CHORD ULTIMA Power Amplifier Instruction Manual
- June 6, 2024
- chord
Table of Contents
CHORD ULTIMA Power Amplifier
Introduction
ULTIMA is the cornerstone of Chord Electronics’ amplification, standing as our
ultimate reference amplification – beaten by none. Before the operation, we
strongly advise that you read this user manual thoroughly, storing it in a
safe place along with your original receipt of purchase, in case you should
require assistance in the future.
Protection against liquids & heat
The ULTIMA is not protected against liquids of any kind. Never place
containers of liquid on ULTIMA. Never allow ULTIMA to come into contact with
moisture or liquids; doing so could result in electrocution or damage to the
ULTIMA internal circuitry. Be aware that liquids, including water that has
dried, can leave minerals that can affect the PCB and other components, which
could eventually lead to oxidization and short-circuiting. If the ULTIMA comes
into contact with moisture or liquids, immediately disconnect from the mains
power supply, and connected equipment, and contact Chord Electronics for
further advice. The ULTIMA has internal thermal protection that will cut the
power supply if reached. Never operate the ULTIMA near sources of heat or
naked flames as this will decrease the lifespan of the internal components. It
is advised that you do not operate the ULTIMA in an area of direct sunlight or
on top of significant heat-producing devices. Please be aware that it is
entirely normal for the ULTIMA to become warm during use, particularly within
a stacked configuration. If you are concerned about the temperatures, please
switch the device off and consider a different placement.
Dismantling & radio frequency interference
There are no user-serviceable components within the ULTIMA or its power
supply. Dangerous voltages/currents exist within the ULTIMA and its power
supply, posing a severe risk of electrocution and/or fire. Never attempt to
open, dismantle or apply internal third-party devices to it or insert anything
other than the listed interconnects or speaker cables within this user manual.
If the ULTIMA develops a fault or the casework becomes damaged, immediately
disconnect from the mains power supply and connected equipment and contact
Chord Electronics for further advice.With a thick, solid aluminum chassis, the
ULTIMA’s casework largely protects the sensitive internal circuitry from radio
frequency interference. However, for optimal performance, it is recommended
that the following points are observed: Although the ULTIMA is largely
shielded, it can generate radio frequency interference that may have an effect
on radio and television reception. If this occurs, please reconsider your
placement.
- Consider placing the ULTIMA away from wireless routers.
- Separate the ULTIMA from amplifiers using toroidal transformers.
- Operate mobile phones at a distance to avoid interference.
Connecting your equipment
Before connecting the ULTIMA to any equipment, consult the manufacturer’s user guide to confirm compatibility. When connecting the ULTIMA to any equipment, make sure that all devices are off, including the ULTIMA. Once connected, switch all equipment on starting with the source and ending with the amplification. Initially, operate the any connected equipment on its lowest gain setting and lowest volume setting, gently increasing to a comfortable listening level. Never operate connected equipment to the ULTIMA at excessive sound levels; permanent hearing damage and loss can occur. The included 15 amp IEC mains lead plugs into the ULTIMA.If the power supply is prematurely disconnected ULTIMA may still remain active for up to 15 seconds, however, this may cause damage to connected equipment.
WARNING:
Never disconnect the power cable during operation. Only disconnect when
ULTIMA is off. If the power cable is disconnected during operation there is a
risk of damage to connected equipment.
Warranty
- Warranty period & registering your purchase
- Making a claim & warranty exclusions
Warranty period & registering your purchase
At the point of sale, Chord Electronics Ltd. provides ULTIMA with a
comprehensive five-year warranty that covers defects in materials and
workmanship through fair wear and tear. The warranty will be void if any other
PSU other than that supplied is used. The warranty is transferable with proof
of purchase, however, the warranty on ex-demonstration units begins from the
retailer‘s date of purchase.Please use the form below to record the details of
your purchase in the event that these are required at a later date, we further
advise that all purchases are registered with Chord Electronics at: chord
electronics. co.uk/register-product/
Making a claim & warranty exclusions
In the unlikely event of a claim, you must provide Chord Electronics with
the details of the claim, including your original proof of purchase and serial
number in order to validate the nature of the repair. Upon receipt, Chord
Electronics will make an assessment within 30 days and provide a reasonable
solution. All warranty repairs must be carried out by Chord Electronics or an
approved service centre to guarantee the quality and safety of the repair.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS:
The warranty does not cover connected equipment, personal injury or
development of natural patina of the metalwork and will be null and void if
the following is applied: wilful neglect; modification or tampering of the
product; improper use of the product; acts of God; damage caused by a
connected device; mechanical shock; fire or application of excessive heat or
repair/modification by a non-authorized third-party vendor.
