CH Precision M1.1 power amplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Solid-state, class-AB, dual-channel, configurable, modular power amplifier. Inputs: 1 balanced XLR, one single-ended RCA, one single-ended BNC, USB port, Ethernet port. Outputs: XLR balanced output (pass through for daisy-chaining), 2 pairs of speaker binding posts. Power output (as configured for review): 350W into 4 ohms, 600W into 2 ohms, 1100W into 1 ohm. Frequency response: DC–450kHz (–3dB) at 1 watt. THD+Noise: <0.01% (1kHz signal, BW 20Hz–20kHz, 10W under 8 ohms, (all modes) with 100% global feedback. SNR (A weighted): >115dB. Input impedance: single-ended 47k ohms RCA, 300 ohms BNC. Balanced: 94k ohms.
Dimensions: 17.32"(440mm) W by 10.43"(265mm) H by 17.32"(440mm) D. Weight: 165.3 lb (75kg).
Finish: Silver.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 15010500/01.
Price: $104,000/pair (as configured for review), $54,000 (single amp configured for stereo). Approximate number of dealers: 7. Warranty: Three years, parts and labor.
Manufacturer: CH Precision Sàrl, ZI Le Trési 6D, 1028 Préverenges, Switzerland. Tel: (41) (0)21-701-9040. Fax: (41) (0)21-701-9041. Web: www.ch-precision.com.

COMPANY INFO
CH Precision
ZI Le Trési 6D
1028 Préverenges
Switzerland
(41) (0)21-701-9040
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
jeffhenning's picture

Another amp that costs more than a sports car that does not offer anything close to state of the art performance.

Disappointing.

Michael Fremer's picture

Of "state of the art"? Mine is: "a seriously mis-used and meaningless cliché used by lazy people."

jeffhenning's picture

So I'm getting flamed by a guy who thinks you need to spend $5K on each power chord to have a good sounding system.

Given your history of thoroughly misguided and erroneous "journalism" (which, in your case, the term is used very generously), having you slag me is a sign that I'm not wrong.

What I consider "state of the art":

• Amps that produce at least 20dB less distortion and noise than this overpriced brick

• That list, to my knowledge, has only two entries: amps by Benchmark and Devialet

• I'm confident that whatever Bruno Putzeys & Peter Lyngdorf are about to release from Purifi Audio will be way better than this cinderblock as well

• Also, all of these superior products are a fraction of the cost of this lead bar

Fremer, you are definitely that guy that would buy a Bugatti Veyron rather than an Acura NSX or purchase a $10K analog Rolex when a $400 Citizen, solar powered, digital watch keeps better time.

Perfect_sense_audio's picture

Based on what criteria exactly? Did you experience these amplifiers at all?

Ortofan's picture

... sound quality of this amp when powered through a "Best Buy grade" Audioquest power conditioner. Surely anyone who reads - let alone writes for Stereophile - knows that he should have been using a power conditioner from Synergistic Research.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/synergistic-research-powercell-ac-conditioner-mcintosh-mc462-amp-elac-adante-speakers

Now bring on the 350W/ch Rotel RB-1590:
http://www.rotel.com/product/rb-1590
It's much lighter on both your wallet and your toes.

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Rotel RB-1590 doesn't have user adjustable feed-back controls :-) .........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

MF liked the way D'Agostino Momentum mono-blocks sounded ....... Momentum has similar output impedance as CH precision, when 20% feed-back is used ........ That output impedance is also close to the output impedance of darTZeel NHB-458 amp :-) ..........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

CH precision is smart ....... They know that 'one size fits all' approach may not be a good idea ....... So, they provide user adjustable feed-back controls :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

BTW ..... Pass labs SIT-3 ($4,000) also has somewhat similar 0.25 to 0.26 Ohm output impedance :-) ........

Archimago's picture

Yeah, I think CH has hit on an interesting feature that audiophile might like. Sort of like letting listeners choose between a range of digital filters from minimum phase to linear. Although this of course will result in more audible differences than otherwise decent digital filters at the edge of audibility.

The problem here I hope is that it does not demonize negative feedback as something "bad" (which IMO it isn't). If some people are OK with the higher harmonic distortion including elevated higher order distortions and higher output impedance (with commensurate lower dampening factor), then so be it.

But let's just make sure to frame this as a "subjective choice" rather than making it some kind of simplistic audiophile "myth" causing all kinds of companies to follow a trend of low negative feedback when there's typically no reason to...

ok's picture

..it's not theory but implementation that matters.

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Agreed :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Wish more audiophile companies could do what CH Precision is doing less expensively :-) ........

Glotz's picture

that this amp is State of the Art in many areas of performance.

Many reviews from respected magazines with experienced reviewers can attest.

Instead the posts show misanthropic assumptions of equipment none of us have heard.

Ortofan's picture

... exceed the performance of the $4K Benchmark AHB-2 (operating in bridged mode)?

Glotz's picture

and listen... Only then would you know where and how the amp compares.

The review should be insightful regarding sound quality.

Perhaps you could ask MF to compare them in a follow-up.

