D1.5 Transport/Player
The Evolution of Disc Mastery
The D1 CD/SACD player/transport was CH Precision’s very first product—a discrete, multi-channel capable design that introduced the modular, card-cage architecture, precision engineering, and upgradable platform that still define our approach today. In combination with the original C1 DAC, it set a benchmark for high-resolution disc playback, proving that optical media could deliver music with both technical accuracy and emotional power. That pioneering legacy continues with their direct descendants: the D1.5 Optical Transport and the C1.2 Digital Controller DAC, each the product of more than a decade of refinement and innovation.
In the world of optical playback, only CH's own D10 stands above the D1.5. Technically, mechanically, and musically, it represents the pinnacle of our SACD/CD replay capabilities in a single-chassis format. Renewed interest in advanced optical formats—Glass CD, SHM, UHQCD, and MQA CD—has raised the bar for what disc playback can achieve. Yet in recent years, the quality of most modern players has declined, leaving the full potential of these formats unrealized. The D1.5 changes that. Its in-house-designed MORSe transport mechanism, MQA compatibility, and modular, upgradeable platform allow it to extract the full measure of performance from today’s most demanding discs—while honoring millions of existing recordings with the precision, stability, and musical integrity they deserve.
Created, Not Compromised
For most high-end manufacturers, designing a disc transport begins and ends with sourcing an available mechanism from a third party—even in products that command six-figure price tags. It’s expedient, it reduces cost, and in truth, many companies lack the internal expertise to do otherwise. But this approach imposes limits—constraints defined not by the elevated pursuit of musical fidelity, but by what the supplier happened to engineer for mass-market use. At CH Precision, we reject that compromise. Our ethos is simple yet demanding: each component, from the architecture of our chassis to the smallest circuit block, is conceived to serve a single purpose—extracting and preserving musical information with the greatest possible accuracy.
That commitment is reflected in our team. We have invested in assembling a group of engineers who are not only exceptionally skilled, but also deeply passionate about music and its faithful reproduction. This concentration of expertise allows us to approach digital replay not as a matter of adaptation, but of creation. Because every stage of development is conducted entirely in-house at our headquarters in Préverenges, Switzerland, we are able to design, refine, and integrate each subsystem in harmony with the whole—free of the bottlenecks imposed by off-the-shelf parts or outsourced development. This independence also ensures that when new formats or technologies emerge, we can implement them ourselves, guaranteeing both the quality of the outcome and the speed with which we bring innovations to market. For CH Precision, engineering is not a phase of development—it is the very foundation of musical truth.
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MORSe: Every Nuance Engineered
The MORSe (Mechanically Optimized Reading System) transport mechanism was engineered entirely in-house, with every element designed from the ground up to extract the maximum possible performance from SACD, CD, and MQA discs. At its core, a nearly one-kilogram brass sled carries the optical pickup and motor, suspended on a finely tuned α-gel damping system to isolate the mechanism from vibration. This assembly is secured within a massive billet-aluminum frame, providing an exceptionally stable platform for precise tracking.
The benefits are not theoretical—they are immediate and tangible. MORSe’s stability reduces error correction by allowing the laser to track with extraordinary accuracy, producing a cleaner, more reliable data stream. By lowering mechanical noise and eliminating timing irregularities at the source, it preserves the integrity of the signal long before digital conversion takes place. Each of these refinements accumulates, shaping a listening experience of greater resolution, finer dynamic gradation, and a more expansive, natural sense of musical flow. In the end, MORSe embodies the difference between adapting what exists and creating what should exist.
The Power of Choice
Like all CH Precision components, the D1.5 is built on a modular architecture that adapts seamlessly to a wide variety of system topologies. Out of the box, it serves as a dedicated transport, delivering reference-grade digital output through CH-Link HD, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, or TosLink. But its capabilities can be expanded significantly, ensuring that the D1.5 evolves alongside your system and listening priorities.
