SPL DIAMOND Desktop DAC and Preamplifier (Black)

The volume is adjusted with a solid, milled aluminum, rotary knob. The Alps RK27 Big Blue potentiometer gives a pleasant spoon in the honey rotary feel.

Diamond can not only synchronize to the clock integrated in the digitally fed source signal. As a specialty for digital players, Diamond offers a word clock input. The source of the clock signal can be selected via the clock switch.

The DAC automatically picks up the sampling rate and resolution of the digital playback source, regardless of whether a streamer, computer, CD player, or an external word clock is connected. The detected sampling rate and the selected clock source are shown in the dot matrix LED display. For example, U768 is an acronym for a clock signal in the USB stream with a sampling rate of 768 kHz.

Diamond provides two stereo output pairs for connecting power amplifiers or active loudspeakers. One pair of outputs utilizes XLR 3-pin connectors while the other uses RCA outputs. Both have the same output signal, which is controlled by the volume control on the front panel.

The volume control for the RCA outputs can be switched out of the signal path via DIP switch on the back of the device. For example, a headphone amplifier with its own volume control can be connected to one of the outputs.

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 architecture reproduces the finest sound details. It converts PCM audio with a resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz, which is equivalent to 16 times CD resolution. Direct Stream Digital is also supported up to resolution of DSD4 or DSD256.

Every signal that is passed from a DAC chip into the analog world must be filtered be filtered by a low-pass filter. Two of them are implemented in the DLP120: One for PCM audio and one for DSD audio, since different roll-off frequencies are required. 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, headroom, and sound.

With all devices of the Professional Fidelity series, we develop not only according to plan, but also by ear. Many important components are installed on the circuit boards using Through-hole technology. This way, SPL can ensure that they use the best sounding components.

VOLTAiR is the synonym for SPL's 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.