I attended the launch event for Chord’s new Suzi system. Ever since Chord introduced Suzi at last year’s Munich Show—a product packed with features that could easily appeal to anyone who loves clever engineering—I’ve been eager to hear it in person. And now, finally, it’s here. It’s been a long wait.
From the very beginning, Suzi struck me as a product designed not only to function as a preamp and power amp combo, but also to form a fully integrated audio system when paired with the Hugo 2. However, let’s remember: the Hugo 2 was released way back in 2018. In the digital audio world, seven years is practically an eternity—enough time for most brands to roll out two or even three new generations of a product. Honestly, I can’t think of another brand besides Chord that could stick to such an unorthodox release cycle and still manage to extend the life of a product line with a new companion piece.
First, let’s take a look at the new combo: the Suzi Pre and Suzi Amp. For what’s technically a desktop form factor, the size is delightfully compact, and the design language is classic Chord through and through. The connection between the preamp and power amp uses the RCA jacks located on the block that also houses the headphone output. The Suzi Power also features a 12V output that can supply power to the Pre, though at the event, the setup had the Pre powered by a separate 12V DC source.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to actually listen to the Suzi Pre paired with the Suzi Amp during the event—so for now, I only had the opportunity to check them out visually.
Here’s an interesting detail: in the Pre + Power configuration, the headphone output sits on the right-hand side of the Pre but is physically integrated with the Power unit. However, if you use the Pre on its own, the same module can be attached to the same spot, making the headphone output available without the Power amp. It’s a clever solution, though as a headphone enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder about the specs and actual performance of this output. Even the official product page doesn’t really provide detailed information about the headphone section—something I’ll come back to later.
Here’s something interesting I noticed on the hardware side as well. Do you see that micro-USB port located around the middle? Yes, this is a product released in 2025, and yes—that really is a micro-USB port. In its current configuration with the Suzi Pre, you won’t have any reason to use it. However, when paired with the Hugo 2 and the USB Multiplexer, that port supplies power to the Hugo 2.
Now, it makes sense for the Hugo 2 since it was released in 2018—but Suzi Power and the Multiplexer too? Did they really have to stick with micro-USB here? I honestly don’t see any strong reason to keep using that connector.
The assembly uses a component called the “Bridge Assembly” to link everything together. In practical terms, the type of connector hardly matters for day-to-day use, and the fit-and-finish is actually quite neat. Chord also secures the modules with screws on the underside—a method they’ve used successfully in previous Hugo 2 add-on modules. Personally, I think even Hugo 2 owners who aren’t planning to add the Suzi Power might be tempted by the Multiplexer. Even if charging still happens via micro-USB, it allows for data transfer through USB-C or USB-B. If you already own a high-end USB cable, this setup could be worth considering.
The main listening session used a Bluesound Node Icon as the source, feeding into the Hugo 2 and Multiplexer combo, which was then connected to the Suzi Power. True to form for an event hosted by SoundShops, the digital connection was handled by Crystal cables, while the speaker cables were from Siltech. The speakers themselves were Audiovector R3 Arreté floorstanders. That choice surprised me a bit because the Suzi Power is rated at just 30 watts into 8 ohms—a relatively modest output. Before I arrived, I assumed they’d probably pair it with a set of bookshelf speakers, but that wasn’t the case at all.
According to Mr. Kim Pyeon, who hosted the session, Chord’s founder John Franks mentioned in a recent. interview that the company has no plans to develop Class D amplifiers—ever. That’s the philosophy behind the Suzi Power being a Class AB amplifier delivering just 30 watts per channel. In today’s market, where compact amps boasting 100 watts or more are common, this feels like a bold and rather unconventional move. Then again, Chord has the brand heritage and engineering credibility to pull something like this off. Still, I admit I had concerns about how this setup would fare in a real-world listening scenario.
Over the relatively short listening session, I felt the strengths and weaknesses of the Suzi Power became very clear. To sum it up: yes, the limitations of its low power output were noticeable. This amp was never intended to drive large speakers in a spacious room at high volumes—and that’s fine. Within those boundaries, there. were moments where it truly impressed, delivering a sound that was captivating and full of charm with the right. tracks.
