The power of an AMG GT with the finesse of an “S” Klasse. SPL Director Mk II & Performer s900 stack.
• This amazingly well engineered SPL gear really impressed me with its build quality and more importantly its sonic acuity. It sounds so good. Extraordinary power and finesse. Well worth the price of admission.
I have no affiliation with SPL.
For more information about SPL visit: https://spl.audio/en/
Albums used in this review:
• Till Brönner, “The Good Life” :https://tidal.com/browse/album/63176196?u
• Fenne Lily, “Big Picture” : https://tidal.com/browse/album/266904515?u
• Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” : https://tidal.com/browse/album/19817437?u
All of my reviews are completely subjective. They are my opinion and not to be taken as criticism or as negative. I can only share my feelings and personal conclusions. No one has any influence over my reviews or conclusions. I do not accept payment for reviews.
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If you wish to purchase any Cambridge Audio or Advance Paris products, or any vinyl from the Skylabs online store, please click here: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref=6609663.MTejnTqC6497
*DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below contain affiliate Amazon links. If you purchase with those links, I do receive a small commission but, it doesn’t affect your price or your ability to return something. Thank you for supporting the channel.
Current audio equipment list:
Amplifiers:
• Cambridge AXR-100 Receiver: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref=6609663.MTejnTqC6497
• Cambridge EVO150: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref=6609663.MTejnTqC6497
• Black Ice Audio F22 KT88 Integrated Tube Amp: https://blackiceaudio.com/integrated-amplifers-1/p/black-ice-fusion-f22v2-tubeintegrated
DACs:
• LAIV Harmony R2R DAC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-dac
• Geshelli Labs J2S Socketed AKM4499 DAC: https://geshelli.com/product/jnog2-socketed-j2s/
• Sparkos Dual Discrete Op Amp SS3602: https://sparkoslabs.com/product/dual-discrete-op-amp-ss3602/
• Geshelli Labs Dayzee: https://geshelli.com/dayzee/
• Sparkos Pro Discrete Op Amp SS2590: https://sparkoslabs.com/product/pro-discrete-op-amp-ss2590/
• FiiO K9 Desktop Headphone Amp/DAC – AKM Edition: https://amzn.to/3ZeGTYp
• Douk Audio DAC-Q11: https://amzn.to/4gnjzxt
Speakers:
• Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 Speakers: https://amzn.to/3WberDp
• Elac Debut Reference 62 (DBR62) speakers: https://amzn.to/3VyQzcu
• Neil Blanchard Designs MLTL-6 Stand mount speaker: https://www.nbdesigns.work
Streamers:
• My main streaming source is a small format PC: https://amzn.to/3yhCoAI
• Cambridge MXN10: https://amzn.to/3XEWkb1
• FiiO S15 Streamer DAC: https://www.fiio.com/s15
• Alpha Audio, Alpha One Streamer DAC: https://www.alphaaudiocanada.com/#programs
Analog:
• Fluance RT-84 turntable: https://amzn.to/4aMuZrt.
