Chord Electronics' New Analogue Ultima Reference Teased

Chord Electronics is ready to make a major splash at this year’s High End Munich, unveiling what it calls a “flagship analogue showstopper.” The British audio icon will globally debut a groundbreaking Analogue Ultima Reference Product—an exciting new addition to its prestigious high-fidelity lineup. This unveiling marks a pivotal moment, not only because it coincides with the last edition of the legendary Munich expo before its move to Vienna, but also because Chord has a strong record of launching premium innovations at this very show. Following previous highlights like the Ultima Integrated and the acclaimed Suzi, expectations for this new analogue component are sky-high among audio enthusiasts and industry experts.

While Chord Electronics remains tight-lipped on the specifics, the new Analogue Ultima Reference Product is confirmed to join the elite range of Ultima Reference components, such as their high-performance monoblock power amps and preamplifiers. Speculation is mounting that the new unit could be a reference-grade phono preamplifier—perhaps a supercharged evolution of the Huei—or even a fully analogue integrated amplifier built to audiophile standards. Given Chord’s digital mastery and expertly crafted DACs, a streaming amp seems unlikely. However, a purist, no-compromise integrated with a robust phono stage could be just the analogue masterpiece fans have been waiting for. To explore more of Chord Electronics’ precision-engineered products, don’t miss our Ultima Pre 3 review.

Founder and audio visionary John Franks will personally introduce the new device on May 15th at Munich’s Atrium 3.1, booth C122, offering exclusive insight into the engineering and innovation behind this soon-to-be reference point in analogue design. According to the company’s preview announcement, this product “underscores Chord Electronics’ commitment to analogue innovation for hi-fi enthusiasts” and doubles down on sound performance for pro audio heavyweights worldwide. The final consumer release is expected later this year, but audiophiles won’t have to wait long for a first look. Stay tuned for our on-site coverage from High End Munich. For additional background on how Munich has shaped the high-end audio landscape, visit this Sound on Sound article.