SPL Audio Performer s900 Stereo Power Amplifier

Introducing Performer s900

Where Sonic Greatness meets Performance and Style

Right in the centre with big sound!

The SPL Performer s900 stereo power amplifier 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 )
,
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.

The design, well that's a matter of great taste

With its appearance, the SPL Performer s900 stereo power amplifier fits perfectly into the SPL Professional Fidelity HiFi product line and is of course available in the three basic colours black, red or silver.

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 stages own negative feedback path, feedback from the loudspeaker aren't 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, making 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.

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, it is not recommended connecting a speaker with less than 2 ohms impedance.

AMP CTL

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, Elector, Phonitor x or Crossover.

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 s900s standby mode on and off.

Better safe than sorry

The Performer s900 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 the Performer s900 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 s900 is getting too hot. As a result of this the output stage is switched off until the device has cooled down.

Sounds good? Of course it does

With all devices of the Professional Fidelity series SPL 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 SPL's unique reference technology. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps. In the Professional Fidelity series it is referred to as VOLTAiR technology.  The highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage. 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, SPL has 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 - dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom. Sonically - richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening experience.

120V in the name of the technology and is about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed, it has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket.  The mains voltage from the mains power socket is actually transformed to the required secondary voltage in the devices 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. 

Technical Specifications
Analog Inputs: XLR (balanced), RCA (unbalanced)

Input impedance
20 k

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

Input sensitivity
8 dBu

Loudspeaker Outputs: Binding posts with ø4mm cable hole (screwable) and banana plug

Output power (RMS, 2 )
2 x 420 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 2 )
Output power (RMS, 4 )
 2 x 370 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 4 )
Output power (RMS, 9 )
 2 x 200 W

Harmonic distortion (1 kHz, 8 )
Output voltage (peak to peak)
112 V

Output voltage (RMS)
40.2 V

Output impedance (20 Hz 20 kHz)
Frequency range (-3dB)
10 Hz 80 kHz

Amplification gain
26 dB

Damping factor (1 kHz, 8 )
> 280

Noise (A-weighted)
-123 dBu

Internal Linear Power Supply with Shielded Toroidal Transformer

Toroidal transformer
866 VA

Operating voltage (Input stage)
+/- 60 V

Operating voltage (power stage)
+/- 64 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 4 A

Fuse 115 V
T 8 A

Power consumption
max. 900 VA

Idle power consumption
20 W

Stand-by power consumption
Dimensions & Weight

W x H x D (width x height incl. feet x depth)
278 x 100 x 342 mm

Weight
12.8 kg

Shipping weight
15.8 kg
*This information has been obtained from Manufacturers website. We advise that Features, Specifications & Price are subject change from Manufacturer without notice.

E&OE