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Seller's Description

SPL Performer s800 Stereo Power Amp with VOLTAiR Tech

(Silver)

PREOWNED – FULLY TESTED – SILVER –

INCLUDES ORIGINAL BOX/PACKING, MANUAL POWER CABLE

 

Performer s800 is a stereo power amplifier that delivers 2 x

285 W to 4 ohms loudspeakers. In Bridge Mode it delivers 450 W into 4 oder 8

ohms.

 

• 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

 

The technical basis of all Professional Fidelity

units is our proprietory 120 V Rail Technology, which we also call VOLTAiR

technology. The name makes reference to the unequalled high voltage of 120 V

(+/-60 V DC) and the huge dynamic range of over 140 dB that goes with it.

The Performer s800 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.

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.

Toroidal transformer

The Performer 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.

Protection

The Performer amplifier 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.

Inputs and outputs

The Performer s800 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.

Amp Control

The Performer s800 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.

Professional Fidelity

• Pro-Fi-Serie

Performer s800 is part of our Pro-Fi series of

products. Pro-Fi stands for Professional Fidelity and it expresses that these

products have their roots in professional studio technology being optimized for

high-fidelity music playback.

We love simple elegance and a certain level of

understatement. Therefore we renounce over-dimensioned housing milled out of a

solid block and other mostly price-driving attributes of many high-end

products. Our background is come from professional studio technology, where inner

values and audio performance count the most.

Mastering studios give your records and CDs the final

tough – with SPL 120V technology. And because the Performer s800 is

built with the same technology it belongs to best amplifiers. With its

extraordinary specifications and enormous headroom Performer

s800 amplifies audio in the most relaxed and detailed fashion.

VOLTAiR-Technologie

VOLTAiR technology is what we also call the 120V rail

technology to express the unequalled high voltage, which is four times as high

as usual. The performance characteristics are unique and they have just such

effect on the listening experience.

The 120V electronics operate quasi ‘idle’ even at highest audio

levels and impulse peaks. They never operate on the limit and therefore never

get stressed. The music presents itself with a serenity that you feel pleasant

when listening.

The Sound

120V Rail Technology is our reference

technology developed and manufactured to run on an operating voltage of

120 volts, which corresponds to twice that of discrete operational amplifiers

and four-times that of semiconductor operational amplifiers.

120V Rail 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 and hearing fatigue is drastically reduced.

Even the best audio measuring equipment arrives at the

boundaries. In same situations we ended up just measuring the Audio Precision

Cascade 2 measuring device and we cannot say how good the 120V Rail Technology

actually performs.

Comparisons

 

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.

Do bear in mind that dB scales do not represent linear but

rather exponential increases. A 3dB increase corresponds to doubling the

acoustic power, +6dB correspond to twice the sound pressure level, and +10dB

correspond to twice the perceived loudness.

When it comes to volume, the 120V Rail 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 10dB

higher.

THD measurements of the 120V op-amp show a difference of

more than 3dB compared to the OPA134 at 36V — in terms of sound pressure level,

that corresponds to an improvement of more than 50%.

The operating level most commonly used for audio equipment

is 30 volts.

Our Thoughts RADAR AI

The $2,400 ask on this SPL Performer s800 feels ambitious for an unknown-condition unit—new ones have hovered around $3,000-$3,500 in recent listings, but clean used examples typically trade in the $1,800-$2,200 range on the secondary market, depending on finish and accessories. Silver might command a slight premium over black, yet without service history or proof of light use, you're overpaying unless it's pristine and recent. I'd counter at $1,900 max to align with fair value.

Before biting, verify the toroidal transformer's hum-free operation and check for DC offset via the Protect LED—VOLTAiR's high rails make it robust, but early units occasionally show relay chatter from age or heat stress. Insist on original box, power cord, manual, and rack ears if applicable; test bridge mode stability too, as bipolar outputs can get finicky without proper cooling.

Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.

About SPL - Sound Performance Lab

SPL, or Sound Performance Lab, is a German audio innovator founded in 1983 by recording engineer and music producer Hermann Gier. Beginning as a modest garage operation, the company quickly expanded its scope, evolving from experimental prototypes into a respected force in professional audio. Its heritage reflects a relentless pursuit of sonic excellence, rooted in hands-on listening and boundary-pushing engineering that has defined its trajectory for over four decades.

SPL focuses on high-end studio and hi-fi gear, excelling in categories like preamplifiers, compressors, equalizers, monitoring controllers, and headphone amplifiers such as the acclaimed Phonitor. Signature technologies like discrete operational amplifiers and the patented 120V rail system deliver unparalleled dynamic range and clarity, powering tools from the groundbreaking Transient Designer to mastering processors. While primarily pro-oriented for music production, film, and broadcasting, select products bridge into discerning hi-fi applications.

In the market, SPL occupies a premium niche as a boutique leader among audio professionals and serious enthusiasts, prized for innovative design, exceptional transparency, and reliability. Far from mass-market fare, its gear earns cult status in studios worldwide, backed by TEC Awards and endorsements from sound engineers who demand the best. For the knowledgeable hi-fi buyer, SPL represents uncompromised German precision that elevates any signal chain.

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