SPL Performer s1200 Stereo Power Amplifier User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- spl
Table of Contents
Professional Fidelity
Mastering Grade Listening
Performer s1200 – User Manual
Stereo Power Amplifier
Welcome and thank you for choosing the Performer s1200.
The Performer s1200 is the big brother of the highly acclaimed Performer s800
and delivers
2 x 550 W into 2 ohms, 2 x 520 W into 4 ohms and 2 x 300 W into 8 ohms with
ease.
Voltaire Technology is what we also call the SPL 120V Technology within the
Professional Fidelity series. This makes the Performer s1200 an outstanding
device in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom
delivering an exceptional sound experience with invincible serenity,
transparency and realness.
Getting started
Read thoroughly and follow the instructions as well as the security advices of
the Quickstart which is enclosed in the scope of delivery! You can also
download the Quickstart here.
By pressing the I -Button you get to the table of contents.
By pressing the F -Button you get to the front view of the unit.
By pressing the R -Button you get to the rear view of the unit.
By pressing the ↵-button you get to the previous content.
Front view
Rearview
VOLTAiR – 120 V Technology
VOLTAiR is the synonym for our 120V Technology within the Professional
Fidelity series. The audio signals are processed with an unequalled +/-60V DC,
which corresponds to twice that of discrete operational amplifiers and four
times that of semiconductor operational amplifiers. VOLTAiR Technology reaches
outstanding technical and sonic performances. Technically especially in terms
of dynamic range and headroom and sonically especially in reproducing the
finest details and delivering a totally relaxed sounding audio experience.
Music sounds absolutely natural. SPL’s 120V Technology is the internal audio
processing voltage (+/- 60V DC). It is not to be confused with the external
mains voltage (e.g. 115V or 230V AC).
Comparisons
These diagrams show how our VOLTAiR Technology compares to other circuits.
The direct relation between operating level and maximum level is fundamental
for the classification: the higher the operating level, the higher the maximum
level a circuit can handle. And since virtually all essential acoustic and
musical parameters depend on this relation, a higher operating voltage also
has a positive impact on the dynamic range, distortion limit and signal-to-
noise ratio.
Do bear in mind that dB scales do not represent linear but rather exponential
increases. A 3 dB increase corresponds to doubling the acoustic power, +6 dB
corresponds to twice the sound pressure level, and +10 dB corresponds to twice
the perceived loudness. When it comes to volume, the VOLTAiR Technology
exhibits a performance, in regard to the maximum level and dynamic range, that
is twice that of common components and circuits given that its values are
approximately 12 dB higher.
THD measurements show a difference of more than 8 dB compared to the TL071 at
30 V — in terms of sound pressure level, which corresponds to an improvement
of more than 130%. The operating level most commonly used for audio equipment
is +/- 15 volts.
Ornamental inlays
The Performer s1200 comes with three ornamental inlays: in black, red and silver. They can be combined with the chosen color of the main front panel. A neodymium magnet holds the ornamental inlay in place. This allows easy exchange and gives you the unique opportunity to style your power amplifier.
Inputs
The Performer s1200 is equipped with XLR inputs (7) for balanced connection as well as RCA connectors for unbalanced connection to a preamp. Full output power (2 x 550 W RMS into 2 ohms, 2 x 520 W RMS into 4 ohms or 2 x 300 W into 8 ohms) is performed at +6 dBu at the input.
Input select
With the Input Select switch (8) you can switch the input source between XLR or RCA. You can not use both at the same time.
Gain Trim
The inputs can be lowered with the Gain TRIM switch (9) from 0 dB to -5.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps. This is helpful if you want to use multi-speaker sets or speakers in a bi-wiring application. It allows to level speakers with different efficiency to equal loudness.
Speaker outputs
You can connect 2, 4 or 8 ohms loudspeakers to the Speaker outputs (11).
You can either use the ø4 mm cable hole (screwable) or the banana plugs of the
gold-plated loudspeaker binding posts.
Make sure not to mix up the polarity of the loudspeaker outputs.
