In the current edition (2/24) of German AUDIO+stereoplay magazine you will find a review of three SPL HiFi devices – our Analog Preamplifier SPL Elector, the Premium DAC with VOLTAiR technology SPL Diamond and our RIAA Phono Preamplifier SPL Phonos. We have compiled some of the highlights of the review for you here.
“Three devices from the Niederkrüchten-based company SPL recently spent some time in our editorial office: the Elector preamplifier, the Phonos phono stage and the pretty new Diamond D/A converter. Time to finally share our experiences with this trio.”
Elector:
“The first thing that catches your eye are the mechanical VU meters. They display the input level (left and right channel). The switch underneath optimizes this visualization for different input levels. The device has six numerically labeled inputs, three RCA and three XLR. The 45 mm control knob milled from aluminum, with the motorized Alps RK27 Big Blue potentiometer.”
“A special feature is the tape monitor loop, which is rarely found these days and which is part of the device for precisely this reason.”
Diamond:
“Six sources can be connected to the Diamond D/A converter: two via RCA, two optical, one via USB and one via AES. That’s more than enough.”
“An AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound Premium DAC chip ensures the excellent quality of the sound. This premium chip converts PCM signals with up to 32 bits and 768 kHz, DSD4 or DSD256 as well. The DAC is followed by a proprietary SPL low-pass filter called DLP120. These filters work with VOLTAiR technology.”
“With the 120V technology, the German manufacturer SPL offers the world’s highest audio operating voltage. As a result, it guarantees extremely low distortion, an enormous amount of detail and no listening fatigue.”
Phonos:
“Now the SPL Phonos enters the stage. The VOLTAiR phono amplifier was also able to fully convince us.”
“It plays more powerful and fuller. It has a much more depth and, like its siblings, shows better transient response.”
Sound:
“Compared to other, very good competitors, the SPL devices – especially the Elector preamplifier and the Diamond D/A converter – sounded more relaxed without ever lacking in detail. This was all the more noticeable the more difficult or even worse a recording was.”
Conclusion:
“This trio is a dream. The SPL devices deliver a transparent, dynamic and relaxed sound. The manufacturing is impressive, the switches and controls are absolutely excellent and the price/performance ratio is spot on. Try them out!”
