CONTINUING with its journey deeper into the world of personal and portable audio, Chord Electronics has launched its first ever desktop integrated amplifier, simply called Anni. Company for Hugo, we’re guessing…
The compact Annni, claims Chord, will drive both headphones and compact loudspeakers, and is housed in a Qutest-sized box. Indeed, it complement the standalone Qutest DAC and Huei phono. All three can be housed in the QSS (Qutest Stand System) modular equipment rack for convenience.

“Anni benefits from the company’s proprietary ULTIMA circuit topology and is perfectly positioned to exploit the full potential of today’s high-performance headphones, desktop monitors and high-resolution audio sources. Its advanced technology allows it to drive any headphone load,” Chord tells us.

Provided are both 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs, so two people can listen simultaneously, plus 4mm banana-type loudspeaker outputs. There are also sets of two line-level RCA inputs.
“Anni delivers 10 watts of Chord Electronics-quality ULTIMA amplification, controlled by a fascia-mounted volume control that also doubles as an input selector switch for the two line-level inputs. A two-stage gain control for loudspeakers provides additional flexibility with a wide range of desktop monitors.”

The amp benefits from the same UK-made precision CNC-machined high-grade aluminium casework common to all Chord Electronics’ products, and is entirely designed, engineered and built in the UK.
“The trademark polychromatic control spheres govern the power and gain controls, complementing the fascia-mounted volume control/input selector.”

Anni is powered by a 15V external power supply and benefits from a 12V DC output, capable of powering the Qutest DAC and Huei phono stage when used with the new Qutest range power adaptor, which is supplied.
Available only in black and shipping now, Anni retails at £1,195.
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