Protection circuits
The Performer s1200 has protection circuits against DC (direct current)
voltage at the output and against overheating. DC Protection If DC is detected
at one of the outputs, the Performer s1200 automatically switches off. DC
voltage can be an indication for a defective power stage. The protected (3) on
the front indicates that the protection circuit is activated and the power
stage has been switched off. The Performer s1200 does not automatically switch
on again. It needs to be switched off manually with the Mains switch (6). Wait
at least one minute before switching the Performer s1200 on again.
If the Performer s1200 repetitively switches off due to a DC detection please
contact your dealer.
Overheating protection circuit
The Performer s1200 is actively cooled with six temperature-controlled fans
that usually do nothing at all, because 90 % of the heat is passively
dissipated via massive heat sinks. Should it nevertheless become really loud
for a really long time, the processor-controlled fans remain virtually
inaudible at only 19 dB (A). In the unlikely event of overheating the
Performer s1200 will switch off at about 70° C at the heat sink and the Temp
LED (2) on the front indicates the overheating.
After the temperature has fallen below 55° C, the amplifier automatically
switches on again.
AMP CTL (Standby / Amplifier Control)
If you own an SPL device supporting AMP CTL output(s) you can trigger standby
and operation. Therefore connect the AMP CTL output of the SPL device with a
mono mini jack cable to the AMP CTL (10) of the Performer s1200.
You may also use another 12V trigger controller. The Performer s1200 is in
operation mode when a switching voltage of 12 Volt DC is applied to the AMP
CTL input. As soon as the 12 Volt DC is removed, the Performer s1200 switches
back to standby mode.
Use a mono mini jack cable where the tip is plus and the sleeve is minus.
Power LED
In standby, the Power LED is dimly lit.
If the Performer s1200 is in operation, the Power LED lights up brightly.
If the Performer s1200 is off, e.g. the mains switch is off, the Power LED is
off.
Specifications
Line Input & Line Output
- Neutrik XLR, balanced, Pin 2 = (+)
- Input impedance: 20 kOhms
- Input trimming: 0 dB to -5.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps
- Input sensitivity: +12.5 dBu
Speaker output
- 2 pairs gold-plated binding posts with ø4 mm cable hole (screwable) and banana plug; fully encapsulated
Output power (Sine at 1kHz)
- 2 x 550 W into 2 Ohm
- 2 x 520 W into 4 Ohm
- 2 x 300 W into 8 Ohm
Output voltage
- 160 V Peak-to-Peak
- 54.6 V RMS
Output impedance
- < 0.031 Ohm, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Damping factor
-
290 at 1 kHz and 8 ohms
Frequency response
- 10 Hz to 80 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio
-
118 dB (wide-band, unweighted, referred to full power output)
-
123 dB (A-weighted)
Gain
- 26 dB
Total harmonic distortion
- < 0.04% at 1 kHz, at 300 W, 8 ohms
- < 0.09% at 1 kHz, at 520 W, 4 ohms
- < 0.09% at 1 kHz, at 550 W, 2 ohms
Internal Voltage
- +/- 60 V
Power supply
- Mains voltage: 230 V AC / 50 Hz; 115 V AC / 60 Hz
- Fuses: 230 V: T 6.3 A; 115 V: T 10 A
- Power consumption: max 1440 VA
- Standby power consumption: 0.3 W
Dimensions (incl. feet)
- (WxHxD) 10.94 x 8.07 x 14.76 in (278 x 205 x 375 mm)
Weight
- 55.3 lbs (25.1 kg), unit only
- 64.2 lbs (29.1 kg), shipping
Important Notes
Version 1.0 – 11 /2021
Developer: Bastian Neu
This manual includes a description of the product but no guarantee as for
specific characteristics or successful results. Unless stated otherwise,
everything herein corresponds to the technical status at the time of delivery
of the product by SPL electronics GmbH. The design and circuitry are under
continuous development and improvement. Technical specifications are subject
to change.
© 2021 SPL electronics GmbH. This document is the property of SPL and may not
be copied or reproduced in any manner, in part or fully, without prior
authorization by SPL. Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to
improve its products and reserves the right to modify the product described in
this manual at any time without prior notice. SPL and the SPL Logo have
registered trademarks of SPL electronics GmbH. All company names and product
names in this manual are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.
Declaration of CE Conformity
The construction of this unit is in compliance with the standards and
regulations of the European Community.