C10 Digital to Analog Converter
Cutting-edge from Inception
The C10 builds on the proven PCM1704 converter chip, now implemented in a sophisticated dual-differential DSQ™ Phase Array. Sixteen converters—four per polarity for each channel—are directed by our proprietary PEtER algorithm, a 32-bit fixed-point DSP engine that prepares the signal for the final 24-bit conversion. Data is fed sequentially across the array, a structure that demands impeccable clocking and algorithmic control. Following the conversion process, our Bessel filter preserves the analog signal’s temporal integrity, maintaining constant group delay to a tolerance of under two femtoseconds. With oversampling extended to 64x, the C10 achieves a new threshold of time-domain accuracy and musical refinement.
Your Journey Begins at the Peak
The C10 was conceived at the forefront of audio innovation—every element engineered to establish a new benchmark in digital playback. To achieve this performance, we redesigned the power architecture and physical construction. Housed in a separate enclosure, the C10’s power supply utilizes eleven ultra-stable DC feeds, which supply four galvanically isolated zones inside the audio unit: digital, clock, and dual DACs. A symmetrical layout places input cards at the center and DACs on either side, each with matched clock paths.
With the C10, CH Precision created a digital source that transcends measurement and specification—one that breathes life into music with effortless realism, depth, and emotional connection. The C10 reveals not just the detail in a recording but the intent behind it, drawing the listener closer to the original performance. It is the culmination of decades of refinement in digital design and the embodiment of CH Precision’s unwavering pursuit of musical truth.
Tailored for Your System. Designed for Your Future.
The C10’s modular architecture gives you the power to configure your digital front-end exactly the way you want it. Three identical input slots allow seamless customization to suit your system’s needs. Every C10 comes equipped with CH Precision’s proprietary Digital IN HD card as standard, leaving two additional slots available for easy expansion.
The C10 offers the Ethernet Streaming HD board option for superior performance with local servers (UPnP, Roon, etc.) or online services such as Qobuz, TIDAL, and Internet radio. This board also includes a USB input for direct connection to digital sources. Unlike most high-end DACs that rely on third-party streaming modules, CH Precision’s own design guarantees uncompromised streaming fidelity, ensuring every performance arrives with exceptional clarity, coherence, and emotional impact.
The C10’s optional Clock Board provides one clock input and two clock outputs via high-quality BNC connectors, allowing seamless integration with an external master clock—such as the CH Precision T10 Time Reference.
C10 Digital to Analog Converter
The Architecture of Advancement
True to the design philosophy behind every CH Precision component, the 10-Series components are inherently modular—designed to offer meaningful performance upgrades. Transitioning from the standard C10 to the C10 Mono requires only the addition of a second power supply.
Separating the power supplies ensures independent regulation for each DAC board and each analog section, fully preserving galvanic isolation between channels. This configuration maximizes the performance of the C10’s four discrete power domains, reducing noise, enhancing stability, and unlocking a new level of musical performance—greater transparency, improved dynamic expression, and a more profound sense of presence and spatial retrieval. It’s a significant step forward in sonic realism, delivered with architectural grace.
Additionally, the C10’s software-based architecture defines its extraordinary performance today and ensures its relevance for years to come. It establishes a new reference for musical realism, adaptability, and longevity—offering its owner not just a product, but a lasting partnership shaped by continual discovery and enduring musical satisfaction.
C10 Digital to Analog Converter
Digital Control and Analog Purity
In the pursuit of ultimate fidelity, CH Precision introduces a critical architectural innovation: the physical and functional separation of digital processing and analog conversion. By isolating these operations into two purpose-built chassis—the C10 Conductor and the C10 Master DAC—CH Precision achieves a new standard in noise suppression, timing accuracy, and musical integrity.
The Master DAC, free from DSP-generated high-frequency noise, focuses solely on digital-to-analog conversion. It receives upsampled audio data and clock control instructions from the C10 Conductor via the proprietary CH Link digital connection, transmitted in low-noise LVDS format. Acting on these precise commands, the C10 system’s temperature-stabilized master clock, integrated within the C10 Master DAC, harnesses CH Precision’s sophisticated DSQ phase-shifting technology to transform digital audio data into analog signals with unparalleled precision.
The C10 Conductor is the digital control center, managing source selection, analyzing incoming signal phase and frequency, and performing synchronous upsampling through multiple DSP modules. Based on its real-time analysis, the Conductor provides precise clock adjustment commands to the Master DAC, maintaining optimal time-domain performance.
Power to the C10 Conductor is supplied by its own dedicated PSU. At the same time, the Master DAC may be configured with either a stereo or dual-mono power supply, enabling a clear upgrade path and enhanced channel separation.
This deliberate separation of functions reinforces system stability while uncovering deeper layers of texture, nuance, and emotional truth—connecting you with the full expressive intent of the original performance.
C10 Digital to Analog Converter
Processing
Four independent 2.4GFLOPS DSP engines.
Proprietary CH-PEtER 32-bit fixed point, synchronous data over-sampling processing
Direct DSD to 705.6kHz, PCM conversion.
Full MQA decoder (unfolding and rendering) at 24bit / 768kHz.
Digital to Analog Conversion
Eight PCM1704 R-2R converters per channel in a sequential DSQ™ Phase Array topology operating at 64x FS.
Fully complementary, dual mono symmetrical circuit topology.
Discrete, dedicated, fully regulated linear, ground separated power supplies for low noise and maximum channel separation.
