SPL Director Mk2 EN

Professional Fidelity

Director Mk

ON

1
2 USB
3 AES

4 Coax

5 Optic TAPE MONITOR VU
6 Remote Off On 6 12

0

Mute

VOLTAiR VOLUME

120V DC Audio Rail

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Welcome

and thank you for choosing the D­ irector Mk2.

The Director Mk2 is the derivative of our reference preamplifier Director. The all new high voltage digital to analog
converter now supports 32 bit and sample rates up to 768kHz as well as DSD4. Besides the four digital inputs
there is a total of six analog inputs – two of which are balanced with XLR connectors.

Fans of analog tape machines or external audio processing can insert their beloved gear in the Tape Monitor loop.

VOLTAiR technology is what we also call the SPL 120V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. This
makes the D­ irector Mk2 an outstandig device in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom deliver-
ing an exceptional sound experience with invincible serenity, transparency and realness.

Director Mk Voltage Selection:
ON
1. Remove Fuse Holder R 2 LR 1L COAX
2. Exchange Fuses USB
3. Flip Over 4. Reinstall

A
1: PREAMP OUT
RCA Fixed

2: AMP CTL
High Current

1 ~ 115V AC / ~230V AC, 50 Hz / 60 Hz, P max. 45 W B AES OPTIC
2 USB Fuses: ~ 115V AC: T 1A L 250V / ~230V AC: T 500mA L 250V Made in Germany LLL
3 AES
CAUTION AT T ENT ION 65 4 3
4 Coax RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
DO NOT OPEN NE PAS OUVRIR L Tape L
Monitor R
5 Optic TAPE MONITOR VU
6 Remote Off On 6 12 SEND
–10dB
0
R RETURN
Mute RRR
+10dB
VOLTAiR Refer to R L
Manual
120V DC Audio Rail VOLUME

2 I FR

Content 

Getting started 4 DIP Switches 18
18
Front view 5 Level of the RCA PREAMP OUTPUTS 18
AMP CTL Current Strength 19
Rear view 6 19
Specifications 19
VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology 7 19
8 Inputs and Outputs 20
Comparisons Analog inputs 20
Digital inputs 20
Operation 10 Sample rates 32 Bit 21
10 Outputs 21
Source Selection, Mute, Remote 12 21
Volume 13 Measurements 21
Tape Monitor 14 Internal Voltages 22
VU Meter Power supply 22
Dimensions (incl. feet)
Attenuate the sensitivity of the VU meters 14 Weight
IR Remote Control 15
Important Notes
Volume and source can be remotely controlled using any
Declaration of CE Conformity
infrared (IR) remote control 15

AMP CTL (Amplifier Control) 17

I FR

Getting started

Getting started

Read thoroughly and follow the instructions as well as the security advices of the Quickstart
which is enclosed in the scope of delivery! You can also download the Quickstart here.

By pressing the I  -Button you get to the table of contents.
By pressing the F  -Button you get to the front view of the unit.
By pressing the R  -Button you get to the rear view of the unit.

By pressing the  -Button you get to the previous content.

4 I FR

Front view

Front view

IR Receiver 4 3 Power-LED 2 VU Meter 1 Stand-by
Display 5
Mk ON
Director

1
2 USB
3 AES

4 Coax

5 Optic TAPE MONITOR VU
6 Remote Off On 6 12

0

Mute

VOLTAiR VOLUME

120V DC Audio Rail

Source, Mute, Remote 6 Volume 7 9 VU Meter Switch
8 Tape Monitor Switch
5
I FR

Rear view

Rear view

Mains Voltage 13 19 DIP Switch 11 Analog Audio Inputs
10 Digital Audio Inputs
Mains Switch 14 12 AMP CTL

Voltage Selection: R 2 LR 1L COAX
USB
1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses
3. Flip Over 4. Reinstall

A
1: PREAMP OUT
RCA Fixed

2: AMP CTL
High Current

~ 115V AC / ~230V AC, 50 Hz / 60 Hz, P max. 45 W B AES OPTIC
Fuses: ~ 115V AC: T 1A L 250V / ~230V AC: T 500mA L 250V LLL
Made in Germany
CAUTION AT T ENT ION 65 4 3
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
DO NOT OPEN NE PAS OUVRIR L Tape L
Monitor R
R L RRR
SEND
Refer to –10dB
Manual
R RETURN

+10dB

Learn IR-Remote-Button 15 18 Tape Monitor 11 Analog Audio Inputs
XLR Preamp Outputs 16 17 RCA Preamp Outputs

6 I FR

VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology

VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology

VOLTAiR is the synonym for our 120V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. The audio signals are
processed with an unequalled +/-60V DC, which corresponds to twice that of discrete operational amplifiers and
four-times that of semiconductor operational amplifiers.