The tonality and overall timbre were exquisite. Vocals and instruments like violins—particularly in the midrange and extending into the upper registers—sounded smooth and elegant. Despite the presence of an AMT tweeter, there was no harshness or edginess; instead, it leaned toward sweetness and refinement, which I appreciated. With simpler arrangements, the bass wasn’t what I’d call deep or commanding, but it was more than respectable. However, when it came to tracks with pronounced dynamics, complex layering, or large-scale orchestration, the Suzi Power’s limitations were evident. It simply lacked the muscle to keep up. Even though the Audiovector R3 Arreté has a sensitivity of 90.5 dB—which isn’t particularly low—the speaker still felt like too much of a challenge for this little amp.
After this session, my curiosity about the Suzi Power only grew stronger. Yes, it has output limitations—but in an environment where that’s not an issue, just how much of its sonic charm could shine through? Fortunately, the adjacent demo room had what I’d call a textbook setup. Doesn’t that sight just put you at ease? A compact footprint that looks perfectly at home in the middle of a desk, and the added bonus of doubling as a headphone solution. For anyone dreaming of a true high-end desktop system, this is close to perfect.
Here, the partnering speakers were Audiovector’s R1 Arreté. In an extreme nearfield setup with these bookshelf speakers, the Suzi Power was an absolute delight. The clarity and natural sweetness I noted earlier were fully present, and this time the bass handling left nothing to be desired. It’s moments like these that make me understand why Chord continues to champion Class AB amplification.
Objectively speaking, the Suzi Power isn’t cheap when you look at its watt-per-dollar ratio. But considering the price of Chord’s flagship Ultima series, the Suzi Power feels justified as a condensed expression of that same technology. After all, Chord has never been about chasing value-for-money metrics.
Beyond desktop use, in any setup where a speaker of this size class is appropriate, the Suzi Power proves to be a compelling choice. Even for those who aren’t Hugo 2 owners, pairing the Suzi Power with a third-party DAC and preamp purely for its sonic qualities makes sense. And for existing Hugo 2 users? It’s an even easier decision.
Another setup in a separate room featured Meze headphones, which I briefly listened to, but I think it’s best to reserve any judgment for now. I’d need to compare it directly: Hugo 2 on its own versus the configuration shown in the photo, where the headphones were driven via Suzi Power’s headphone output. What I can say is that the sound was good—though, to be fair, Hugo 2 on its own already sounds excellent. And yet, I can’t help but remain curious about how that headphone output truly functions.
It’s a bit of a puzzle. Both Suzi Pre and Suzi Power appear to have headphone jacks, but are they identical in terms of performance? Or does Suzi Power somehow share its amplifier stage to provide a more powerful headphone output? Another question: can Suzi Power’s headphone output be used standalone, without Hugo 2 connected? The current product page doesn’t make this clear. In fact, since the specs sheet doesn’t even list a dedicated headphone section under Suzi Power, I suspect it’s not a separate circuit at all. That would mean the headphone jack is essentially just relocating Hugo 2’s own output to a more convenient position. If that’s the case, part of me wishes Chord had gone all-in and created a proper Suzi headphone amp to complement the Pre and Power modules—but realistically, that seems unlikely.
One personal disappointment was that I didn’t get a chance to actually listen to this piece during the event. If the Suzi Pre performs well, it would actually be far more versatile for my needs. For those running active speakers and headphones, the Pre alone could sit right in the center of a desk and serve as a multi-purpose hub. What’s particularly interesting is how seriously Chord seems to have taken the phono stage in this unit. It supports both MM and MC cartridges, and in MC mode, it even offers three selectable impedance settings. Assuming the performance lives up to expectations, the Suzi Pre looks like a highly appealing product both functionally and aesthetically—even as a standalone unit.
In the end, the Chord Suzi system is very much a product with clearly defined use cases and inherent limitations—and yes, a price that’s far from modest. But in the right environment, where it can truly show its strengths, it delivers sound quality that feels worthy of its cost. For Hugo 2 owners, this pairing makes even more sense. With no signs of a Hugo 3 on the horizon, this combination could easily serve as a flagship-level solution for the next three years or more. While Suzi is designed to integrate seamlessly, there’s also a strong case to consider each unit—Pre or Power—as a standalone addition to your system.