Comparison

Stereophile vs CH Controller

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Stereophile

This app provides authoritative reviews, informed recommendations, and helpful advice on audio components, judged by their music reproduction quality. It offers monthly issues with expert opinions and insights for audiophiles.

Highlights
  • Authoritative reviews of audio components
  • Informed recommendations
  • Helpful advice for audiophiles
  • Expert opinions on music reproduction
  • Monthly magazine issues
Features
Read full description

Every month Stereophile magazine offers authoritative reviews, informed recommendations, helpful advice, and controversial opinions, all stemming from the revolutionary idea that audio components should be judged on how they reproduce music. ---SUBSCRIPTION AVAILABLE--- 1-year subscription for $9.99 Your subscription will be billed to your iTunes account upon confirmation of purchase. ---SUBSCRIPTION WILL AUTO-RENEW--- The subscription will include the current issue if you do not already own it and subsequently published future issues. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. This Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period, your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. The cost of the renewal will match the initial subscription price. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. You may turn off auto-renewing subscriptions by going to your user’s Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during your active subscription period. You can view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use here: http://www.avtechmediausa.com/terms.html http://www.avtechmediausa.com/privacy.html

About

CH Controller

Features
Read full description

The CH Controller is the official iOS control app for CH Precision audio components. Designed for use with CH Precision devices running the latest firmware, the app provides comprehensive configuration, system control, and music playback management within the CH ecosystem. The app supports all current CH Precision products and enables users to set up and configure their devices directly from an iPhone or iPad. The CH Controller communicates with CH Precision components over the local network and requires all devices to be connected to the same network. Multiple compatible components can be automatically discovered and managed within a single system view. Device parameters, operational modes, and system settings can be accessed and adjusted through an intuitive interface, allowing precise control of complex audio systems. The CH Controller also operates as a full-featured remote control. Users can select inputs, adjust volume, mute outputs, and manage playback functions in real time. The app mirrors the operational logic of CH components, ensuring consistent behavior between hardware controls and the mobile interface. For compatible devices in the C and I Series families, the CH Controller provides integrated streaming capabilities. Music libraries stored on a local UPnP/DLNA Media Server can be browsed and played directly from within the app. Users can navigate albums, artists, tracks, and playlists, and control playback without the need for additional software. The app is intended for system owners, installers, and advanced users who require centralized control of single or multi-component CH Precision systems. It enables streamlined day-to-day operations and detailed system configuration through a single interface. The CH Controller is designed for iPad and iPhone. Starting with iPadOS/iOS 17+, iPadOS/iOS 26 is recommended. All features require compatible CH Precision components running supported firmware versions and a properly configured local network. Devices equipped with non-HD Streaming, Digital-In or Digital-Out optional cards are not supported.

Screenshots

Stereophile4 screens
CH Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CH Controller at none against Stereophile's 20. Stereophile's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Stereophile sells 20 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. CH Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stereophile ships an update every 2 months, CH Controller every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Stereophile versus CH Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStereophileCH Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (137 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews17.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings137 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMyTimeMedia LtdCH Precision Sarl

Bugs and requests

Stereophile

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App crashes every few minutes during use
  • Subscription not recognized despite active payment
  • Issues fail to download or load
  • Restore purchases function non-functional
  • App won't open on latest iOS versions
Show 9 more
  • Lost access to entire library after app updates
  • Login failures with valid credentials
  • Pixelated and fuzzy page rendering
  • Extremely slow page navigation and loading
  • App forgets subscription status on reopening
  • Duplicate charges on subscription renewal
  • Incompatibility with iOS 8 and newer updates
  • Pages partially load then crash
  • Text illegible without zooming on smaller devices

Requested features

10 requests
  • Access to searchable article archive
  • Availability of older back issues with subscription
  • Dynamic formatting for landscape and portrait modes
  • Working hyperlinks to advertisers and external sites
  • Better text resizing and font adjustment options
Show 5 more
  • Reader mode similar to Safari for improved readability
  • Ability to remember reading position between sessions
  • Background download capability
  • Retina display support and higher resolution
  • iPad-optimized interface instead of PDF wrapper

CH Controller

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

20 purchases

Stereophile

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month | Stereophile$2.991 Month
  • Stereophile Magazine iPad Edition1 Month trial$9.991 Year
One-time18
  • Annual$0.99
  • 2023 December$4.99
  • 2024 February$4.99
Show 15 more
  • February 2012$6.99
  • April 2012$6.99
  • June 2012$6.99
  • October 2012$6.99
  • December 2012$6.99
  • October 2013$6.99
  • 2016 Buyer's Guide$6.99
  • March 2013$6.99
  • February 2025$7.99
  • April 2023$7.99
  • December 2024$7.99
  • November 2024$7.99
  • October 2024$7.99
  • August 2024$7.99
  • July 2024$7.99
None

CH Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Stereophile free?
Stereophile is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CH Controller free?
CH Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Stereophile or CH Controller have ads?
Neither Stereophile nor CH Controller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stereophile or CH Controller?
Stereophile ships an update every 2 months, and CH Controller every 6 weeks. Most recently, Stereophile was updated on September 23, 2026 and CH Controller on September 13, 2026.

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