{"product_id":"chord-electronics-ultima-2","title":"Chord Electronics Ultima 2","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Chord Electronics Ultima 2 is a 750-watt mono power amplifier powered by three separate 4kW switch-mode power supplies, giving each amplifier 12kW of total power supply capacity for a 750-watt output stage. It uses the same ULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction as every amplifier in the range, with proprietary matched MOSFET output transistors and a fully balanced circuit from input to output. Sold as a pair, two Ultima 2 mono blocks are built for loudspeakers that need serious current to perform at their best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e750W into 8 ohms\u003c\/strong\u003e (mono)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree 4kW switch-mode power supplies per amplifier\u003c\/strong\u003e (12kW total capacity)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProprietary MOSFET output transistors\u003c\/strong\u003e (closely matched)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFully balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully balanced circuit\u003c\/strong\u003e from input to output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as a pair\u003c\/strong\u003e (price is per pair)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eWhy We Carry Chord Electronics\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChord 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 \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chord-electronics-mojo-2\"\u003eMojo 2\u003c\/a\u003e to the flagship \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chord-electronics-dave\"\u003eDAVE\u003c\/a\u003e, every product runs code that Chord wrote themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003e750 Watts and Triple Power Supplies\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ultima 2 generates 750 watts into 8 ohms from a single mono chassis. That power comes from three independent 4kW switch-mode power supplies running at 70 kHz, giving each amplifier 12kW of total supply capacity. The ratio matters: 12kW feeding a 750-watt output stage means the power supply never strains, even on the hardest transients. When a full orchestra hits a fortissimo passage or a kick drum drives a subwoofer cone to its excursion limit, the supply has sixteen times the rated output in reserve. That headroom translates directly to dynamic ease, the sense that the amplifier is coasting rather than working.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/chord-ultima2-side.jpg\" alt=\"Chord Electronics Ultima 2 mono power amplifier side view\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eChord Electronics Ultima 2 and ULTIMA Topology\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDual feed-forward error correction is the defining technology across every ULTIMA amplifier. A dedicated error correction amplifier runs alongside the main signal amplifier, monitoring the output at two points in the circuit and correcting deviations before they reach the speaker terminals. At 750 watts, maintaining signal accuracy under heavy load is harder than at lower power levels. More output transistors are switching, more current is flowing, and more heat is being generated. The dual feed-forward topology keeps measured distortion low across the entire power band, not just at the 1-watt figure that looks good in a spec sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThree Power Supplies at 70 kHz\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the three 4kW power supplies operates at 70 kHz, far above the audio band. Traditional amplifiers this powerful typically use massive toroidal transformers that can weigh 30-40 pounds each and generate magnetic fields at 50-60 Hz, right in the range the amplifier is trying to reproduce. Chord's switch-mode approach eliminates that interference. The three supplies charge their capacitors up to 70,000 times per second, responding to transient current demands within microseconds. The result is an amplifier that delivers 750 watts with the speed and control you would expect from a much smaller amplifier, without the weight or heat of a conventional Class AB design running three toroidal transformers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eProprietary MOSFET Output Stage\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChord designs their own proprietary MOSFET output transistors and closely matches them in production. At 750 watts, the output stage requires many paralleled transistor pairs sharing the load. If those pairs are not closely matched, some devices run hotter and harder than others, leading to thermal runaway risk and increased distortion. Chord's matching process ensures each device in the output stage shares the load equally. The fully balanced circuit carries the signal from input to output without any conversion between balanced and single-ended stages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe ULTIMA Range\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ultima 2 sits between the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chord-electronics-ultima-3\"\u003eUltima 3\u003c\/a\u003e (480W mono) and the reference \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chord-electronics-ultima\"\u003eUltima\u003c\/a\u003e (780W mono) in Chord's power amplifier lineup. For preamplification, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chord-electronics-ultima-pre-2\"\u003eUltima Pre 2\u003c\/a\u003e or reference \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chord-electronics-ultima-pre\"\u003eUltima Pre\u003c\/a\u003e provide balanced XLR connections and the gain-matching flexibility that a system at this level requires. Run long XLR cables from the preamp to the Ultima 2s positioned near the speakers, keep speaker cables short. Available in black or silver finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/chord-ultima2-rear.jpg\" alt=\"Chord Electronics Ultima 2 mono power amplifier rear panel\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Listening Room Difference\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 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 mono amplifier like the the Ultima 2, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwner Michael Hoaston \u003cstrong\u003ewill personally deliver the Ultima 2 to your home, anywhere in the country\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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 2'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003eChord Electronics Ultima 2 Specifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background-color: #f3f3f3;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221); width: 34%;\"\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221); width: 66%;\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003eMono Power Amplifier (sold as pair)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmplifier Topology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003eULTIMA dual feed-forward error correction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower Output\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e750W into 8 ohms (mono)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput Devices\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003eProprietary MOSFET transistors (matched)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e1x XLR balanced, 1x RCA single-ended\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpeaker Outputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003eBinding posts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCircuit Topology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003eFully balanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower Supply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e3x 4kW high-frequency switch-mode (70 kHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003eBlack or Silver\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRange\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003eULTIMA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesigned \u0026amp; Built\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(221,221,221);\"\u003eKent, England\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n","brand":"Chord Electronics","offers":[{"title":"Black","offer_id":42641582030944,"sku":"CHORDULT2BLK","price":69000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver","offer_id":42641583177824,"sku":"CHORDULT2SIL","price":69000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/5073\/8528\/files\/ULTIMA-2-Front.jpg?v=1773255084","url":"https:\/\/listenroom.com\/products\/chord-electronics-ultima-2","provider":"The Listening Room","version":"1.0","type":"link"}