Jim Austin of Stereophile reviews the L1 line-stage (with and without the X1 external power supply).
Although Stereophile has spent time with the L1 before now, it has always been as an adjunct to a review of another CH component – like the M1.1 – rather than in its own right. Well, now JA has put that right, with a full review of the L1 and X1, the strong, quiet foundation at the heart of the CH family.
Not surprisingly, he found it both strong and quiet (John Atkinson described the L1’s measurements as “superb, some of the best I have encountered…”) with a natural musical clarity and authority – on musical example after musical example. Jim’s conclusion: “I would happily live forever with the CH Precision L1, especially paired with the X1.” Given the performance of the L1/X1, he also wonders just how much room for improvement is still out there, waiting to be realised? Well Jim, there’s always the L10…
