The Elector is the perfect preamplifier for the lover of pure analog technology. With motorized, remote volume control, tape monitor path, retro-look-VU-meter and the all superior VOLTAiR technology the Elector brings analog sources to new life.
The massive 45mm volume control knob milled from aluminum is a haptic highlight. Its mass together with the motorized Alps RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer enhances the “spoon in the honey” feeling even further.
The red marker LED ensures good visibility of the volume parameter even in darkened environments.
The volume control can be remotely controlled with any infrared remote control.
The Elector learns to communicate with it with the simple push of a button.
Up to six (6 !) analog stereo sources can be connected to the Elector.
The Elector offers three pairs of balanced inputs with XLR jacks and three standard inputs with gold-plated RCA jacks.
Two mechanical VU meters visualize the input levels for the left and right audio channel.
With the VU switch you can optimize the display for different signal levels.
A tape monitor circuitry is quite retro.
Who still owns a cassette recorder or a tape machine?
Who else loops in an equalizer?
To put it another way:
Who would like to do it and cannot do it because no manufacturer offers a tape monitor circuit anymore?
Well, those who want can again.
Today’s audio levels are much higher than in the past and many recorders will be overloaded by them.
In that case simply press the switch and the level to the recorder is lowered by 10 dB.
To compensate, the level from the recorder is increased by 10 dB. Et voilà.
The standby mode of devices with 12V trigger input, can be switched on and off via AMP CTL, together with the Elector. This allows, for example, the SPL Performer s800, Performer m1000 or Performer s1200 power amplifiers to be ideally integrated into the set-up.
With all devices of the Professional Fidelity series we develop not only according to plan, but also by ear. Many important components are installed on the circuit boards using Through-hole technology. This way we can ensure that we can use the best sounding components.
The 120V technology is our reference technology. The 120V technology is unique in the world. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps. In our Professional Fidelity series, we refer to this unsurpassed technology as VOLTAiR technology.
The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers.
This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers.
By the way, the “120V” in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket. This is about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed.
The mains voltage from the mains power socket is transformed to the required secondary voltage in the device’s internal linear power supply with toroidal transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into DC voltage required in the audio device.
VOLTAiR is a composition of the terms Volt and Air. Volt is the unit for electrical voltage and Air stands for the unlimited space the music can breathe in.
VOLTAiR symbolizes the perceived limitless dynamics resulting from high audio voltage.
What exactly is that?
And what does it do?
Good questions need good answers.
And that’s what the 120V technology (VOLTAiR) video gives you.
Most audio devices work with an internal operating voltage of +/-15 volts and can thus process a maximum input level of +21.5 dBu. If a DAC, for example, has an output level of +22 dBu at 0 dBFS, level peaks of the music material would already cause overloads in the input stage of the device.
All components in the audio device often operate at their limits. The result is an unsteady sound that causes stress and faster ear fatigue.
SPL devices with VOLTAiR technology can handle input levels of +32.5 dBu thanks to the higher internal operating voltage of +/- 60 volts – thus offering 12 dB more headroom. All components consequently operate continuously in the optimum operating range. The result is a very pleasant, natural and relaxed sound experience. So you can enjoy your music in every detail.
These diagrams clearly show the superiority of the VOLTAiR technology in comparison to other circuits with lower, common operating voltages.
In the lab, we pitted Phonitor xe against the best audio measurement system and found that Audio Precision could not measure VOLTAiR technology.
That’s why we manufacture all devices in our own production facility in Niederkrüchten on the Lower Rhine, Germany.
