Strymon PCH-X1 Active DI Isolator

The Strymon phantom-powered and transformer-isolated PCH X1 active DI is designed to be pristine-sounding above all else. This is a unit you can trust implicitly to handle your audio. 

Where other direct boxes distort low frequencies to the point where a low B barely resembles the input, PCH X1 remain flat from 10Hz to 80kHz within ±0.5dB. Add audiophile-grade noise performance, flexible connectivity, compact form factor, and bulletproof construction, and you have a serious contender in the world of connectivity.

Along with pristine audio, the PCH X1 is designed with a host of real-world features that makes it ideal as a direct interface and line isolator. Housed in a bulletproof 3mm extruded aluminum chassis for protection, it doesn’t matter if you’re using it on a loud stage or in a quiet world-class recording studio. X1 balances your audio perfectly - andit is small enough to fit just about anywhere.

Audio passes through a custom transformer, eliminating most ground loops and offering true galvanic isolation. The unit also features a ground lift switch to combat hum, as well as a three position high pass filter that allows you to roll off low frequencies at two different points: 80Hz for taming rumble, and 240Hz for more dramatically carving out space in the mix for low frequencies on other instruments.

The X1 features a non-buffered Thru output in addition to the balanced XLR out, allowing you to feed the input signal to an additional device like an onstage monitor or instrument amplifier separately from the balanced output.

Highlights:

• Features a custom audio transformer
• Runs on phantom power
• Ground Lift Switch
• Three-position high pass filter
• Extremely flat frequency response
• Low total harmonic distortion (THD)
• Thick 3mm extruded aluminum shell with 5mm ribs for bulletproof protection
• Shell awning design protects switches while allowing easy

Specifications:

• Input Impedance: 2 MΩ 
• Max Input Level: +20.5dBu
• XLR Out Output Impedance: 100 Ω 
• Gain Relative to Inputs: -20dB
• Maximum Output Level: +0.5dBu
• Noise Floor: -123 dBu (10-22kHz no A-Weight)

- Frequency Response: 

• +/- 0.25dB, 20Hz - 30kHz (13.6KΩ load, HPF off)
• +/- 0.5dB, 10Hz - 80kHz (13.6KΩ load, HPF off)
• +/- 0.5dB, 20Hz - 20kHz (600Ω load, HPF off)

- Frequency Response (HPF 80Hz, 240Hz):

• THD+N: 1kHz: 0.0007% (-10dBu out), 100Hz: 0.0035% (-10dBu out)
• THD+N: 50Hz: 0.0125% (-10dBu out)

- Thru:

• Gain Relative to Inputs: +0dB
• Output Impedance: 0Ω

- Power and size:

• Power Requirements: 5mA @ +48VDC (per channel)
• Dimensions X1: 93x50x39mm

Controls and Routing (the + hashmarks)

• In - 1/4" unbalanced, TS, high-impedance input(s). Connect guitar, bass, keyboard, amp+cab simulation pedal, drum machine, modeler or any audio source needing to be balanced.
• Thru - 1/4" unbalanced, Passes your unbuffered input source(s) to amplifiers, effects, or other devices.
• XLR Out - Balanced, low impedance output(s). Connect to a mixing console or other low impedance gear.
• Ground Lift - Engage to lift the ground if you experience hum on the XLR Out(s).
• Variable HPF - Allows 6db/octave filtering of low frequencies below either 80Hz or 240Hz