Chord Alto headphone amp review and measurements - disappointing for £2,500?

[ToppingSMSL]

Has a lot of power, can be used as a low power speaker amplifier as it has speaker outputs too. But would you want to pay this much for a design like this?

 

[Gray]

would you want to pay this much for a design like this?

No.
But that's because I've never spent that much on any single item (not just hi-fi).

 

[Revolutions]

I would if I wanted one & it sounded good when I heard it.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

I would if I wanted one & it sounded good when I heard it.

What if it sounded no better than one costing £200?

 

[Al ears]

What if it sounded no better than one costing £200?

same old pointless argument.
yes I could get from A to B in my car, if I had the means and opportunity to do the same in a Ferrari would I???

 

[Jasonovich]

I don't think it's really necessary to pay Chord prices for headphones, there are cheaper and much better options out there.
My Singxer SA1 class A solid state head phone costs approx £500, it's silky and has a lovely tone but my tube head phone XDUOO TA-66 for half the price, well ok throw in another £150 for the two custom tubes, is a much more personal experience.

It is all subjective, a friend can listen to both and may prefer Singxer.

I think Chord are aiming for their loyal customer base, perhaps this gives them the license to aim high with their pricing?

 

[nopiano]

Most Chord kit I’ve heard sounds decent, but I loath the ergonomics and the ‘my first DAC’ light up buttons. So I’d never buy one regardless of how it sounds.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

same old pointless argument.
yes I could get from A to B in my car, if I had the means and opportunity to do the same in a Ferrari would I???

In what way is it like a Ferrari? Its distortion measurements arent great. So how was it a pointless argument?

 

[ToppingSMSL]

Most Chord kit I’ve heard sounds decent, but I loath the ergonomics and the ‘my first DAC’ light up buttons. So I’d never buy one regardless of how it sounds.

As decent as other equipment I guess.

 

[Jasonovich]

Most Chord kit I’ve heard sounds decent, but I loath the ergonomics and the ‘my first DAC’ light up buttons. So I’d never buy one regardless of how it sounds.

It is an acquired taste, I must admit, I'm put off by those gob stoppers!

 

[ToppingSMSL]

It is an acquired taste, I must admit, I'm put off by those gob stoppers!

The gobstoppers are terrible. You have to remember what all the different colours mean. Especially on the DACs.