Getting to know ULTIMA
ULTIMA is our absolute reference amplifier which uses a brand new analog
topology, Chord Electronics’ first all-new design since its inception. Before
an operation, we strongly advise you read this user manual thoroughly, storing
it in a safe place along with your original receipt of purchase, should you
require assistance in the future.
The front panel
With only two buttons, the everyday operation of ULTIMA is simple and you
can tailor the brightness of the feature lighting to suit the ambiance of your
listening room.
WARNING: You must keep all vents clear.
The top panel
The top panel has no user-configurable options. Instead, three teal feature light rings illuminate. If you find that these rings are too bright for your listening room you can control the brightness via the front panel.
WARNING: You must keep all vents clear.
The rear panel
The rear panel offers a comprehensive connectivity suite, featuring both
standard connections and those which are used with other Chord Electronics
devices. When installing any cable, you must make sure that they securely
click into place, especially optical.
WARNING: You must keep all vents clear.
Placement
Whilst ULTIMA will operate normally within a Chord Electronics Reference
configuration stacked via the Integra legs, it is recommended that ULTIMA is
allowed to ‘breathe’ with 10cm of space around it to convection-cool during
operation.
Connecting ULTIMA to ancillary equipment
When connecting the ULTIMA to equipment within the signal path, ensure all
devices are switched off. It is recommended that once all equipment is
properly connected, that the volume setting is operated to its lowest setting,
before slowly being raised to a comfortable listening level. Always observe
partnering manufacturers’ guidelines.
Audio inputs
ULTIMA is equipped with both inverted and non-inverted balanced XLR inputs
as well as inverted and non-inverted unbalanced RCA inputs. ULTIMA has no
ability to switch between the inputs therefore, only one must be used.
Inversion relates to the phase of the incoming signal. During normal operation
for Chord Electronics products, the use of the inverted inputs is advised,
however, you may select non-inverting if desired by removing the cap covering
the XLR input . If you remove the cap please take great care to connect
both amplifiers with the same invention to avoid an out-of-phase
configuration. If using ULTIMA with older models of Chord Electronics
monoblocks please note the inputs will be reversed.
WARNING:
ULTIMA must be connected to a dedicated preamplifier, or a device capable of
attenuating its output. Failure to attenuate the volume before it enters
ULTIMA could result in irreversible hearing damage, speaker damage and could
void the warranty.
Audio outputs
As ULTIMA is a mono amplifier, it only supports a single speaker output,
however, it has four-speaker terminals. Both positive speaker terminals
originate from the same source, as does the negative speaker terminals. Do use
the additional two postive and negative terminals if you wish to bi-wire your
speakers. In order to connect ULTIMA to loudspeakers, use a high-quality
loudspeaker cable terminated with 4mm banana plugs or 6mm spades. Bare wire
can be used, but it is not recommended. Connect the black (negative) terminal
from ULTIMA to the negative terminal on your loudspeaker and the red
(positive) terminal from ULTIMA to the red positive terminal on your
loudspeaker. Repeat if you wish to bi-wire the same speaker.
Power-on sequence and 12V trigger
POWER-ON SEQUENCE: During normal operation, when ULTIMA is in standby mode the large power button on the front panel will illuminate a red color. To power on ULTIMA press the large power button once until you feel a click. ULTIMA’s power button will now change to a green colour whilst it begins its initial safety checks. During this phase do not increase the gain on the input device as you cannot determine its final amplified volume which can damage the connected speakers. Once the amplifier has passed the safety check and is operational, after approximately ten seconds, the amplifier will display a teal color.12V Trigger: A 12V trigger can be used to remotely turn ULTIMA on or off. Please refer to the below diagram to correctly wire your 12V trigger. When a 12V trigger is sensed by ULTIMA the colors displayed on the power button will be different. During standby the large power buton on the front panel will illuminate an orange colour, however just like the power sequence without the 12V trigger a green colour will be displayed once you switch the unit on and it performs its safety checks. You should still not increase the gain on the input device. Once the amplifier becomes operational the power button will display a continuous purple glow.
Earthing issues in Europe
In some European countries, a hum or buzz may occur if the amplifier is
connected to mains sockets that do not have an earth or adequate earth. If
this occurs, please ensure that your equipment is connected via a good-quality
multi-way mains block which contains an earth point at every socket outlet. We
recommend that an earthing method for your building is implemented.
Adjusting the brightness of the LEDs
At any time, you can adjust the brightness of the LEDs to suit your
listening environment. Simply locate the hidden button in the middle of the
faceplate as indicated below, insert a thin object and push until you hear an
audible ‘click’. The light ring and power button will cycle between low and
high brightness modes.
References
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