CH Precision M10

A mono pair of CH Precision M10s ($210,000/pair as reviewed) declares its presence in capital letters.

- JASON VICTOR SERINUS

Each channel consists of two large units, each almost 2' high, linked by a total of four umbilical cords. While the “lighter” amplifier unit weighs almost 117lb, the toroidal transformer-based power supply unit tops out at nearly 172lb. That's a lot of metal. If you dare stack the two units one atop the other (I had no choice in my modest-sized music room), each stack proclaims might and—given the front panel's minimalist Swiss styling—refinement.

On the levels of sound and music, the M10s offer something else entirely. As much as dynamics, even on dynamically limited 16/44.1 material, can be breathtaking from amplifiers that, in mono configuration, output 600Wpc into 4 ohms, there's another descriptor that more accurately encapsulates the M10's gifts. That word is “mastery.” Rivaling most of the amplifiers I've had in-house for review in the past year, the M10s open their capacitors wide, welcome whatever is channeled to them, and pass it along with absolute confidence. They find no need to editorialize. Beyond the fact that they have their own distinct sound—I've never heard an amplifier that doesn't—what the M10s receive is what they send out into the world.

Under the imposing hood

"All CH amplifiers can be configured as either stereo or mono amplifiers," Kevin Wolff, CH Precision's director of global sales, explained soon after he and John Giolas, VP of marketing for both Wattson Audio and CH Precision, visited Port Townsend to install the M10s in my music room. "They can also be configured in various modes, including stereo, mono, bridged, and biamp."