Предусилители — Chord SUZI PRE

SUZI PRE is a compact preamplifier, headphone amplifier and MM/MC phono stage in one case from Chord Electronics, designed by company founder John Franks. It belongs to Chord's Hugo range and was conceived partly for owners of the Hugo 2 converter who want dedicated amplification without a full-size component. The unit arrived in autumn 2024 at GBP 1,995 (USD 2,995 in the United States), alongside the matching SUZI AMP power amplifier, and is handmade in the UK in Jet Black or Argent Silver.

Key specs that matter

Chord rates the response at 7 Hz to 30 kHz within 3 dB. THD is 0.0007% A-weighted, and Chord puts signal-to-noise at 103 dB. Maximum input and maximum output are both 3.5 V RMS. The headphone section delivers 160 mW into 100 ohm through two front sockets, one 3.5 mm and one 6.35 mm, which together cover single-ended headphone plugs. Around the back sit one stereo RCA turntable input, two stereo RCA line inputs and one stereo RCA output, plus a DC input jack. The unit runs from 12 V DC, measures 215 x 34 x 100 mm, weighs 800 g and draws 20 W in normal use.

Engineering and use context

Chord states that the SUZI PRE carries technology handed down from its larger ULTIMA electronics into a small chassis. The phono stage works with MM as well as MC pickups, with gain and loading impedance selectable on the top panel or with the included remote. A single polychromatic control sphere in the centre of the case handles volume and input selection. Space-saving chassis dimensions were a stated design goal, suiting desks and shelves with little room. The casework is aircraft-grade aluminium, and Chord covers the unit with a three-year warranty. A DC output is included for compatibility with other Chord devices.

Pairing

The intended partner is the SUZI AMP, whose removable solid aluminium top cover exposes connection points for either the SUZI PRE or a Hugo 2, so the pair forms a compact pre and power system with a built-in phono input. As a standalone unit it can drive any power amplifier or active speakers that accept an RCA input, and the two line inputs leave room for a converter such as a Hugo 2 plus one further source. The input ceiling should be kept in mind when connecting line sources with unusually high output.

Alternatives

The Chord ULTIMA PRE 3 is a full-size preamplifier with five analogue inputs, two of them balanced XLR, and a quoted response of 10 Hz to 200 kHz.