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.

Strymon's phantom-powered and transformer-isolated PCH X1 active direct interface is 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 remains flat from far lower than that (10Hz) to well above what dogs can hear (80KHz) within a half of a db, as well as remaining clean and quiet throughout that range.

Feature Rich:
Along with pristine audio, PCH X1 was 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 balances your audio perfectly - and they're small enough to fit just about anywhere.

Each channel's audio passes through a custom transformer, eliminating most ground loops and offering… read more 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.

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.

Features:

- PCH X2 is really two PCH X1s in the same enclosure for nearly identical audio performance
- Both feature a custom audio transformer per channel
- Both run on phantom power (each channel requires power)
- Defeatable Sum merges the Left and Right inputs and sends them to the Left outputs (X2 only)
- Ground Lift Switch per channel
- Three-position high pass filter per channel
- 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 access

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

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

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