Built as a mono block the SPL Performer m1000 features SPL's proprietary VOLTAiR technology that allows creating power amps with far less components in the signal path than common designs. Only one preamplifier op-amp is required to drive the bipolar power amplifier transistors: extremely fast, direct, highly efficient and with an extraordinary sound.
The Performer m1000 delivers 1000 W into 2 Ohms or 750 W into 4 Ohms out of a linear power supply with a massive toroidal transformer.
Ultra-compact Power Amplifier
The Performer m1000 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. Designed as a mono block amplifier this bi-polar transistor power amplifier delivers up to 1000 W into 2 Ohms, 750 W into a 4 Ohms and 420 W into 8 Ohms speaker. The Performer m1000 is equipped with a slave-through XLR output and an input trim switch.
Toroidal Transformer
The Performer m1000 is equipped with a 1375 VA toroidal transformer. After many listening tests SPL determined that a fully analog power amplifier with a power supply built around a toroidal transformer sounds superior to digital amplifiers and power amplifiers with switch mode power supplies. The power supply is equipped with a capacitance of 54400 µF for screening and electricity storage and a faithful reproduction of impulse peaks. The toroidal transformer is mounted on a separate mounting plate that sits on 8 rubber dampers to extenuate any mechanical hum noise.
Protection
The Performer m1000 has a protection circuit against DC (direct current) voltage at the output and a limiter against overloading the output. If DC is detected at the output, the amplifier automatically switches off. DC voltage can be an indication for a defect in the power stage or can be induced by other equipment. The Performer m1000 does not automatically switch on again. It needs to be disconnected from the power (on/off). The Protect-LED on the front illuminates red indicating that the protection circuit is activated and the power stage has been switched off.
To protect the output from overload a limiter will be deployed in case the input level is so hot that the output stage will overload. The limiter operates with a so-called LDR which is a light-dependent resistor. This means that the regulating process is in the photo-optical domain and does not affect the audio signal. Only the result of the processing, a resistor value, affects the audio. The Protect-LED on the front illuminates yellow when limiter is working. The Performer m1000 keeps on playing.
Custom-made Mundorf Coil
The Performer m1000 is equipped with a custom 3,8µH coil made by German high-end specialist Mundorf. This coil prevents the possibility of oscillation of the power stage. This oscillation can be a result of certain speaker specification. With the Mundorf coil in place a huge variety of speakers can be operated seamlessly.
Processor Controlled Cooling
Heat dissipation is done with a micro-processor controlled fan cooling that only gets activated when the internal temperature exceeds certain limits. In standard operation the fan may not even start working at all. But if so, the fan speed and thereby its noise level is temperature dependent.
At about 50°C/112°F at the heat sink, the amplifier will engage the processor-controlled fan cooling. In the unlikely event that the fan is not capable to cool the power transistors or in case the fan is defective the power amplifier will switch off at 85°C/185°F at the heat sinks. The TEMP LED on the front indicates the overheating. Once the temperature falls below 55°C/131°F the Performer m1000 switches on automatically.
I/O
The Performer m1000 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 achieve an optimal stereo sweet-spot in acoustically suboptimal 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 connectors are gold plated binding posts. The terminals can accommodate both banana plugs, as well as a wire of up to 4 mm diameter.
Amp Control
The Performer m1000 has a 3.5 mm mono jack designated as AMP CTL (amplifier control). With the appropriate cable, the Performer can be connected to a preamplifier, so that when you turn the preamplifier on the amplifier is automatically switched on, too. In SPL's Pro-Fi series the Director, Phonitor x and the Crossover provide AMP CTL ports.