SPL AUDIO Director Mk2 Preamplifier with DA converter
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Product Overview
The Definitive High-End Hub for Your Audio Ecosystem
The preamplifier sits at the heart of any true high-fidelity listening chain. It is responsible for switching sources cleanly, managing volume without adding noise, and driving power amplifiers or active monitors with flawless impedance matching. The SPL Director Mk2 takes this responsibility and elevates it into an art form by combining ten independent inputs (six analog and four digital) into a beautifully compact, masterfully milled aluminum desktop chassis.
Rather than relying on typical off-the-shelf integrated operational amplifiers that compress the dynamic range of dense audio paths, the Director Mk2 treats both digital conversion and analog preamplification to identical high-voltage rails. The result is an ultra-linear, fatigue-free audio presentation that remains remarkably lifelike, open, and dynamically true, whether you are streaming bit-perfect master files over USB or spinning vinyl from an external phono stage.
Product Description
The Power of 120V VOLTAiR Technology:
The core of the Director Mk2's unmatched clarity resides in SPL's exclusive VOLTAiR technology. Running on a dedicated internal plus/minus 60V DC linear network, this platform operates at four times the voltage capacity of conventional semiconductor audio designs. By establishing a massive structural ceiling well beyond normal line-level signals, the Director Mk2 achieves an internal dynamic range of 132 dB and completely eliminates clipping artifacts. Transients build organically without compression, and the stereo soundstage breathes with a distinct "analog scale" that captures the precise acoustic environment of the original recording.
Premium AKM Velvet Sound DAC768 Engine:
On the digital front, the Director Mk2 features an upgraded DAC768 processing architecture centered around the highly acclaimed AKM AK4493 SEQ VELVETSOUND™ converter chip. It decodes PCM audio up to a staggering 768 kHz (16 times the resolution of a CD) and supports native Direct Stream Digital files up to DSD256 (DSD4) over USB.
Seamless Automation: The DAC automatically detects the incoming sample rate and resolution from streamers, computers, or CD transports, immediately showing the parameters on an intuitive front-panel dot-matrix LED display (e.g., "U768" for 768 kHz USB playback).
Custom Low-Pass Filters: Instead of standard IC filters, the delicate low-pass stage following the DAC chip is built from scratch by SPL engineers using discrete 120V VOLTAiR components, avoiding high-frequency glassiness or digital harshness.
Haptic Luxuries & Smart Integration:
Every physical interaction with the Director Mk2 reinforces its high-end heritage. The front panel features a massive 45mm aluminum volume knob milled from a solid block, turning a motorized ALPS RK27 "Big Blue" analog potentiometer that offers a premium, heavily-damped tactile feel.
Universal Remote Learning: The volume and source controls can learn commands from any standard infrared (IR) remote, meaning your existing TV or CD remote can effortlessly pilot your preamp.
Vintage VU Level Monitoring: Two retro-styled, Amber-backlit mechanical VU meters dance accurately to the incoming audio levels, complete with a rear sensitivity toggle to keep them calibrated for modern hot master files or lower-level vintage sources.
Home Theater Bypass & Tape Loop: Input 6 can be assigned as a dedicated Home Theater Pass-Through to integrate the unit into multi-channel surround setups. Meanwhile, a dedicated stereo RCA Send/Return loop gives tape-deck enthusiasts a true Tape Monitor path or a safe placement zone for external analog hardware.
Key Features
120V VOLTAiR AUDIO RAIL PLATFORM: Delivers unmatched headroom, ultra-low distortion ratings, and a broad, open stereo image.
32-BIT AKM VELVET SOUND DAC: Employs the premium AK4493 SEQ chip for incredibly transparent, high-definition digital playback.
768 kHz PCM & NATIVE DSD256: Full high-resolution decoding support for PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD4/256 over USB.
10 INDEPENDENT INPUT HUB: Hosts 2 pairs of balanced XLR and 4 pairs of gold-plated RCA analog inputs, alongside 4 digital I/O sockets.
MOTORIZED ALPS "BIG BLUE" POT: Large, weighted 45mm aluminum control knob provides smooth volume adjustments with a helpful red position indicator LED.
IR REMOTE LEARNING CAPACITY: Integrates seamlessly into any space by learning commands from your existing handheld infrared remotes.
MECHANICAL VU METERS: Dual illuminated vintage meters show input level variations with a 0dB calibration scaled to +4dBu.
DOT-MATRIX INFORMATION DISPLAY: Instantly shows the active input selection and authentic incoming digital sampling rates at a glance.
TRUE TAPE MONITOR ROUTING: Fully switchable dedicated RCA Send and Return insert path for external processing or tape recorders.
12V TRIGGER CONNECTIONS: Features Amp CTL outputs to automatically wake up or put connected SPL Performer power amplifiers to sleep.
Technical Specifications
Feature
Specification
Device Type
Stereo Analog Preamplifier with High-Resolution DA Converter
Core Architecture
Proprietary 120V VOLTAiR Rail Technology (+/-60V DC Operating Rails)
