{"id":37645,"date":"2024-04-29T09:33:48","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T07:33:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=37645"},"modified":"2024-05-01T11:00:55","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T09:00:55","slug":"chord-ultima-integrated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/amplifier-reviews\/integrated-amplifier-reviews\/chord-ultima-integrated\/","title":{"rendered":"Chord Ultima Integrated"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review sample supplied by Mafico<\/a><\/h4>\n

Retail price in the Netherlands, incl. VAT:
\nUltima Integrated in Black or Silver, with Integra Legs: 10.490 euro<\/h4>\n

About Chord Electronics<\/h3>\n

Chord Electronics has its roots in the aviation world, where engineering without limits means uncompromising standards. Company owner and chief designer John Franks has embedded this concept at the core of the company philosophy since its inception in 1989. The first Chord amplifiers were supplied to the BBC, followed by world-leading studios, including Abbey Road, Sony Music (New York), and later, The Royal Opera House. Their reputation within the professional world generated demand for a domestic range encompassing the same solid engineering and build standards. Today, Chord Electronics applies proprietary technologies to all its British-made products and proudly delivers studio-grade audio performance across the entire Chord range.<\/p>\n

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About the Ultima Integrated<\/h3>\n

The Ultima Integrated is the latest entry to the ULTIMA range introduced five years ago and it is the first integrated amplifier within the series. Inheriting technology from the higher-tier models, trickled down into a full-width integrated amplifier, the Ultima Integrated features and features the unmistakable industrial Chord aesthetic and contains the latest ULTIMA topologies.\u00a0The amplifier benefits from the latest dual-feed-forward error-correction topology (the ULTIMA circuit monitors and corrects audio signals before the output stage) and the advanced low-distortion, ultra-high-frequency power supplies to offer exceptionally low noise.<\/p>\n

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Chord has used proprietary techniques and a very advanced switched power supply, but the Ultima Integrated is a fully analog amplifier with a Class A\/B power amplifier output section offering 125 watts per channel into 8 Ohms. Volume control is via a very reliable and high quality Alps Blue Velvet potentiometer that can be controlled in precise, small steps via the beautifully sculpted, milled-from-aluminum IR Remote Control.<\/p>\n

The volume control implementation is logarithmic and not linear, meaning that the gain (volume) only starts to be realized when the volume control dial is more open than in a linear implementation. This is how one hears, and logarithmic implementation is also better for channel accuracy at lower volumes. A word of caution, though, as someone not familiar with this implementation could wrongly assume that amplifier A is more powerful than B because the volume for a lower setting on the knob is louder.<\/p>\n

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The amplifier offers 4 inputs, one fully balanced and three unbalanced, all individually buffered and selectively filtered against potential ingress from radio frequency interference. There’s also a balanced AV bypass input to connect the output of an AV processor or receiver. For this input, the Ultima amplifier\u2019s volume control and signal processing are effectively bypassed so that the signal from the connected AV device reaches the power amplifier section as if it were connected directly. There’s also a balanced preamp output, which can drive a bigger power amplifier or allow Bi-Amping.<\/p>\n

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All metalwork is precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum, including Chord Electronics\u2019 iconic Integra Legs. The fascia sports a 28-mm-thick front panel with a perfectly symmetrical aesthetic centered around a spherical power on\/off control with polychromatic lighting flanked by illuminated volume and balance controls. The intensity of the lighting can be dimmed to half-strength from the Infrared Remote Control, but it cannot be switched off.<\/p>\n

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Above: amp in standby, indicated by the red illuminated power button. Two short presses or one longer press wakes it up.<\/em><\/p>\n

Input selection switching is via microprocessor-controlled sealed relays, engaged either from the front panel by pressing the volume dial to toggle through them sequentially or by using the Infrared Remote Control, either via up\/down buttons or direct input selection. Each input is represented by a different color in the polychromatic ring around the volume dial.<\/p>\n

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Above: amp switched on, indicated by the green illuminated power button<\/em><\/p>\n

The power button sphere is also something very special: a translucent ball that can be freely rotated and which functions as a button, and power status indicator light, and, I presume, an IR receiver window. I found that direct sunlight from the side windows on the front panel can affect the IR operational range, and on one very bright day in my room with no curtains, I had to get up from the couch and move forward to get the amp to respond. In that single case, the range was 3 meters. On every other day of my testing, though, the range was normal, and I had no issues operating the amp.<\/p>\n

After reading about this, Chord commented they have done countless audio shows using the Ultima Integrated and have never had an issue with the remote’s range under normal circumstances. A range of up to 8 meters is considered normal.<\/p>\n

In use, the amplifier typically consumes 45 Watts and becomes only mildly warm. In standby mode, it consumes just 1 W and can, therefore, be left in this mode at all times if desired. The amplifier is available in Black and Silver (as reviewed). As standard, it comes complete with Integra Legs, which emphasize the amplifier’s beautiful industrial look. If desired, these legs can also be substituted for side blocks, for a more classic look.<\/p>\n

