Strymon PCH X1 & PCH X2 Announced: The Ultimate Active DI Boxes for Your Live Rig
Eliminate stage noise and protect your tone with the Strymon PCH X1 & PCH X2. Discover how these premium active DI boxes upgrade your live amp modeler rig
Are your live guitar tones suffering from nasty hums, low-end wobbles, or unexpected distortions? If you are running an amp modeler, synthesizer, or acoustic guitar direct to the front-of-house (FOH), your Direct Injection (DI) box is the critical bridge between your instrument and the audience.
Many "premium" DI boxes fail to treat your sound with the respect it deserves, falling apart in the low frequencies or introducing harmonic distortion. Enter the newly announced Strymon PCH X1 and PCH X2—two active DI boxes built from the ground up to deliver absolutely pristine audio.
Beyond a Utility: Premium Sound and Rugged Design
DI boxes are usually viewed as dull, utilitarian stage necessities rather than luxurious gear. Strymon is changing that narrative. The PCH X1 (mono) and PCH X2 (stereo) are not just extremely well-built, active DI isolators; they are designed to look beautiful while surviving the harsh realities of touring.
Housed in a bulletproof 3 mm extruded aluminum shell with 5 mm ribs, these units are compact enough to fit into any gig bag and tough enough to withstand heavy stage use. The shell's awning design smartly protects the high-quality switches while maintaining easy access.
Custom Transformers for Crystal-Clear Routing
At the heart of the PCH series are custom audio transformers on each channel, providing true galvanic isolation. This helps eliminate ground loops and hiss before they reach the PA system—a massive benefit for amp modeler rigs that send unbalanced signals to both FRFR monitors and mixing consoles.
Whether you are running a delicate acoustic, a thumping synth, or a drop-tuned bass, the PCH series keeps the signal clean, flat, and honest with a ruler-straight frequency response from 10Hz to 80kHz (within half a dB).
Flexible I/O for Any Stage Setup
Both the PCH X1 and PCH X2 run on standard 48V phantom power and feature genuinely useful tools for gigging musicians and audio engineers:
- PCH X1 (Mono): Features a single input, a non-buffered 6.3 mm thru-jack (perfect for feeding an onstage amp), and a balanced XLR output.
- PCH X2 (Stereo): Doubles the I/O with two inputs, two thru-jacks, and two balanced XLR outputs. It also includes a phase switch and a defeatable sum feature that merges the Left and Right inputs and sends them to the Left outputs.
Both models include a per-channel ground lift and a three-position high-pass filter (Off / 80Hz / 240Hz). The 80Hz setting is perfect for tidying up low-end rumble, while the 240Hz option helps carve out space in a dense, busy live mix.
Technical Specifications Quick-Reference
For the tone-chasers and audio engineers, here is a breakdown of what is under the hood:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Input Impedance | 2 MΩ |
| Max Input Level | +20.5dBu |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 80kHz (+/- 0.5dB, 13.6KΩ load) |
| THD+N (1kHz) | 0.0007% (-10dBu out) |
| Noise Floor | -123 dBu (10-22kHz no A-Weight) |
| Gain (Rel. to Input) | -20dB (XLR Out) / +0dB (Thru) |
| Power Requirements | 5mA @ +48VDC (per channel, Phantom Power) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do I actually need a DI box for my amp modeler?
Amp modelers often output unbalanced signals. Running long unbalanced cables to a mixing console can introduce significant noise, hiss, and ground loop hum. A high-quality DI box like the Strymon PCH balances that signal, isolates it using transformers to prevent ground loops, and ensures your tone reaches the mixing desk cleanly.
What is the difference between the Strymon PCH X1 and PCH X2?
The PCH X1 is a mono unit with one input and one XLR output, ideal for bassists or mono guitar rigs. The PCH X2 is a stereo unit with dual inputs and outputs, perfect for stereo amp modeler setups, synthesizers, or keyboards. The X2 also includes a phase switch and a stereo summing feature.
Do these DI boxes require external power supplies?
No external wall-warts or batteries are needed, but they are active DI boxes. They run entirely on 48V phantom power provided by the mixing console or audio interface. Note that for the stereo PCH X2, each channel requires phantom power to operate.
Conclusion
The Strymon PCH X1 and PCH X2 strip away the nonsense found in many modern DI boxes, replacing it with smart tools, custom transformers, and bulletproof construction. They are premium problem-solvers designed to ensure that the tone you meticulously crafted at home is exactly what the audience hears through the PA.
Price & Availability
PCH X1 - £199.99 and PCH X2 - £285 at Andertons PCH X1 - $199 and PCH X2 - $299 at Sweetwater PCH X1 - €229 and PCH X2 - €329 at Thomann
More Information
#Strymon #PCH X1 #PCH X2
