SPL Director Mk 2 DAC/Preamplifier (Red)

For sale is my SPL Director Mk 2 DAC/Preamp in red. This was purchased in March last year from Addicted to Audio (receipt available). It comes with all original packaging and materials and is in excellent condition, with the exception that some of the writing above the source selector dial has come off (see photos). The RRP is currently $6300.

SPL is primarily a German pro audio company and they have recently entered the audiophile world with reasonably priced equipment that has outstanding audio quality. The units have a small footprint but have maximum versatility, in addition to sounding - and looking - great.

The Director Mk2 is both an excellent DAC and an equally outstanding preamp. Unlike most DACs which are sold as having the capability of driving power amps, the Director is as much a preamp as it is a DAC and sounds as good or better than any preamp I have used when driving a power amp. It has multiple XLR and RCA inputs. It has XLR outputs but can also drive amps with RCA inputs using adapters (which I can provide if necessary). The internal DAC uses the high end AKM 4490 chip. It does not come with a remote control but can be programmed to use most remote controls which you already have.

Further information: https://spl.audio/en/spl-produkt/director-mk2/

Also listed separately is a matching SPL Performer S1200 power amp. (Note that the red SPL S800 power amp in the final photo is not for sale.)

Pick up is available from Cammeray, or I am happy to post at the buyer's cost and risk. Please also see my listing for the matching S800 power amplifier (shown in last photo below).

Reviews:

Home Theater High Fidelity:

The SPL DIRECTOR MK2 is a sonic powerhouse that combines musicality with a modern/retro design; a state-of-the-art DAC with cool-looking VU meters. https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/amplifier/preamplifier/spl-director-mk2-preamplifier-dac-review/

Soundstage Ultra:

At two or even three times its price of $3599, SPL’s Director Mk2 would still be an outstanding preamplifier-DAC. Well built and meticulously designed, with straightforward source selection and volume control, and able to learn command codes from the remote controls you already own, it’s an ergonomic dream. And in terms of sound quality, I found nothing to complain about and much to praise: The Director Mk2 was vanishingly quiet, dynamic, neutral, and exceedingly communicative of the music, particularly in the lower frequencies.

SPL’s Director Mk2 is, in a word, spectacular. If you’re in the market for a preamp-DAC, I highly recommend that you audition it—you might find just what you’re looking for, at a price thousands of bucks lower than you expected to spend. https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1052-spl-director-mk2-preamplifier-dac

Edited 9 minutes ago by rossb