VOLTAiR Technology reaches outstanding technical and sonic performances. Technically especially in terms of
dynamic range and headroom and sonically especially in reproducing the finest details and delivering a totally
relaxed sounding audio experience. Music sounds absolutely natural.

SPL’s 120V Rail Technology is the internal audio processing voltage (+/- 60V DC).
It is not to be confused with the external mains voltage (e.g. 115V or 230V AC).

7 I FR

VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology

Comparisons

These diagrams show how our VOLTAiR Technology compares to other circuits.

The direct relation between operating level and maximum level is fundamental for the classification: the higher
the operating level, the higher the maximum level a circuit can handle. And since virtually all essential acoustic
and musical parameters depend on this relation, a higher operating voltage also has a positive impact on the
dynamic range, distortion limit and signal-to-noise ratio.

Operating Voltage Dynamic Range

Volt dB
120 145

V 140 ,
100

80 135

60

130

40 125 ,
20 V 120
OPA 134@30 V
0 + / - 60 Volt SPL-OP@120 V

+ / - 15 Volt

8 I FR

VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology
Do bear in mind that dB scales do not represent linear but rather exponential increases. A 3 dB increase corresponds
to doubling the acoustic power, +6 dB correspond to twice the sound pressure level, and +10 dB correspond to twice
the perceived loudness.

When it comes to volume, the VOLTAiR Technology exhibits a performance, in regard to maximum level and dynamic
range, that is twice that of common components and circuits given that its values are approximately 12 dB higher.

THD measurements show a difference of more than 8 dB compared to the TL071 at 30 V — in terms of sound pres-

sure level, that corresponds to an improvement of more than 130%. The operating level most commonly used for

audio equipment is +/- 15 volts.

Max. Audio Level dBu THD&N
-105
dBu -107 -

30 ,

20 , -109
10 -111
-113
-115 -,

0

OPA 134@30 V SPL-OP@120 V TL 071@30 V SPL-OP@120 V

9 I FR

Operation Operation

Director

Source Selection, Mute, Remote 1
2 USB
With the SOURCE switch (6) you select the source, mute the output and enable the source 3 AES
selection via a remote control.
4 Coax
Select one of the six analog inputs 1 - 6. Select one digital input USB, AES, Coax or Optic.
In the Mute position no signal passes through to the outputs and MUTE is displayed. 5 Mute Optic
6 Remote

VOLTAiR

120V DC Audio Rail

The source selection can also be remotely controlled (IR Remote Control). For remote source
selection the Source switch must be in Remote position.

After a digital source is selected, its name is displayed in the Display (5) for about two seconds (USB, OPTI,
COAX, AES). After that the first letter of the name appears together with the sample rate which is automatically
detected by the D­ irector Mk2 (e.g. U384, O192). See table on the next page.

10 I F R

Operation

Table: Selected digital source displayed after two seconds Sample rate DSD
Sample rate PCM (kHz) (n * 44,1 kHz)

Digital source 44.1 48 88.2 96 176.4 192 352.8 384 705.6 768 64 x 128 x 256 x

USB U 44 U 48 U 88 U 96 U176 U192 U352 U384 U706 U768 DSD1 DSD2 DSD4

Optical O 44 O 48 O 88 O 96 - - - - --

Coax C 44 C 48 C 88 C 96 C176 C192 - - --

AES/EBU A 44 A 48 A 88 A 96 A176 A192 - - --

11 I F R

Operation

Director

Volume –% VU

You control the volume of the XLR PREAMP OUTPUTS (16) with the VOLUME potentiom1 eter (7). TAPE MONITOR
2 USB Off O
3 AES
VOLUME
Depending on the setting of the DIP switch 1 (see DIP Switches), the level of the R4CA PREAMPCoax

5 Optic

OUTPUTS (17) has a fixed level (Unity Gain) or is adjusted by the VOLUME potentiom6 eMtuete r.Remote

VOLTAiR

120V DC Audio Rail

The VOLUME potentiometer is motorized and can be remotely controlled (see IR Remote Con-

trol).

