Description
SPL Audio Director Mk2 Preamp with DAC
Director Mk2
The director sets the tone.
The central unit of the HiFi system is the preamplifier. With remote source selection and volume control, retro-look-VU-meter, premium DA-converter and the all superior VOLTAiR technology, the Director Mk2 caters for musical blockbusters.
Milled from solid
is the big 45mm Volume control. Its mass together with the motorized Alps RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer enhances the “spoon in the honey” feeling even further.
The red marker LED makes the setting visible even in darkened environments.
Volume RC
The volume can be remote controlled with any infrared remote control, that the Director Mk2 simply learns.
Source of joy
Up to ten (10 !) stereo sources can be connected to the Director Mk2. Six of them are for analog and four for digital input signals.
The source selection is shown in the dot matrix LED display: IN 1 through IN 6 for the analog inputs.
AES, USB, COAX, OPTI for the digital inputs, where the detected sample rate is displayed after about two seconds. For example U768 = USB input with 768kHz sampling rate.
The source selection can also be operated remotely if the rotary switch is set to the “Remote” position.
The Director Mk2 offers two pairs of balanced inputs with XLR connectors and four standard inputs with gold-plated RCA connectors.
On the digital side there are four additional inputs. PCM audio is received in S/P-DIF format via coaxial Cinch, optical Toslink and balanced XLR (AES). Both PCM audio and DSD audio can be converted via USB.
The DAC768
The highly acclaimed AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound™ premium DAC chip is used as the converter chip in the digital-to-analog converter, which thanks to its new architecture reproduces the finest sound details.
It converts PCM audio with a resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 768kHz, which is equivalent to 16 times CD resolution. Direct Stream Digital is also supported up to a resolution of DSD4 or DSD256.
The DLP120
The analog output of the DAC chip must be filtered by a low pass filter. Director Mk2 has two of them: One for PCM audio and one for DSD audio, since different roll-off frequencies are required.
And in contrast to all other DACs in the world, the low pass filters here are built using VOLTAiR technology, which provides a plus in dynamics and headroom.
Good ol’ times
Two mechanical VU meters visualize the input levels for the left and right audio channel.
With the VU switch you can optimize the display for different signal levels.
Tape Monitor
A tape monitor circuitry is quite retro. Who still owns a cassette recorder or a tape machine? Who still has an equalizer?
To put it another way: Who would like to do it and cannot do it because no manufacturer offers a tape monitor circuit anymore?
Well, those who want can again.
Today’s audio levels are much higher than in the past and many recorders will be overloaded by them.
In that case simply press the switch and the level to the recorder is lowered by 10 dB.
To compensate, the level from the recorder is increased by 10 dB. Et voilà.
Preamp & Direct Out
On the output side, power amplifiers or active loudspeakers can be connected to the preamp output sockets using XLRs.
The Direct Out via RCA picks up the output signal before the volume control and thus offers the possibility to connect a headphone amplifier.
AMP CTL
Practical are the AMP CTL sockets to which power amplifiers with 12 V trigger inputs can be connected in order to remotely switch them on and off together with the Director Mk2.
FEATURES
- PCM Sample Rate up to 756 kHz
- DSD Sample Rate up to DSD4
- USB, AES/EBU, Coaxial, Optical Inputs
- Insert Path for Tape Machines
- Balanced & Unbalanced Outputs
- Remote-Controllable Source Selection
Specifications
Analog Inputs & Outputs: XLR (balanced), RCA
Digital Inputs, DAC768
Internal Linear Power Supply with Shielded Toroidal Transformer
Mains Power Supply
Dimensions & Weight
Reference: 0 dBu = 0,775V
Color
Black, Red, Silver
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Slimmer is smarter
The Drivers
Mac OS & iOS
No driver installation required for Mac or iOS devices (class compliant).
iOS devices must be connected using the Apple camera adapter.
Windows
To operate with a higher than the standard sample rate this driver installation is required.
