Chord Electronics Alto Headphone & Speaker Amplifier
Chord Electronics Alto Headphone & Speaker Amplifier
Chord Electronics Alto Headphone & Speaker Amplifier
Chord Electronics Alto Headphone & Speaker Amplifier
Chord Electronics Alto Headphone & Speaker Amplifier
Chord Electronics

Chord Electronics Alto Headphone & Speaker Amplifier

ULTIMA-Powered Desktop Amplifier with 4.4mm Output
Sale price$4,320

Description

The Chord Electronics Alto is a compact, high-performance headphone and speaker amplifier that brings Chord's advanced ULTIMA amplification technology to desktop, home HiFi, and professional monitoring systems. Designed to drive up to four pairs of headphones simultaneously, Alto also delivers 50 watts into 4Ω for passive bookshelf speakers and nearfield monitors.

With four front-panel headphone outputs including 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm and dual 6.35 mm connections plus XLR and RCA analog inputs, speaker outputs, and XLR signal pass-through, Alto combines impressive versatility with Chord's compact British-made design.

ULTIMA Amplification Technology

At the heart of Alto is Chord's ULTIMA dual-feed-forward error-correction topology, derived from the company's high-performance amplifier designs.

This sophisticated circuit continuously monitors and corrects the audio signal before the output stage, helping Alto deliver the transparency, speed, and low distortion associated with Chord's ULTIMA amplification technology.

Four Headphone Outputs

Alto is designed to power up to four pairs of headphones simultaneously, making it equally useful for personal listening, headphone comparisons, and professional monitoring.

The front panel provides:

  • 1 × 3.5 mm headphone output

  • 1 × 4.4 mm pseudo-balanced headphone output

  • 2 × 6.35 mm headphone outputs

The four headphone outputs share the amplifier's volume setting rather than providing independent volume adjustment.

Alto delivers up to 2,250 mW into 100Ω for headphone listening.

50 W Speaker Amplification

Alto isn't limited to headphones. It also delivers 50 W into 4Ω for passive loudspeakers, making it suitable for high-quality desktop systems, nearfield monitoring, and compact home audio installations.

Rear-panel banana speaker terminals provide direct connection to compatible passive loudspeakers.

Flexible Analog Connectivity

Alto provides both XLR and RCA analog inputs, allowing connection to compatible DACs, source components, and professional audio equipment.

A pair of rear-panel XLR outputs can provide additional volume-controlled output or signal pass-through functionality, adding flexibility when Alto is integrated into a larger monitoring or HiFi system.

A 12 V DC output is also provided for use with compatible equipment.

Compact Professional Design

Originally developed for professional studio monitoring, Alto's compact footprint also makes it well suited to audiophile desktop and home listening systems.

Its chassis is only slightly larger than an A5 sheet of paper, while the combination of headphone and loudspeaker amplification allows one compact component to serve multiple listening roles.

Key Features

  • Chord ULTIMA dual-feed-forward amplification technology

  • Drives up to four pairs of headphones simultaneously

  • 2,250 mW headphone output into 100Ω

  • 50 W speaker output into 4Ω

  • 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm and dual 6.35 mm headphone outputs

  • XLR and RCA analog inputs

  • XLR volume-controlled output / signal pass-through

  • Banana speaker outputs for passive loudspeakers

  • Compact desktop and professional-monitoring design

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chord Electronics Alto?
Alto is a compact headphone and speaker amplifier incorporating Chord's ULTIMA amplification technology. It can drive up to four headphones simultaneously and also power compatible passive loudspeakers.
How many headphones can Alto drive?
Alto can drive up to four pairs of headphones simultaneously using its 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm, and two 6.35 mm front-panel outputs.
Does Alto have a 4.4mm headphone output?
Yes. Alto includes a 4.4 mm pseudo-balanced headphone output. Chord specifies that the connection is pseudo-balanced because Alto itself is not a balanced amplifier design.
Can each headphone output have a different volume?
No. The four headphone outputs share a single volume setting rather than offering independent volume control for each headphone.
Can Chord Alto power speakers?
Yes. Alto delivers 50 W into 4Ω and provides rear-panel banana terminals for compatible passive bookshelf speakers and nearfield monitors.
Does Alto have balanced XLR inputs?
Alto provides a pair of XLR analog inputs as well as unbalanced RCA inputs. However, the presence of XLR connectivity should not be confused with Alto itself being a fully balanced amplifier architecture.
Can Alto be used as a preamplifier?
Alto's rear XLR outputs can provide volume-controlled output to compatible downstream equipment, allowing it to perform a preamplifier/monitor-controller role within an appropriate system.
Is Alto only for professional studios?
No. Although Alto originated in Chord's professional audio range, Chord now specifically markets it for home listening as well as professional use, making it suitable for desktop HiFi, headphone systems, and compact speaker systems.

Specifications

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Product Type Headphone & Speaker Amplifier
Product Range Pro Audio
Speaker Output Power 50 W into 4Ω
Headphone Output Power 2,250 mW into 100Ω
Headphone Outputs 1 × 3.5 mm
1 × 4.4 mm Pseudo-Balanced
2 × 6.35 mm
Analog Inputs 1 × Stereo XLR Pair
1 × Stereo RCA Pair
Additional Outputs 1 × Stereo XLR Pair for Volume Control / Signal Pass-Through
1 × Pair Banana Speaker Outputs
1 × 12 V DC Output
THD — Speakers 0.003% into 4Ω
THD — Headphones 0.001% into 100Ω
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 120 dB
Frequency Response 6 Hz–60 kHz
Maximum Input Voltage 6 V RMS
Maximum Output Voltage 15 V RMS into 8Ω
Crosstalk -95 dB
Operating Voltage 80–250 V AC, Auto-Switching
Dimensions 215 × 200 × 57 mm (D × W × H)
Weight 1.946 kg

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