Three hundred watts per channel in a stereo power amplifier
Chord ULTIMA 5 is a stereo power amplifier rated at 300 W RMS per channel into 8 Ω, rising to 500 W RMS into 4 Ω. According to Chord Electronics that is enough power to drive all but the most demanding loudspeakers.
The manufacturer presents it as the evolution of its best-known stereo power amplifier, the SPM 1200 MK II, which it describes as the definitive Chord Electronics amplifier. Compared with that design the heart of the circuit changes and is now based on the ULTIMA topology.
Thirty-two MOSFETs and an ultra-high-frequency power supply
The output stage has 32 proprietary MOSFET power devices, lateral-structure and dual-die, set within low-distortion amplifier circuitry. Operation is class AB with sliding bias, on fully balanced circuitry and with convection cooling.
Dual feed-forward error correction is combined with the ultra-high-frequency switch-mode power supplies developed by Chord. The manufacturer credits this combination with fast, powerful performance and a very high peak output current.
28 mm fascia, connections and Integra legs
The fascia is CNC-machined from aircraft-grade aluminium and is 28 mm thick. Recessed into it is the power button, a polycarbonate sphere that lights up in standby and in operation; a switch hidden in the vertical split line allows the lighting to be dimmed. The top light ring is included and the chassis is solid aluminium.
The rear panel carries balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, the loudspeaker terminals, the 12 V trigger and a C-19 type IEC mains socket. The Integra side legs are included (480 × 180 × 360 mm, W × H × D); gloss black acrylic side blocks are available as an option, reducing the size to 420 × 150 × 360 mm but not allowing units to be stacked. Among the options the manufacturer also lists Integra legs in Jett Black or Argent Silver.
Technical data
- Output power: 300 W RMS per channel into 8 Ω; 500 W RMS per channel into 4 Ω.
- Inputs: 1 balanced XLR stereo pair and 1 unbalanced RCA stereo pair, gold plated.
- Trigger: 1 × 12 V input (Chord Electronics auto start).
- Outputs: 1 pair of gold-plated, high-current loudspeaker terminals.
- Operating class: AB with sliding bias.
- Power devices: 32 proprietary MOSFETs.
- Frequency response: 0.5 Hz - 100 kHz (−1 dB).
- Total harmonic distortion: 0.005 %.
- Gain: 30 dB.
- Power consumption: 2,000 W at full power; 10 W in standby.
- Lighting: dimmable, with the top light ring included.
- Dimensions with the included Integra legs: 480 × 180 × 360 mm (W × H × D).
- Dimensions with the optional side blocks (not stackable): 420 × 150 × 360 mm.
- Weight: 22.4 kg.
- Finishes: black or silver.
- Included: 15 A IEC mains cable.
