The Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus is a Maxon chorus pedal, currently around $279. Close alternatives include the Boss -2W Chorus and the MXR M134 Stereo Chorus. It pairs well with the Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head and the Friedman BE-Mini Head.
Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus
Maxon · pedal
The Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus is an analog chorus pedal from Maxon, the respected Japanese manufacturer behind many classic Ibanez-era analog effects circuits, offering true stereo output for wide, spacious chorus textures. Built with Maxon's reputation for premium analog circuit design, it's aimed at players wanting rich, three-dimensional chorus tones spanning subtle shimmer to more pronounced, swirling modulation.
- stereo
- spacious
- analog
- shimmer
- subtle
- modulation
- mono
- recording
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Ambient
- Neo Soul
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Post Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus
Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head
Bogner
17% matchMaxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus's lush voice goes after Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head's own high gain character
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchRun Friedman BE-Mini Head into that low gain platform and it finally gets some high gain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchRun Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 into that low gain platform and it finally gets some high gain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchRun Synergy SL2 Module into that low gain platform and it finally gets some high gain
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchHiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head's high gain fills in what this low gain tone doesn't make on its own
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchInto a low gain tone, Hughes & Kettner Coreblade brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman Phil X Signature
Friedman
tonal matchThe low gain tone has headroom to spare — Friedman Phil X Signature gives it high gain to fill it with
EVH 000
Evh
tonal matchInto a low gain tone, EVH 000 brings the high gain it's missing
Pedals that stack with the Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus
Fjord Fuzz Odin
Fjord Fuzz
24% matchThe low gain tone has headroom to spare — Fjord Fuzz Odin gives it fuzzy to fill it with
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
24% matchEarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter's fuzzy fills in what this low gain tone doesn't make on its own
Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just
Demon Fx
19% matchRun Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus after Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just in the signal chain, clear of Demon FX Gladiator Double Preamp Just's own gain stage
Mr. Black Bloodmoon
Mr Black
9% matchMr. Black Bloodmoon's dark voice goes after Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus's own lush character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss DD-2 Digital Delay
Boss
9% matchRun Boss DD-2 Digital Delay after Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus in the signal chain, clear of Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz
Cusack Music
tonal matchRun Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz into that low gain platform and it finally gets some high gain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchDr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2's fuzzy fills in what this low gain tone doesn't make on its own
Crowther Prunes
Crowther
tonal matchInto a low gain tone, Crowther Prunes brings the fuzzy it's missing
Cheaper alternatives
Maxon CS9 PRO Stereo Chorus
Maxon
80% similarityShared character: mono, stereo, studio
Warm Guitar Pedals WA-C1
Warm Guitar Pedals
75% similarityShared character: modulation, mono, stereo
Audiocade Stereo Pendulum Harmonic Panning Tremolo
Audiocade
75% similarityShared character: studio, mono, stereo
TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler
TC Electronic
73% similarityShared character: mono, stereo, studio
Behringer UC200 Stereo Chorus
Behringer
71% similarityShared character: stereo, subtle, analog
Behringer Chorus Symphony
Behringer
71% similarityShared character: mono, stereo, alternative
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Boss -2W Chorus
Boss
72% similarityShared character: rich, mono, stereo
MXR M134 Stereo Chorus
MXR
71% similarityShared character: mono, stereo, subtle
Analog Man Bi-Chorus
Analog Man
70% similarityShared character: stereo, subtle, analog
Eventide TriceraChorus Tri-Stereo Chorus
Eventide
70% similarityShared character: stereo, subtle, rich
Source Audio Gemini Chorus
Source Audio
70% similarityShared character: stereo, analog, modulation
Strymon Zelzah -Dimensional Phaser
Strymon
93% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus?+
The closest matches in character are the Boss -2W Chorus, the MXR M134 Stereo Chorus, the Analog Man Bi-Chorus. Budget picks: Maxon CS9 PRO Stereo Chorus, Warm Guitar Pedals WA-C1, Audiocade Stereo Pendulum Harmonic Panning Tremolo. Boutique upgrades: Mu-Tron Bi-Phase.
What pairs well with the Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head, Friedman BE-Mini Head, Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 — Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus's lush voice goes after Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Bogner Uberschall 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head's own high gain character.
How much does the Maxon CS-550 Stereo Chorus cost?+
Around $279 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble
- vs Strymon Zelzah -Dimensional Phaser
- vs Walrus Audio Monumental Stereo Harmonic Tremolo