SPL - Sound Performance Lab Performer S1200 Stereo Power Amplifier

The powerful stereo power amplifier

The great Performer S1200 takes even the most demanding loudspeakers into previously unheard worlds of sound. With an amplifier power of 2 x 520 W (4 O) [2 x 550 W (2 O); 2 x 300 W (8 O)], this purely analogue power amplifier playfully controls every speaker.

Thanks to VOLTAiR technology, the performance of the s1200 is rich in detail, lively, honest and musically outstanding.

Design individually

In addition to selecting the basic color black, red or silver, there are other options for adapting the Performer s1200 to individual design preferences.

A total of nine different color combinations can be achieved with the black, red and silver decorative panels included in the scope of delivery.

The decorative panels are held in place using a strong neodymium magnet. So no tools are required to change it.

Better safe than sorry

The Performer s1200 has a protection circuit against DC voltage and against overheating.
If direct current (DC) is detected, the output stage of the s1200 switches off automatically and the protect LED lights up red.

To protect the Performer s1200 from the unlikely event of overheating, a temperature sensor on the heatsinks continuously monitors the unit's temperature.

The TEMP LED lights up yellow when the Performer s1200 gets too hot. As a result, the output stage shuts down and the fans run at high speed to cool the unit down.

Free choice

The Performer s1200 has a stereo pair of XLR and RCA inputs. So it is compatible with all preamps on the market without the use of adapters. The corresponding stereo input can be selected using the Input Select switch on the back.

Get fit

In relation to the Performer s1200, "fit" means - as in English - adapted.
And you can adjust the input sensitivity in 0.5 dB steps. From 0dB to -5.5dB.

In contrast to a panorama potentiometer in a preamp, this is the audiophile solution for acoustically problematic rooms or speaker setups. The optimum working range of the loudspeakers and preamp can also be ideally adjusted in this way.

Strong connection

The loudspeaker binding posts can accept banana plugs as well as a stranded wire with a diameter of up to 4 mm. This means that any standard type of speaker cable can be used. However, SPL does not recommend connecting a loudspeaker with an impedance of less than 2 ohms.

trigger me

The power amp's standby mode can be toggled on and off using the AMP CTL connection between an SPL Professional Fidelity preamp such as the Director Mk2.

To do this, connect the 3.5 mm jack sockets with a cable with 3.5 mm mono or stereo jack plugs. Preamplifiers from other manufacturers can also switch the Performer s1200's standby mode on and off thanks to its 12 V trigger input.

Plays in its own class

Conventional solid-state power amplifiers work quickly at the limits of the components used. Unpleasant distortions arise. Tube power amplifiers also distort in this limit range, but this is expressed by a rather softer sound pattern.

Thanks to VOLTAiR technology, the Performer s1200 can handle significantly higher levels than regular solid-state or tube amplifiers without distortion. All components work continuously in the optimal working range. The result is a very pleasant, natural and relaxed sound experience. Enjoy your music in every detail - and without listening fatigue.

Full steam ahead

In the Performer s1200, separate voltage and power amplification stages ensure a stable operating point for the amplifier circuit, which uses class AB technology.

Thanks to the separate negative feedback path in each case, feedback from the loudspeaker to the input stage is also ruled out. This is how the SPL VOLTAiR technology can demonstrate its full performance.

Keep a Cool Head

Inside the Performer s1200, the six fans usually don't work at all, because 90% of the heat is dissipated passively via massive heat sinks.

However, should it get really loud for a really long time, the processor-controlled fans remain virtually inaudible at only 19 dB(A).

Sounds good

With all devices in the Professional Fidelity series, we not only develop according to plan from the start, but also by ear. Many of the basic components are mounted on the circuit boards in through-hole mounting (THT). This way we can ensure that we can use the components that sound best.

It's always nicer at home

That's why SPL Audio manufactures all devices in our own production facility in Niederkrüchten on the Lower Rhine.

The VOLTAiR technology

120V technology is our reference technology. It is unique in the world of audio because it works with a DC voltage of 120 volts. This corresponds to four times the operating voltage of IC-based semiconductor operational amplifiers. We refer to this unsurpassed technology in our Professional Fidelity series as VOLTAiR technology.

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

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

120V technology achieves exceptional technical specifications and sonic benefits. From a technical point of view, in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and overload resistance. In terms of sound, in terms of richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening pleasure.

Incidentally, the "120V" in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the socket. This is about the operating voltage in the device with which the audio signals are processed.

The mains voltage from the 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 the DC voltages required in the audio device.

VOLTAiR is made up of the terms Volt and Air .
Volt is the unit of electrical voltage and Air is the English word for air.

VOLTAiR symbolizes the seemingly limitless dynamics resulting from the high audio tension.

comparison

Most audio devices work with an internal operating voltage of +/-15 volts and can therefore process a maximum input level of +21.5 dBu. For example, if a DAC has an output level of +22 dBu at 0 dBFS, level peaks in the music material would already cause clipping in the input stage of the device. All components in the audio device often work at their limit. The result is a noisy sound that causes stress and faster hearing fatigue.

Devices from SPL with VOLTAiR technology can process input levels of +32.5 dBu thanks to the higher internal operating voltage of +/- 60 volts - i.e. offer 12 dB more headroom. As a result, all components work continuously in the optimum working range. The result is a very pleasant, natural and relaxed sound experience. So you can enjoy your music in every detail.

The diagrams shown here illustrate how superior VOLTAiR technology is to circuits with lower, more common operating voltages.

Technical specifications

• Analog inputs: XLR (balanced), RCA (unbalanced)
• Input impedance 20 kΩ
• Input trimming 0dB to -5.5dB in 0.5dB steps
• Input sensitivity 10.5 dBu
• Loudspeaker outputs: pole terminals with screwable cable bushings (4 mm ø) and banana terminals
• Output power (RMS, 2O) 2 x 550 W
• Harmonic Distortion (1kHz, 2Ω) <0.09%
• Output power (RMS, 4 O) 2 x 520 W
• Harmonic Distortion (1kHz, 4Ω) <0.09%
• Output power (RMS, 8 O) 2 x 300 W
• Harmonic Distortion (1kHz, 8Ω) <0.04%
• Output Voltage (Peak-to-Peak) 160V
• Output Voltage (RMS) 54.6V
• Output Impedance (20Hz - 20kHz) <0.031Ω
• Frequency Response (-3dB) 10Hz - 80kHz
• Damping factor (1kHz, 8Ω) > 290
• Noise (A-weighted) -123 dB
• Internal power supply; Linear power supply with shielded toroidal transformer
• Toroidal transformer 1440 VA
• Operating voltage (input) +/- 60 V
• Operating voltage (power stage) +/- 80 V
• Operating voltage for relays, LEDs, AMP CTL + 12 V
• power adapter
  
  • Mains voltage (selectable, see fuse box) 230 V AC / 50; 115VAC / 60Hz
  • Fuse 230 VT 6.3 A
  • Fuse 115 VT 10A
  • Power consumption max. 1440 VA
  • Idle power consumption 50 W
  • Standby power consumption < 0.3 W
• Mass weight
  • W x H x D (width x height incl. feet x depth) 278 x 205 x 375 mm, 10.94 x 8.07 x 14.76 inch
  • Device weight 25.1 kg, 55.3 lbs
  • Shipping weight (including packaging) 29.1 kg, 64.2 lbs