Chord Electronics
Ultima Pre 3 Preamplifier
$8,495.00 USDFeatures
Blue Velvet ALPS Potentiometer
Advanced Shielding Technology
Fully Balanced Circuitry
Analogue Signal Path
Convection Cooled
Included Top Light Ring
Solid Aluminium Chassis
What's in the Box?
Warranty
The Chord Electronics ULTIMA Pre 3 Preamplifier is an advanced preamp with a slimmer and more streamlined I/O than the ULTIMA 2 model. The ULTIMA 3 is equipped with 5 analog inputs - two balanced and three unbalanced, or single-ended, all of which benefit from individual buffering and are selectively filtered against potential ingress from radio frequency interference.
The ULTIMA 3 Pre 3 works seamlessly in your hi-fi system along with your DAC, power amplifiers, headphones or loudspeakers, streamers, and more. The build quality from Chord is second to none, and the ULTIMA Pre 3 is a true audiophile-grade preamplifier. Just like the Mojo, Qutest, Hugo 2, the ULTIMA Series represents the best that British sound has to offer, and the Ultima Pre 3 is the successor to the popular Ultima Pre 2. Works well with other ULTIMA Series power amps like the Ultima 5 and the Ultima 6 stereo power amplifiers.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon Interconnect is one of our best-selling 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.
Inputs & Outputs: 5 Stereo Inputs and 1 Stereo Output
- 2x Stereo Balanced XLR Inputs – Line In 1, Line In 2
- 3x Stereo Unbalanced RCA Inputs – Line In 3, Line In 4, Line In 5
- 1x Stereo Output – Either via Balanced XLR or Unbalanced RCA
- 1x Stereo Balanced XLR AV Bypass Input
A High-End, Modern Preamplifier for Everyday Use
The ULTIMA Pre 3 preamplifier from Chord is literally built from the ground up to take advantage of the very latest developments in advanced low-distortion power supplies. The ULTIMA Pre 3 offers exceptionally low noise and amplification efficiency. Coupled with Chord's latest design developments the ULTIMA Pre 3 offers the latest and greatest in amplifier performance.
Externally, the PRE 3 benefits from a completely redesigned aesthetic with a central circular power sphere flanked by a new volume control and balance/AV bypass selector, both of which benefit from a new ergonomic knob design. Additional features include an AV bypass, plus a 5 V charging USB Type-A port.
KEY FEATURES
- HF Switch Mode Power Supply
- Blue Velvet ALPS Potentiometer
- Advanced Shielding Technology
- Fully Balanced Circuitry
- Analogue Signal Path
- Convection Cooled
- Included Top Light Ring
- Solid Aluminium Chassis
What's in the Box?
- ULTIMA PRE 3 Quickstart guide
- Safety instructions
- 10A Mains IEC cable
- IR system remote control
- 2x AAA batteries
Press and Reviews
Ultima Pre 3 Review
by Forbes
May. 2022
| Inputs | 2x stereo balanced XLR inputs, 3x stereo unbalanced RCA |
|---|---|
| Outputs | 1x stereo XLR, 1x stereo RCA and 1x 5 V charging USB Type-A port, 1x stereo balanced XLR AV bypass input, 1 x 12 V trigger output/input |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz-200 kHz +/- 3 dB |
| THD | 0.002 % 20Hz-20 kHz |
| Signal to noise ratio | -105 dB on all inputs |
| Input impedance | 100 kΩ |
| Output impedance | 560 Ω |
| Input maximum voltage | 10 V RMS |
| Output maximum voltage | 17 V RMS |
| Gain | x1 |
| Channel separation | 100 dB |
| Operation voltage | 80-250 V AC auto-switching |
| Power consumption | 40 W |
| Dimensions with legs: | 485 mm (w) x 355 mm (d) x 130 mm (h) |
| Weight: | 12.7 kg |