CH Precision's D1 Reference grade SACD & CD unit exemplifies state-of-the-art Swiss precision and utmost dedication to faithful musical reproduction.
Built around the Esoteric VMK-5 VRDS SACD & CD pick-up mechanism, the D1 offers a fully modular and evolutive architecture based on optional slot-in boards for its audio outputs. Almost any configuration ranging from a simple stereo analog only player to a multi-channel purely digital drive is allowed.
The user interface is based on an ergonomically designed dual concentric rotatory knob with push function and feedback is given by a color-programmable high-definition AMOLED display. A custom infrared remote control allows access to the D1's most common functions.
Optical reading
Built around the Teac VMK-5 pick-up mechanism, the D1 offers state-of-the-art reading capability thanks to its VRDS-NEO technology. It is able to read the following discs formats:
- regular CDs, including CD-R/RW ones that have been finalized
- stereo SACDs, single layer or hybrid types
- multichannel SACDs
The optical reading mechanism has been tightly coupled to the D1 chassis to ensure the best vibration-free reading. The entire chassis isolates the reading mechanism from external vibrations and warranties an error-free data stream from the disc.
Modularity
Up to four output boards allow the unit to include many output types. One digital output HD board - for left and right front channels - is provided in base configuration, while three slots are kept free and can be fitted from factory or after product installation with the following board types:
- digital output HD board (1x CH Link HD, 1x AES/EBU, 1x S/PDIF and 1x Toslink) for surround channels
- stereo analog output board (1x XLR impedance-balanced and 1x RCA single-ended) for all six channels
- a pair of monaural analog output boards (1x XLR balanced, 1x RCA and 1x BNC single-ended) for left and right channels
This modularity allows the D1 to be configured as a stereo or multi-channel drive, with digital and/or analog outputs.
Timing & clocking
Extreme care has been given to the timing of the audio conversion. The clocking section of the D1 is based on an ultra-low jitter digitally-controlled VCXO.
Internally the VMK-5 control boards are clock-slaved on the internal VCXO and the digital audio data stream is re-synchronized in a central FPGA just prior the digital output buffers, or just prior each D/A conversion chip when optional analog output boards are used. This ensures a jitter-free signal, both in digital and analog domains.
When equipped with the optional synchronization board, the D1 can be used with external clock generators - or it can receive from the C1 D/A controller a synchronization clock - on which its internal VCXO is slaved.
Digital outputs
The CH-Link HD interface allows for synchronized transfer of High Definition audio content and control over a single connection and is the optimal link between the D1 and the matching C1 D/A controller. Audio data on CH-Link HD is cyphered when an SACD is read, the original DSD stream can be decoded into the C1 for optimal performances.
It has to be noted that the DSD stream from SACDs is downsampled in PCM at 16bit/44.1kHz for all AES/EBU, S/PDIF and Toslink digital outputs. This is due to legal restrictions and is absolutely not related to the D1 ability to transform the DSD stream into a hi-resolution PCM stream.
D/A conversion
The digital to analog converter boards are equipped with a single integrated D/A chip per channel. Its internal interpolation filters are used, and an analog balanced signal is provided.This converter chip is a multibit delta-sigma type and embedds many selectable filters.
Analog stages
All analog stages inside the D1 are built only with discrete components, no operational amplifier have been used into these sections. This deliberate choice warranties the shortest path for the audio signal and allows the use of custom-made building blocks. All analog stages have the following features:
- no use of global negative feedback
- operating mode in pure class A
- fully symmetrical design
No capacitors have been used in the signal path to ensure the maximum transparency.
Option boards
CONTROL |
Ethernet control board General control board. Provides USB based firmware update and external ethernet control. Factory fitted |
DIGITAL OUT HD |
Stereo digital output board Four digital outputs - CH Link HD, AES/EBU, S/PDIF and Toslink - are provided on a single board. Up to three boards can be used into the unit to allow multichannel SACD reproduction with three separate D/A converters. Factory fitted (1x) |
ANALOG OUT |
Stereo analog output board Up to three boards can be used into the unit to allow multichannel SACD reproduction.