Or you could read the several, other reviews on the web and guess.

Or you could do none of the above, and just speculate wildly and assume everyone is lying to you.

Ortofan's picture

... the CH Precision M1.1 is "State of the Art in many areas of performance."
Again, which MANY areas of performance would those be as compared to the Benchmark AHB2?
For your reference:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/benchmark-media-systems-ahb2-power-amplifier-measurements

Glotz's picture

My statement was a rebuttal of your assertion.

Read the reviews and you tell me... I already read them. lol..

Michael Fremer's picture

Really think measurements tell you how things sound? On the basis you'd not be listening to vinyl.

Ortofan's picture

... sound storage and playback via analog disc, then you must have a preference for a less flat frequency response, degraded speed accuracy and pitch stability, higher levels of distortion and worse signal-to-noise ratio, along with the presence of random impulse noises, as compared to a digital system.

JRT's picture

In a large active system, bridgeable Benchmark AHB-2 can provide clean linear output with wide bandwidth, fully adequate for powering the tweeters. If DIY is of interest, consider the Neurochrome Modulus-686.

Below tweeter frequencies... Bandwidth is obviously constrained at lower frequencies, and class D is fully adequate, and the inefficiency of class A/B is not justified. In that range, look at ATI 5xxNC family of amplifiers which use Hypex NC500 amplifier modules.

For the subwoofer subsystem, I would suggest class H pro-grade fan cooled amplifiers, and would suggest replacing the cooling fans with suitable very quiet running Noctua fans. Class H is similar to class A/B in the output stage, with tight control provided by a large dose of negative feedback, but modulates switch mode power supply output rail voltage to follow the input signal, keeping it a little above a level that would otherwise clip the output when operating within design range. So it is much more efficient than class A/B. The downside is that bandwidth is lower than is achievable with conventional class A/B.

Horses for courses, etc.

David Harper's picture

I guess some people just have too much money.Considering the state of the world today anyone who buys this amp will have some explaining to do when he goes to meet his maker.

ACranston's picture

I'm sure there are a lot of dirt poor people in 3rd world countries who could look at your possessions and your lifestyle and say the same about you. Take your "holier than thou" attitude elsewhere.

David Harper's picture

nope

Glotz's picture

He's worried about God judging him? For spending money on the stuff that gives him joy and happiness? Right.

misterc59's picture

Well said ACranston

Regards,
Terry

Michael Fremer's picture

That is among the most foolish comments yet. No one need apologize for owning this amp, or any high performance, high quality product. Should Ferrari owners apologize? Where do you draw the line? Grow up.

Bogolu Haranath's picture

MF did not quite like the sound of Boulder 2150 mono-block power amps (Stereophile Class-A) ....... 2150 has very low output impedance and very high damping factor ....... 2150 also has almost 20-Bit resolution (SNR) :-) .........

Ortofan's picture

... why not get a Nagra?
https://www.nagraaudio.com/product/nagra-hd-amp/

Bogolu Haranath's picture

That would be a 'bravura' effect :-) .........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Both CH Precision and Nagra are located in the Swiss 'Watch Valley' :-) ..........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

darTZeel is also, Swiss made :-) ........

Next MF is gonna review the latest darTZeel NHB-468 monoblock amps :-) .......

blang11's picture

The comments section beneath many Stereophile articles are consistently hijacked by a vocal minority of judgmental, know-it alls that simply can't summon the capacity to stifle their negative rantings. I, for one, vote to turn off comments. Another one of my favorite audio review sites did it, and the world just kept on spinning. I would be surprised if Stereophile hasn't considered doing this already. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts in an "As We See It" one of these days.

ok's picture

..simply refuses to get into the comment section; I guess they call it a smartphone for a reason.

John Atkinson's picture
ok wrote:
My android phone simply refuses to get into the comment section; I guess they call it a smartphone for a reason.

The mobile version of the Stereophile website doesn't show comments.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Idee intelligente :-) .........

JRT's picture

First, thank you for providing the comments section.

In writing this comment, I am using a Chrome browser on Android, and the comment section becomes available by selecting the desktop site in the pull-down menu in Chrome. As you explained, the comment section is unavailable in the mobile version.

I would suggest that if anyone does not want to read the comments, then perhaps they shouldn't. They always have the option of not reading the comments, regardless which browser they might be using.

JRT's picture

I like reading the comments, and sometimes adding my own comments.

Ortofan's picture

... a pair of CH Precision M1.1 amps OR a pair of Luxman B-1000f amps - plus a BMW Z4.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/luxman-b-1000f-monoblock-power-amplifier
https://onahighernote.com/shop/stock-open-box-sales/electronics/luxman-b-1000f-monoblock-ex-demo/
http://www.luxman.co.jp/product/b-1000f

Bogolu Haranath's picture

....... or, a Corvette convertible :-) .........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Invasion of the 'know-it-alls' :-) ............

Bogolu Haranath's picture

May be Stereophile could come up with an 'app' for the comments section ....... So, people who don't want to read the comments, could turn off the 'app' :-) ...........

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