SPL Director MK2
Why such a test?
I would like to separate my analogue setup a little more from the home cinema setup, i.e. separation/integration.
For this I need a stereo PRE amp with home cinema passthrough.
The Director MK2 can do that, and because I just bought 2 SPL Perfomer m1000, the test was obvious.
The device was provided to me by Akustik Studio Huber.
How did I test??
L/R OUT from the Emotiva RMC-1 with an XLR/RCA cable to Line IN 6 (Pass Through).
The analog sources (Rose RS150 and GoldNote PH-10) came with XLR to the XLR IN of the director.
For testing I limited myself to the streamer.
The Director MK2 can also be operated remotely. However, only volume UP/DOWN and SOURCE next/last.
Unfortunately, the Director MK2 cannot be switched on/off remotely, nor does it offer a trigger IN to do this. So it's less suitable for my needs because I want to be able to control everything with just one remote control. The two 12V OUTs for the SPL m1000 are not of much use because they only start when I switch the device on manually.
Since I use the Rose RS150 as a streamer/DAC, the built-in AKM AK4490 Velvet SoundTM premium DAC chip is actually just a nice-to-have for me.
I still used this as an external DAC on the RS150. Sounds great, but no way better than the Rsoe RS150, which has the same DAC chip. It is therefore clear at what level the SPL DAC plays, because it costs significantly less than the Rose.
Overall, a really great device. Especially in combination with the m1000 monos.
But we are also talking about a setup that costs more than 12k.
After the test was successful for me, I put everything back together.
PRO
Sound:
The Director MK2 is a great device, plays in one piece with the m1000. Everything is where it belongs and every area sounds great.
Also the sound via DAC (I connected the RS150 to the Director via USB. This was immediately recognized as an external DAC. The sound is really good and on the same level. But it's not better, and given the price of the RS150 it should be not be like that.
Visual:
Of course, the Director MK2 looks great with the MONO blocks. Even if it takes some getting used to in the rack because of its size.
Bedienung:
All functions and connections are self-explanatory and additional functions can be activated via the DIP switch on the back. In addition, you can subscribe to any FB that you still have lying around. The Director MK2 learns the commands from the Remote and not the other way around.
Contra (for me)
No ON/OFF via FB + No ON/OFF via Trigger IN - therefore automated switching via Harmony is not possible.
The home cinema integration (Line IN 6) cannot be freely assigned and only provides RCA IN.
My cinema processor (Emotiva RMC-1) only has an
The VOL UP/DOWN via a trained remote is more on the roughly graduated side, a finer gradation would certainly be desirable here.
The DAC itself also sounds good, but unlike the Rose it has no setting options. Also no FIR filter setting or control of the outputs. You certainly wouldn't need this as a standalone device.
Cons:
After 3 days I can say that the separation makes sense because it also sounds a bit better on the analogue side. I will now continue the search and want to test a more suitable device at a later date.
