You start with the two-box C10 Reference DAC. The next stage is the four-box Statement DAC (which places DSP and DAC functions in separate chassis) and finally, you can add an extra power supply to the DAC chassis Statement DAC Mono. I’d have settled on the C10/2, the C10/4 and (for those going all the way) the C10/5. That would have been totally congruent with all the other 1 Series and 10 Series products. It would have underlined the topological continuity – and it would have saved a lot of angst and confusion. All those wondering if their 1 Series components had suddenly become topologically redundant can now relax. The 10 Series digital components follow the same path and same logic: it just comes packaged differently and offers fewer steps or choices. In fact, the real takeaway from this is that while CH assumed that putting the C1 Mono’s DACs in separate boxes was what made the difference, they discovered that separating the DACs from the DSP (and managing the ground planes) was what really delivered the musical benefits.
Three steps to heaven?
Talking of which, now that we all know which box is doing what, we can finally discuss the nature and extent of those benefits. In DAC terms, we can travel from two, to four, to five boxes. In system terms, once you add the D10 transport and T10 time reference 10MHz clock, that’s five, to seven to eight boxes. Let the fun begin…
With anything between four and eight boxes to play with, the permutations and options can get awfully confusing – as can the relative value of ‘upgrades’. The 1 Series upgrade/expansion path for the most part, avoided the pitfalls of the law of diminishing returns, so popular a concept amongst audiophiles and reviewers. Even if the L1/P1 step from two boxes to three (with the X1 dual output supply) offered more hi-fi than musical benefits, the balance was more than restored with the addition of the fourth box. The 10 Series digital components face a considerable challenge in matching that performance, especially given the price structure and cost differential between the various permutations.
That price list is daunting enough, just for four boxes. Follow the path all the way to eight and the numbers stack up – but so too do the musical benefits. As impressive as the C10/2 certainly is, the C10/5 is a consummately more sophisticated, natural and affective performer. The audio industry as a whole is fond of quoting the law of diminishing returns. It’s not a notion that I subscribe to and the CH digital components are the proof of this particular pudding: sure, the law of diminishing returns can apply to audio systems – but only if you get it wrong. Upgrade your system and the gains might not be measurable in quantitative terms – or if they are, those numbers might be disappointing. But get it right and the gains in musical insight, understanding, presentation and communication should be very real indeed. They should move you significantly closer to the original event – and that’s exactly the light in which you should view the benefits of adding additional boxes to the 10 Series digital front-end. Even in high-end systems, there are substantial gains to be made. And let’s be honest – the 10 Series’ ambitions are nothing if not high-end. So, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves just what that means in terms of price…
