Lewis CaliburnChord Electronics is marking the inaugural HIGH END show in Vienna with the global preview of two all-new ULTIMA-technology stereo amplifiers, ahead of their formal launch this autumn.
Designed by founder and owner John Franks, the British-made duo includes the forthcoming ULTIMA 7 stereo power amplifier and the Blade, an all-new, 0.5U-high Class G (Gallium Nitride [GaN] stereo power amplifier. The Blade brings ULTIMA-tier performance and reliability into a slimline chassis which retains high power and is specifically engineered for the custom installation market.
Attendees can view both products from the opening day of the show (Thursday, 4 June), offering an exclusive first look before full specifications, details and pricing are officially announced in September.
The analogue newcomers will expand Chord Electronics’ ULTIMA amplifier range options, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to analogue innovation across a range of applications.
Designed to complement (and height-match) the ULTIMA PRE 3 preamp, the forthcoming ULTIMA 7 will become the most affordable full-width power amplifier in the lineup upon its September release.
Delivering 135 W into 8 Ohms, the ULTIMA 7 benefits from Chord Electronics’ advanced Dual Feed Forward error-correction technology. This ensures low distortion and a fast transient response for accurate dynamic reproduction.
At just 0.5U tall, the all-new Blade stereo power amplifier utilises an evolved iteration of Chord Electronics’ ULTIMA topology and unique Dual Feed Forward error correction, developed specifically for this project by John Franks. The application of Dual Feed Forward techniques allows the company to master otherwise difficult-to-control vertical MOSFETs in a Class G (Gallium Nitride [GaN]) configuration, delivering high power from a shallow, rack-mountable chassis for the first time.
This ultra-low profile directly serves the needs of custom installers seeking compact power amplification for both high-performance stereo and multichannel systems. Combined with Chord Electronics’ ‘fit-and-forget’ reliability, the British-made Blade is designed to be the ideal solution for high-quality architectural audio.
John will be present at HIGH END Vienna to support the previews and offer first-hand insights into his latest innovations, including Class G topology, vertical MOSFET implementation and the evolution of Dual Feed Forward technology.
Chord Electronics will also showcase the next generation of digital audio capability with the new Quartet upscaler (available to order now), alongside the new flagship ULTIMA PHONOSTAGE for vinyl enthusiasts.
The main demonstration system will feature the flagship ULTIMA PRE preamp, the ULTIMA 3 mono amplifiers and the reference DAVE DAC. Supporting equipment includes a Rega RP10 turntable, Innuos music server and Chord Company cabling.