12 I F R

–% VU + –

1 Operation L
2 USB
Tape Monitor 3 AES

You can insert tape machines or external audio proc4essing deviceCsoaxlike an equalizer or vitalizer TAPE MONITOR
Off On
in the Tape Monitor loop. 5 Optic
6 Remote
Mute

Insert a tape machine and listen back (tape monitoring)VwOLhTiAleiRrecording from a vinyl recoVOrLdUMoE r
120V DC Audio Rail

insert beloved equalizers or other processing devices to tune sound. R2 LR 1

A

Connect the SEND (18) output of the Director Mk2 to the input of your external device.

Connect the RETURN (18) input of the Director Mk2 to the output of your externaBl device.
~ 115V AC / ~230V AC, 50 Hz / 60 Hz, P max. 45 W

If the send level from the Director Mk2 is too high for your externalRdevice enLgage L Tape L
the level calibration switch beside the tape send and tape return sockets to lower Monitor
6
the send level by 10 dB. The return level will be increased by 10 dB to eliminate a SEND
–10dB R
level difference.
R RETURN

+10dB

If no external device is connected set the TAPE MONITOR switch to Off.
Otherwise the audio signal is interrupted.

13 I F R

Operation

VU Meter

Director Mk

The VU meteDrsire(2ct)odr isplay the input levels for the selected source. The meter Mk ON
indicates levels from -20 dB to +5 dB.
–% VU + –% VU + +

–% VU + –% VU

0 dB corresponds to +4 dBu. 1
2 USB

3 AES

The ballistics of the VU meters guarante4 e an optimal visual perception. The time calibration of the VU meters com-
Coax

plies with t2he re1quireUmSBents of the BBC. T5 he rise timeOptic up to 0 dB is about 300 ms. TAPE MONITOR VU
Off On 6 12

6 Remote 0
Mute
3 AES

Attenuate the sensitivity of the VU mVOeLTtAeiRrs VOLUME
4 Coax 120V DC Audio Rail

With the VU switch (9) you can lower the sensitivity by 6 or 12 dB so that the mTAePEteMOrsNITgOoR up to VU
5 Optic Off On 6 12

+17 dB intput level if the switch is set to 12. 0
6 Remote
Mute

VOLTAiR VOLUME

120V DC Audio Rail

14 I F R

Operation

IR Remote Control

Volume and source can be remotely controlled using any infrared (IR) remote control

The special feature is that the ­Director Mk2 learns your remote and not the other way around. You do not need a

universal remote control. Take, for example, the remote control of your CD player. Out of the many buttons there

are four you hardly use if at all and that do not directly trigger a function on the CD player. SOURCE
VOLUME
Programming of the Director Mk2 to your remote control is easy and takes just four steps – one for each A

function: increase the volume, lower the volume, select next source, select previous source. IR IR

PGM PGM B

Director

• Press the LEARN IR-REMOTE button (15) on the rear of the unit until you note the actuation Refer to AMP CTL
CAUTION AT T ENT ION Manual

point. The display shows 1/4 to indicate the first programming step. RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE ~115 V AC/~230 V AC, 50 H
DO NOT OPEN NE PAS OUVRIR Fuses: 230 V: T 500mA L 25

• Step 1/4: Point your remote control towards the IR receiver (4) and push the button you 1
wish to use to increase the volume. 2 USB
The display shows now 2/4 to indicate the next programming step. 3 AES

• Step 2/4: Push the button you wish to use to lower the volume. 4 Coax
The display shows now 3/4 to indicate the next programming step.
5 Mute Optic
6 Remote

VOLTAiR

120V DC Audio Rail

15 I F R

Operation

• Step 3/4: Push the button you wish to use to switch to the next source.
The display shows now 4/4 to indicate the next programming step.

• Step 4/4: Push the button you wish to use to switch to the next source.

Learn mode ends automatically.

Please note: direct insolation of strong light (e.g. sun light, halogen lamps, neon tubes, fluorescent tubes, terrar-
ium and aquarium lights as well as big flat screens) may lead to misoperation of the remote control functions.

