{"id":22832,"date":"2020-03-16T12:36:36","date_gmt":"2020-03-16T10:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=22832"},"modified":"2023-02-09T14:48:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T12:48:17","slug":"ch-precision-x1-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/accessories-reviews\/ch-precision-x1-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"CH Precision X1 Power Supply"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review sample supplied by CH Precision<\/a>
\nRetail Prices in the EU (incl 21% VAT):
\nX1 with one Regulator board: approx 16.000 euro
\nExtra Regulator board: approx 3800 euro<\/h4>\n

In my opinion, CH Precision makes some of the most lust-inducing audio components. As a very content user, I can confirm that the lure of adding more of their components is always around the corner. Alas, at this price level, adding more components necessitates the vigorous setting of priorities as well as a very healthy bank account.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the X1 is priced at roughly half the price of any other CH Product. And it gets better: with the addition of another Regulator Board, the X1 can power not one but two CH products. While still not changing hands for pocket change, the X1 definitely is a relatively cost-effective unit to add, certainly in light of the average cost of CH-ownership. And, as the below will illustrate, that makes it something of a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

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Technical<\/h3>\n

The X1 is an ultra-low-noise, high-current, DC-regulated external power supply capable of powering up to two CH Precision units. It provides no less than 7 separate DC voltages via a thick yet supple 2-meter DC cable with very solid and lockable 19-pole M23 connectors.<\/p>\n

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Below is part of the information lifted from the brochure.<\/p>\n

“The critical circuits in an audio system run on DC voltage. The level of that voltage needs to be precise and the level of residual noise it carries needs to be as low as possible. All CH Precision components contain sophisticated power supplies with extensive local DC regulation. But this is one field in which you can never put too much protection between the signal path and the noisy, RF polluted and mechanically intrusive AC supply.<\/p>\n

The X1 External Power Supply is an ultra-low noise, discrete and fully regulated linear power supply, delivering an ultra-stable and super clean DC feed to other CH Precision products. It contains massive amounts of noise filtering as well as an additional stage of power supply regulation that works in conjunction with the onboard regulation built into the connected unit, in order to increase DC stability and further reduce noise to a vanishingly low level”.<\/p>\n

The X1 has two oversized power transformers dedicated to the digital and analog power supply sections of the connected units with a dedicated mains filter for each transformer’s primary winding. Its onboard regulation cascades with the regulation inside the component that it powers for superior noise rejection while allowing the connected unit\u2019s mains transformer and rectifier to be powered down to reduce electromagnetic noise and spurious mechanical interference within the audio chassis. Built-in is automatic monitoring and protection from over- and under-voltage as well as from over-current.<\/p>\n

Unlike every other CH-product, the X1 has few user-selectable settings. For starters, there is no power switch. The unit simply switches on and off automatically when it detects that its host has been switched on or off. On the rear panel, there are 2 push-buttons for configuration. With these buttons and the front panel OLED display, one can adjust the display brightness, select display auto-switch off, change the power led mode and view the firmware version. That’s it – easy peasy!<\/p>\n

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It looks gorgeous on the Artesania “Organic Line” Modular floor platform…<\/em><\/p>\n

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…but in order to create absolutely equal circumstances compared to the CH products that it was going to power, the X1 was positioned on an Artesania Aire<\/a> platform with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The X1 is compatible with all CH Precision source products (only the power amps do not apply) and the unit can run either one or two products. As such, the X1 is also a crucial element in CH Precision\u2019s scalable system topology where one can upgrade each existing product towards a true dual-mono signal chassis configuration, using one X1 output or even a dedicated X1 for each unit.<\/p>\n

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Testing Method<\/h3>\n

To precisely assess the benefits of the X1 in relation to other CH-products, I will connect it to the L1 preamplifier<\/a> and C1 DAC<\/a> separately and report on the individual results. After that, I will connect both components simultaneously to hear the combined effect on the system. The sources for this review are the Antipodes CX<\/a> music server connected directly to the C1’s RoonReady Ethernet_IN_HD<\/a> board and the Aqua La Diva CD player. The speakers used are the Martin Logan ESL15A’s<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Adding the X1 to the C1<\/h3>\n

For this portion of the review, I started with the C1 connected directly to the A1.5 power amplifier, leaving the L1 preamp on the side for now.<\/p>\n

