Unlike their playfully mischievous neighbor darTZeel, whose corporate sense of humor runs so deep that the LCD readout on their NHB-18NS preamp displays the messages foreplay and climaxed when working its on/off switch, Swiss manufacturer CH Precision is all business.…
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CH Precision's massive, versatile, technologically sophisticated, 165 lb M1.1 power amplifier ($54,000 configured for stereo) can easily crush your foot if you're not careful when installing it. But the more important consideration is this: Can this cool gray techno-square sing and dance without stepping on its own feet?
A series of small, vertically stacked pushbuttons adjacent to the generously sized color LED screen controls all functionality and adjustability. It's a complicated but logically arranged menu system, made easier to use if you're familiar with the similar ones used in the company's other products, including the CH Precision P1 phono preamp, which I own. In most cases, setup will no doubt be performed by the dealer, though it's still a good idea to understand and learn the menu system. A virtual meter monitors power output.
The M1.1's maximum gain can be adjusted in 0.5dB steps over a…
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…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn & Castellon turntable & stand; TechDAS Air Force V and Rega P8 turntables; SAT CF1-09, Kuzma 4Point and Graham Phantom B 44 tonearms; Lyra Atlas, Atlas SL, Atlas SL mono, Etna, and Etna SL, Ortofon MC Century, Anna, A95, Miyajima Labs Infinity (mono) Grado Epoch (mono) Gold Note Donatello Gold and Goldring Ethos.
Digital Sources: dCS Vivaldi One SACD player DAC; Lynx Hilo A/D-D/A converter, Roon Nucleus, Meridian Digital Media System; Pure Vinyl and Vinyl Studio software.
Preamplification:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
Because the CH Precision M1.1 is so heavy (165lb), I drove the 45 miles to Michael Fremer's home with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"), cables, noninductive power resistors, and analog and digital oscilloscopes, and I set up everything on a table in his garage. Because I knew from experience that the AC outlets in the garage are on a circuit with a 15A breaker, I ran two long extension cables—one for the test gear, one for the amplifier, which has two AC cords—to an outlet in the house that has a 20A circuit.
I…
Has Serinus been demoted? You might well ask. This month, instead of reviewing a $58,000 stereo amplifier, I'm tackling a $599 powered loudspeaker system.
Truth be told, I'm always on the lookout for products that deliver outstanding sound at bargain prices. And since I maintain in my living room a modestly priced system built around powered speakers—this in addition to the far costlier system in my dedicated listening room—it's an easy fit for me to evaluate low-priced products in a real-world context. Besides, I've been impressed by Vanatoo's achievements ever since my first encounter…
I wondered whether to use the Tweak Geek Dark Matter Stealth power conditioner, Nordost QKore ground units and QB8 power distributor, and combination of Nordost Valhalla and Odin 1 and 2 AC-power cabling that I use with the Dynaudios. The alternative was to plug the standard power cords of the T1E and MacBook Pro into the loose-fitting, 27-year-old standard AC outlet in the wall. While going the latter route would subject the system to all the noise of a dimmer-laden, appliance-rich house, it would also more accurately replicate what a non-audiophile T1E owner might hear: How many people…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, stand-mounted, bi-amplified, self-powered, wired/wireless loudspeaker system with remote control. Drive-units: 1" aluminum-dome tweeter, 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25" passive radiator. Crossover: 6th-order, DSP-derived Linkwitz-Riley at 2kHz. Inputs: USB, Coax, Toslink optical input at up to 24bit/96kHz. Bluetooth input with aptX. Analog input sampled at 24bit/48kHz. Amplifiers: one 100W and one 20W class-D amplifier per enclosure, operating at 24 bit/48kHz. Frequency Response: 48Hz–20kHz ±3dB in Flat configuration, –10dB…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Apple 2017 MacBook Pro computer with 2.8 GHz Intel i7, SSD, 16GB RAM, running Roon; Apple iPad Pro.
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Focus 200 XD powered loudspeaker system.
Cables: Digital: Nordost Odin 1 and 2 & Valhalla 2 (USB). AC: Nordost Odin 1 & 2, Valhalla 1.
Accessories: Dynaudio Stand 6 stands; Wavelink HS USB to S/PDIF converter; AudioQuest JitterBugs; Nordost QB8, QK1 & QV2 AC power accessories, QKore 1 & 3 with QKore Wires, Titanium Sort Kones; Tweek Geek Dark Matter Stealth power conditioner with High…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 microphone for the nearfield responses. Except where noted below, all the testing was done using the speaker's 3.5mm analog input.
As the Transparent One has digital inputs, I used Apple's USB Prober utility to examine the USB input. This identified the speaker as "Vanatoo T1E" from "Vanatoo," with the serial number string "CTUA170405." The USB port operated in the isochronous…