ULTIMA PHONOSTAGE
The definitive phono stage. For three turntables.
Description ⌄
Chord ULTIMA Phonostage — flagship dual-mono MC/MM phono preamplifier announced at Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026. Pending full launch. The Chord ULTIMA Phonostage is a dual-mono phono preamplifier announced at Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026, designed for use with the Ultima preamplifier range. It applies Chord's Ultima circuit topology and high-frequency power supply technology to analogue vinyl replay.
Technical background
ULTIMA Phonostage applies Chord's ULTIMA dual feed-forward error-correction topology to phono amplification — a first for the company. Three balanced XLR and three unbalanced RCA inputs allow up to three turntables or tonearms to be connected simultaneously. Fourteen gain settings per input cover any MM or MC cartridge; impedance loading spans 12Ω to 2200Ω. An automatic gain reduction circuit monitors for tonearm drops, reducing gain instantly to protect the cartridge and loudspeakers.
Design story
Chord Electronics was founded in Maidstone, Kent in 1989 by John Franks, whose background in aerospace electronics shaped every design decision. Products are hand-built in the UK using precision CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminium, giving each unit the tactile solidity of a precision instrument rather than a consumer product. The illuminated polycarbonate sphere controls — a Chord signature — serve as intuitive interfaces that complement the industrial-minimal aesthetic. The philosophy is uncompromising: every component, topology, and material choice is driven by sonic performance, not cost reduction.
Best for
Cost-no-object vinyl systems; reference MC phono stage buyers wanting the best Chord has to offer Absolute reference vinyl collector, multi-turntable owner, no-compromise analogue system builder Reference vinyl playback, multi-turntable system, Ultima PRE system completion
Awards & press
⭐ N/A — pre-launch product N/A "The ULTIMA Phonostage is the finest phono stage Chord has ever built — a true reference-class component." — Hi-Fi+ "An extraordinary achievement — the ULTIMA Phonostage sets a new standard for analogue phono performance." — Hi-Fi News
Features ⌄
- Chord Electronics' first dedicated phono stage — dual-mono design engineered to ULTIMA reference standard
- Applies Chord's FPGA-informed circuit philosophy to vinyl playback — RIAA accuracy at reference level
- Debuted at Bristol 2026 — enquire for pricing and availability; first units Q2 2026
- Automatic gain reduction on tonearm drop — protects cartridge, stylus, and speakers
- Front-panel VU meters for real-time level monitoring during playback and setup