CH Precision Launches 10 Series DAC – The C10
All Image Credit: CH Precision
CH Precision of Switzerland continue to provide some of the finest audiophile hardware, now expanding their flagship ’10’ collection with the twin-chassis C10 DAC. Like all CH components it is modular, updatable, upgradable, expandable and future-proof.
This very high performance DAC has a dedicated, ultra-low noise power supply in its second separate chassis and for the purists has no analog inputs or volume control. Its mirrored-topology is supported by four independent, highly regulated multiple DC feeds to galvanically isolated circuit blocks within the chassis; the digital processing circuitry, the clock and the left and right DACs. This complex power supply design has the advantage that upgrading the power supply is as simple as adding a second C10 PSU.
According to CH Precision, the heart of the DAC design is based upon an all-new DSQ Phase Array DAC architecture that uses the proven performance of the PCM 1704 R2R DAC chip, which is driven by their sophisticated DSP-based, short-tailed PEtER over-sampling algorithm. The DSP operates at 32bit fixed point, before conversion to 24bit at the output. A total of 16 DAC’s are used in dual differential mode achieving data output rates of 64x Fs (2.8224/3.072MHz). DAC output filtering is achieved using third order Sallen-Key Bessel low-pass filters to reduce the 20Hz-20kHz propagation delay to less than two femtoseconds.
The C10 has three identical open expansion slots, one of which comes with a factory installed Digital In HD card that supports; CH-LINK HD, AES/EBU (XLR), S/PDIF (RCA) and TosLink optical inputs and also allows network control via the CH-Control App. The Ethernet Control card can be upgraded to the Ethernet-In HD card, creating a high-quality streaming interface that is compatible with all major streaming services. The two open slots allow users to fit an extra digital input card, a USB input and the Clock Sync card for connection to an external 10MHz master clock. The pure Class A analog outputs are supported on one pair each; balanced XLR, single-ended RCA and BNC outputs. These outputs supporting multiple signal levels from 1VRMS to 10VRMS depending upon the output and level selected.
Finally, the C10 accommodates; high-resolution PCM, DSD and full MQA unfolding and rendering.
Major Features:
- Processing:
- Four independent 2.4GFLOPS DSP engines.
- Proprietary CH-PEtER 32-bit fixed point, synchronous data over-sampling processing
- Direct DSD to 705.6kHz, PCM conversion.
- Full MQA decoder (unfolding and rendering) at 24bit / 768kHz.
- Digital to Analog Conversion:
- Eight PCM1704 R-2R converters per channel in a sequential DSQ™ Phase Array topology operating at 64x FS.
- Fully complementary, dual mono symmetrical circuit topology.
- Discrete, dedicated, fully regulated linear, ground separated power supplies for low noise and maximum channel separation.
- Timing & Clocking: Ultra low jitter MEMS-based, thermally compensated Master Clock with dedicated, shunt regulated power supply.
- Audio Path:
- Selectable Local or Global feedback.
- Switchable for mono (input L + input R) output.
- Reversible absolute phase.
- Analog Output Stage:
- Pure class A, fully symmetrical DC coupled circuit.
- Fully discrete, ultra low noise, high slew rate design.
- Third-order Sallen-Key Bessel filter.
- One pair each – balanced XLR, single-ended RCA and BNC outputs.
- User control:
- 5-button interface.
- Infrared remote control.
- Ethernet control (CH-Control app, home automation, etc.).
- AMOLED 800×480 display.
- Power Supply:
- Dedicated external power supply unit with 3 transformers.
- > 1.5F of total capacitance
- Multiple cascaded discrete linear regulators.
- Shunt topology regulators for critical stages.
- Independent left, right, clock and digital grounds.
Specifications:
- Conversion resolution: 24 bit / 2.8824MHz or 3.072MHz
- Bandwidth: DC to 150kHz (-3dB)
- Analog outputs level:
- Balanced XLR: Low level 2VRMS, Mid level 5VRMS or High level 10VRMS
- Single-ended RCA/BNC: Low level 1VRMS, Mid level 2.5VRMS or High level 5VRMS
- Signal to Noise Ratio: > 121dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: < 0.003%, full scale, 22kHz BW
- Power supply: Selectable 100V, 115V or 230V AC, 47Hz to 63Hz
- Power consumption: Standby: < 1W Normal operation: Max 100W
- Operating conditions
- Temperature: +5°C to +35°C, Humidity: 5% to 85% (no condensation)
- Dimensions: 440 x 440 x 133mm (W x D x H)
- Weight: Converter 20kg, Power supply 23kg
MSRP (Basic twin-chassis design):
- US: $91,000
- EU: €91,000
For more information visit the CH Precision web site.
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