I currently use a P1 and a C1 each with their own X1. Im thinking of what to buy next and its between buying another P1 or a T1. What should i get ?
Hi Pweg. First, thanks for your purchase of our P1/C1/X1s. With respect to an upgrade path I have a few ideas for you to consider. First, you did not say what amp/pre-amp combination you use so my first inclination would be for you to hear our source components (P1/C1) with our L1 pre-amp and one of our amps, A1.5 or M1.1 (mono or stereo). Real synergy exists and I encourage you to hear a full system demonstration.
If you are happy with your current amp/pre-amp combination, then the first upgrade I would recommend is the DIG_IN HD card for your C1 if you don't already have it. We've implemented new upsampling and digital filter algorithms that are used on ALL digital inputs to the C1 when we introduced this last year and the improvement in the digital presentation is easy to hear. Please keep in mind that if you also own a D1 transport, you must upgrade the DIG_Out of the D1 and CH-LINK HD cable at the same time. Cost of the DIG_IN HD for the C1 $2,500 USD, D1 DIG_OUT $2,500 USD, CH-LINK HD cable $2,000 for 1M. The upgrade can be done at your home by one of our Dealers in about 30 min to install the card(s) and update firmware.
If you stream digital files to your C1 and are a ROON licensed user, I HIGHLY recommend upgrading your ethernet card to our new Ethernet_HD. If you don't currently have an ethernet card and are using USB card for streaming from ROON, you will easily hear the improvement in presentation. Cost of the Ethernet_HD card is $6,000 USD if you don't have one, or either $1,000 or $3,000 USD if you have an ethernet card and trade it in. Price depends on the age of your ethernet card. DIG_IN HD is a pre-requisite to the Ethernet_HD upgrade.
The upgrade to C1 mono is truly a big step forward in digital presentation. We offer an upgrade path for C1 owners to C1 mono. The cost for C1 to C1 mono is $41,000 USD. A C1 mono consists of three components: C1.d (control unit where option cards reside), and two C1.m units, one DAC for each channel (L/R). Any/all option cards that you have in your current C1 (USB, Ethernet, Clock cards, etc) can be moved to the C1.d. If you go this route, a T1 external clock is really going to improve performance. A T1 costs $24,700 USD and requires a SYNCH I/O clock card for the C1.d. A Synch I/O card is $1,500. If you own a D1, I HIGHLY recommend a clock card for the D1 as well in this configuration.
Adding a T1 to your current configuration will improve your digital presentation too; not nearly the jump you get from upgrading to a C1 mono!
On the analog side, we have done many listening tests as have our US dealers and most of us agree that the best upgrade based on where you are currently would be to add another P1 unit to your configuration. The P1 mono is crazy good. I demonstrated it this past year at the LA Audio show and at Sunny's Components dealer event. The upgrade for P1 owners to P1 mono is $24,000. Your current P1 is used as one channel and the analog in card from your current P1's other channel is moved to the new chassis. You can decide to add a card to your X1 to power both P1s ($3,500) or add another X1 which would be the ultimate configuration in sound quality and presentation ($17,000).
So, I hope you realize that you have many options to improve the quality of your current configuration. Every one of them that involves your current CH Precision equipment are ADDITIVE to what you currently own; no trade-ins! See one of our US Dealers for an audition or to discuss this further. Hope this helps.