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Chord Electronics

Ultima 2 Preamplifier

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The fully modernised ULTIMA PRE 2 is built to complement stereo systems of the highest order and represents the finest Chord Electronics engineering inside and out.

Just as a preamplifier should, the ULTIMA PRE 2 adds nothing to the original waveform and instead preserves it with zero colouration. This is thanks to Chord's latest advances in switch-mode power supply design, developed from aerospace technologies, and Chord's ultra-low-noise proprietary solid-state circuitry which is both carefully shielded and equipped with premium system components. As a result, the ULTIMA PRE 2 is able to achieve unprecedented noise floor performance of -130dB, meaning your source will always sound like your source and nothing else.

The silver ULTIMA PRE 2 in three-quarter view: the volume and balance knobs, the green LINES display and its row of buttons, the CHORD badge and the Integra pillars, with the blue-lit vent on top

Where connectivity is concerned, the ULTIMA PRE 2 has hi-fi systems (and more!) covered. Featuring eight inputs, four stereo pairs of XLRs for balanced connections and another four RCA for unbalanced connections, each of these can be gain-matched and individually selected. For outputs, a single stereo pair is available via XLR or RCA, to accommodate a single stereo amplifier such as the ULTIMA 5 or a pair of mono blocks such as the ULTIMA 3s. Naturally, headphone users are catered for, too, for personal and late-night listening with the addition of a high-resolution 6.35mm output on the front fascia.

Where system-triggering is important, (allowing the simultaneous start-up of connected equipment from a single button-press), the ULTIMA PRE 2 is equipped with three outputs which should be more than enough for most systems.

More photographs

Rear of the black ULTIMA PRE 2: four XLR and four RCA inputs for each channel, the A/V and stereo XLR and RCA outputs, three trigger outputs and the IEC inlet
The silver ULTIMA PRE 2 from above: the blue-lit circle and arc vent pattern, the four ball-topped Integra legs and the gold connectors along the rear edge
The ULTIMA PRE 2 in profile: the finned casework on two cylindrical Integra pillars, with the lit vent glowing on the top panel

The story on this page is Chord Electronics's own, reprinted by Joenit, its official distributor.