I have encountered upgrades and add-ons that provide only a subtle improvement and those that really only incur differences<\/em> rather than actual improvements. But the X1 truly is something else! Adding the X1 to the C1 made for an immediate and very large improvement. One might ask how this is possible, given how elaborate the C1’s power supply already is and how great it already sounds. The answer, according to CH is that “you can never put too much protection between the signal path and the noisy, RF polluted and mechanically intrusive AC supply”. Ok, I’ll just take that as a given and let my ears be the judge.<\/p>\n

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Above: the X1’s display shows which of its outputs is actively being used. Below: the X1-powered component shows evidence of this in the bottom right corner.<\/em><\/p>\n

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So what are these improvements that I am raving about? Well, basically everything<\/em> improves. It’s a bit ridiculous, really, and I think I actually had my chin fall to the floor at some point during the first track.<\/p>\n

For starters, the soundstage becomes considerably more spacious in all directions. It’s wider and deeper and more room-filling but it also wraps around my head more convincingly than without the X1. This is no artificial depth, no blown-up effect but the unit is simply enhancing whatever depth is registered in the recording. The C1 just by itself can certainly also project backward and forward but with a reduced throw and less majestically than with help from the X1.<\/p>\n

The bass gains even more authority and is now positively growling. The overall presentation becomes slightly more relaxed and a little warmer with a considerably richer midrange. The DAC’s timbre was already first-rate but added now is a new sense of organic composure that is guaranteed to agree with even those who otherwise found CH a little too clean-sounding.<\/p>\n

The treble with the X1 is smoother (less dry) but remains every bit as accurate. Better still, the overall definition has actually even improved. Especially subtle reverbs and natural decays are now clearer and linger for longer. Snare drum whacks, for instance, appear as better isolated in space and more fully developed. One can now more clearly discern the initial whack followed by the sound developing harmonically and finally the seemingly everlasting decay. Overall, I wouldn’t say that the transients themselves are more immediate or the overall dynamic impact is any different with the X1 in place but because everything is laid out more separately you can hear more of the subtleties within the mix, the performances become more dramatic and therefore more exciting.<\/p>\n

What is really comforting is that although many aspects of the C1’s performance are enhanced with the X1 in place, the DAC’s overall character remains intact. With or without the X1, the C1 has the powerful, sonorous, full-blooded, well-detailed yet non-edgy character that made it end up permanently in my reference setup.<\/p>\n

Going back to the C1 by itself, the sound is now quite dry and matter-of-fact but I still like its energetic bounce and direct purity. Yes, the solo C1 is considerably less organic than with the X1, but this does not mean that its performance is suddenly invalidated. After all, the C1 has been my reference DAC ever since I reviewed it and it is still the best DAC I have heard. It may well be one of the planet’s very best DACs even without the X1. That said, what I cannot<\/em> get over is how much flatter<\/em> the sound stage is without the X1. No matter how lively and direct it still is on its own, somehow, the performances do seem greyed out a little. And that is something that will take some time to get used to it again!<\/p>\n

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Adding the X1 to the L1<\/h3>\n

For this portion of the review, I have switched the L1 in the circuit between the C1 DAC and the A1.5 power amplifier, using two CH Precision Balanced Link XLR cables. Before adding the X1 I first re-acquainted myself with the sound of the C1 + L1 using a playlist that I restarted after adding the X1 to the L1.<\/p>\n

Just as with the C1, the increased soundstage depth is very noticeable with the L1 preamp. Also as with the C1, the bass has gained solidity and authority and the midrange has become richer and more voluptuous. While the C1 DAC has a sonorous character of itself (also without the X1) the L1 preamp is incredibly neutral. In comparison with preamps that are sonically positioned on the full side of neutral, some may even perceive the L1 as being lean. I assure you it is not but such is the nature of comparative perceptions. Either way, with the X1 powering it, no-one could possibly accuse the L1 of sounding lean any longer.<\/p>\n

