Chord Electronics unveils Ultima-tech table top amplifier

Meet BerTTi, the most affordable Ultima-technology stereo power amplifier from Chord Electronics yet.

Launching later this year, the new 75-watt stereo power amplifier introduces the company’s next-generation ULTIMA topology to Chord’s Table Top (TT) range, which also includes the Hugo TT 2 DAC/pre/head amp and Hugo M Scaler upscaler.

Designed to partner the Hugo TT 2 DAC/preamp, BerTTi directly replaces its predecessor, the TToby. True to form, the metalwork is precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium, and and comes in a choice of Jett Black or Argent Silver.

The power amp features both balanced and unbalanced inputs, gold-plated loudspeaker outputs, and a 10 A IEC power inlet. With the addition of the Hugo M Scaler upscaler, the system can upscale audio to 705.6 kHz, 16x CD’s native resolution.

BerTTi joins the ranks of full-width Ultima-technology power amplifiers, including the original flagship ULTIMA mono power amplifier (780 W), the successive Ultima 2 (750 W) and 3 (480 W) mono power amplifiers, the Ultima 5 (350 W) and 6 (180 W) stereo power amplifiers and in May 2023, the new Ultima Integrated.

Chord Electronics owner and founder John Franks said: “BerTTi utilises our proprietary Ultima technology which continuously monitors the electrical and thermal performance parameters for each of the MOSFET power devices used within this advanced design. This additional circuitry adds an extra layer of control in the power components’ topology that lowers all distortion modes when compared to ordinary high-quality amplifier designs. BerTTi can drive loudspeakers, from bookshelf types to the hardest-to-drive floorstanders without difficulty.”

BerTTi is expected to go on sale in September, priced at £3,995.