D1 SACD/CD Transport/Player (legacy)

Despite advances in high-resolution file-replay, the optical disc remains the reference standard for digital music replay. Those who have predicted the imminent demise of CD and who already danced on the grave of SACD, might want to take a look at the rude health of the vinyl LP, a format long ago consigned by many to the dustbin of audio history. In fact, there have never been so many CD and SACD titles available – and they have never been so affordable, making them the most consistent and stable digital source currently available. They are a source that’s going to be with us for years to come, making a high-performance optical disc player central to any high-end audio system.

“When I swap over to the CH D1, it’s like getting an updated prescription from the optometrist. The stage snaps into focus and becomes graphically partitioned into precise 3D blocks. Everything is totally resolved… Instruments are disentangled from each other and occupy their own space with enhanced weight and body… Want to follow inner voices? Sure. Pick one— any one.”

MARSHALL NACK, POSITIVE-FEEDBACK

Product Description

The CH Precision D1 is a configurable CD/SACD player/transport, the card-cage output architecture allowing owners to optimize the output topology to suit their system requirements, whether they need a player, transport or prefer to have both in a single unit. Built around a mechanically optimized implementation of the acclaimed Esoteric VMK-5 transport mechanism with its energy-sink construction, coupling the transport directly to a steel base plate, itself mechanically grounded via hardened steel corner posts, ensures minimum mechanical interference with the optical replay process, while basic output options include a digital output board (S/PDIF, AES/EBU, CH-Link HD and TosLink) or stereo analog output board (with one pair of RCA and one pair of XLR sockets). The CH-Link HD connection allows digital output of high-definition material, including DSD, direct to the C1 or I1 DACs, while owners can also specify up to three of each board type, to accommodate multi-channel SACD replay. In addition, it is possible to fit a single pair of dedicated mono analog output boards to create a reference stereo player.

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Optical Reading

  • Widely acclaimed Esoteric VMK-5 pick-up mechanism
  • Advanced mechanical coupling between optical mechanism and the D1 chassis for minimal mechanical interference

Supported Formats

  • Stereo and Multichannel SACD
  • CD, including finalized CD-R/RW

Configurations

  • Stereo or multi-channel transport, factory fitted with AES/EBU (XLR), S/PDIF (RCA) and TosLink digital outputs
  • Proprietary CH-Link HD, ideal high-definition capable connection to the C1 Digital to Analog Controller or I1 Universal Integrated Amplifier
  • Stereo or multi-channel player, factory fitted with the above digital outputs as well as balanced XLR and single-ended RCA analog outputs
  • Reference stereo player with dual-mono balanced XLR, and single-ended RCA and 75 Ohm BNC analog outputs

Timing & Clocking

  • Ultra low jitter VCXO master clock oscillator with dedicated power supplies
  • Optional master/slave clock synchronization board

Optional Analog Output

  • Dual mono multi-bit Delta-Sigma converters
  • Selectable interpolation filters
  • Pure class A, fully symmetrical design
  • Fully discrete, ultra low noise, high slew rate, DC coupled analog output stage
  • Zero global feedback

Optional Hardware

  • 2-Channel Digital Output Board – four digital outputs (CH-Link HD, AES/EBU, S/PDIF and TosLink). Up to three Digital Output Boards can be mounted in the D1 to allow multi-channel SACD reproduction
  • 2-Channel Analog Output Board – 1 pair XLR, 1 pair RCA. Up to three boards can be used in the unit to allow multichannel SACD reproduction
  • Monaural Analog Output Board (XLR, RCA, BNC). Sold as a pair, for Left and Right front channels only. Turns the D1 Transport into a reference stereo player
  • Clock Synchronization Board – allows the D1 to receive clock synchronization from an external master clock generator, the C1 Digital to Analog Controller, I1 Integrated Amp, or to itself become the system master clock

Technical Specifications

Frequency response
DC – 20kHz for CD
DC – 50kHz for SACD

Full scale analog outputs level
4V RMS balanced
2V RMS single-ended

Dynamic range
> 96dB for CD and > 120dB for SACD

Signal to Noise Ratio
> 120dB for both CD and SACD

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
< 0.002% for CD
< 0.0015% for SACD

Dimensions/Weight
440 x 440 x 133mm (W x D x H), 32kg

D1 Specific Downloads

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CH Precision 1 Series Product Catalogue

13 MB Release Date: December 20, 2019
Download
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D1 User Manual

1.24 MB Release Date: November 21, 2019
Download
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D1 Firmware Version 5.5

1.80 MB Release Date: August 29, 2023
View Details
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CH Control Application

0.00 KB Release Date: February 16, 2022
VISIT PAGE
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Legacy D1 Firmware Version 4.4

1.55 MB Release Date: August 29, 2023
View Details