{"product_id":"chord-electronics-alto-headphone-speaker-amplifier-ultima-technology","title":"Chord Electronics Alto Headphone \u0026 Speaker Amplifier – ULTIMA Technology","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"alto-description\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eChord Electronics Alto\u003c\/strong\u003e is a compact powerhouse that defies its stature. At the heart of the Alto lies Chord's world-class \u003cstrong\u003eULTIMA topology\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eULTIMA Technology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Award-winning dual feed-forward error correction for unparalleled clarity\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e4.4mm Balanced Output:\u003c\/strong\u003e Versatile connection for the latest high-end headphones\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulti-user Drive:\u003c\/strong\u003e Power up to four pairs of headphones simultaneously\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStereo Versatility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seamlessly switch between high-end headphones and loudspeakers\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e50W into 4Ω:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bookshelf speaker amplifier power for desktop or bedroom systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eXLR Through \/ Passthrough:\u003c\/strong\u003e For additional volume control or signal routing\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully Balanced System\u003c\/strong\u003e with HF switch-mode power supply\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"alto-spec-table\" style=\"width:100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e1 x XLR input set, 1 x RCA input set\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeadphone Outputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e4x total: 1x 3.5mm, 1x 4.4mm balanced jack*, 2x 1\/4\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpeaker Outputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e1 x pair banana sockets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Outputs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e1 x pair XLR (volume control \/ signal passthrough), 1 x 12V DC jack output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput Power (Speakers)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e50 W into 4 Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput Power (Headphones)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e2250 mW into 100 Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHD (Speakers)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e0.003% into 4 Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHD (Headphones)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e0.001% into 100 Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignal-to-Noise\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e120 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency Response\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e6 Hz to 60 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInput Maximum Voltage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e6 V RMS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrosstalk\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e-95 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput Maximum Voltage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e15 V RMS into 8 Ω\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperating Voltage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e80 to 250 V AC auto-switching\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (L x W x H)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e215 mm x 200 mm x 57 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet Weight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border:1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e1946 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.85em; color: #666;\"\u003e*Pseudo-balanced: the amplifier itself is not a fully balanced design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How many headphones can I connect to the Alto at once?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can the Alto power loudspeakers as well as headphones?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is the 4.4mm output truly balanced?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can the Alto be used as a preamp or passthrough for another system?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What inputs does the Alto accept?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  A: The Alto accepts one set of XLR inputs and one set of RCA inputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What power supply does the Alto use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How big is the Chord Alto?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n  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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Chord","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51370593091836,"sku":null,"price":5999.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0116\/1773\/0617\/files\/ChordElectronicsAltoHeadphone_SpeakerAmplifier_ULTIMATechnology.png?v=1790067999","url":"https:\/\/vinylsound.ca\/products\/chord-electronics-alto-headphone-speaker-amplifier-ultima-technology","provider":"Vinyl Sound Canada Inc.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}