CH Precisions new 10 Series includes the L10 Line Pre-Amplifier and M10 Power Amplifier. This new range was actually announced just before, and previewed at, High End Munich in 2019.

While they may look similar to the Swiss firm's 1 Series, if you look closely, you will notice a straight profile on the front panel, instead of a curve. Also, there's a wider choice of finishes available to you. For the first time, you can opt for anodised champagne gold or anthracite as well as CH Precision's standard blue-grey. However, we're told that the real differences are under the bonnet of these two twin-chassis units.

Although the 10 Series is based on CH Precision's proven audio circuit and power supply topologies, we're told that every aspect of their design has been re-examined using lessons learned when creating the 1 Series.

Apparently, as well as every circuit board being re-laid, every component has been reassessed and replaced where improved performance can be had. Furthermore, the company has re-examined and updated its user-configurable options making the 10 Series even better at system matching.

Perhaps more importantly, we are informed that all these benefits are measurable. We are told to expect a reduced noise floor and phase errors, along with a significant increase in headroom and dynamic response. Moreover, the differences are clearly audible.

L10 Line Pre-Amplifier

The L10 retains the fully discrete, balanced and complementary design, ultra-short signal paths and heavily regulated and filtered, multi-stage power supplies, wide-bandwidth, high slew-rate and DC-coupled topology of the L1. It also keeps the same sophisticated R-2R ladder volume control, sophisticated DC detection and cancellation circuitry and software control.

CH Precision has then shortened the signal paths and refined their routing to reduce induced noise and distortion. Also, every single discrete component in the signal path has been reassessed and wherever possible upgraded.

Then there is the external power supply. This is a dedicated design, specific to and optimised for the L10, with increased regulation and massively increased capacity. Feedback topology can be user-selected between local and global settings to suit musical preferences and system requirements.

M10 Power Amplifier

The twin-chassis M10 is a user-configurable Mono/Stereo Power Amplifier with 300 W/RMS into 8 Ohms stereo, over 1kW RMS into 8 Ohms in bridged mono mode. There are also bi-amped and high-current mono configurations.

The CH Precision M10 is based on fully balanced, fully differential and fully discrete topologies, tried and tested in the 1 Series. However, this is augmented with increased resolution of user-adjustable global feedback in the M10 (0–100% in 1% steps) and, for the first time, a choice of local or global feedback in the L10.

It might look like a pair of monoblocks, but the M10 has been fully optimised and features separate power supplies to further lift performance - as well as actually allowing you to lift the Amplifier. There is also an improved mechanical grounding system.

CH Precision's new 10 Series amplifiers will be available in the first quarter of 2021. Prices are the same, no matter the finish or combination of finishes chosen, and are as follows:

• L10 Dual Monaural Line-Preamplifier - €71,000 (two chassis)
• L10 Monaural Line-Preamplifier - €122,000 per pair (four chassis)
• M10 Stereo Power Amplifier - €91,000 (two chassis)
• M10 Monaural Power Amplifier - €172,000 per pair (four chassis)

There is also a special trade-in deal for existing 1 Series customers available. 

Visit CH Precision for more information