Chord Ultima PRE 3: Made of aircraft aluminum
Chord Electronics is headquartered in Kent, England's southeast. Since its inception in 1989, the company has resided and produced in a former pump house on the River Medway. Aside from the location, the working environment must be conducive, because the fine hi-fi components from the UK are always tough. The Chord Ultima PRE 3 preamplifier will be introduced for the HIGH END 2022.
The Chord Ultima PRE 3's newly designed panel is fully symmetrical, with an on/off ball enthroned in the center. Fortunately, this writing is accompanied by images; otherwise, you would struggle to imagine it, which would be a shame. However, the Kent developers did not stop with a simple sphere; they can also light up in many colors (polychrome) to signify what the amp is doing at the time.
And, if we begin with external values, let us continue: The housing is built of solid metal - "in aircraft grade," according to the Chord Electronics brochure. What appears to be marketing speak has certain technical benefits. Because aircraft aluminum sheets are stronger and more thermally conductive. We discover that not everything is just matt-shined aluminum.
The top LED panel, which can be dimmed and illuminated through the air grilles, is a wonderful touch. The Chord ULTIMA PRE 3 allows players to access it twice symmetrically and three times asymmetrically, with a separate AV bypass input. Encapsulated relays are utilized to switch over, ensuring operation for years, if not decades.
Chord guarantees that all principal inputs are independently buffered and selectively filtered to prevent high-frequency interference. The ULTIMA PRE 3 also has balanced and unbalanced outputs, a 12V trigger, an IEC power connector, and a 5V/3A USB Type-A output for powering peripherals in addition to the five inputs.
The chord ULTIMA PRE 3 will be heard for the first time in Munich at the HIGH END 2022 in room A 3.1, C122. It will cost roughly 7,750 dollars and come in an either black or silver housing.
