ETUDE Amplifier

The Etude is a Chord Electronics Choral series amplifier, which is designed in likeness to the Chord DAVE DAC and the BLU MKII. The hifi amplifier packs a punch in a small, compact package, and makes an absolutely superb desktop amplifier. The Etude features a whopping 150W Class AB stereo power amplifier, and you can run it in bridged mono mode for a performance increase to 300W (at 4 ohms).

The Etude features stereo-balanced XLR inputs, stereo unbalanced RCA inputs, and a set of multiway WBT binding posts in the rear. There are also phase switches under the left and right sides of the inputs. The Etude is a great option for any desktop setup, but it pairs especially well with the popular Chord DAC.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon Interconnect is one of our best-selling audiophile cables at Moon Audio and our top recommendation to pair with the Chord Etude. Sold in Pairs, the Silver Dragon V2 is our top-of-the-line silver conductor-based interconnect. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key.

Chord Etude: Compact Power and Big Sound

The Etude headphone power amp from Chord Electronics is an incredibly compact stereo amplifier with stunning power, speed, and clarity. It features technology derived from the aerospace industry and the Choral family of products has received multiple awards due to their design and sound. The Etude is a 150W Class AB stereo power amplifier featuring the first fundamentally new topology since Chord Electronic's inception in 1989. Although the amplifier is conservatively rated at 150W at 4ohoms you can also run the Etude in bridged mono mode to increase the output to 300W at 4ohms.

Etude + DAVE = Perfection

The Chord Electronics Etude amplifier, as part of the Choral series of products, has been designed to complement and deliver the full potential of the multi-award-winning DAVE DAC. The Etude, which has preamp/preamplifier functionality, has brand new topology and faster power delivery than previous Chord amplifier designs and offers unrivaled dynamics, lifelike delivery of transient information, and amazing control for speakers.

The design for Étude is based upon multi-feedback and dual feed-forward error-correction amplifier technology that intelligently adjusts and compensates for the individual linearity of the 250-watt lateral structure high-power proprietary MOSFETs. Internally there are three individual high-frequency switch mode power supply units, one for each active power rail and a final for the auxiliary rails. When paired with advanced internal shielding, active cooled plenum chamber design, and custom high-end Chord Electronics MOSFETs, you have Étude, a world-class, extremely fast, crystal clear amplifier.

FAQ

What is the Power Output of the Etude?

The Etudes power output is rated at 150 W into 4Ohms

Can the Etude be used with products outside of the Chord product lineup?

Yes, the Etude is designed to be used with the Chord DAVE, but it can be used as an amp in most systems.

What Class Amp is the Etude?

The Etude is a Class A/B amplifier with a sliding bias

Is the Etude a fully Balanced Amp?

Yes, the Etude is fully balanced end to end!

Can you Bridget the outputs of the Etude?

Yes, you can bridge the outputs for a full 300W into 4Ohms

Does the Etude come with a stand?

The Etude does not come with or need a special stand. That said, if you have the Chord DAVE, Blu MKII or Etude can be used with the compatible stand system for the Choral series of Chord products.

Press and Reviews

Chord Magazine

Guides & Advice
by Moon Audio

HiFi+

by Alan Sircom
Apr. 2019

HiFi World

by Martin Pipe
Jul. 2019