Scandinavian hi-fi designer Primare is doing its bit for a greener planet with a new range of upgradable modular designs for the SPA22 home cinema amplifier.

The SPA22’s innovative open architecture looks beyond the latest fad or next format war by providing an easy way to upgrade entire audio, video and control sections as new technologies arrive. As with PC upgrades proprietary video, DSP and communications boards, incorporating optimised versions of the latest digital processing, are simply plugged-in to replace the previous ones.

The new SPA22 combines its upgradable topology with five discrete channels of super-efficient UFPD amplification rated at 120W each. Ultra Fast Power Device technology uses a purified Class D/switch-mode
design exclusive to Primare, which delivers a natural dynamic quality of soundacross the entire audible spectrum while saving around 70% of the energy used by a conventional amp of similar specification.

On board the SPA22 is switchable HDMIv1.3 inputs which accept HD video and native multi-channel PCM audio – the highest resolution HD audio format on Blu-ray disc. If multichannel PCM is not present on the disc, the latest Blu-ray payers can be set to de-compress the standard Dolby and DTS HD formats to output multi-channel PCM. This means that HD audio in its highest resolution is available immediately to all SPA22 owners. In addition, the SPA22 offers the custom configuration of fifteen audio sources and thirteen video sources as well as providing dedicated 7.1 channel inputs and outputs, three 12V DC triggers and IR and RS232 control.

Modular design architecture

1080p HDMI Switching. Component / Composite / S-Video
5 x 120 Watts (all channels driven simultaneously)
Multi-channel PCM compatible
Dolby® Digital, Prologic IIX, EX 7.1, dts®, dts-ES 6.1, Neo6
Re-Routable Front Channels in 7.1 Mode
DVD-A & SACD 7.1 Input.
Fully Configurable & Format independent Bass Management
Discrete IR & Full RS232 Operation.
Programmable Triggers
Available in Black or Titanium.

Primare’s SPA22 will be available from March with a retail price of £3000, with HD Audio Upgrade: £3450 and with Audio and Video Upgrades: £4500