Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Retains all the music's delicacy, refinement, and fluidity, being revealing without becoming clinical
- Offers a wide and deep soundstage, is timbrally spot-on and very natural, well-focused, richly textured, and well-endowed in terms of transient attack and dynamic impact
- Is significantly more revealing, without introducing any negative by-products, and is still the superbly musical and emotionally involving DAC that the C1 was, only better
- Capable of being more discerning of differences in sources and source material
Product Considerations
- Precise calibration is of paramount importance for any multi-bit DAC chip
- Files played directly from the Swiss device have a slightly contoured character
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The C1.2 is even more neutral and even more revealing than the C1, without sacrificing even the slightest hint of refinement, delicacy, fluidity, decay, or flow
- The original C1 DAC has always sounded fuller and more sonorous than other CH Precision products, for instance, the L1 preamp, with the C1.2 upgrade, the DAC has become more neutral and now sounds more in line with the L1
- The CH Precision device combines the opening of the sound with the lack of brightness better than the Ayon player
- The CH Precision delivers recordings in an uncommonly precise manner than the Weiss DA502 D/A converter
Takeaway: The C1.2 is a DAC that retains all of its virtues while becoming more neutral and revealing, and it is still superbly musical and emotionally involving. It is worth buying because of the overall enhancement in audio quality.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
C1.2 Mono
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Conversion type: Linearized R-2R, 4x PCM1704 per channel
- Full scale analog outputs level: 5.1V RMS balanced, 2.55V RMS single-ended
- Signal to Noise Ratio: > 120dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: < 0.004%, full scale, 22kHz BW
- Weight: 20kg per unit
- Dimensions: 440 x 440 x 133mm (W x D x H)
Description
Digital signals carry stereo information in a single data stream. That means that we cannot follow our normal approach to scalable system architecture, using independent C1.2 DAC Controllers for left and right channels, as we have to have a single input connection. Instead, to deliver improved performance we retain the C1.2 input architecture but then split the digital information into left and right channels for routing to dedicated external DACs, with a single chassis for each channel. This allows us to retain the exceptional functional flexibility of the C1.2 and the scalability of the system, while delivering a genuinely significant upgrade in performance.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- CH Precision's modular design allows for extensive customization and upgradability of its components, protecting customer investment and offering future-proof audio solutions.
- They emphasize precise signal management through proprietary technologies such as ExactBias circuitry and adjustable feedback ratios, enabling optimization for various speaker systems and listening preferences.
- The brand's components are built to exacting standards, using high-quality materials and construction techniques akin to luxury watchmaking, resulting in aesthetically refined and robust products.
- CH Precision utilizes sophisticated software and hardware to continuously monitor and adjust the performance of its amplifiers, actively counteracting DC offset and optimising temperature for consistent and linear output.
Select products
Select product comparisons
M1.1 Two-Channel Reference Power Amplifier
- Positioning: A versatile and high-performance power amplifier in CH Precision's lineup, known for its modularity and adaptability.
- Description: Offers a sophisticated response to power amplification with its software-driven housekeeping capabilities, making it a standout for those seeking versatility and high power output. Unlike the M10, which provides even more power and configurability, the M1.1 is ideal for users who need a powerful yet adaptable amplifier for various speaker setups and room sizes, without the need for the M10's extreme power capacity.
M10 Stereo Power Amplifier
- Positioning: The flagship stereo power amplifier, offering the highest power output and configurability in the lineup.
- Description: Features massive power capacity and twin-chassis design, providing exceptional headroom and dynamic range. It surpasses the M1.1 in power and configurability.
C1.2 Digital to Analog Controller
- Positioning: Serves as a high-end DAC and controller, offering extensive input compatibility and modularity.
- Description: Excels with its advanced digital processing and modular input architecture, making it a top choice for those who need a versatile DAC with control capabilities. While the C10 focuses purely on DAC performance, the C1.2 provides additional control features, making it suitable for users who require both high-quality digital conversion and system control in one unit.
C10 Digital to Analog Converter
- Positioning: A state-of-the-art DAC, designed to deliver exceptional digital-to-analog conversion performance.
- Description: Features a novel DSQ Phase Array DAC architecture, offering precise and musical performance. Compared to the C1.2, which includes control features, the C10 is dedicated solely to DAC performance.
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Avg. Product Price
$40,001-$75,000
Used For Sale
13
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
178
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
12
Founding Year
2009
Our take on the brand
CH Precision is known for its modular design philosophy that lets customers tailor and upgrade their units over time without replacing the entire component, with sophisticated controls accessible via tablet from the listening position. Their amplifiers offer five different operating modes (stereo, bridge, passive and active bi-amplification, and monaural) and allow users to adjust specific audio parameters like global feedback ratio and input gain settings for optimal speaker matching.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
Brand Page
Used
CH Precision
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
MSB
Cascade
95000
95000
/
2
Reviews
MSB Technology builds their own discrete ladder DACs in-house instead of using off-the-shelf chips, with modular designs that let users upgrade input and output modules over time. Their DACs are made with in-house CNC-machined chassis and proprietary Femto clocks, delivering an analog-like sound that's often described as natural and organic.
Expand Details
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Product Strengths
- Smooth, natural sound signature with impressive depth in the 3D soundstage.
- Allows music reproduction closest to a private performance in the listening room.
- Delivers a natural, smooth, and organic sound, reproducing every detail with maximum resolution.
- Exceptional clarity and black background of the sound.
- Performs excellently even with lower-quality content because of its smooth, clean playback and three-dimensional soundstage.
Product Considerations
- The price is far beyond the reach of most audiophiles.
- Comes with only one digital module as standard.
- For optimal performance, it's recommended to place the units on separate shelves.
- The reviewer only tested it as a DAC and did not evaluate its functionality as a preamplifier or streamer.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs MSB Reference DAC—the Cascade represents a significant upgrade.
Takeaway: The MSB Cascade DAC sets new standards for sound quality and is a digital marvel, providing a unique and powerful listening experience. It offers incredibly smooth and natural sound, creating a live music sensation.
Video review
Our take on the brand
MSB Technology builds their own discrete ladder DACs in-house instead of using off-the-shelf chips, with modular designs that let users upgrade input and output modules over time. Their DACs are made with in-house CNC-machined chassis and proprietary Femto clocks, delivering an analog-like sound that's often described as natural and organic.
Product Page
Product Page
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