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
- Solid build with a modular design allowing for future upgrades of daughter boards
- Capable of playing CDs and SACDs
- High-mass transport mechanism (MORSe) designed to minimize vibrations
- Excellent sound quality with a neutral presentation of the music played, irrespective of music or format
Product Considerations
- The original D1 cannot be upgraded to the D1.5 due to significant changes in the transport mechanism
- The 'preproduction D1.5 supplied for review selected one of the minimum-phase filters from our library of available algorithms'
- The D1.5 had old firmware, and was using an incorrect filter
- The Android app is only available on the Android platform—no iOS (Apple) version is available
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The D1.5 is the first digital player not named Neodio or Wadax to transport the reviewer to the Musikverein without leaving the listening room
Takeaway: The CH Precision D1.5 is a robust and versatile player that delivers excellent sound across different disc formats. Its modular design and focus on time-domain performance ensure a worthwhile investment for audiophiles seeking a long-term, high-quality digital source.
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
D1.5
reviews
[{"title":"CH Precision • D1.5 CD/SACD Player and Transport","link":"https://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/ch_precision_d15.htm","source":"The Audio Beat","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"CH Precision D1.5 SACD/CD player/transport","link":"https://www.stereophile.com/content/ch-precision-d15-sacdcd-playertransport","source":"Stereophile","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"CH Precision D1.5 SACD/CD player/transport New Firmware","link":"https://www.stereophile.com/content/ch-precision-d15-sacdcd-playertransport-new-firmware","source":"Stereophile","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"CH Precision D1.5","link":"https://hifiplus.com/articles/ch-precision-d1-5-sacd-cd-transport-player","source":"Hi-Fi+","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"The CH Precision D1.5 CD/SACD Player/Transport","link":"https://gy8.eu/review/the-ch-precision-d1-5-cd-sacd-player-transport","source":"GY8","datePublished":""}]
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
Description
Despite advances in high-resolution file-replay, the optical disc remains the reference standard for digital music replay. Those who have predicted the imminent demise of CD and who already danced on the grave of SACD might want to take a look at the rude health of the vinyl LP, a format long ago consigned by many to the dustbin of audio history. In fact, there have never been so many CD and SACD titles (or formats) available – and they have never been so affordable, making them the most consistent and stable digital source currently available – and one that is constantly evolving as superior materials and manufacturing techniques continue to improve performance.
The heart of any disc player is the transport mechanism itself. But what do you do if current mechs simply aren't up to the job? If you are CH Precision, you build your own! The critical mechanical parts of our proprietary Mechanically Optimized Reading System (MORSe) are built entirely in-house. The carefully selected optical pick-up and motor are precisely mounted on a massive brass sled that weighs almost 1kg (2.2lbs). This high-mass lowers the mechanical resonance frequency of the module several orders of magnitude lower than in most other transports, while ensuring an ideal counter-weight to the torque of the spinning disc.
The complete module is isolated from the rest of the chassis using four alpha-gel isolators, fine-tuned to filter vibrations all the way down to AC mains frequencies. This prevents vibrations generated by the spinning of the disc from reaching sensitive electronic boards, as well as low frequency vibrations originating in the power supply or chassis disturbing the accurate tracking of the laser mechanism. The disc clamp is made of lightweight PEEK polymer, which provides optimal grip and dimensional stability, ensuring slip-free transmission from the direct drive motor to the disc. The chassis holding this crucial sub-system is a 2 kg rigid aluminum structure, directly coupled to the heavy base of the D1.5. This makes an ideal mechanical ground referen...
The complete module is isolated from the rest of the chassis using four alpha-gel isolators, fine-tuned to filter vibrations all the way down to AC mains frequencies. This prevents vibrations generated by the spinning of the disc from reaching sensitive electronic boards, as well as low frequency vibrations originating in the power supply or chassis disturbing the accurate tracking of the laser mechanism. The disc clamp is made of lightweight PEEK polymer, which provides optimal grip and dimensional stability, ensuring slip-free transmission from the direct drive motor to the disc. The chassis holding this crucial sub-system is a 2 kg rigid aluminum structure, directly coupled to the heavy base of the D1.5. This makes an ideal mechanical ground referen...
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.
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Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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What if you spend more?
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Gryphon
Ethos
55720
/
Released
2019
Handcrafted from precision-milled aluminum and acrylic, Ethos' delta-shaped chassis with arched aluminum CD lid has been praised by countless critics as 'The Most Beautiful Audio Component Ever Made.' Ethos' internals are equally remarkable: from the selection of the finest CD Transport mechanism available, to the specification of the most advanced Digital-to-Analog Converters and Digital Filters, to the creation of discrete, monaural power supplies for every active circuit, Ethos CD is actually two State-of-the-Art components sharing a single chassis, designed to be the ultimate CD Player as well as a world-class DAC.
Gryphon is one of the most respected high-end amplifier brands in the world. Its bass grip is phenomenal, thanks to an unusually high level of capacitance, which keeps everything tight and controlled, even with demanding speakers. Gryphon is also known for its bold, brutalist design—a look that a lot of people love. You’ll find their gear all over Europe and Asia, and the Diablo 333 is often considered an ‘endgame’ amp by those chasing the very best sound and aesthetics.
Expand Details
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality and striking industrial design deviate from the standard rectangular audio component, with a focus on aesthetics and user experience
- As a CD player, it makes CD sound a lot like high-resolution audio is supposed to sound—clean, dynamic, and extended
- Dual-mono construction and a fully balanced Class-A analog output stage with zero negative feedback use high-quality components (Melf resistors, polypropylene film capacitors)
- Versatile, with user-selectable digital filters (seven for PCM, three for DSD) and asynchronous upsampling options
Product Considerations
- High price point may not be accessible to all audiophiles
- It does not play SACD discs; it is limited to Redbook CDs and external digital sources
- The unit is larger than many equipment racks
- Some running in is required to sound at its best, and the clamp is a bit too light
- Stock power cable is considered basic
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to dCS combo, the Brits proving preferable each time
- Compared to Ayon Audio CD-35 HF Edition SACD, the similarities suggest that the inability to play SACD discs on Gryphon should not necessarily affect choice
Takeaway: The Gryphon Ethos is a beautifully designed and expertly engineered CD player/DAC that elevates the listening experience, particularly for those with serious CD collections, delivering a high-resolution sound quality. Its versatile DAC functionality and focus on musicality make it a worthwhile investment for the discerning audiophile.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Gryphon is one of the most respected high-end amplifier brands in the world. Its bass grip is phenomenal, thanks to an unusually high level of capacitance, which keeps everything tight and controlled, even with demanding speakers. Gryphon is also known for its bold, brutalist design—a look that a lot of people love. You’ll find their gear all over Europe and Asia, and the Diablo 333 is often considered an ‘endgame’ amp by those chasing the very best sound and aesthetics.
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