It’s not often in audio that we can declare anything to be the best. Too many variables, too many scenarios and too many different systems make suspect any such universal declaration. Yet the P10 is getting awfully close to that status. The P1/X1 has been an established benchmark since its launch – and one that I haven’t heard bettered, until now. That the P10 doesn’t just eclipse the P1 but in musical terms (as well as sonic ones) crushes it so emphatically is, frankly, pretty shocking. It extends record replay performance into realms and onto levels previously unimagined – certainly by me. It’s not just the best record replay I’ve heard – it’s the best by a country mile: Once heard it’s hard to forget – and harder to give up. Outrageously expensive, even in its standard, twin-chassis form, this is a product and a performance that anybody serious about vinyl reproduction needs to hear – if only for the educational experience. It’s versatility and ability to match multiple, different cartridges, combined with the limited system context that any source component enjoys, means that for once, not only might there just be a meaningful best, but for the moment, this is it. There are other ambitious phono-stages out there that I have yet to hear. Maybe one of those will surpass the P10? Here’s hoping…
Meanwhile, what’s the best thing about the P10? For anybody who doesn’t have the $76,000 ticket, it’s going to be the number of factory certified, pre-owned P1s that are going to become available. Given CH’s flawless record when it comes to longevity, reliability and updating its products, there’s never been a better time to invest in the world’s second-best phono-stage! Because for all those people who already own, appreciate and enjoy the P1, once they hear the P10, like me, they’re going to find it awfully hard to say no…
Prices :
CH Precision P10 – $76,000
CH Precision P10 Mono (four-chassis) – $132,000
P10 to P10 Mono upgrade – $56,000
CH Precision Sàrl
ZI Le Tresi 6B, 1028 Préverenges, Switzerland
www.ch-precision.com