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ANALOG OUT M |
Monaural analog output board Turns the D1 drive into a reference stereo player. Sold only by pair, for Left and Right front channels |
SYNC I/O |
Clock synchronization board Allows unit synchronization as clock slave. Audio frequencies as well as atomic clock frequencies are supported. A clock master mode is also provided to synchronize external units. |
External power supply
X1 |
X1 external power supply Improves the overall D1 performances by adding an external power supply unit. Same unit dimensions as the D1 |
Reading mechanism
Reference |
Teac VMK-5 VRDS-NEO reading mechanism
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Supported medias | CD, CD-R/RW SACD single layer, dual layers and hybrid |
Digital outputs
CH Link HD |
High Definition Link
PCM 16 bit / 44.1kHz |
AES/EBU | XLR connector, 2.5Vpp, 110Ω, PCM 16 bit / 44.1kHz |
S/PDIF | RCA connector, 0.5Vpp, 75Ω, PCM 16 bit / 44.1kHz |
Toslink | Optical connector, PCM 16 bit / 44.1kHz |
Analog outputs, monaural D/A boards
D/A conversion | 1x WM8742 per channel |
Digital filter | User selectable via front panel user interface |
Frequency response | DC - 20kHz for CD reproduction DC - 50kHz for SACD reproduction |
Output stage | Discrete fully differential output stage
All analog stages have a zero global negative feedback |
Outputs type | Balanced (XLR), one connector per board Single-Ended (RCA & BNC), one connector per board |
Output level | 4V RMS @ 0dBFS in balanced mode 2V RMS @ 0dBFS in single-ended mode |
Dynamic range | >96dB for CD >120dB for SACD |
Signal to Noise Ratio | Better than 120dB for both CD and SACD |
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise | Less than 0.002% for CD Less than 0.0015% for SACD |
Analog outputs, stereo D/A board
D/A conversion | 1x WM8742 per channel |
Digital filter | User selectable via front panel user interface |
Frequency response | DC - 20kHz for CD reproduction DC - 50kHz for SACD reproduction |
Output stage | Discrete differential output stage
All analog stages have a zero global negative feedback |
Outputs type | Balanced (XLR), one pair Single-Ended (RCA), one pair |
Output level | 2V RMS @ 0dBFS in impedance-balanced mode 2V RMS @ 0dBFS in single-ended mode |
Dynamic range | >96dB for CD >120dB for SACD |
Signal to Noise Ratio | Better than 120dB for both CD and SACD |
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise | Less than 0.002% for CD Less than 0.0015% for SACD |
Synchronization
Clock input |
BNC, 0.5Vpp to 5Vpp, 75Ω or Hi-Z
44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz |
Clock output |
2x BNC, 2Vpp, 75Ω
input sampling frequency or clock loopback if externally synchronized |
General
Display | 480x272 pixels, 24bits color, AMOLED |
Mains operation | Selectable 100V, 115, 230V AC, 47-63Hz |
Fuses value and location | Standby fuse (black holder): 250mA T (230V AC), 500mA T (100V AC, 115V AC) Main fuse (white holder): 1.6A T (230V AC), 3.15A T (100V AC, 115V AC) |
Power supply consumption | <1W (standby), 40W average in operation |
Dimensions/Weight | 440 x 440 x 133mm (W x D x H), 32kg |
Remote control | IR Remote control provided, RC5 codes Ethernet based system control via the Android CH Control App |
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Product flyer |
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User manual |
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D1 firmware version 5.0 (release date 2019-01-01) |
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Legacy D1 firmware (for D1 not equipped with Digital Output HD board) |
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CH Control application 2.3.1215 (release date 2019-11-20) |