• Audio Technica AT540ML MM Cart: https://amzn.to/4diAyzy
• Audio Technica AT-OC9XEN MC Cart: https://amzn.to/3C0PCna
Accessories:
• iFi AC iPurifier: https://amzn.to/3UWb4ko
• All line level cables are from World’s Best Cable. I primarily use Mogami 2964 Wire and Amphenol ACPL connectors: https://amzn.to/3JWCDE9
My desktop gear:
• FiiO K11 R2R DAC/Headphone Amp: https://amzn.to/3YmlMTy
• Ayima A07 amp: https://amzn.to/3V969LQ
Headphones:
• Sennheiser Mass-Drop HD6XX headphones: https://amzn.to/3wVNvz7
• FiiO FT-1 Closed-Back Over-Ear Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: https://amzn.to/3B2gvqC
• FiiO FT-5 Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: https://amzn.to/4e6zG09
• HIFIMAN Sundara Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: https://amzn.to/4hsaBzx
• HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: https://amzn.to/4f788ZT
• HIFIMAN Deva-Pro Over-Ear Full-Size Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone with Bluetooth Dongle/Receiver, Himalaya R2R Architecture DAC: https://amzn.to/3C2Vtsu
Email: questions4oldguyhifi@gmail.com
Ommunity Post Playlists: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxFWsrQVhpupMc-WdqrP_X4ZtMXiQmVz1q
Tidal Playlists:
• Old Guy Hifi Test Tracks Vol. 1: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/504b4da9-38d5-4f3b-83ea-6d3e73fb90bf
• Old Guy Hifi Test Tracks Vol. 2: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/3cf20a05-c649-474d-aa32-72c710212b59
• My Classical playlist: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/8e588a95-7664-4f5a-97c1-70270655e40c
Spotify:
• Classical Weekend: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/648pMGies9cVEsUqEWEiNE?si=64a61b584d9b43c3
Qobuz playlist:
• “Audiophile Electronica”: https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/20718243
• “Vivaldi”: https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/15233981
#power #AMG #finesse #Klasse #SPL #Director #Performer #s900 #stack
Originally posted by UCnXGgtaGLaY-xsKYgndyuAQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a6oYlXZB2E
The power of an AMG GT with the finesse of an “S” Klasse. SPL Director Mk II & Performer s900 stack. This amazingly well engineered SPL gear really impressed me with its build quality and more importantly its sonic acuity. It sounds so good. Extraordinary power and finesse. Well worth the price of admission. I have no affiliation with SPL. For more information about SPL visit: https://spl.audio/en/ . If you wish to join the channel and become a member please click here: https://www.youtube.com/@OldGuyHifi/membership
Ed- As a technical person myself and the work I did all my life I love the technical side of everything! Everyone does not like that ! As you know some people cannot be convinced 2+2 =4 but that’s ok! Everything in music is very subjective and everyone has a opinion ! As you get older the ability to hear differences in sound quality becomes much more difficult and when I hear 65 year old men giving these alaberate opinions about sound quality I have to chuckle! Most people by that time have lost a good bit log heating ! My opinion is enjoy what you can hear ! Keep up the Great Work. Sam in WV
Hi Ed,
Great review as always. Can you tell about heat..both from the amp and the DAC/preamp amp. I have a closed enclosure and don’t want to generate a lot of heat. CLASS D may be a better option for me, if the SPL generates heat. If not, this combo may be great for me.
Cheers
Thx
I have an idea for a topic that you seem well equipped to tackle. There is shockingly little info on the web about using Solar Generators/Power Banks as a way to get good clean power to a HiFi or even HT rig. Units such as the EcoFlow Delta line seem like a good candidate. There's also offering from companies like Bluetti, GoalZero, & Jackery all of which are quite affordable, and seem potentially to be a better option that many of these questionable power conditioners or regenerators that are way cost prohibitive for most. Anyway would love to hear your take on it.
Really nice review. Does anyone know why these higher end DACs use USB B?
Out of Topic: Since you reviewed the Douk Q-11 DAC and the Fosi ZD3, which has the best sound in your opinion?
Love your in-depth reviews Ed and as always really enjoy the music discussion. Shame you didn’t have Benchmarks stuff to compare???? Seem to be their American competition……
Some interesting gear here, looks like quality components.
It amazes me that the the transformer is not potted so that it is shielded
Thank you Ed for the review and for the music recommendation as well.
Very interesting stuff…
Great review Ed! Thanks! If you had to choose the SPL stack sound or Laiv Harmony sound which one do you prefer?
Hello Sir
I am looking for a integrated amp
With a 4ohm rating slightly on the warm side full sounding mids in the 1500 to 2000 us range.
Thank you best regards reinhart
Have you had the opportunity to compare the new Performer S900 to the S800 – which I have, and the Director mk2 as well (not the newest with the new AKM dac).
I can absolutely recognize most of your opinions from my own system. My speakers are the finnish Amphion Argon 3S, with an awasome soundstage that is spot on whereever I sit in relation to the speakers. A very, very wide “sweetspot”, that I think only very few speakers can live up to.
Great review Ed. Thanks again!
