A Real Transformation

Putting a typical direct box on a high quality analyzer can reveal all manner of hidden issues -

units sold as premium often exhibit audio behavior that is anything but, especially in the low

frequency region or in measured total harmonic distortion. If you disregard all of the technical

mumbo jumbo it just boils down to this: the audio running through your direct box is often

being treated poorly.

Our phantom-powered and transformer-isolated PCH X1 and X2 active direct interfaces are

different. Designed to be pristine-sounding before any other feature, these are units that you

can trust implicitly to handle your audio, no matter what kind of signal it is. Other direct boxes

can distort low frequencies to the point where a low B on a bass guitar barely resembles the

input, but the PCH X1 and X2 remain flat from far lower than that (10Hz) to well above what

dogs can hear (80KHz) within half of a db, as well as remaining clean and quiet throughout that range. 

Feature Rich

Along with pristine audio, PCH X1 and X2 were designed with a host of real-world features that

make them ideal as direct interfaces and line isolators. Housed in a bulletproof 3mm extruded

aluminum chassis for protection, it doesn’t matter if you’re using them on a loud stage or in a

quiet world-class recording studio, X1 and X2 balance your audio perfectly - and they’re small

enough to fit just about anywhere.

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. Each unit also features a ground lift switch per

channel 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.

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.

Both the X1 and X2 feature 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.

DESIGNED FOR TRANSPARENCY

Technology

Custom audio transformer per channel

Runs on phantom power (each channel requires power)

Ground Lift Switch per channel

Three-position high pass filter on each input

Defeatable Sum feature merges the Left and Right inputs and sends them to the Left outputs

Extremely flat frequency response

Extremely low total harmonic distortion (THD)

Construction

Thick 3mm extruded aluminum shell with 5mm ribs for bulletproof protection

Shell awning design protects switches while allowing easy access

High quality long life jacks and switches

Specs

Typical Specs for PCH X1 and PCH X2

Input Impedance: 2 MΩ

(For PCH X2, 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)

50Hz:

0.0125% (-10dBu out)

Thru

Gain Relative to Inputs: +0dB, (For PCH X2, when SUM enabled: -6dB)

Output Impedance: 0Ω, (For PCH X2, when SUM enabled: 1 kΩ)

Power Requirements

5mA @ +48VDC (per channel)

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