Chord Electronics’ Alto amplifier, a professional audio powerhouse is now available for public purchase
Chord Electronics, the renowned British audio equipment manufacturer, has announced the public release of its high-performance Alto amplifier, previously available only to professionals within the recording and mastering industries. This exclusive offering, which premiered at the NAMM Show in California this January as part of the Chord Electronics Pro range, will now be accessible to audiophiles and consumers worldwide.
The Alto is a headphone and nearfield monitor amplifier originally developed to meet the critical standards of recording and mastering engineers. Built with Chord Electronics’ signature Ultima amplifier topology, the Alto combines high transparency and low distortion in a portable design that has already proven transformative for studio professionals. Due to overwhelming demand from customers, dealers, and the audiophile community, Chord Electronics has made the Alto available to the public, bridging professional and consumer audio worlds with a product of exceptional quality and versatility.
A Powerful and Portable Amplifier for Multiple Applications
Designed with both portability and performance in mind, the compact Alto amplifier is capable of driving up to four pairs of headphones and smaller nearfield loudspeakers, making it ideal for professionals and enthusiasts who require flexibility across different setups. A first for Chord Electronics, the Alto features a 4.4 mm Pentaconn TRRRS output (pseudo balanced), catering to the growing preference for balanced transmission in high-end headphones. Additional outputs include a 3.5 mm socket and two 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) sockets, providing easy A/B comparisons and the ability to share audio with multiple listeners.
For speaker outputs, the Alto delivers 25 watts into 8 ohms (or 50 watts into 4 ohms), with stereo banana plug connections located on the rear panel to ensure compatibility with a broad range of loudspeakers. The Ultima technology enables a clear, responsive, and low-distortion sound, ensuring users experience audio exactly as it was intended. Chord’s proprietary dual-feed-forward error-correction technology monitors and adjusts signals in real-time, ensuring optimal fidelity before they reach the output stage.
User-Friendly Design and Precision Engineering
The Alto’s compact dimensions, comparable to slightly larger than an A5 sheet of paper, make it easily adaptable to any audio setup, including desktop, living room, or dedicated hi-fi configurations. Its twin-input design offers both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, with balanced XLR outputs for bypass or through connection to other devices. Additionally, the Alto allows for dual output with both loudspeakers and headphones.
Controls on the Alto’s fascia panel include volume adjustment, power, and input selection, accompanied by Chord Electronics’ iconic color-changing LEDs for status indication. A remote control is also included, providing convenient operation from any location. As with all Chord Electronics products, the Alto’s casework is meticulously crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, with local anodizing ensuring the highest quality finish. Every unit is handmade in Chord’s Kent factory by a team of skilled engineers and technicians.
Price and Availability
The Alto is available now from select Chord Electronics dealers at a price of £3,000. Each unit is backed by a three-year warranty, reflecting Chord Electronics’ commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.