Performer s900

Right in the center – with big sound!

The SPL Performer s900 stereo power amplifier marks the middle of the line and is based on the big SPL Performer s1200 stereo power amp in terms of the selection of components and conceptual design.

 

This is where sonic greatness meets performance specs that perfectly

match high-resolution but not overly power-hungry speakers of any size.

With an amplifier output of 2 x 370 W (4 Ω) [2 x 420 W (2 Ω); 2 x 200 W (8 Ω)],

it truly has enough reserves to powerfully drive any loudspeaker.

 

The Performer s900 stereo power amplifier is a compact size powerhouse. It excels in exceptional headroom thanks to the SPL VOLTAiR technology and impresses with a detail-rich, vivid, honest and musically outstanding sound.

 

A class of its own

Conventional solid-state power amplifiers tend to operate in a critical range of the built-in components – this results in unpleasant harmonical artifacts. Tube power amplifiers also distort at their limit but their characteristical behaviour softens this roughness and harshness. Non the less this is a falsified representation of the sound image.

 

Thanks to VOLTAiR Technology, the Performer s900 can process much higher levels without even coming near to a critical range. All components constantly operate in the optimal range. The result is a very pleasant, natural and relaxed sound experience. Enjoy your music in every detail and without any listening fatigue.

Full power

The Performer s900 features individual

amplification stages for voltage and power amplification, which ensures a perfect operating of the class-AB amplifier circuit. Thanks to each stage’s own negative feedback path, it is ruled out that feedbacks from the loudspeaker are interacting with the input stage – this way the SPL VOLTAiR technology can play out its full performance.

Freedom of choice

The Performer s900 features a stereo pair of XLR and RCA inputs. This makes it compatible with all preamps on the market without the use of adapters

The stereo input can be selected via the Input Select switch on the rear panel.

Trim to fit

With reference to the Performer s900, “fit” means adapted. You can adapt the input sensitivity in 0.5 dB steps from 0 dB to -5.5 dB. In contrast to a panorama potentiometer in a preamplifier, this trim switch is the more audiophile solution. The optimal operating range of the loudspeakers and preamplifier can be perfectly adjusted this way.

Power to the speakers

The loudspeaker binding posts can accommodate banana plugs as well as a stranded wire with a diameter of up to 4 mm. Thus, any common type of speaker cable can be used. However, we do not recommend connecting a speaker with less than 2 ohms impedance.

Sounds good

With all devices of the Professional Fidelity series we develop not only according to plan, but also by ear. Many important components are installed on the circuit boards using Through-hole technology. This way we can ensure that we can use the best sounding components.

The VOLTAiR Technology

The 120V technology is our reference technology. The 120V technology is unique in the world. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps. In our Professional Fidelity series, we refer to this unsurpassed technology as VOLTAiR technology.

The highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage.

The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers. This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers.

 

The 120V technology achieves exceptional technical specifications and sonic benefits. Technically, in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom. Sonically, in terms of richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening experience.

 

By the way, the “120V” in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket. This is about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed.

 

The mains voltage from the mains power socket is transformed to the required secondary voltage in the device’s internal linear power supply with toroidal transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into DC voltage required in the audio device.

 

Comparison

Most audio devices work with an internal operating voltage of +/-15 volts and can thus process a maximum input level of +21.5 dBu. If a DAC, for example, has an output level of +22 dBu at 0 dBFS, level peaks of the music material would already cause overloads in the input stage of the device. All components in the audio device often operate at their limits. The result is an unsteady sound that causes stress and faster ear fatigue.

SPL devices with VOLTAiR technology can handle input levels of +32.5 dBu thanks to the higher internal operating voltage of +/- 60 volts – thus offering 12 dB more headroom. All components consequently operate continuously in the optimum operating range. The result is a very pleasant, natural and relaxed sound experience. So you can enjoy your music in every detail.

These diagrams clearly show the superiority of the VOLTAiR technology in comparison to other circuits with lower, common operating voltages.