SPL Phonitor SE Headphone Amplifier (Black)

The SPL Phonitor SE Headphone Amplifier is SPL's entry model into the world of VOLTAiR headphone amplifiers and is focused on the essentials – without compromising on quality.

The SPL Phonitor SE has the same audio signal amplification as its bigger brothers Phonitor x and Phonitor xe. With the optional DA converter, it can also play from digital sources. The Phonitor Matrix provides two of the most common Phonitor Matrix settings as switchable presets. It lets you experience music on headphones as being played back through speakers. Thanks to VOLTAiR technology in the highest sound quality.

Everything under control
The volume is adjusted with a massive, milled aluminum, rotary knob. The Alps RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer gives a pleasant “spoon in the honey” rotary feel. In addition to an analog source, three additional digital sources can be connected to the Phonitor se with the optional DAC768xs.

Headphone Output with Power
The Phonitor se offers a 6.35 mm jack for connecting headphones with jack plug. Up to 2 x 5 watts of output power is available at this socket. This allows even very power-hungry headphones such as magnetostats or electrostats to be driven effortlessly.

The Revolution: Phonitor-Matrix
The Phonitor Matrix is the revolution in the headphone amplifier. Thanks to the Phonitor Matrix, music can be experienced on headphones as if it was played on speakers. The tiring super stereo effect is a thing of the past. Enjoy music without listening fatigue and exactly the way it should be heard. Unlike the bigger Phonitor models, where the “Angle” switch can be used to select the opening angle of the stereo stage, this parameter is fixed at a default value of 30° for the Phonitor se. The “Crossfeed” parameter can be set in two stages – “C1” and “C2”. “C2” provides higher crosstalk/crossfeed than “C1”.

Center of Attention
To make the listening experience even more perfect, the level of the center of the stereo image needs to be attenuated when the Phonitor Matrix is active. This ensures that not only the position of all sound sources is correct but also their volume. In the Professional Fidelity Phonitor devices this value is set to a fixed attenuation of -1 dB, which is the best choice for getting an authentic representation of the sound stage.

Source of joy
The Phonitor se is equipped with gold-plated RCA sockets for the analog input. The optional DAC768xs adds three more digital sources: USB, COAX und OPTICAL. PCM audio is received in S/P-DIF format, both coaxial (RCA) and optical (Toslink F06). Both PCM audio and DSD audio can be converted via USB. The DAC automatically picks up the sampling rate and resolution of the digital playback source. No matter if a streamer, computer or CD player is connected. No further settings on the Phonitor se are necessary.

The DAC768xs (optional)
The converter chip in the optional digital-to-analog converter is the highly acclaimed AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound™ premium DAC chip, which thanks to its architecture reproduces the finest sound details. It converts PCM audio at 32-bit resolution and a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz, which is 16 times the resolution of a CD. Direct Stream Digital is also supported up to a resolution of DSD4 or DSD256. Unlike the DAC768, which is built into the Director Mk2 for example or available as an option for the Phonitor xe, the DAC768xs does not offer an AES/EBU digital input. The SPL DLP120 with VOLTAiR technology was also not included in the DAC768xs. Nevertheless, it offers a great performance that is unparalleled in this league.

Sounds good
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 we can ensure that we can use the best sounding components.

The VOLTAiR Technology
The 120V technology is our reference technology. The 120V technology is unique in the world. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps. In our Professional Fidelity series, we refer to this unsurpassed technology as VOLTAiR technology. The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers. This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers. The 120V technology achieves exceptional technical specifications and sonic benefits. Technically, in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom. Sonically, in terms of richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening experience.  By the way, the “120V” in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket. This is about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed. The mains voltage from the mains power socket is transformed to the required secondary voltage in the device’s internal linear power supply with toroidal transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into DC voltage required in the audio device.

SPL Phonitor SE Headphone Amplifier Specifications

• Analog input: RCA
  • Maximum input gain: 32.5 dBu
  • Input impedance: 20 kΩ
• Digital Inputs: DAC768xs (optional)
  • Coaxial SPDIF (RCA), PCM sample rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz
  • Optical SPDIF (Toslink F06), PCM sample rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/with Glass fibre <1m: 176.4/192 kHz
  • USB (B), PCM sample rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384/705.6/768 kHz
  • USB (B), DSD over PCM (DoP), sample rates: 2.8 (DSD64), 5.6 (DSD128), 11.2 (DSD256) MHz
  • 0 dBFS calibrated to: 15 dBu
• Standard Headphones Output, 6.35mm (1/4") TRS Jack
  • Wiring: Tip = Left, Ring = Right, Sleeve = GND
  • Source impedance: 0.18 Ω
  • Damping factor (40 Ω): 180
  • Frequency range (0 dBu): 10 Hz – 100 kHz
  • Crosstalk (1 kHz, 0 dBu): -90 dB
  • THD + N (1 kHz, 0 dBu): 0.00091 %
  • Noise (A-weighted): -103 dBu
  • Output power (1 kHz, 1% THD, 250 Ω): 2 x 5 W
  • Output power (1 kHz, 1% THD, 32 Ω): 2 x 1 W
  • Dynamic range: 135.5 dB
• Internal Linear Power Supply with Shielded Toroidal Transformer
  • Operating voltage for analog audio: +/- 60 V
  • Operating voltage for relays and LEDs: +12 V
• Mains Power Supply
  • Mains voltage (selectable, see fuse chamber): 230 V AC / 50; 115 V AC / 60 Hz
  • Fuse for 230 V: T 0.5 A
  • Fuse for 115 V: T 1 A
  • Power consumption: max. 30 VA
  • Stand-by power consumption: < 0.3 W
• Dimensions & Weight
  • W x H x D (width x height incl. feet x depth): 11 x 2.24 x 11.81 inch
  • Unit weight: 6.17 lbs
  • Shipping weight (incl. packaging): 11.02 lbs

SPL Phonitor SE Headphone Amplifier Includes

• SPL Phonitor SE Headphone Amplifier
• Power Cable
• Manufacturer Warranty