The Chord Alto headphone amplifier promises power and performance, arriving in a substantial package with a distinctive, if somewhat polarizing, industrial design. This review delves into the Alto's capabilities, examining both its objective performance metrics and subjective listening experience. We'll explore its build quality, connectivity options (including balanced XLR and RCA inputs, and dual headphone outputs), and assess its suitability for driving various headphone impedances.However, the Alto's impressive subjective audio quality is tempered by some concerning objective flaws. Our testing uncovered significant harmonic distortion and noise levels that, while perhaps inaudible in casual listening, contradict the manufacturer's claims and cast doubt on the amplifier's long-term reliability. This review will weigh the Alto's strengths – its powerful drive and excellent performance with demanding headphones – against these significant weaknesses to determine whether its exceptional price tag is justified.
Pros And Cons
- High power output (6.1 watts into 32 ohms, almost 1 watt into 300 ohms)
- Drives multiple headphones simultaneously to high volumes without issue.
- Excellent channel consistency (0.5dB mismatch)
- Well-built and high-quality volume control
- Includes remote control
- High distortion and noise, especially noticeable in headphone amplifier mode.
- Unacceptable harmonic distortion levels.
- Annoying illuminated buttons with unclear indication of current setting.
- High noise floor.
- Power supply and AC cable are excessively stiff.
- Power-on/off popping and glitches.
- May shut down and require time to recover after heavy use.
- High cost ($4320)
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The Chord Alto arrived, a hefty package containing the amplifier and a surprisingly substantial power supply. The unit itself boasts a distinctive industrial design, with exposed screws and the characteristic Chord illuminated buttons. While the aesthetic is unique, it's not universally appealing. The illuminated buttons, though visually striking, prove somewhat frustrating as their color-coded functionality requires memorization.
Connectivity and Design Quirks
The rear panel features balanced XLR inputs and outputs, alongside RCA inputs, catering to professional audio setups. The power supply, a weighty unit with thick cables, is a necessary but potentially inconvenient addition. The headphone outputs, while offering both ¼-inch and 4.4mm balanced options, are identical in terms of power output. This design choice, while convenient for simultaneous use with multiple headphones, could lead to accidental speaker output selection.
Headphone Amplifier Performance
Testing the Alto as a headphone amplifier revealed significant flaws. The measurements showed unacceptable harmonic distortion, although at very low levels. The distortion, however, significantly impacts audio fidelity, ranking it poorly against other headphone amplifiers tested. The noise floor, while acceptable, isn't exceptionally low; measurements were considerably lower than the manufacturer's specifications.
Power Amplifier Performance and Reliability Concerns
Used as a power amplifier, the Alto demonstrated decent power output but continued to exhibit high levels of noise and distortion. Channel consistency was excellent, though this is a variable across units. A concerning issue is the amplifier's susceptibility to shutdown following stress testing; it required an overnight rest to recover functionality. This raises concerns about long-term reliability under heavy use.
Listening Test and Overall Impression
Despite its objective flaws, the Chord Alto's performance with demanding headphones was surprisingly excellent. It drove high-impedance headphones with ease, delivering impressive bass and dynamics at high volumes without distortion. This subjective listening experience contrasts starkly with the objective measurements. The build quality is undeniably top-notch.
Conclusion
The Chord Alto is a powerful headphone amplifier, excelling in subjective listening tests despite objective measurements revealing significant distortion and noise issues. Its high price point and reliability concerns make it a difficult recommendation. While it drives demanding headphones exceptionally well, the significant flaws overshadow this strength. Alternatives offering comparable power and better noise performance exist at significantly lower prices.