P10 Reference Phono Preamplifier
The Vinyl Experience, Redefined
The P10 Reference Phono Preamplifier represents CH Precision’s most ambitious statement in vinyl playback—a phono stage conceived to stand beside the L10 Reference Line Stage and M10 Reference Power Amplifier as a definitive reference in analog reproduction. Building on the legacy of the P1, long regarded as a benchmark for adjustability and musical integrity, the P10 advances the state of the art—technically, architecturally, and sonically.
Its twin-chassis design pairs a massive, dedicated power supply with a newly developed three-stage gain architecture that drives the noise floor to unprecedented lows while expanding dynamic, spatial, and tonal resolution. Four fully independent phono inputs—two trans-impedance current-sensing and two voltage-sensing MC/MM circuits—accommodate even the most complex analog front ends. Finer gain increments, user-selectable feedback structures, advanced loading options, and seven EQ curves allow each input to be matched precisely to your cartridge, record label, and system. From the refined control interface to the intelligent setup wizard, every element serves a single purpose: to reveal the full expressive potential embedded in the vinyl medium
Every Cartridge, Perfectly Matched
The P10 Reference Phono Preamplifier establishes a new benchmark not only in musical capability but in system adaptability. With four fully independent inputs, it accommodates even the most ambitious analog front ends—whether built around multiple tonearms, diverse cartridge profiles, or complex archival playback chains. (Pictured above: the left-channel board with optional EQ module installed.) From low-output moving coils to high-output MM designs, the P10 offers unmatched loading precision and gain flexibility, adjustable in refined 3 dB increments.
Leveraging CH Precision’s most advanced software analysis to date, the P10 can propose optimal loading values based on real-time measurements, making cartridge alignment far more intuitive. The listener auditions and selects from these top recommendations, after which the digital layer withdraws entirely, leaving a purely analog signal path. User-selectable global or local feedback, stereo/mono switching, high-pass filtering, and a choice of eight EQ curves (with the optional EQ module) plus a Neumann pole overlay, make it one of the most versatile analog front ends available. The interface has been reimagined to match this capability, providing complete control from the front panel, IR remote, or CH Control App—with on-screen indicators showing active EQ engagement.
For all its configurability, the P10’s most arresting quality may be its silence. Thanks to its twin-chassis construction and newly developed three-stage gain topology, the noise floor is lowered by an additional 5 dB compared to the P1—already regarded as one of the quietest phono stages ever produced. This reduction is not merely a technical margin; it is what allows inner detail, ambient space, and microdynamic nuance to emerge naturally and without artifice. When combined with a newly engineered mechanical grounding system, the P10 creates an environment free from mechanical and electrical interference, allowing the cartridge to operate at its full potential and reveal the musical content of the groove with striking clarity and presence.
Isolation. Regulation. Revelation.
Like every component in the 10 Series, the P10 Reference Phono Preamplifier adopts a dual-chassis architecture, separating the power supply from the audio circuitry to preserve signal integrity and eliminate electrical noise. But this is no ordinary supply. Purpose-built for the demands of low-level analog signals, the P10’s dedicated power unit features heavy regulation, extensive local decoupling, and complete galvanic isolation between critical stages. Each supply rail is carefully filtered and routed to ensure absolute separation between the analog and digital domains, eliminating crosstalk and preserving the signal’s most delicate information.
The result is not just lower noise—it’s lower interference, lower coloration, and dramatically greater resolution. The P10’s power delivery allows each gain stage to operate in ideal conditions, enhancing dynamic expression, spatial depth, and tonal nuance. Combined with CH Precision’s advanced grounding topology, the power supply serves as the electrical foundation of the P10’s astonishing composure and transparency. It’s what allows the silence between notes to speak as clearly as the music itself.
Start Precisely. Evolve Purposefully.
The P10 Reference Phono Preamplifier was conceived not as a fixed solution, but as an expandable platform—one that grows with the system and its owner. At its core is a modular architecture that allows users to configure the phono stage according to their needs, whether running multiple tonearms, comparing cartridges, or accommodating diverse playback standards. With four fully independent input modules, setup can be tailored with precision. Add to that the selectable EQ boards and user-adjustable gain, loading, and feedback, and the P10 becomes a bespoke instrument for analog exploration.
But the P10 is more than configurable—it’s upgradable. Owners can begin with the standard stereo two-chassis model and, when ready, expand to a full four-chassis true monaural topology. In this configuration, each channel operates in complete electrical isolation with its dedicated power supply, maximizing channel separation and preserving microdynamic nuance. Importantly, this path requires no redesign, no replacement, and no added cost penalty—only the decision to pursue deeper fidelity. In a world where most phono stages are locked to their original form, the P10 offers something far more enduring: a future-proof canvas for musical discovery.
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
The Analog Ideal, Realized
The P10 Reference Phono Preamplifier redefines what a phono stage can be when it is tailored with precision—not only to the cartridge, but to the recording itself and the listener behind it. Conceived not as a fixed solution but as a modular, expandable platform, it brings an unprecedented level of control, configurability, and silence to analog reproduction. With four fully independent inputs—each assignable and precisely tuned to cartridge type, output level, and equalization standard—the P10 invites exploration without ever relinquishing reference-grade authority.
Its twin-chassis construction, ultra-low-noise gain architecture, and intelligently managed power delivery allow music to emerge unimpeded, with exceptional resolution, tonal accuracy, and dynamic nuance. Whether configured as a two-box stereo phono stage or expanded into a full four-box monaural system, the P10 remains focused on a single objective: revealing the performance preserved in every groove with absolute fidelity.
Specifications
General
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Type: Dual-chassis phonostage
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Options: EQ curves module pair to play EMI, Columbia (LP), Decca (London), DGG (Teldec), NARTB (NAB), Capitol/AES and Philips records
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Upgrade path: Addition of a 2nd P10 for dual monaural operation
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Color: Silver (standard), Anthracite or Champagne (option)
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Dimensions: 440 x 440 x 133 mm (W x D x H), both units (phonostage, power supply)
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Weight: 19kg (phonostage) + 23kg (power supply)
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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, 70W nominal
User interface
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Display: 800 x 480 pixels, 24 bit RGB AMOLED
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Control: 5-button interface, Infrared remote control, Android app (iOS app to be released)
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Firmware update: via USB flash drive or the Internet
Analog input
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Type (each available on both XLR and RCA connectors):
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2x MC current-sensing inputs,
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2x MM/MC voltage-sensing inputs
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Impedance:
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MC: < 100mΩ, virtual ground
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MM/MC: User selectable, 5Ω to 100kΩ
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Gain (at 1kHz, on single-ended output – balanced output is 6dB more):
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MC: +56 dB to +77 dB in 3 dB steps (10Ω internal impedance cartridge)
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MM/MC: +42 dB to +75 dB in 3 dB steps
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Equivalent input noise (20Hz-20kHz, A-weighted):
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MC: < -144 dBu / 1Ω termination, any gain
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MM/MC: < -142 dBu / 1Ω termination, gain +54 to +75 dB
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Playback EQ curve accuracy: +/- 0.1dB
Analog Output
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Type: 1x balanced XLR, 1x single-ended RCA, 1x single-ended BNC per channel
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Level: 8VRMS maximum (balanced), 4VRMS maximum (single-ended)
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Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise:
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< 0.001%, MM/MC voltage input, gain < 50dB
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unmeasurable (below noise floor) for MM/MC voltage input, gain > 50dB
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unmeasurable (below noise floor) for MC current input, any gain
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