systems sharing the same power amplifier and speakers, without any signal degradation in either mode.

USB Power Output

A 5V USB Type A socket on the rear panel provides clean power for a Chord DAC like the Qutest or Hugo 2. Rather than plugging your DAC into a wall wart or a separate linear power supply, the Pre 3 can power it directly from a regulated output. One fewer box, one fewer power cable, one fewer thing between your source and your music.

Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 3 Power Supply

Like every ULTIMA component, the Pre 3 uses Chord's proprietary high-frequency switch-mode power supply operating well above the audio band. In a preamplifier handling low-level signals, power supply noise is the enemy. Conventional toroidal transformers operate at 50-60 Hz, generating magnetic interference right in the middle of the audio spectrum. Chord's SMPS operates at frequencies where its switching energy cannot couple into the signal path, delivering clean, fast power to the gain stages without contaminating the music.

Integra Legs and Build

The Ultima Pre 3 uses Chord's Integra design language, which lets you choose between machined aluminum legs or side blocks to match your installation. The full-width chassis is built from aerospace-grade aluminum, consistent with the construction standards across the entire ULTIMA range. Available in black or silver finish.

The ULTIMA Range

The Ultima Pre 3 sits alongside the Ultima 6 stereo power amplifier and Ultima Integrated as the entry tier of Chord's ULTIMA lineup. For systems that need more power, the Ultima 5 delivers 350W per channel in stereo. For mono amplification, the Ultima 3 provides 480W into 8 ohms per chassis. All ULTIMA amplifiers share the same dual feed-forward error correction topology derived from Chord's reference designs.

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 Ultima Pre 3 Specifications