Elector

The SPL Elector is an analogue stereo preamplifier with 6 inputs, a motorised volume control, tape monitor circuitry and Home Theatre Bypass. Its 45mm volume knob is milled from aluminium and works with a motorised Alps RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer. The mass of the control and the potentiometer provide a precise, fluid operating feel. A red marker LED keeps the volume setting visible in darkened environments, while any infrared remote control can be taught to operate the Elector with the push of a button.

Analogue inputs

The Elector accepts up to 6 analogue stereo sources. 3 balanced inputs use XLR sockets, while 3 standard inputs use gold-plated RCA sockets.

2 mechanical VU meters display the input levels for the left and right audio channels. A VU switch allows the meters to be optimised for different signal levels.

Tape Monitor

The tape monitor circuit allows a cassette recorder, tape machine or equaliser to be integrated into the system. Modern audio levels are considerably higher than those used in the past, which can overload many recorders. Pressing the tape monitor switch lowers the level sent to the recorder by 10 dB and increases the return level from the recorder by 10 dB.

Home Theatre Bypass

Since hardware revision 1.1, the SPL Elector has included a Home Theatre Bypass function for use with a multi-channel home theatre system. The left and right channels of the home theatre system can be connected to Input 6. When Home Theatre Bypass is active through DIP 4, Input 6 is no longer affected by the Elector’s volume control.

The VOLTAiR Technology

VOLTAiR is SPL’s reference 120V technology, operating at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is 4 times the voltage used by IC-based semiconductor op-amps. The technology uses an audio operating voltage of +/-60 V, which requires proprietary SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers designed to handle a DC voltage of +/-60 V. Conventional components and operational amplifiers would be damaged by this voltage.

The high operating voltage is intended to support audio performance through the technical specifications of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom, as well as detail and a relaxed listening experience.

The 120V designation refers to the internal operating voltage used to process audio signals, not the local mains voltage from the power socket. Inside the device, the internal linear power supply with toroidal transformer converts the mains voltage to the required secondary voltage. Rectifiers then convert this AC voltage into the DC voltage required by the audio circuitry.