Performer S1200

The SPL Performer S1200 is a completely analogue class-AB power amplifier with an output of 2 x 520 W at 4 Ω, 2 x 550 W at 2 Ω and 2 x 300 W at 8 Ω. Its VOLTAiR technology is designed to maintain detailed, vivid and natural reproduction while controlling loudspeakers with ease.

The amplifier is available in black, red or silver. Each version can be customised with the supplied black, red and silver decorative panels, which attach using strong neodymium magnets and can be exchanged without tools.

Protection circuits monitor the output stage for direct current and excessive temperature. If DC voltage is detected, the output stage switches off automatically and the red Protect LED illuminates. A temperature sensor at the heatsinks continuously monitors the amplifier. If it becomes too hot, the yellow TEMP LED illuminates, the output stage switches off and the fans run at high speed until the unit has cooled.

The Performer S1200 uses separate amplification stages for voltage and power amplification. Each stage has its own negative feedback path, preventing feedback from the loudspeaker from interacting with the input stage. This allows the SPL VOLTAiR technology to operate as intended within the class-AB circuit.

For connection to a preamplifier, the amplifier provides a stereo pair of XLR inputs and a stereo pair of RCA inputs. The input type is selected using the Input Select switch on the rear panel, with no adapter required.

Input sensitivity can be adjusted from 0 dB to -5.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps. This trim switch allows the operating range of the loudspeakers and preamplifier to be matched, providing a more precise adjustment than a panorama potentiometer in a preamplifier.

The loudspeaker binding posts accept banana plugs and stranded wire up to 4 mm in diameter, allowing the use of common speaker cable types. SPL does not recommend connecting loudspeakers with an impedance below 2 ohms.

Conventional solid-state power amplifiers can operate their components in a critical range, producing harmonic artefacts. Tube power amplifiers also distort at their limit, although their characteristic behaviour can soften the resulting roughness and harshness. The Performer S1200 uses VOLTAiR technology to process higher levels without approaching this critical range, keeping its components within their operating range for natural and relaxed reproduction with low listening fatigue.

The 120 V technology used by the Performer S1200 operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts, which is 4 times the voltage of IC-based semiconductor op-amps. SPL refers to this technology in its Professional Fidelity series as VOLTAiR technology.