For those seeking a single-chassis player solution, the D1.5 can be equipped with optional dual-mono DAC boards. These high-performance converters transform the unit into a self-contained SACD/CD/MQA CD player, capable of direct connection to any preamplifier or integrated amplifier. Likewise, adding the optional Clock Sync board prepares the D1.5 to lock directly to the T1 Time Reference, elevating precision by unifying the transport’s clock domain with an external master. Whether serving as a transport alone, a complete player, or as part of a larger time-synchronized CH ecosystem, the D1.5 adapts to your needs without compromise
Document and Firmware Downloads
A resource built with the same precision and care that define our instruments, the CH Precision Downloads area provides access to the most recent manuals, firmware updates, spike installation guides, and product brochures. Each document reflects our engineering culture—meticulous in detail, exact in purpose, and designed to ensure that every component performs precisely as intended.
These materials are intended to support owners and partners in configuring, maintaining, and optimising their CH systems. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, we encourage you to contact your authorised CH Precision dealer or reach out directly through our Technical Support form. Our teams are committed to providing the same standard of excellence in service that we apply to our engineering—so that every listening experience remains true to the performance we envisioned.
International Press Honors
Restoring the Magic of Disc Replay
The D1.5 is more than a disc transport—it is a statement of intent. By engineering every element in-house, from the MORSe transport mechanism to its modular architecture, CH Precision has redefined what optical playback can achieve in the modern era. It honors the company’s very first product while advancing the performance envelope in every dimension: mechanical integrity, digital accuracy, musical resolution, and long-term adaptability. Whether replaying SACD, CD, or MQA discs, the D1.5 restores optical media to its rightful place at the summit of high-end digital reproduction.
The D1.5 is not a tribute to CH Precision’s origins—it is a foundation for the future. With its configurable architecture, optional DACs, external clocking capability, and seamless integration with the wider CH ecosystem, it adapts as technologies evolve and listening priorities change. In an age when convenience often overshadows fidelity, the D1.5 demonstrates what is possible when engineering serves only musical truth. CH Precision’s commitment to configurability, adaptability, and long-term upgradability ensures that the D1.5 will remain at the heart of digital playback for years to come.
Specifications
General
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Type: Optical disc transport or player
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Options:
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Digital-to-analog monaural conversion boards
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Clock sync board
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Upgrade path:
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External power supply (X1)
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External digital-to-analog converter (C1.2)
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Reference clock (T1)
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Color: Silver (standard), Anthracite or Champagne (option)
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Dimensions: 440 x 440 x 133 mm (W D x H)
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Weight: 22kg
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Operating conditions: 5°C<T<35°C, 5%<humidity<85% no condensation
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Power supply: Selectable 100V, 115V or 230V AC, 47Hz to 63Hz
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Power consumption: <0.5W standby, 40W nominal
User interface
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Display: 800 x 480 pixels, 24 bit RGB AMOLED
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Control: Dual concentric encoder with push function, Infrared remote control, Android app (iOS app to be released)
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Firmware update: via USB flash drive or the Internet
Supported disc
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CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MQA-CD: stereo PCM 16 bit / 44.1kHz (redbook)
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SACD: single layer and hybrid stereo, DSD 1 bit / 2.8224MHz (scarletbook)
Digital Output
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Type: 1x CH Link HD, 1x AES/EBU (XLR), 1x S/PDIF (RCA), 1x S/PDIF (TOSLINK) per Digital output board (1x standard)
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Sampling rate:
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CH Link HD: PCM 44.1kHz to 88.2kHz, DSD 2.8224MHz
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S/PDIF, AES/EBU: PCM 44.1kHz to 88.2kHz, DSD 2.8224MHz (DoP format)
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Bit depth: PCM 16 bit to 24 bit, DSD 1 bit
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MQA: Raw MQA or unfolding to 24 bit / 88.2kHz OFS stream
Analog Output
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Type: 1x Balanced XLR, 1x single-ended RCA, 1x single-ended BNC per channel
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Bandwidth (-3dB):
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SACD: DC – 50kHz
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CD: DC – 20kHz
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Level: 4VRMS max (balanced), 2VRMS max (single-ended)
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Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (@ 20Hz-20kHz, A-weighted):
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SACD: <0.0015%
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CD: <0.0020%
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Signal-to-noise ratio (@ 20Hz-20kHz, A-weighted):
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SACD: >120dB
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CD: >120dB
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Dynamic range (@ 20Hz-20kHz, A-weighted):
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SACD: >120dB
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CD: >96dB
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Clocking options
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Clock master or synchronization to reference clock or DAC