Revisiting the Chord Ultima 5: A Powerhouse That Still Sets the Standard
Posted by The Sound Organisation on Mar 25th 2025
It’s been a few years since the Chord Electronics Ultima 5 made its debut, yet it remains one of the most impressive stereo power amplifiers on the market. Chord Electronics has built a reputation for cutting-edge design and exceptional performance, and the Ultima 5 continues to uphold that legacy. With 300 watts per channel at 8 ohms, this amp is all about power, precision, and pure musicality.
One of the standout qualities of the Ultima 5 is its remarkable sound clarity. It delivers a rich and detailed presentation, capturing the subtle textures of instruments and vocals with effortless ease. The warmth and depth of the sound make for an immersive listening experience, giving your music a level of refinement that’s hard to match. Whether you're spinning vinyl, streaming high-resolution tracks, or using it in a reference-level home audio setup, the Ultima 5 brings out the best in every note.
Visually, the amplifier is just as striking as it was when it first launched. Chord’s bold, industrial design makes a statement, with its signature scooped sides and under-panel LED lighting adding a modern touch. The aircraft-grade aluminum chassis not only looks premium but also provides the durability and vibration resistance necessary for top-tier performance.
Connectivity remains a strong suit of the Ultima 5. With both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs, it integrates seamlessly into a variety of high-end systems. Pairing it with Chord’s DAVE DAC, for example, creates a streamlined yet incredibly powerful setup that minimizes unnecessary complexity while maximizing audio fidelity.
What Hi-Fi review the Ultima 5 and was impressed with it's functionality and even more wowwed by it's ability to be analytical while also pushing some massive power:
"In use, the Ultima 5 is a strikingly capable power amplifier. It's impressively transparent, taking on the character of whatever’s in the signal chain in front of it. If you’re looking for clarity, agility and detail resolution, it can rightly be considered class leading. Most high-powered amplifiers tend to sound muscular all the time, irrespective of the music being played. So we’re pleasantly surprised that the Ultima 5 doesn’t do that. Given intimate music, such as Found Songs by Ólafur Arnalds, this Chord sounds suitably delicate and fleet-footed. There’s simply no hint of the huge power reserves on standby. It delivers a tightly focused sound that brims with subtlety and texture."
<>What makes the Ultima 5 still relevant today is its ability to deliver sheer musical engagement with authority and finesse. While newer amplifiers have entered the market, Chord’s engineering keeps this one firmly in the conversation as a go-to for audiophiles who demand both power and nuance. If you’re looking for an amplifier that has stood the test of time and continues to define what high-end audio should sound like, the Chord Ultima 5 remains an unbeatable choice.