Chord Electronics unveils Ultima, previews Suzi

By AMMAR MARITI

CHORD Electronics founder John Franks and the company's product designer Rob Watts took centrestage at Stars Picker Audio on Saturday (Jan 20) to unveil the new Ultima integrated amplifier to Malaysian audiophiles.

While providing the packed house with insights into the product and the company, talk also centred on what is to come.

Previously, Chord had hinted at a modular product known as the Suzi but had not disclosed details. Franks finally displayed 3D renders of the product, revealing that the Suzi will be a modular power amplifier designed to connect seamlessly with the Chord Hugo2. Additionally, he introduced another upcoming pre-amplifier, the Chord Suzi Pre, which will also be compatible with this modular system.

"The kids have building block toys and I thought that’s a good idea for a modular product. And the shape itself is based on my kid's shoe box. By making it modular we can make it a standalone product and at the same time provide a stackable form factor with compatible devices," Franks said about the Suzi's design inspiration and concept.



The Suzi Pre, Franks said, will feature an MM/MC phono stage with various loading and impedance settings to better match it with a range of cartridges. It can also be used as a standalone phono stage via a small attachment that converts the RCA output from the side to the rear. When paired with the Suzi power amplifier, it will receive power from the Suzi.

Unlike other audio companies that focus a lot on linear power supplies, Chord has been firm on its stand that a good SMPS power supply is better.

“Linear power supplies are very transparent," Watts explained. "So there's a lot of electronic interference beyond the human frequency range that can pass through. Even if it is within the megahertz range, it can introduce modulated interference in the audible range.

"With a properly made SMPS, there are filters on the input and output so we can reduce the interference drastically," Watts added.



On why Chord uses colours to show bitrate, inputs and volume instead of position or text indicators for most of its products, Watts said: "Well think of it this way, you're standing from across the room and you look at the amp. You will know exactly what is going on based on the colours on it."

Chord Electronics products can be auditioned at Stars Picker Audio Library (03-61561984).