Montreal Audiofest 2024

Prices are in Canadian dollars

The first thing I thought when I spied SPL’s component rack was how nifty its gear looked—neither too large nor too small, with faceplates just the right size to accommodate their features with style. I was especially taken by the appearance of the company’s solid-state Director Mkll preamp/DAC ($4800), with its two VU meters; the one in the red finish on the poster outside the room was especially tasty.

That same feng shui faceplate aesthetic was also present on the company’s Phonos phono stage ($2269). Only the company’s solid-state, class-AB Performer m1000 monoblock ($6400 each), of which there were two in the system, with its all-black, mostly featureless façade, lacked a little luster. However, you can order the m1000 in various red-black configurations or even completely in red. Also in the room, on static display, was SPL’s 300Wpc Performer s1200 amplifier ($7999). The speakers were PMC’s fact.12 ($34,999). Cables were by Luna.

What’s that? You want to know how it sounded? FLAC files streamed via Tidal through the DAC in the Director, which uses a 32-bit AKM AK4493 SEQ VELVETSOUND chip to convert PCM signals up to 768kHz and DSD signals up to DSD256, produced an expansive, enveloping soundstage that was gently sweet-sounding. Instruments and vocals were textured, rich-toned, grain-free, effortless, and natural.