Deutscheland Ubber Alles indeed.The SPL seem to be doing what U.S pro-consumer company Benchmark does not that is some out with new products.The remote feature also seems wunderbar.That said we're talking about a lot of Deutchemarks here especially for a DAC (which could ne upgraded if they had a port) but leaving out a an I2S at this price point and day and age is like leaving out a eArc on a $1K intgergrated. Review was great but was hoping you'd still have that Rogue Pharaoh around to compare the amps.That said I wish the D amp in the Pharaoh review had been compared to the Starkrimsson Ultra.Hey your pacing ("I am going to fast") is perfect.BTW you worked at Porsche?I wish you give a video of your obviously interesting CV in it's entierty. Very lastly we all gotta chip in and get you some better Wharfdales or better yet some old Watt Puppies,VSM Merlin's or Guarnieri's (I am a old duffer like you).Peace
Seems like it's truely end game kit. It makes McIntosh gear seem like something out of an old Sears catalog (and I'm from Binghamton NY the home of McIntosh).
This is awesome. SPL is a pretty iconic company in the pro audio world. I’ve seen them in a lot of studios, and the monitor controllers also. Glad to hear you liked them.
So, Ed if you're going to address Deutschland Audio High End how about Italian? Because they do make some World Class products.
Finally SPL is getting the recognition they deserve! Absolutely great gear and good review. I have two SPL Elector preamplifiers (loved it so much I had the easy decision to buy another), SPL Crossover and the SPL Performer m1000 monoblocks. I decided on the Elector so as to be able to choose my dac or dac's of choice. No regrets on the gear and they make my system sing like never before. Headroom forever lol.
Very thorough review, take care.
Your channel is quickly becoming one of my top 5 audio related channels on YT! Concise, articulate, packed with tons of information, plus the IMO necessary subjective review and also your excellent music recommendations. I think I might have to make a seperate playlist just for your recommendations, unless you have a playlist you can share.
Cheers!
Higher voltages are good sometimes and sometimes we want more current. The thing is that voltage regulators, bucking transformers, transformers with multiple taps including a center tap are common. There is no advantage to running one voltage through the entire system with no stepping of voltages up or down. This would limit componet choices so that you might not be able to actualy use the best part for the job if it is not compatable with your voltae scheme when you start doing what I consider to be silly or poor engineering practice and running a single voltage through an entire device! That sort of thinking limits capacitor choice and transistor choice drastickly and no little company can purchase enough volume to get a company to make non-standard parts for them. Now if it is just the rails running at 60 volts that is a different story all of my vintage gear has at least 60V on the rails some is 80V on the rails. That does not mean the entire unit is operating at those voltages again voltage regulators, resistors and steping transformers are a thing!
That has to be the worst possible way to speand $9000. It is ugly and does not look or scream well built. Since Ihave not handled one and looked under the hood I am not saying it is not well built only that it does not appear visualy to be impressive. Take the SPL branding off ot and I doubt anyone looking at it would think it was worth much or a quality product.
I knew this review would come sometime in the new year, and here it is. Thanks, educational as always. What I would have been interested in is how good an external DAC needs to be to outperform the internal one. Is the Laiv Harmony better? Or do you have to spend even more?
Ed, I can feel your enthusiasm for this product through the ether! That thing looks so cool in red, and it reminds me of radio gear I might have worked on in the Navy in the 70s. Not in red of course. I am also a fan of wideband design like you and I won't buy anything with less than 10hz-40khz frequency response. BTW Ed, would you join me in a moment of silence? My beloved HK-3370 bit the dust. I will try to fix it but I don't think I can.
Ive heard good things about SPL was on the fence in buying one of their preamps but they have a confusing array of product stacks and most seem headphones orientated and relatively expensive
Fine review! Are XLRs nessasry for home HiFi? I totally get their need in professional setups that have long runs and multiple components outputs/inputs going on at the same time. But in typical home setups, there is usually one source being used at a given time. Some high-end manufacturers like Daniel Hertz and Audio Group Denmark use RCA only on their amplifies. What's your opinion, please? Thanks
I appreciate the music recommends!" The Rite of Spring" is the first classical piece I noticed at 7 years old, remains my one of my favorites! My parents always had us watch Lenny on CBS. I have looked at SPL earlier headphone amplifiers & was very impressed! Thanks for the review, guess I may have to start saving up & selling my current preamplifier & amplifier.
Great to have a review of something totally different from anybody else on YouTube. Keep them coming!
Ed it's all about the music, I enjoy when you talk music, I matter more than people that complain about you talking about music. Cheers!