I could go on describing everything I heard but, in essence, all the effects are very similar to what I heard with the C1. The only aspect that makes the proposition for the L1 a little different than for the C1 is that while the C1 has a sonorous and full-bodied character while the L1 essentially does not have a character. The X1 enhances the C1 while retaining its overall character. But as it follows, the L1 gains the same benefits as the C1 but in becoming richer and sweeter it also takes on a little bit more character, moving away subtly from its ultra-clean non-adultered state to one that is slightly more forgiving. But, wait, that’s a good thing, right? Indeed, as a reviewer, I tend to look at such things from multiple angles\u00a0but, in reality, when friends come and listen, they are are simply grabbed by the music, or not. And with the X1 in place, they most definitely are!<\/p>\n

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Digging Deeper<\/h3>\n

So far, I have compared the C1+X1 combo connected directly to the A1.5 power amp with the C1 connected via the L1+X1 into the A1.5 power amp. Although we had already established that the effects of the X1 were very similar for the C1 and the L1, I did make note of the L1 changing more than the C1. But as the following experiment will show, that is only the case in isolation.<\/p>\n

To take this one step further I repeated the X1 experiment with it powering either the C1 or the L1 while leaving the latter in the signal path in both cases. Even though I could not detect any differences between the X1’s two outputs, just to rule out everything, I used a single cable connected to output 1 and swapped it between the C1 and L1.<\/p>\n

In this comparison, I was surprised to find that it was extremely hard to pick between these two options. No matter which component the X1 powered, this resulted in the effects as already described: a more sonorous, fuller tonality, a richer, more organic midrange, clearer decays, and deeper soundstaging. In short: I was hard-pressed to pick a favorite. Besides further confirming the validity and consistency of the CH philosophy, this also indicates that, in a system context, the C1 and L1 don’t actually respond differently to the X1.<\/p>\n

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Using two X1 outputs<\/h3>\n

Before going “Full Monty” and using the X1 for both the C1 and the L1, I wanted to do a final test. In order to see if using the second output would have any impact on the first output, I left the X1 connected to the L1 preamp while using the C1 DAC by itself. Then, after listening to a couple of tracks, I connected the X1’s second output to the P1 phono stage. I did not listen to the latter and used it only to “load” the X1’s secondary output in order to isolate the effect (if any) on the first output.<\/p>\n

Well, on this, I can be very brief as there was no impact whatsoever<\/em> on the sound of the L1. The X1 is absolutely agnostic to being used to power one or two components. Clearly, the efforts that CH has made to isolate the individually regulated outputs are paying off.<\/p>\n

Full Monty – X1 powering both the L1 and the C1<\/h3>\n

After having experienced the profound enhancements that the X1 brought to the C1 and the L1 individually, it will probably not come as a surprise that the effect when using the X1 for both components simultaneously is cumulative and fully in line with the aforementioned effects for the individual components.<\/p>\n

Most impressive is the absolutely room-filling spaciousness and the absurd amount of breath within the soundstage that makes individual instruments and vocals come across more realistically and with a more tangible 3D body. This works in tandem with the now absolutely fabulously organic and highly-textured midrange that sounds sweeter and richer than before but simultaneously provides a calmer and clearer canvas in which all the instruments are allowed to fully blossom.<\/p>\n

Even though I have never found CH components to sound overly clean, let alone clinical, I know that some people maintain this perception, likely due to comparisons with overly warm-sounding other components. Be that as it may, the X1 cleanly wipes those arguments off the table. With the X1 in place, the CH units reach a balance that for most other brands remains an illusion. It is the perfect harmonic balance between being utterly neutral, linear and precise on the one hand and fabulously organic, liquid and fully natural on the other.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

After having been engulfed in this fantastic soundstage for too long, going back to the L1 and C1 without the X1 is a bit like having listened to the next model up from a pair of speakers and having to go back. Both speakers have the same inherent qualities but the scale and depth are reduced and everything seems a little cramped and matter-of-fact by comparison and you are left wondering where to get the funds to upgrade. Such are the seductive qualities of the X1 that one would be wise not to audition it if the funds are not available. Taking the unit for a listen is guaranteed to induce a “must-have” lust. It’s fortunate, then, that the X1 is the only component in the CH-catalog to carry a relatively sane retail price!<\/p>\n

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Read Also<\/h3>\n

CH Precision C1 and A1<\/a>
\nCH Precision A1.5<\/a>
\nCH Precision A1.5 compared to Soulution 711<\/a>
\nAn Interview with Raphael Pasche of CH Precision<\/a><\/p>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

Manufacturer: CH Precision<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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