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System Context<\/h3>\n

The Chord Ultima amplifier will be listened to in my main system<\/a>, consisting of the CH Precision C1.2<\/a> DAC, L1<\/a> preamp, and A1.5<\/a> power amp with the Magico S1 MkII speakers. The main digital sources are the Grimm MU1<\/a> and Antipodes Oladra<\/a> music servers and the Aqua La Diva M2<\/a> CD transport. Also used for this review is the Aqua Formula xHD DAC<\/a> with the V2 output board upgrade<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Speaker cables used are the Jorma Unity<\/a> and Driade Flow Reference 808<\/a>. Interlinks are the unbalanced and balanced Driade Flow Link Reference 808<\/a>. The CH system sits on Artesania Exoteryc<\/a> and Aire<\/a> racks, while the digital sources and most review components sit on HRS EXR<\/a> racks. For logistic reasons (cable lengths), the Chord amplifier was listened to on the foremost row of Artesania Aire racks on top of a KSH2 Krion shelf<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Next: Running In, Listening, and Conclusion<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Running In<\/h3>\n

Garmt van der Zel, Product Manager with Mafio, forewarned me that the amp was brand-spanking new and would need some proper running in. So, after having formed my initial impressions, I left the amp switched on continuously while listening to it every now and then. Interestingly, from the very first notes it played only just unpacked from its carton, this turned out to be one heck of a smooth performer. Often, a product starts out sounding edgy and direct, to smoothen out and and calm down as it accumulates hours. With the Chord, this turned out to be pretty much the other way around.<\/p>\n

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Initially, I felt the amp sounded a little too<\/em> relaxed, and the treble was slightly dark and dull. But sure enough, as the days passed, the presentation became more coherent and focused, more of a whole, gaining conviction and expression as it bedded in. Slowly, the tonal balance stabilized toward more neutral until day 6, after which I heard no further progress.<\/p>\n

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Above: green\/blue LED lighting inside the chassis. The effect is mysterious and subtle<\/em><\/p>\n

Something else I noticed is that the amplifier emits a strong synthetic smell during the first couple of days when switched on. It’s nothing to worry about. I experienced this before with a new Denon surround amp, and it is just certain components settling in as they operate at working temperatures. At the start of day four, the smell had mostly subsided, with only a trace of it still in the air, and at the end of the day and the days thereafter, I could only still smell it when getting really close to the unit. Leaving the amp switched on continuously with a window open is the quickest way to get past this.<\/p>\n

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Listening<\/h3>\n

Chord products have always appealed to me, and I love the bold industrial aesthetic. I’ve attended various demos involving Chord amplifiers and other components, but never in a comparative manner, and that always left me wondering precisely how they compare. Yet, somehow, a review never materialized. Until now!<\/p>\n

Based on 3rd party opinions gathered so far, I expected a lean and clean sound, strong on transient attack but less focused on body, sustain, or tonal saturation, and perhaps bordering on sterile. Well, let me tell you, the Ultima Integrated is one heck of a smooth performer! Tonally rich, well-saturated, liquid, and relaxed, it is 100% the inverse of what I anticipated. Such unexpected turns are always a nice surprise and a good reminder to keep an open mind.<\/p>\n

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For comparison, I have my usual reference CH L1 and A1.5 pre- and power amplifier combo, which, at seven times the Chord’s cost, is not on equal ground, of course. But I also have the Accuphase E-270, which, at 5.250 euros, is priced at the other end of the scale, costing roughly half the Chord’s price.<\/p>\n

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Coming from the full CH system, I switched to the Chord Ultima while using the same Jorma Unity speaker cables and retaining the CH C1.2 DAC connected to the Chord’s XLR inputs via Driade Flow Link Reference 808 XLR.<\/p>\n

Just as during my initial impressions, the first aspect that struck me again on the sixth day of listening was that the Chord has a remarkably smooth, unforced, and natural presentation. As one might expect of a product with the term “Precision” in its brand name, the CH combo sounds crisp, tight, and precise. By comparison, the Chord’s presentation is less tightly controlled and relatively more diffuse. Of course, that’s only fair, given the large disparity in price, but on the other hand, such tight, linear, and precise behavior is not for everyone. In any case, the Chord has a couple of other sonic traits up its sleeve.<\/p>\n

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The descriptive term “Musical” is as old as the first audio review, yet it is often used without definitive meaning. Any two persons will likely have a very different interpretation of it. The way I interpret it, it means “lyrical” or “singing” rather than technical or mechanical. In other words, it refers to a product’s capacity to reproduce music in a manner that enters our soul, moves us, and sweeps us away. Well, the Chord Ultima possesses this quality!<\/p>\n

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The Chord Ultima sounds great even with its stock power cable. Nevertheless, I found it is susceptive to their influence, and it’s worth finding just the right cable to achieve the desired balance.<\/em><\/p>\n

