Take Your Digital Audio to New Sonic Heights
Given the prevalence of streaming and newer audio technologies, more and more people play their music from digital sources. If you’re in this camp, then Sweetwater heartily recommends the Diamond DAC and Preamplifier from SPL. Featuring an elite DAC chip with DLP120 dual lowpass filters, connectivity for up to six digital sources, and an external word clock, the SPL Diamond DA Converter will enable you to hear your digital audio like never before. VOLTAiR technology, with its high operating DC voltage of 120 volts, allows the SPL Diamond to process and convert your audio with exceptional quality from various sources. It also has a DIP switch for bypassing its XLR and RCA outputs’ volume control (e.g., if you already have a headphone amp with its own volume control). The Diamond can handle input levels of +32.5 dBu, consistently providing you with 12dB of headroom. Finally, the SPL Diamond’s slim profile allows it to fit easily into any rack or workflow configuration.
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Premium DAC chip and filters
The elite AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound DAC chip lies at the heart of the Diamond DA converter. It enables the conversion of PCM audio at a sampling rate of up to 768kHz and a resolution of 32 bits. This facet gives you unparalleled audio quality. Combined with its DLP120 dual lowpass filters with VOLTAiR technology, you’ll be stunned at all the audio details you never heard before. Plus, Direct Stream Digital is also possible, with support for resolutions DSD4 and DSD256.
Highest possible operating voltage
SPL’s VOLTAiR technology and its SPL SUPRA operational amplifiers enable the Diamond to run at an incredible operating DC voltage of +/- 60V. The premise is simple: if you want high-quality audio, you need high-quality voltage powering everything under the hood. With this high operating capability, the SPL Diamond significantly improves your dynamic range, headroom, and signal-to-noise ratio.
Flexible connectivity
The SPL Diamond DA converter and preamplifier gives you flexible connectivity via two optical stereo inputs, two coaxial stereo inputs, and stereo USB and AES/EBU inputs. PCM audio can be converted via all inputs, and DSD audio can be converted via USB input. There are also clock synching capabilities via the digital source signal, or you can use Word In for synching to an external digital clock. Finally, the aluminum analog rotary knob provides a smooth attenuation feel.
SPL Diamond DA Converter and Preamplifier Features:
- DA Converter with elite AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound DAC chip
- Unique operating reference voltage of 120V provides crystal-clear audio quality via SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers
- DLP120 dual lowpass filters
- Analog rotary knob made from solid aluminum
- Can connect to 6 digital stereo sources via stereo USB and AES/EBU digital inputs, as well as 2 coaxial (RCA) and 2 optical (Toslink F06) inputs
- RCA outputs have switchable volume control via DIP switch for connecting external equipment with its own volume controls
- Can connect to external clock source via Word In or automatically synch to the digital clock from the source signal
- Frequency range: 4Hz–300 kHz (-3 dB)
- Dynamic range: 135dB
- Weight: 6.94 lbs.
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 10.95 inches by 2.24 inches by 11.81 inches
