Intro
Contents
SPL is short for ‘Sound Performance Lab’. The German company has been manufacturing pro audio equipment since 1983 and also has a consumer range based on the same principles and high-quality components. We are testing a complete set.
This review was written by editors Yung and Martijn. This indicates that we are not dealing with a run-of-the-mill setup, but something that requires input from more than one pair of ears to reach a balanced judgement.
The equipment in this review
From SPL Audio, we have the Performer S1200 power amplifier priced at €6,499, the Director Mk2 preamplifier priced at €3,799, and the Phonos Duo phono preamplifier priced at €2,999.
The Director Mk2 preamplifier features a DAC. SPL does not manufacture digital sources such as CD players or streamers; as a Pro Audio company, they focus on processing audio signals.
This brings the total cost of the set to €13,297. Pro Audio companies often excel at producing no-nonsense equipment at a reasonable price, so we are particularly keen to see whether the performance justifies what is, for most people, a hefty price tag.
It is a feast for the eyes too
The set looks striking; this is equipment that is meant to be on display in a room. It has a small footprint; the unit is 27.8 cm wide, which is exactly the length of a sheet of A4 paper. The units are available with a front panel in black, silver or red, whilst the housing is always black.
It looks sturdy; the casing is robust without being excessively thick. All the buttons and switches feel as though they are built to last a lifetime without any problems and can be operated blindly, offering a satisfying tactile resistance. The buttons and switches produce a satisfying ‘clunk’ sound when pressed or turned. This is equipment designed for intensive use, and no corners have been cut.
At the right voltage: VoltAir
The three units under review operate internally at 120 volts, something SPL Audio has dubbed ‘VoltAir’. This is remarkable, as the much higher voltage, compared to the usual 15 volts, means that all internal components must be robustly constructed.
According to SPL Audio, the high voltage provides more ‘headroom’, enabling amplifiers to operate optimally at all times, regardless of fluctuations in the input signal. This allows for greater dynamics and lowers the noise floor. According to SPL Audio, this results in a sense of spaciousness in the sound and a great deal of tranquillity.