When I switched from the CH C1.2 to the relatively more affordable Aqua Formula xHD DAC, now using Driade Flow Link Reference 808 RCA interlinks, I was happy to find that it, too, matched with the Chord Ultima very well. Perhaps that should not be surprising since it is very neutral and linear, like the CH DAC. In any case, from this point on, I left the Aqua DAC in place.<\/p>\n

With either DAC, the Ultima Integrated sounds beautifully clean and uncolored but simultaneously lush and relaxed. The bass is royal, rich, and mellow, not super-incisive or very articulate, but fast-paced and never slow. This is a special combination I have not heard before: bass that is unforced, voluptuous, and free-flowing but still fast. No doubt, Chord’s special power supply has much to do with this.<\/p>\n

The treble, always such a decisive factor, is open and extended but, again, appealingly lush and sweet. Crash- or cymbal hits have the appropriate power but always retain a gentle roundness, while the amp is particularly well-versed in sustain, decay, and flow.<\/p>\n

The result is a forgiving presentation that reminds of classic Quad or Musical Fidelity designs in their naturalness but with much-increased speed, precision, neutrality, and definition. And, importantly, apart from its sweetness, the Chord refrains from imposing any character onto the sound. All recordings sound different, just as they should do, the timbre is very realistic, vocals are fully convincing and natural, and there is not a trace of artifice or synthesis. This natural timbre is again something that may come as a surprise to those with prejudices against switching power supplies. One might fear for choppiness or dryness, but the Chords presents us with the inverse. Clearly, it’s all in the design and implementation.<\/p>\n

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A beautiful seamless remote handset sculpted from a solid aluminum block is included.<\/em><\/p>\n

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More than anything, there’s a sense of unforced flow, the sound pouring out of the speakers effortlessly. The amplifier has what might be referred to as a “typically English” gentleman-like restraint in that it prefers not to raise its voice or sound harsh, but that does not mean it cannot roll its muscles. Just crank up the volume to find that the dynamics scale along immediately.<\/p>\n

With respect to focus and soundstage, the Chord inhabits the perfect middle ground. It is neither forward nor laidback and neither small nor overly spacious. Importantly, it allows the sound to breathe freely and move all around the speakers, and it never instills a sense of listening to a “small” amplifier. Rather, its unforced and natural performance encourages playing loud and the amp has no problem doing so!<\/p>\n

The Magico S1 MkII’s may seem relatively diminutive, but they can make life hard for an amplifier. Even though it offers only 125 Watts, the little Chord is more than capable of driving these speakers confidently without ever breaking a sweat. Oh, and the amp can be plenty dynamic if asked to. Just play something with a drum solo and be surprised at the impact and slam that seems to come from nowhere.<\/p>\n

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Switching from the Jorma Unity speaker cables to the Driade Flow Reference 808<\/a> adds a nice extra measure of tightness and air, although some may prefer the Jorma’s fuller, more grounded tonality. In any case, with these banana-terminated speaker cables in place, I was now in an ideal position to easily compare the Chord Ultima to the Accuphase E-270.<\/p>\n

Accuphase E-270<\/h3>\n

Accuphase may enjoy an image of sounding “golden,” but I know from experience that this depends on the model. I selected the E-270 because of its robust and enthusiastic performance relative to the larger models, which tend to sound smoother, more relaxed, and more polished. The older E-260 is very similar to the E-270, but the current E-280 is more like the larger models.<\/p>\n

In any case, compared to the E-270, the Chord Ultima is warmer, rounder, and a little less explicit in the upper midrange. A rather interesting aspect is that I’ve always felt the Accuphase E-270 to sound timbrally very natural. I still stand by this, considering its price point, but in this comparison, the Chord is more natural and closer to the CH system in terms of tonality and neutrality.<\/p>\n

Neither amp offers state-of-the-art resolution but the E-270 is crisper and more direct than the Chord, which can make it appear<\/em> more precise. Then again, the E-270 is comparatively dry and slightly rough in the treble. Despite being sweeter and more relaxed, the Chord’s stance is more powerful, and its overall performance is more authoritative. More significantly, the Chord’s delivery is more refined and much more fluid and continuous, and especially with soulful music, more emotionally engaging.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The Chord Ultima Integrated is not just about a visually pleasing industrial aesthetic; it offers a unique blend of appealing virtues and is very much a music lover\u2019s amplifier. The Ultima Integrated sounds beautifully clean and neutral but simultaneously smooth and unforced while offering a touch of warmth, culminating in a lyrical and emotionally engaging performance.<\/p>\n

While 10.490 euros is not pocket money, these days, it certainly is not asking too much for such a unique and well-built European-made integrated amplifier. Now more than ever, I am curious to learn how the brand’s more upscale models perform!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

Chord Electronics<\/a>
\nDistributor for the Benelux: Mafico<\/a><\/p>\n

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