2021 Product of the Year Awards: Overall Product of the Year

CH Precision L10 Dual Monaural Linestage Preamplifier and M10 Two-Channel Reference Power Amplifier

$76,000 (two-chassis L10), $132,000 (four-chassis dual monaural L10); $104,000 (stereo M10), $198,000 (per pair of M10 monoblocks)

These new flagship electronics from Swiss manufacturer CH Precision are simply unprecedented in set-up flexibility, control, and adaptability to different systems. The M10 is a two-chassis (power supply and audio electronics) stereo amplifier that outputs 300Wpc, but can be configured for monaural operation, passive bi-amping, active bi-amping, and bridged-mono mode for 1100W of output power. The L10 linestage can be had as a two-chassis affair, with the linestage electronics in one chassis and the power supply in the second. For the very well-heeled, the dual monaural version (as reviewed) consumes four chassis. The entire system can be set up and controlled via CH’s outstanding app that runs on an Android device. The app includes, among many other features, the ability to fine-tune the amplifiers to your system by adjusting the ratio of global-to-local feedback, all from your listening seat.

All these features and flexibility wouldn’t mean a thing if the L10 and M10 didn’t deliver musically. On that count, the 10 Series offers extraordinary sonic performance and a level of musical engagement that must be experienced to be believed. Although the sound has a pristine clarity and crystalline transparency, the 10 Series never sounds even remotely analytical. The sound has a startling presence and immediacy without being forward. Its stunning resolution is more of the musical variety rather than flashy sonic fireworks. That resolution allows you to more clearly hear (and feel) the contribution and musical expression of every instrument. No matter the source, the 10 Series delivers a heightened sense of the musicians’ commitment and intent. That’s a hard thing to describe or to attribute to a specific sonic characteristic, but listening to music through the 10 Series is a revelatory experience. The 10 Series checks all the audiophile boxes—realistic timbres, expansive sense of space and depth, great speed, wide dynamic contrasts—but these electronics have an extra dose of musical magic that defies audiophile descriptors. For their advanced capabilities, flawless build-quality, and the transcendental musical experience they provide, the CH Precision L10 and M10 are awarded our highest honor, The Absolute Soundís Overall Product of the Year Award.