Ultrafide Audio takes pro sound to the home with its newly launched Ultra Sigma hifi pre/power combo

07/10/23

• The parent company behind world-renowned pioneering MC² Audio pro amplifiers is set to revolutionise the home hifi market with its uncompromising quest for sonic purity. 

• After teasing its U500DC amplifier earlier this year, today (Saturday 7th October) Ultrafide Audio formally launches the Ultra Sigma combo at the UK Audio Show, Staverton. 

• This includes never-seen-before quad output analogue preamplifier, the U4PRE, alongside the U500DC.

Taking MC² Audio’s industry-leading pro sound to the domestic market, today Ultrafide Audio formally launches its debut hifi amplification products - the Ultra Sigma pre/power combo. This includes the never-seen-before quad output analogue preamplifier, the U4PRE, alongside the U500DC amplifier that was soft launched earlier this year, with its initial batch selling out immediately.

The pair now can be purchased together for the first time, offering audiophiles worldwide a new level of sonic quality for their home systems - as showcased at the UK Audio Show.  

Ultrafide stands for ultra-fidelity audio and following MC²’s pioneering work in live and studio sound for three decades, it is now laser-focused on the domestic market. No application constraints, no logistical hurdles, no compromises - just the best engineering, design and components to bring the finest possible sound to the home.

Lead product designer and audio engineer Alex Cooper was given a blank canvas with which to operate for Ultrafide products and freedom to over-engineer, with the sole goal of audio quality, sonic purity and unrivalled stereo image - resulting in the Ultra Sigma combo.

The U4PRE quad output analogue preamplification system has been designed with a minimal signal path philosophy resulting in super low noise and distortion. It features a state-of-the art Ultrafide designed adjustable phono stage that’s suitable for both MM/MC cartridges, single ended RCA inputs/outputs, balanced XLR inputs/outputs and a digitally controlled analogue circuit volume control - complete with digital display screen and remote control.

Next in the chain is the U500DC ultra fidelity audiophile power amplifier - featuring an all-new passive cooling system and push/pull modular output stage for ultra-low noise operation. Add to this a dc coupled input-output, a massive 250W at 8 ohms (500W @ 4 ohms) stereo power delivery, this amplifier can be used in all manner of home/studio applications with astonishing results, leaving plenty of headroom and delivering unparalleled high-end definition and low-end response.

Designed to work perfectly in tandem but equally as effective individually, both Ultra Sigma units are priced at £4,500 inc. VAT (each).

Mark Bailey, product specialist at Ultrafide Audio and MC², said:

“Ultrafide is here to bring pro sound to the home, using decades of sonic pedigree to provide a new level of hifi amplification and audio quality to the domestic market. We’re also here to be honest about what that means - and that’s simplicity. After all, audio is about using your ears and doing what’s best for the music, not just satisfying a spec sheet.

“With that ethos in mind and without the constraints or design fundamentals that come with the professional market, we viewed this project as a completely fresh start. What would we want our ideal home system to sound and look like? Harnessing this approach and having no compromises on engineering and component quality, Alex and the team got to work and we couldn’t be prouder of the results.

“We firmly believe the Ultra Sigma combo stacks up next to anything on the market and we’re offering a new perspective for audiophiles with our U4PRE and U500DC products. One thing’s for sure, pro sound is homebound!”

Ultrafide Audio is showcasing both the U4PRE and U500DC at the UK Audio Show 7-8 October, alongside two pairs of Quested high-fidelity loudspeakers. Find the team in Syndicate 9.

For more information, please visit https://ultrafideaudio.co.uk/ or follow them on Instagram at @ultrafideaudio.

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