16 I F R

AMP CTL (Amplifier Control)

AMP CTL (Amplifier Control)

If you own SPL Performer power amplifiers or other amplifiers using 12V trigger inputs you can R
connect the AMP CTL (12) outputs of the Director Mk2 with mono mini jack cables to the AMP CTL A

of the amps to trigger on and standby. B

~ 115V AC / ~230V AC, 50 Hz / 60 Hz, P max. 45 W

The Director Mk2 has two outputs to switch two power amplifiers.

The switching current can be set in two strengths via the DIP switches. RL

CAUTION: To switch an SPL Performer s800 power amplifier on or off, the switching current
must be set low (DIP switch 2 = OFF).

17 I F R

DIP Switches

DIP Switches

With the DIP switches (19) on the rear of the unit the following settings can be chosen:

Level of the RCA PREAMP OUTPUTS

DIP switch 1: OFF = The level of the RCA PREAMP OUTPUTS is adjusted with the volume control.
DIP switch 1: ON = The level of the RCA PREAMP OUTPUT is fixed (Unity Gain).

AMP CTL Current Strength

DIP switch 2: OFF = The AMP CTL connector supplies low current.

This (default) setting can be used to switch an SPL Performer s800 power amplifier on and off.

DIP switch 2: ON = The AMP CTL connector supplies a high current.

This setting can be used to switch power amplifiers with 12V triggers (e.g. SPL Performer m1000) on and off.
CAUTION: Do not use this setting to turn an SPL Performer s800 power amplifier on or off.

18 I F R

Specifications Specifications

Inputs and Outputs I FR

Analog inputs

• 6 analog stereo inputs
• 2 x XLR, balanced (10 kOhm)
• 4 x RCA, unbalanced (47 kOhm)
• Max. input level: +32,5 dBu

Digital inputs

• 4 digital inputs
• AES/EBU (XLR), balanced
• Coaxial SPDIF (RCA)
• Optical TOSLINK (F06)
• USB (B)
• 0 dBFS = 15 dBu
• Converter Chip AK4490-Velvet Sound

19

Specifications

Sample rates 32 Bit

• Encoded PCM (kHz): 44.1, 48 , 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384, 705.6, 768
• DSD: DSD1 (DSD64), DSD2 (DSD128), DSD4 (DSD256)

Outputs

• 2 analog stereo outputs
• Neutrik XLR, balanced, Pin 2 = (+)
• RCA, unbalanced
• Impedance: 75 ohms (balanced)
• max. output level 32,5 dBu

Measurements

• Frequency range (analog): 4 Hz – 300 kHz (-3 dB)
• Crosstalk at 1 kHz: -108 dB (analog); -108 dB (digital)
• THD: 0.00992 % (analog 0 dBu); 0.0014 % (digital -1 dBfs)
• Noise (A-weighted): -102.5 dB (analog); -100.2 dB (digital)
• Dynamic range: 135 dB (analog); 115.2 dB (digital)

20 I F R

Specifications

Internal Voltages

• Analog: +/- 60 V
• Digital: + 7 V and + 3.3 V

Power supply

• Mains voltage (switchable): 230 V AC / 50 Hz or 115 V AC / 60 Hz
• Fuses: 230 V: T 500 mA; 115 V: T 1 A
• Power consumption: max. 40 VA
• Standby power consumption: < 0.3 W

Dimensions (incl. feet)

• 278 mm W x 100 mm H x 330 mm D
• 10.95 in W x 3.94 in H x 13 in D

Weight

• 4.55 kg; 10.03 lbs (unit only)
• 6.85 kg; 15.10 lbs (shipping)

Reference: 0 dBu = 0,775V. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

21 I F R

Important Notes

Important Notes

Version 1.1 – 03/2021

Developer: Bastian Neu

This manual includes a description of the product but no guarantee as for specific characteristics or successful
results. Unless stated otherwise, everything herein corresponds to the technical status at the time of delivery of
the product by SPL electronics GmbH. The design and circuitry are under continuous development and improve-
ment. Technical specifications are subject to change.

© 2021 SPL electronics GmbH. This document is the property of SPL and may not be copied or reproduced in any
manner, in part or fully, without prior authorization by SPL. Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to
improve its products and reserves the right to modify the product described in this manual at any time without
prior notice. SPL and the SPL Logo are registered trademarks of SPL electronics GmbH. All company names and
product names in this manual are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Declaration of CE Conformity

The construction of this unit is in compliance with the standards and regulations of the European Com-
munity.

22 I F R

Important Notes

23 I F R