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Chord Electronics Alto Headphone & Speaker Amplifier – ULTIMA Technology
$5,999.00
Product Details
The Chord Electronics Alto is a compact powerhouse that defies its stature. At the heart of the Alto lies Chord's world-class ULTIMA topology, a sophisticated dual-feed-forward error-correction technology that monitors and refines the audio signal in real-time, eliminating distortion. The result is a breathtakingly transparent, lifelike performance with all the hallmarks of Chord's larger ULTIMA amplifiers.
The Alto is designed to be the versatile centrepiece of a modern hi-fi set-up. Featuring four front-mounted outputs, including a 4.4mm for the latest high-end headphones, the Alto is ideal whether you're conducting an A/B comparison of your favourite pairs or enjoying a late-night personal listening session.
For loudspeakers, the Alto provides 50W of pure ULTIMA power (4 ohms). It brings incredible speed and clarity to speakers, making it the ideal partner for a luxury desktop or bedroom system.
The Alto's elegant, compact footprint, barely larger than an A5 sheet, allows it to integrate seamlessly into any environment, from dedicated hi-fi racks to desktops and more. Its understated British design and premium rear-panel banana plug terminals ensure it looks as refined as it sounds.
Key Features
- ULTIMA Technology: Award-winning dual feed-forward error correction for unparalleled clarity
- 4.4mm Balanced Output: Versatile connection for the latest high-end headphones
- Multi-user Drive: Power up to four pairs of headphones simultaneously
- Stereo Versatility: Seamlessly switch between high-end headphones and loudspeakers
- 50W into 4Ω: Bookshelf speaker amplifier power for desktop or bedroom systems
- XLR Through / Passthrough: For additional volume control or signal routing
- Fully Balanced System with HF switch-mode power supply
Technical Specifications
| Inputs | 1 x XLR input set, 1 x RCA input set |
| Headphone Outputs | 4x total: 1x 3.5mm, 1x 4.4mm balanced jack*, 2x 1/4" |
| Speaker Outputs | 1 x pair banana sockets |
| Additional Outputs | 1 x pair XLR (volume control / signal passthrough), 1 x 12V DC jack output |
| Output Power (Speakers) | 50 W into 4 Ω |
| Output Power (Headphones) | 2250 mW into 100 Ω |
| THD (Speakers) | 0.003% into 4 Ω |
| THD (Headphones) | 0.001% into 100 Ω |
| Signal-to-Noise | 120 dB |
| Frequency Response | 6 Hz to 60 kHz |
| Input Maximum Voltage | 6 V RMS |
| Crosstalk | -95 dB |
| Output Maximum Voltage | 15 V RMS into 8 Ω |
| Operating Voltage | 80 to 250 V AC auto-switching |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 215 mm x 200 mm x 57 mm |
| Net Weight | 1946 g |
*Pseudo-balanced: the amplifier itself is not a fully balanced design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many headphones can I connect to the Alto at once?
A: The Alto has four headphone outputs (1x 3.5mm, 1x 4.4mm balanced jack, 2x 1/4"), so you can drive up to four pairs of headphones simultaneously.
Q: Can the Alto power loudspeakers as well as headphones?
A: Yes. The Alto delivers 50W of ULTIMA power into 4 ohms through its rear-panel banana plug terminals, making it a capable partner for a desktop or bedroom speaker system, in addition to its four headphone outputs.
Q: Is the 4.4mm output truly balanced?
A: The 4.4mm jack is pseudo-balanced: the amplifier itself is not a fully balanced design, though the connection supports 4.4mm balanced headphone cables.
Q: Can the Alto be used as a preamp or passthrough for another system?
A: Yes. It includes a pair of XLR outputs that can be used for additional volume control or as a signal passthrough, plus a 12V DC jack output for use with other compatible products.
Q: What inputs does the Alto accept?
A: The Alto accepts one set of XLR inputs and one set of RCA inputs.
Q: What power supply does the Alto use?
A: It uses an HF switch-mode power supply with auto-switching operating voltage of 80 to 250V AC, so it works globally without a voltage switch.
Q: How big is the Chord Alto?
A: It measures 215mm (L) x 200mm (W) x 57mm (H), barely larger than an A5 sheet of paper, and weighs 1946g, making it ideal for compact desktop or rack setups.
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