The SPL Performer S800 Power Amplifier is an ultra-compact power amplifier. Thanks to the VOLTAiR technology this power amplifier has absolute control over the speakers up to their load limits. This version features a black faceplate.
In stereo operation this bi-polar transistor power amplifier delivers up to 2x 285 W into 4 ohms speakers. In Bridge Mode it delivers 450 W into a 4 or 8 ohms speaker. The Performer s800 is equipped with slave-through outputs and input trim switches. The S800 is equipped with a 855 VA toroidal transformer. After many listening test we are convinced that an fully analog power amplifier with a power supply built around a toroidal transformer sound superior to digital amplifiers and power amplifiers with switch mode power supplies. The power supply is equipped with a capacitance of 40800 µF for screening and electricity storage for faithful reproduction of impulse peaks. The S800 has a protection circuit against DC (direct current) voltage at the output and against overheating. At about 70° C at the heat sink, the amplifier will switch off. After the temperature has fallen below 55° C, the amplifier automatically switches on again. The Temp LED on the front indicates the overheating. If DC is detected at the outputs, the amplifier automatically switches off. DC voltage can be an indication for a defect in the power stage. The Performer s800 does not automatically switch on again. It needs to be disconnected from the power (on/off). The Protect LED on the front indicates that the protection circuit is activated and the power stage has been switched off.
The SPL Performer S800 Power Amplifier is equipped with Neutrik XLR input and output connectors for balanced operation. The input signal is passively routed to the output connector to feed e.g. a second power amplifier for bi-wiring. The input can be lowered via a Trim rotary switch from 0 dB to -5.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps. This is useful in order to a achieve an optimal stereo sweet-spot in acoustically sub-optimal rooms. In bi-wiring line-ups or in the studio with multi speaker sets it allows to level speakers with different efficiency to equal loudness.The speaker outputs are gold plated binding post connectors. The terminals can accommodate both banana plugs, as well as a strand of up to 4mm diameter. To protect against short-circuits the Binding post is equipped with a clear plastic cap.
The SPL Performer S800 Power Amplifier has a 3.5mm mono jack designated as AMP CTR (amplifier control). With the appropriate cable, the Performer can be connected to a pre-amplifier, so that when you turn the pre-amplifier the amplifier is automatically switched on, too. In our Pro-Fi series the Director and the Phonitor x adequate AMP CTR ports.
SPL Performer S800 Stereo Power Amplifier Features
- Bi polar transistor power amplifier with VOLTAiR 120V technology
- 2 x 285 W into 4 ohms; 2 x 185 W into 8 ohms (stereo operation)
- 450 W into 4 or 8 ohms (mono operation Bridge Mode)
- Toroidal transformer with 855 VA
- 40800 µF capacitance for faithful reproduction of impulse peaks
- Gold-plated loudspeaker binding posts with protection covers
- Neutrik XLR connectors for balanced in- and outputs
- Direct slave through of the input (e.g. for bi-wiring)
- Input trim switch for attenuation up to -5.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps
- AMP CTR connector for remote power on/off switching (e.g. with Director or Phonitor x)
- Overheat protection with Temp LED
- DC (direct current) voltage protection with Protect LED
- Made in Germany
SPL Performer S800 Stereo Power Amplifier Specifications
- Line Inputs & Line Outputs
- Neutrik XLR, balanced, Pin 2 = (+)
- Input impedance: 10 kohms
- Input trimming: 0 dB to -5.5 dB in 0.5 dB steps
- Input sensitivity: Single-ended or balanced: 3.03 V RMS
- Output impedance: defined by connected device
- Crosstalk: -110 dB (@1 kHz)
- Loudspeaker Outputs
- 2 pairs binding posts with ø4mm cable hole (screwable) and banana plug; fully encapsulated
- Output power
- 2x 285 W RMS into 4 ohms
