








Chord Electronics
ULTIMA PRE 2 Preamplifier
$18,775.00 USD
Features
4x Stereo Unbalanced RCA Inputs – Line In 5, Line In 6, Tape 1, Tape 2
1x Stereo Output – Either via Balanced XLR or Unbalanced RCA
2x Stereo Outputs – RCA unattenuated for recording loop
1x Stereo Balanced XLR AV Bypass Input
What's in the Box?
Warranty
ULTIMA PRE 2 Preamplifier
$18,775.00
Featuring unrivaled connectivity and minimal coloration, the Chord Electronics ULTIMA PRE 2 can be the hub of your Hi-Fi system without taking anything away from the incoming signal. The Ultima Pre 2 is part of Chord Electronics' "Ultima" series, which represents their top-of-the-line audio products. The Ultima Pre 2 is the ultimate in preserving your pristine audio quality - be assured that you won't have any degradation when adding a preamplifier to your signal chain. The Ultima Pre 2 not only works well with other Chord Products like the DAVE DAC, Ultima 6 power amplifier, and more, but also provides clean line-level audio transmission in any system. With minimal colouration, the front panel of the Ultima Pre 2 and the Ultima Pre 3 provides all the controls necessary to access all your connected sources.
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 ULTIMA Pre 2 Preamplifier. 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. The Blue Dragon Power Cable is also recommended to provide the cleanest and unbridled power to your high-end amplifier or pre-amplifier.
Inputs & Outputs:
8 Stereo Inputs and 1 Stereo Output
- 4x Stereo Balanced XLR Inputs – Line In 1, Line In 2, Line In 3, and Line In 4
- 4x Stereo Unbalanced RCA Inputs – Line In 5, Line In 6, Tape 1, Tape 2
- 1x Stereo Output – Either via Balanced XLR or Unbalanced RCA
- 2x Stereo Outputs – RCA unattenuated for recording loop
- 1x Stereo Balanced XLR AV Bypass Input
The fully modernized ULTIMA PRE 2 is built to complement stereo systems of the highest order and represents the finest Chord Electronics engineering inside and out.
Just as a preamplifier should, the ULTIMA PRE 2 adds nothing to the original waveform and instead preserves it with zero coloration. This is thanks to our latest advances in switch-mode power supply design, developed from aerospace technologies, and our ultra-low-noise proprietary solid-state circuitry, which is both carefully shielded and equipped with premium system components. As a result, the ULTIMA PRE 2 is able to achieve unprecedented noise floor performance of -130dB, meaning your source will always sound like your source and nothing else.
Where connectivity is concerned, the ULTIMA PRE 2 has hi-fi systems (and more!) covered. Featuring eight inputs, four stereo pairs of XLRs for balanced connections and another four RCA for unbalanced connections, each of these can be gain-matched and individually selected. For outputs, a single stereo pair is available via XLR or RCA, to accommodate a single stereo amplifier such as the ULTIMA 5 or a pair of mono blocks such as the ULTIMA 3s. Naturally, headphone users are catered to, too, for personal and late-night listening with the addition of a high-resolution 6.35mm output on the front fascia.
Where system-triggering is important (allowing the simultaneous start-up of connected equipment from a single button-press), the ULTIMA PRE 2 is equipped with three outputs, which should be more than enough for most systems.
What's in the Box?
- Ultima pre 2
- ULTIMA PRE 2 Quickstart guide
- Safety instructions
- 10A Mains IEC cable
- Metal IR system remote control
- 2x AAA batteries
Parameter | Specification |
---|---|
Technical Specifications | |
Frequency Range | 2.5 Hz – 200 kHz ±3 dB |
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | 0.002% (20 Hz – 20 kHz) |
Intermodulation Distortion | -115 dB on all inputs |
Signal to Noise Ratio | -120 dB on all inputs |
Channel Separation |
20 Hz @ 100 dB 1 kHz @ 95 dB 10 kHz @ 90 dB 20 kHz @ 85 dB |
Channel Balance | 0.01 dB |
Input Maximum Voltage | 17 V RMS Balanced – 8.5 V RMS Unbalanced |
Output Maximum Voltage | 17 V RMS Balanced – 8.5 V RMS Unbalanced |
Output Offset | 0 mV (Both Channels) |
Potentiometer Performance |
0 dB ±0.5 dB, -20 dB ±0.2 dB, -60 dB ±0.24 dB (13 seconds full travel) |
Nominal Gain | All inputs subject to six levels of switchable gain – x0.5, x1, x1.5, x2, x2.5, and x3 |
Input Impedance | 100 kΩ Balanced – 50 kΩ Unbalanced |
Output Impedance | 100 Ω (Short Circuit Protected) |
Operating Voltage | 85 V – 270 V AC (50 Hz – 60 Hz) Auto Switching |
Power Consumption | 30 W |
Dimensions Without Integra Legs (W x D x H) | 420 mm × 355 mm × 133 mm |
Weight | 40 lb |
