Is Chord the ultimate go-to ?

[exdem]

I'm on a Sugden A21a and an MF M3i .. I play my guitars through a 1965 Vox AC30, handwired, point to point. I would like to play my 45 years of vinyl through something worthy. I do like the Sugden, but I suspect there is better.

 

[Steveh]

There are many on here that wouldn't touch Chord amps with a gloved bargepole.
I have had Chord amplification (pre+power) since 2009, and a Chord Dac(Qutest) since 2021. Expensive? Yes but it is a relative term. IMHO what one gets is an amp which is transparent, powerful, exceptionally well built and reliable.

 

[DomT]

I'm on a Sugden A21a and an MF M3i .. I play my guitars through a 1965 Vox AC30, handwired, point to point. I would like to play my 45 years of vinyl through something worthy. I do like the Sugden, but I suspect there is better.

What are you missing that you don’t get with the Sugden? What speakers are you using?

 

[2010*zuma]

Is chord the ultimate go-to?

... ahh hum... Well of course this is subjective and depends on where exactly one wants it to go-to ...

 

[DomT]

Just read @exdem your kit list seems that you like vintage gear and you already have quite a few amps and speakers. We really need more of a steer from you as otherwise you will just get random product recommendations.

 

[graham67]

The sugden a21 is a mighty fine amp but needs careful partnering. It certainly isn't pipe and slippers having a very transparent and revealing presentation with the right speakers. But with speakers that are a tougher drive it can all go horribly wrong particularly at the bottom end. Sugden like speakers with a benign higher impedance load. They don't need to be super efficient but avoid anything with big impedance dips.
So in an sympathetic setup you may find that chord amps will be unable to achieve what your a21 can do. However it all depends on what you partner it with.

 

[Nestor Turton]

There are many on here that wouldn't touch Chord amps with a gloved bargepole.
I have had Chord amplification (pre+power) since 2009, and a Chord Dac(Qutest) since 2021. Expensive? Yes but it is a relative term. IMHO what one gets is an amp which is transparent, powerful, exceptionally well built and reliable.

I use Chord DAC + amplification and it works a treat - delighted with it.

 

[uzzy]

Buy another AC30 and a decent preamp and there ya goes - a nice valve stereo system perhaps a bit lacking at the top but pretty good over the rest of the spectrum.

In all seriousness if you love the sound of the AC30 with your guitar then I doubt that the Chord stuff would float your boat - but a Prima Luna valve amp might just be the nirvana you seek

 

[Jules_S]

Is Chord "a" go-to choice? Of course. Is it "the" go-to"? Nah, no such thing. That's like saying the LP12 is "the" go-to TT, just because it's popular. Everyone has their own ideas of what music they enjoy, how they like it presented, what their budget is, what their internal prejudices are, their preferences, etc. I know there are many many happy Chord owners but it's not a brand that would be on my radar if I was looking to change (again!)

 

[bencat]

As I have yet to hear a chord amp in my system no sound quality comment . What I would say is you should hear an NVA amp . They are superb and best of all musical . Either the 300 integrated or S300 power amp would be a good start . It is only my guess but I think they would sound much better than the chords .

 

[hiesteem]

I'm on a Sugden A21a and an MF M3i .. I play my guitars through a 1965 Vox AC30, handwired, point to point. I would like to play my 45 years of vinyl through something worthy. I do like the Sugden, but I suspect there is better.

I would agree with uzzy and track down prima Luna as they have the point to point wiring to very good standard and a powerful solid presentation.

 

[garn63]

but I suspect there is better

Sounds like you need saving before it's too late ?
Like Ben, I like NVA amplification but think you should listen to what you intend to purchase in your own room.
Good luck.

 

[exdem]

I added an WiiM today so now have hi res from Qobuz ( was going through Chromecast Audio ). I didn't expect to be quite so overwhelmed (even though I plugged in a laptop to my dac from time to time to get hi-res) - It is like I have a private DJ playing my vinyl for me in the next room. The amp/speakers are dated - M3i/Jdlab - they sound great to me tbh . But then again I have never owned better either so I don't know ..

 

[Jules_S]

Your happiness is really the only thing that matters, regardless of the age of kit. Many people use vintage (AKA seriously ancient) audio equipment and a lot of that is still more than capable of giving incredible performance and a lot of pleasure. Other than suffering from "the itch" (curiosity) there's really no need to change anything, unless dissatisfaction creeps in, or a failure that cannot be repaired occurs.

 

[exdem]

I wish I had my A21a with me to compare to the M3i or even an another MF integrated. Never listened to Naim / Supernait either. So the question was I suppose what happens after these types of integrateds - there must be an upgrade path? Is the move to pre/power (or valves) noticeable when the rest of the gear is modest. I know from my guitar amps that expensive gear is usually expensive for a reason - thinking point-to-point, hand-wired tube amps - they cost a lot - but sound great and are just about obligatory for pro musicians.

I, and perhaps most people, don't know something is better until they hear it .. !

 

[Jules_S]

One question to ask yourself I would suggest is if you have any plans or expectations to upgrade the rest of your system? The issue with changing one component - an amp, say, is that while it might bring you an improvement, it might equally unbalance your system, highlighting other deficiencies elsewhere that previously went unnoticed. Then you end up changing your speakers, your TT, your cabling, until you end up finding that balance again, albeit at a higher price / performance point.

That said, looking at your kit list, it's not budget stuff. You have some lovely sources and speakers so you may find an improvement, or at least a different "flavour" with a change of amp. Nothing wrong with scratching an itch, just be aware that you might end up scratching more than you thought!

Moving to a pre / power (or pre / monos) combo is often the way people go but there are equally some mega-integrateds out there - Luxman for example, that will show a clean pair of heels to a modest pre / power setup.

 

[bigrod]

I like vintage say beyond 30 years .. but you can still get a. quality ten grand amp from 10 15 years ago that you can now pick up for the price of a new sugden .. I know where my money would go ..

 

[exdem]

I like vintage say beyond 30 years .. but you can still get a. quality ten grand amp from 10 15 years ago that you can now pick up for the price of a new sugden .. I know where my money would go ..

I think that is where my heart is leading me .. does my A&R Cambridge A60 count?

 

[JustinTime]

I think that is where my heart is leading me .. does my A&R Cambridge A60 count?

No!