CHORD ELECTRONICS has recently launched a new range of mid-priced electronics and so they have embarked on a series of roadshows around the country to inform their customers and give them the opportunity to hear them at main Chord dealers. Ian Ringstead visited one such event at Moorgate Acoustics in Sheffield.

Moorgate Acoustics in Sheffield is one of their dealers and on Friday 28^th October 2022 held such a launch. Moorgate Acoustics have been around since the 1980’s, originally starting in Rotherham and then moving to Sheffield city centre. Recently they moved to the outer suburbs of southern Sheffield in Woodseats where they have a rather nice store. Paul Hobson the owner runs a high-quality store that majors on British brands with other brands from Europe too. Chord electronics bolsters an already strong range of top-notch kit for the Sheffield shop. There is even a great record store in the cellar of the store called Wax where you can spend your pennies on vinyl, both new and second hand.

Chord themselves have been in existence since 1989 when owner John Franks who used to design switch mode power supplies for British Aerospace decided to start his own HiFi company making amplifiers. Chord’s mantra has always been to produce high quality products that are superbly made and sourced from UK companies if possible. A case in point is their transistor output stages for the better amplifiers which are custom made in Northampton. The larger components are made and machined here in the UK at their factory but the smaller items are outsourced to specialist companies.

Chords UK sales manager Maurice Tryner was on hand to demonstrate the range and answer any questions fielded by the customers. The product being launched was the new Ultima Pre 3 and the two power amplifiers – the Ultima 5 and 6.

The Ultima Pre 3 is an all new from the ground-up design containing the very latest propriety power supply technology and circuit design. The latest power supply used has an even lower noise floor than before. It boasts five analogue inputs two of which are balanced with all being individually buffered and selectively filtered against RFI (radio frequency interference). The external case is designed to match the power amplifiers and style and looks. The new volume control and balance AV bypass selector have a large, illuminated knob. There is also a 5V USB charging Type A port. You can have either black or silver case work finishes and integra leg options to improve isolation. The HF switch mode power supply is complimented with a Blue Velvet ALPS potentiometer volume control, advanced shielding technology, fully balanced circuitry, analogue signal path and convection cooled heatsinks Of course it is fully remote controlled. Price is £6,000

The Ultima 5 amplifier is based on the original SPM 1200MK 2 which is highly regarded. The latest Ultima circuit technology provides 350W into 8 ohms.  Chord uses their advanced dual feed forward technology along with the advanced ultra-high frequency power supplies so achieving a very fast and powerful performance. The peak current output is very high so producing amazing dynamics coupled with timing accuracy to give ultimate listening pleasure. The amplifier has very low distortion due to the lateral structure dual die MOSFET’s and drive most speakers with ease. There are 32 propriety MOSFET’s requiring top notch circuit design to exploit their full potential. The amp fascia is a new design precision CNC machined from aircraft grade aluminium with a 38mm thick front panel. The power button is recessed and made of polycarbonate changing from red to green when in use. The lighting can be dimmed by use of a discrete button Rear connections use both balanced and RCA connectors along with high quality binding posts for the speakers. Finally, a detachable mains IEC input is used. Price £10,500

The Ultima 6 power amp differ in having lower output power of 180 W in to 8 ohms, and 16 proprietary MOSFET’s. The MOSFET’s are continuously monitored with output stage error correction circuitry and there is fully balanced input circuitry with DC tracking servos and full temperature compensation. Colour options are black and silver as with the preamp. Price £7,000

Several demonstrations were staged throughout the day that lasted about an hour and gave customers the chance to not only hear the units but ask questions. The system used comprised of a pair of Spendor D7.2 speakers £5,650 coupled to the Chord electronics and fed with a Rega P8 turntable and digital streaming via the Chord Dave DAC at £10,000, Hugo M scaler £4000 and a Naim ND5 XS 2 streamer £2,500. All the streaming was upscaled unless switched off for comparison. The prices are current but could well change soon due to material cost price increases now the world is in turmoil.

Maurice opened the listening with a track from Fields of the Nephilim called Celebrate. A band I don’t know well, this track was sparsely recorded but highlighted the recording quality and showcased the sound, which was very open, detailed and tight. All qualities I really appreciate.

Chord Electronics’ UK Sales Manager, Maurice Tryner

Next, he played a Chris Cornell acoustic song from a live concert which again was not overly complicated but highlighted the live acoustic venue superbly.

Maurice then opened the floor for individual requests. This was nice because the listeners had a chance to hear their favourite tracks and properly assess the system for themselves. Betty Davis was played from the Betty Davis album. She was married to Miles Davis at one time so quite a character, by all accounts. The track was If I’m In Luck I Might Get Picked Up. This was a sassy track with a dirty keyboards sound that would go down well in a night club. Music from the heart rather than a soulless recording.

Afro Celt sound system was also played. They are a group I am very familiar with and make superb albums recorded extremely well. The music is a mix of new world and Celtic rhythms that are complex but on a good system shine through.

Tears for Fears Bad Man’s song from Sowing the seeds of love album was played and is probably one of their less well-known hits. It has a percussion intro with keyboards played in a jazz style. A well recorded spacious sound that reminds you why you listen to music for enjoyment.

Oleta Adams is the female vocalist in fine form accompanying the band. The recording quality is excellent and the Chord pre and power really worked well here. Interestingly one listener requested that the Hugo M scaler was switched in and out to reveal what it had to offer. This was done and certainly was an easy difference to hear. With the Hugo switched out the sound lacked the open quality and extra detail when switched back in circuit. At £4,000 it isn’t a cheap upgrade but worth it if funds permit.

All the different tracks played were a welcome change from the usual show tunes you hear and tend to get fed up with after repeated plays.

The other thing that was demonstrated was the difference in sound between the Ultima 6 and 5. Maurice played the Beatles’ song Come Together from Abbey Road to prove the point. We listened to the 6 first and then Maurice switched over to the 5. The difference was chalk and cheese; the 5 was more open and had moved up a gear from the 6 as it should do. The overall sound of the Ultima range was a very relaxed easy on the ear sound, but not at the expense of frequency range or detail. Paul Hobson himself told me that this range really impressed him and was something he would happily own at home. I tended to agree. Granted it isn’t cheap, but a good pre and power amp are worth investing in if you are serious about your music and have a good system already. Either current Chord owners or those new to the company have a new alternative to aspire to now.

The day’s event I felt was a great success attended by about 30 people. Everyone learnt new facts about Chord electronics as well as experiencing a happy relaxed atmosphere at a high-quality dealer. I know a lot of people tend to buy HiFi from online stores or dealers these days and I get that, especially since Covid, but there is no substitute for going along to your local dealer or making a day of it and travelling a bit further to explore new brands.

HiFi Pig is trying to do their own bit to help bricks-and-mortar retailers with the SUPPORT YOUR DEALER FEATURE.

A good dealer will even loan out equipment for you to try at home before committing to a to buy it. One of the customers was from Hull so he had travelled over an hour to get there and stayed all day. He had a very interesting and complex active system which he needed help with as well as some rather nice components from Living Voice and Audio Note that piqued my interest. It highlighted the problem customers have if they don’t seek help from a dealer because confusion and doubt then creep in. Events like this happen regularly at quality dealers around the UK, so I encourage anyone who wants to educate themselves to attend one or two if they can, you won’t be disappointed. I even met an old school friend I’d not seen for 48 years who is into HiFi.

Well done to Chord and Moorgate Acoustics for enlightening us.

IAN RINGSTEAD