- 2x 185 W RMS into 8 ohms
- 1x 450 W RMS into 4 or 8 ohms in bridge mode
- Output voltage
- 74 V Peak-to-Peak (stereo)
- 180 V Peak-to-Peak (bridge)
- 35 V RMS (stereo)
- 86 V RMS (bridge)
- Output impedance
- < 0.031, 20 Hz to 20 kHz (stereo)
- < 0.043, 20 Hz to 20 kHz (bridge)
- Damping factor
- > 300, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, at 8 ohms (stereo)
- > 190, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, at 8 ohms (bridge)
- Frequency response
- 9 Hz to 100 kHz +0, 0.03 dB
- < 9 Hz to 200 kHz +0, 3 dB
- Signal-to-noise ratio
- > 118 dB (wide-band, unweighted, referred to full power output)
- > 123 dB (A-weighted)
- Gain
- 26 dB (stereo)
- 32 dB (bridge)
- Total harmonic distortion
- < 0.03 % at 1 kHz, at 185 W, 8 ohms
- < 0.19 % at 20 kHz, at 185 W, 8 ohms
- < 0.011 % at 1 kHz, at 450 W, 8 ohms
- < 0.12 % at 20 kHz at 450 W, 8 ohms
- Power Supply
- Mains voltage (switchable): 230 V AC / 50 Hz or 115 V AC / 60 Hz
- Fuses: 230 V: T 4 A; 115 V: T 8 A
- Power consumption: max 900 VA
- Idle power consumption: 40 W
- Dimensions (incl. feet)
- 278 mm W x 100 mm H x 370 mm D
- 10.95" W x 3.94" H x 14.57" D
- Weight
- 12.8 kg; 28.2 lbs (unit only)
- 14.0 kg; 30.9 lbs (shipping)
SPL Performer S800 Stereo Power Amplifier Includes
- SPL Performer S800 Stereo Power Amplifier
- Power Cord
- Manual
- Manufacturer Warranty
1 Review Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Underrated. Simply awesome.
Apr 29th 2022I bought this amp as an upgrade of already very good Audiolab 6000a for my desktop audio system. Here is the setup: 1)Computer: PC and Mac (connected to DAC using USB audio (midi) cable). 2)DAC: RME ADI2DACFS (Connected to amplifier using XLR cable; connected to subwoofer using RCA cable) 3)Amplifier: SPL S800 (connected to speakers using banana speaker cables). 4)Speakers: KEF LS50 meta 5)Subwoofer: KEF KC62 Compared to the Audiolab 6000a, the SPL S800 is much better, but it is not 4X better (although its price is nearly 4X more). The SPL S800 improves on already very good Audiolab 6000a amplification to new heights. The SPL S800 retains Audiolab's beautiful high frequency tonality and detailed imaging. More importantly, it improves on Audiolab's weakness: somewhat thin midrange. SPL S800 simply has more "meat to the bone" sound has substantially heavier bass response especially in the midrange. The soundstage is also much improved. My KEF LS50 meta speaker sounds much bigger than its size with SPL S800. I also find SPL S800 has more of that musical "umami" sound and I can listen to it longer without sound fatigue. It is simply more pleasant and better sounding amplifier. This is NOT to say that Audiolab 6000a is not a terrific amplifier. It definitely is terrific especially at its price point. But if you want to upgrade your amp to something more powerful and better sounding and you are willing to spend the money, then I do recommend this amplifier. Another thing to note, this amplifier, unlike the Audiolab 6000a, is a pure amplifier and doesn't have its own DAC or preamp. It is also VERY heavy and dense. Pros: 1)Sounds terrific in all areas (high, midrange, low). The midrange especially has the "meat to the bone" sound. The imaging is very detailed. The amazing soundstage takes my KEF LS50 meta to new heights. 2)It can be used as monoblock amplifier. 3)Very powerful at 185 watts per channel @ 8 ohms (280watts @4 ohms) 4)Music sounds like music, and not digital output. This amp will make you dance and sing. 5)I can listen to it much longer than my Audiolab 6000a without sound fatigue. Cons: 1)The "off" switch is at the very back. It only uses 0.3 watts in "standby" mode so it is no big deal. But I would like to have a more convenient way to turn off the amp. 2)Very heavy and dense. 3)Somewhat of a weird size. For me, it is almost perfect since it fits underneath my raised desktop monitor stand. But its odd size may make it the odd component out in your audiophile setting. 4)Runs somewhat warm (but not too warm).
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