Timing & Clocking
Ultra low jitter MEMS-based, thermally compensated Master Clock with dedicated, shunt regulated power supply.
Audio Path
Selectable Local or Global feedback.
Switchable for mono (input L + input R) output.
Reversible absolute phase.
Analog Output Stage
Pure class A, fully symmetrical DC coupled circuit.
Fully discrete, ultra low noise, high slew rate design.
Third-order Sallen-Key Bessel filter.
One pair each – balanced XLR, single-ended RCA and BNC outputs.
User control
5-button interface.
Infrared remote control.
Ethernet control (CH-Control app, home automation, etc.).
AMOLED 800×480 display.
Power Supply
Dedicated external power supply unit with 3 transformers.
> 1.5F of total capacitance
Multiple cascaded discrete linear regulators.
Shunt topology regulators for critical stages.
Independent left, right, clock and digital grounds.
C10 Digital to Analog Converter
The C10 has three identical slots, one of which is already factory equipped with a Digital In HD card, leaving two available slots that can be easily fitted with either Digital In HD or USB In boards.
Digital In HD board
CH-Link HD
Proprietary data link supporting high-definition uncompressed audio and control offering ideal interconnection to other CH-Link HD equipped units.
LVDS signaling for all audio signals (incl. clocks).
PCM: up to 32bit / 768kHz.
DSD: up to DSD512 (1bit / 22.5792MHz).
AES/EBU (consumer format)
XLR connector, 110Ω.
PCM: up to 24bit / 192kHz
DSD: DSD64 (1bit / 2.822MHz), DSD over PCM (DoP) encoded.
Coaxial (S/PDIF)
RCA connector, 75Ω.
PCM: up to 24bit / 192kHz
DSD: DSD64 (1bit / 2.822MHz), DSD over PCM (DoP) encoded.
Optical TOSLINK (S/PDIF)
Standard TOSLINK optical connector.
PCM: up to 24bit / 192kHz
DSD: DSD64 (1bit / 2.822MHz), DSD over PCM (DoP) encoded.
USB In board
High-Speed USB 2.0 class 1.0 and 2.0 audio device.
PCM: up to 24bit / 384kHz.
DSD: up to DSD128 (1bit / 5.6448MHz), DSD over PCM (DoP) encoded.
Ethernet In HD board
Ethernet In HD board allows connection to local audio servers (such an UPnP or Roon) or streaming services (such as Qobuz, Tidal or webradios).
This board replaces the factory fitted Control board and retains all its features.
UPnP/DLNA compatible.
Roon Ready.
Tidal Connect to be certified.
Audirvana compatible.
PCM formats: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, AAC and MP3.
PCM resolution: up to 32bit / 768kHz for uncompressed formats or 32bit / 384kHz for compressed formats.
DSD formats: DSF and DFF formats supported in DSD.
Native DSD resolution: up to DSD512 (1bit / 22.5792MHz).
DoP resolution: up to DSD256 (1bit / 11.2896MHz).
Clock Sync board
One input and two outputs (on BNC connectors) for synchronisation with a external clock like the CH Precision T10 Time reference.
Supports any audio word clock frequencies as well as the standard 10MHz.
Selectable input impedance: 50Ω or 75Ω.
User selectable clock output options: none, internal audio word clock, input loopback.
C10 Digital to Analog Converter
Conversion resolution
24 bit / 2.8824MHz or 3.072MHz
Bandwidth
DC to 150kHz (-3dB)
Analog outputs level
Balanced XLR: Low level 2VRMS, Mid level 5VRMS or High level 10VRMS
Single-ended RCA/BNC: Low level 1VRMS, Mid level 2.5VRMS or High level 5VRMS
Signal to Noise Ratio
> 121dB
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
< 0.003%, full scale, 22kHz BW
Power supply
Selectable 100V, 115V or 230V AC, 50Hz to 60Hz
Power consumption
Standby: < 0.5W
Normal operation: Max 120W
Operating conditions
Temperature: +5°C to +35°C
Humidity: 5% to 85% (no condensation)
Dimensions/Weight
Net: 440 x 440 x 133mm (W x D x H), Converter 20kg, Power supply 23kg.
Gross: 800 x 600 x 300mm (W x D x H), Converter 27kg, Power supply 30kg.
C10 Digital to Analog Converter
CH-Control App
Meet the CH-Control App – a control application that allows users direct access to every aspect of their CH system’s set up and use via any Android portable device. The software control systems used to set and monitor the operational parameters of each and every CH component offer the perfect opportunity for remote operation via a portable App.
To use the CH-Control App, all you will need is an Android device and to connect your CH components to an Ethernet network. That can be done either through the Ethernet control board fitted as standard to all CH units, or through the network streaming board that can be installed in C1.2, C1.2 Mono or I1 units. We would always recommend using a dedicated tablet and network for your music streaming and system control requirements.
Once your CH system is all hooked up, the App gives you touch screen access to every setting on every CH component, from your listening seat, a huge benefit when it comes to whole system set up or optimization for individual recordings. Either way, the CH-Control App allows you to make easier and more accurate judgements: Total control, quite literally at your fingertips.
The features of every CH product are accessible through the CH-Control App:
- Built-in UPnP controller to stream dematerialized music, create playlists, etc.
- Set volume level, select sources, reverse phase, mute, etc.
- Access to all the advanced set-up parameters in every CH product.
- Works on a standard Ethernet network.
- The CH-Control App is freely available on Google Play or directly on our website.
