“With the brand-new Diamond, SPL presents an excellent DAC/preamplifier for audiophiles who consistently rely on digital playback. We have taken a closer look at this top-class device.”
On the online platform lite-Magazin you can find a review about our new premium DAC with VOLTAiR technology – SPL Diamond. You can find the complete review (in German) online – here we provide some highlights.
Look:
“Like all SPL components, the Diamond shines with the characteristically cool design and the equally typical flat-compact, stretched housing shape. This makes the DAC/Preamp stand out pleasantly from the conventional consumer HiFi standard and has a great living room appeal.”
Features:
“It scores with six interfaces and three different specifications: Two optical and two electrical-coaxial S/PDIF inputs are joined by a balanced AES/EBU input and a USB port. PCM files up to HiRes quality 192 kilohertz/24 bit can be connected via S/PDIF and AES/EBU.”
“As appropriate for a component with a professional background, the Diamond offers a balanced connection in the form of two XLR jacks. Alternatively, it has the unbalanced RCA jack connection, which is more common in the consumer sector. Both outputs can now be set separately to fixed or variable levels. This makes the connectivity options even more flexible.”
“Via USB, on the other hand, the Diamond can fully show off its conversion skills: PCM up to 768 kilohertz/32 bit and DSD up to DSD256 are possible.”
Premium DAC:
“The DAC768 is the same converter module used in the Phonitor xe and Director Mk2. At its core is the proven, highly regarded AK4490 digital-to-analog converter chip from Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM). It is optimized for low noise and low distortion as well as high dynamic range. SPL has embedded this premium DAC in a circuit with a lot of know-how. It starts with the low-pass filtering that necessarily follows the D/A conversion. It is a dual design, with a separate filter for each of the PCM and DSD signals. SPL calls this Dual Low-Pass DLP 120, because the specialty of the Niederkrüchtener is already used here: the VOLTAiR technology.”
VOLTAiR technology:
“VOLTAiR is the reference technology of SPL: Actually every component of the Niederkrüchtener is realized with this 120V technology. The reasoning behind this is that conventional audio devices usually operate with a relatively low internal operating voltage of +/-15 volts and the active components in the circuit therefore often operate in the limit range. This results in an unsteady sound, and when the level of the audio signal peaks, overloads and thus distortion even occur. For this reason, SPL relies throughout on operational amplifiers developed in-house, which operate at four times the usual operating voltage, i.e. +/-60 volts. Hence the name 120 volt technology. This eliminates precisely those limitations that are otherwise imposed by the low supply voltage. The operational amplifiers thus have considerably more headroom. This gain in headroom results in three plus points: The risk of distortion is immensely reduced, the dynamic range is significantly increased, and the signal-to-noise ratio, i.e. the distance between the signal level and the noise level generated by each audio circuit, is significantly increased.”
“The 120V technology is the basis of the entire audio circuit. It therefore also benefits the Diamond in its second task: In addition to its function as a converter, it is also a preamplifier.”
Sound:
“The playback is crystal clear, has a breathtaking purity and shines with immense tranquility. In addition, there is the excellent resolution: On the one hand, it allows us to perceive the smallest, most intimate details in the playing of the instruments, on the other hand, we also feel a wonderful spaciousness and openness through the exquisite reproduction of the reverb.”
Conclusion:
“The elegantly slim SPL Diamond is a thorough and excellent DAC/preamplifier for exclusively digital playback. It offers six digital inputs and covers four different types of connection with USB, AES/EBU, TOSLink and S/PDIF coaxial-electrical. Diamond scores with HiRes capability up to PCM 768 and DSD256. Thanks to its VOLTAiR technology, it operates with extremely low noise and distortion as well as rich in dynamics and with high resolution.”
“Thus, its performance shines with outstanding purity, transparency and detail, a wonderfully fresh and vital playback, as well as an immensely spatial and three-dimensional imaging. As a result, the Diamond allows for an almost immersive music experience. This is possible even at extremely low levels, thanks to the analog volume control.”
