SPL Audio Performer s1200 Stereo Power Amplifier

This impressive stereo power amplifier leads even the most demanding speakers to soundscapes beyond expectation. With a power amplification of 2 x 520 W (4 Ω) [2 x 550 W (2 Ω); 2 x 300 W (8 Ω)], this completely analog amplifier easily controls any loudspeaker.

Thanks to the VOLTAiR technology its performance is detail-rich, vivid, honest and stunningly beautiful.

STUNNING REVIEWS

“I myself have rarely heard a power amplifier that performs so informatively and neutrally on the one hand and on the other hand spreads so much fun for music. Which is exactly the declared goal of SPL electronics.”

fairaudio - Dr. Martin Mertens

“This power amplifier is not only as strong as an ox and has convincing sonic merits: it also comes across as thoroughly sympathetic. This is due to the excellent manufacturing, the inventive design and the practical connection possibilities.”

LowBeats - Holger Biermann

“If you are looking for a powerful stereo amplifier, you should take a closer look at the SPL Performer s1200. It is definitely worth it.”

HiFi-IFAs - Falk Visarius

“No matter how much you are willing to invest for a stereo power amplifier, don’t make a decision before you have heard the SPL s1200!”

Hifistatement - Dirk Sommer

INDIVIDUAL DESIGN

In addition to Black, Red and Silver, you an customise this unit to individual design preferences with Black, Red and Silver decorative panels.  These cleverly adhere with the help of a strong neodymium magnet. No tools needed!

IT'S 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 switches off automatically and the Protect LED lights up red. To protect against the unlikely event of overheating, a temperature sensor at the heatsinks continuously monitors the temperature of the device. The TEMP LED lights up yellow when the Performer s1200 is getting too hot. 

As a result of this the output stage is switched off and the fans run on high-speed until the device has cooled down.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE

The Performer s1200 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 s1200, “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.

TRIGGER ME

The standby mode of the power amplifier can be switched on and off using the AMP CTL connection between a preamplifier such as the Director Mk2.  To do this, connect the 3.5 mm phone jacks with a cable with 3.5 mm mono or stereo jack plugs. Thanks to its 12 V trigger input, third party preamps can also switch the Performer s1200’s standby mode on and off.

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 s1200 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 s1200 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, feedbacks from the loudspeaker dont interact with the input stage – this way the SPL VOLTAiR Technology can play out its full performance.

KEEP COOL

Inside the Performer s1200, six fans usually do nothing at all, that's because 90 % of the heat is passively dissipated via massive heat sinks. Should it become really loud for a really long time, the processor-controlled fans remain virtually inaudible at only 19 dB (A).  Cleverly, during power-up, the fans of the Performer s1200 briefly rotate at a higher speed to remove dust of themselves and surrounding components.

 

SOUNDS GOOD!

With all devices of the Professional Fidelity series the engineers develop by ear as well as according to plan. All important components are installed on the circuit boards using THT technology, ensuring the use the best sounding components.

THE VOLTAIR TECHNOLOGY

The 120V technology is SPL's reference technology. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps. In their Professional Fidelity series, it is referred to 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, SPL Audio has developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers. All of 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.

FYI, 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.

Technical Specifications

FINISHES

Black
Silver
Red

ANALOG INPUTS: XLR (BALANCED), RCA (UNBALANCED)

Input impedance
20 kΩ

Input trimming
0 dB to -5.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps

Input sensitivity
10,5 dBu

LOUDSPEAKER OUTPUTS: BINDING POSTS WITH 4 MM Ø CABLE HOLE (SCREWABLE) AND BANANA PLUG

Output power (RMS, 2 Ω)
2 x 550 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 2 Ω)
< 0,09 %

Output power (RMS, 4 Ω)
2 x 520 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 4 Ω)
< 0,09 %

Output power (RMS, 8 Ω)
2 x 300 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 8 Ω)
< 0,04 %

Output voltage (Peak-to-Peak)
160 V

Output voltage (RMS)
54,6 V

Output impedance (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
< 0,031 Ω

Frequency range (-3dB)
10 Hz – 80 kHz

Amplification gain
26 dB

Damping factor (1 kHz, 8 Ω)
> 290

Noise (A-weighted)
-123 dB

INTERNAL LINEAR POWER SUPPLY WITH SHIELDED TOROIDAL TRANSFORMER

Toroidal transformer
1440 VA

Operating voltage (Input stage)
+/- 60 V

Operating voltage (power stage)
+/- 80 V

Operating voltage for relays, LEDs, AMP CTL
+ 12 V

MAINS POWER SUPPLY

Mains voltage (selectable, see fuse chamber)
230 V AC / 50; 115 V AC / 60 Hz

Fuse 230 V
T 6,3 A

Fuse 115 V
T 10 A

Power consumption
max 1440 VA

Idle power consumption
50 W

Stand-by power consumption
< 0,3 W

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

W x H x D (incl. feet)
278 x 205 x 375 mm 

Unit weight
25.1 kg 

Shipping weight
29.1 kg