Strymon PCH-X2 Stereo Active DI Isolator

The Strymon phantom-powered and transformer-isolated PCH X12 stereo 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 X2 is designed with a host of real-world features that makes it ideal as a DI 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.

The X2 is really two X1’s in the same enclosure, so their audio performance and behavior are largely identical. Each channel’s 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 X2 features a phase reversal switch for reversing the polarity of the left XLR output, as well as a Sum switch that sums the inputs together and passes them to the left outputs (the right XLR output mutes to let you know Sum is engaged), allowing you to interface with both mono and stereo scenarios on the go without having to rewire anything.

The X2 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 per channel
• Runs on phantom power (each channel requires power)
• Ground Lift Switch per channel
• Three-position high pass filter for each input
• Defeatable Sum feature merges the Left and Right inputs and sends them to the Left outputs
• 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 ( when SUM enabled: 4 kΩ)
• 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, (when SUM enabled: -6dB)
• Output Impedance: 0Ω, (when SUM enabled: 1 kΩ)

- Power and size:

• Power Requirements: 5mA @ +48VDC (per channel)
• Dimensions X2: 93x107x39mm

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, Left and Right, TS output(s). 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.
• Stereo Sum - Engage SUM to merge the stereo inputs and feed them to both the Left Thru and LEFT XLR output (the Right output will be muted to let you know Sum is engaged).
• 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
• Phase Reverse - reverses the polarity of the Left channel XLR output