M1 Two-channel Reference Power Amplifier (legacy)

Being able to truthfully and accurately reproduce today’s highest quality recordings has never been more challenging. Only when each element of the reproduction chain is able to precisely recreate the music’s time and level information can a genuine emotion be felt.

M1 is a legacy product now updated to the M1.1

Product Description

The M1, CH Precision 1 Series’ most powerful amplifier was developed with this in mind. The leading-edge technological advancements implemented on the A1 were further refined, among others is the ExactBias circuitry and a finer loudspeaker matching.

Specified at 200W RMS into 8Ω in monaural mode, 2x 200W RMS into 8Ω in bi-amplification / Stereo modes and 700W RMS into 8Ω in bridge mode, the M1 houses a dedicated 2200VA power transformer providing the amplifier output stage with ample energy to accurately and effortlessly drive the most demanding loudspeakers.

Features

Modularity

The M1 power amplifier was developped with modularity in mind. It can be equipped with a single analog input board in case the M1 is used for a single channel. This modularity ensures the following operation modes:

  • Single channel mode
  • Passive bi-amplification mode
  • Active bi-amplification mode (requires a second Analog Input Board)
  • Bridge mode
  • Stereo mode (requires a second Analog Input Board)

Changing the M1 operating mode has been made easy and can be done on-the-fly from the front panel user interface. Only the available options are permitted depending on the hardware configuration.

Power Supply

The central power supply is taking most of the internal space inside the chassis. The huge 2’200VA transformer is mounted on silent-blocks to drastically reduce vibrations transmission into sensitive parts of the circuitry. It is shielded both with a magnetic and an electrostatic screen. The transformer’s plate is also secured for transportation.

For optimum thermal performances, the output stage diode bridges are mounted on the front panel inside the chassis and are of hyper-fast soft-recovery type.

The filtering capacitors are 4-poles types, which ensures that the in-rush current flowing through the rectifiers to refill the capacitors is kept away from the central ground point.

Analog stages

All analog stages inside the M1 are built only with discrete components, no operational amplifier have been used into these sections. This deliberate choice warranties the shortest audio signal path and allows the use of custom-made building blocks.

No capacitors have been used in the signal path, nor any output relay to ensure maximum transparency.

Gain

A gain range of 24dB – in 0.5dB steps – is embedded in each channel, for a perfect match with the loudspeakers’ sensitivity and room size. A lower gain is typically preferred for high-sensitivity speakers into a small room while a bigger gain is sometimes needed for large room with low-sensitivity loudspeakers.

This gain adjustment can also be useful with multi-amplified loudspeakers to adjust the level of the various drivers independently.

Output stage feedback

Unlike all other CH Precision’s analog stages, the M1’s output stage can be configured to have some global feedback. The global versus local feedback ratio is adjustable on-the-fly from the front panel user interface, only a few relays are switched during this operation. Ranging from 0% – local feedback only – to 100% – global feedback only, in 10% steps.

Independent feedback ratios can be set in bi-amplification modes.

Output stage bias

In order to keep the output stage distortion constant over time, the output stage’s bias must be kept as constant as possible. The bias is highly dependent on the output stage internal temperature – the transistor die – which can be known thanks to ThermalTrak devices from OnSemiconductor.

A very special circuit was built around the output stage which is taking into account both the temperatures of the heatsink and the transistors’ dies. It allows the amplifier’s output stage to keep its bias constant independently of the musical program and the room temperature.

In term of performances, the M1 class-AB design is outperforming a pure class-A design with usual bias compensation. This schematic is patent-pending.

Protections

Each channel’s output signal is permanently monitored – both in voltage and current – processed by a DSP, which computes in real-time the effective channel’s output power.

If an abnormal situation arises, the amplifier is immediately turned off to secure the connected loudspeakers. No output relay have been used into this amplifier, its symmetrical structure allows a smooth turn-on and turn-off of the power supply without noticeable noise.

Options

Ethernet control board

General control board. Provides USB based firmware update and external ethernet control.
Factory built-in

Monaural analog input buffer board

Three analog inputs – XLR, RCA and BNC – are provided on a single board. A pass-through XLR male connector allows a direct connection to another amplifier.

Can be factory ordered for Left or Right channel.

Factory built-in (1x), second board is needed for stereo operation

Specifications

Analog inputs

Inputs type Balanced (XLR), one connector per board
Single-Ended (RCA & BNC), one connector per board
Input impedance Balanced: 94kΩ
Single-Ended: 47kΩ or 300Ω
Input stage JFET input stage
Ultra-low noise, discrete fully differential stage
24dB range adjustable gain in 0.5dB steps

Amplification

Amplification stage Ultra-low noise full discrete class AB design
6 pairs of complementary output transistors
Output power 2x 200W / 8Ω, 2x 350W / 4Ω, 2x 600W / 2Ω in stereo and bi-amp modes
1x 350W / 4Ω, 1x 600W / 2Ω, 1x 1100W / 1Ω in monaural mode
1x 700W / 8Ω, 1x 1200W / 4Ω, 1x 1600W / 2Ω in bridge mode
Bias Patent-pending bias circuitry for constant bias operation
Feedback User-adjustable local vs. global feedback ratio, from 0% to 100% in 10% steps 
Bandwidth DC to 450kHz (-3dB) at 1W into an 8Ω resistive load
Signal to Noise Ratio Better than 115dB in stereo and bi-amp modes
Better than 118dB in bridge mode
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise Less than 0.1% with 0% global feedback
Less than 0.01% with 100% global feedback

Analog outputs

Binding posts Two pairs of Argento binding posts for loudspeakers connection
Monitoring Non-intrusive DSP-based protection of the amplifier and connected loudspeakers
Instantaneous voltage & current values are permanently monitored on each channel
Protections Short-circuit protected
Disconnected loudspeaker detected
Over-temperature of the heatsink
Over-temperature of the output transistors

Power supply

Transformer 2’200VA toroidal transformer for output stages, oversized for low-noise operation
100VA separate toroidal transformer for input stages 
Power capacitors  2x 100’000uF/100V 4-poles capacitors 
Regulators Non-regulated symmetrical power supply for the power stages
Eight local regulation stages for input/driver stages
Seven local regulation stages for the logic/display

General

Display 480×272 pixels, 24bits color, AMOLED
Mains operation Selectable 100V, 115, 230V AC, 47-63Hz
Fuses value and location Standby fuse (white holder): 250mA T (230V AC), 500mA T (100V AC, 115V AC)
Audio (mid power) fuse (black holder): 1.6A T (230V AC), 3.15A T (100V AC, 115V AC)
Power fuse (IEC20 holder): 16A T (230V AC), 32A T (100V AC, 115V AC)
Power supply consumption <1W (standby), 2200W max in operation
Dimensions/Weight 440 x 440 x 266mm (W x D x H), 75kg
Remote control Ethernet based system control via the Android CH Control App

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