British amplification and digital audio specialist Chord Electronics has launched the Alto, a professional headphone amplifier for up to four pairs of headphones, plus a close-field monitoring amplifier offering high resolution.
Alto uses in Chord Electronics’ proprietary Ultima amplifier topology, which uniquely features advanced dual-feed-forward error-correction technology that monitors then immediately corrects signals before the output stage.
Alto offers 50W/channel for close-field monitoring, plus enough drive for its four headphone outputs simultaneously, via two front-panel 3.5mm and two 6.35mm outputs. Designed to fit into 19-inch racking, the 1U-high Alto benefits from both balanced and unbalanced inputs, plus a pair of balanced XLR outputs for bypass/external monitor control. Further features include Chord Electronics’ proprietary ultra-high-frequency power supplies and the company’s unmistakable industrial aesthetic. As with all of Chord Electronics Professional products, the British-made casework is precision-machined from aircraft-grade aluminium, with high-quality anodising undertaken locally.
Alto follows a line of recently introduced full-width Ultima-technology Professional amplifiers, including the 1kW Ultima Pro Mono and 350W, 500W and 750W Ultima Pro Stereo power amplifiers.
‘Alto offers levels of performance not yet seen in any headphone/nearfield-monitor amplifier,’ says Chord Electronics founder, owner and chief designer, John Franks. ‘It features our advanced Ultima circuit topology to give this new amplifier the high-energy power levels and fast transient power that Chord Electronics’ products are known for.’
Ultima’s technology is based on a technical paper by Dr Malcolm J Hawksford (emeritus professor at Essex University) which was taken up and refined by Bob Cordell of Bell Labs. Chord Electronics’ Franks, then took the theory and developed it to a higher level; a progression of Cordell’s advanced dual-feed-forward error-correction topology incorporating Franks’ own advanced concepts in ultra-high frequency power supplies, which have been a cornerstone of the company’s proprietary technology amplifiers since its inception in 1989.
Alto is available to order from Chord Electronics now and is priced at £2,150 + VAT.
