Phonitor se

Our entry model into the world of VOLTAiR headphone amplifiers.

The Phonitor se is focused on the essentials – without compromising on quality.

It 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 DAC768xs

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.

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 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 their 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”.

Music is normally produced and mixed for playback on stereo speakers.

Listening on headphones is different from listening on loudspeakers. The biggest difference is the lack of crossing signals of the sound signal from the left speaker to the right ear and from the right speaker to the left ear. These crossing signals are missing in conventional headphone listening, because there are no signals crossing from one side of the headphones to the other.

This results in an unnaturally wide stereo image and the various sound sources of the audio signal are not localized as the sound engineer intended them to. This effect is often referred to as “super stereo effect”. During conventional listening on headphones, our brain can balance the false representation of the playback to a certain extent – but this is very exhausting.

The SPL Phonitor Matrix can correct this false stereo image with an analog circuitry. The Phonitor Matrix therefore not only ensures a correct representation of the stereo image, but also a relaxed listening experience.

The two main parameters of the Phonitor Matrix are Crossfeed and Angle:

Crossfeed determines the crossing signals of the channels, the so-called interaural level difference.

Angle determines the opening angle of the stereo image, the so-called interaural time difference.

Crossfeed

Level and frequency adjustment of the right (red) and left (green) audio channel at maximum crossfeed.

Angle

Settings for the speaker placement angle to determine the interaural time difference.

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 highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage.

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.

Comparison

Most audio devices work with an internal operating voltage of +/-15 volts and can thus process a maximum input level of +21.5 dBu. If a DAC, for example, has an output level of +22 dBu at 0 dBFS, level peaks of the music material would already cause overloads in the input stage of the device. All components in the audio device often operate at their limits. The result is an unsteady sound that causes stress and faster ear fatigue.

SPL devices with VOLTAiR technology can handle input levels of +32.5 dBu thanks to the higher internal operating voltage of +/- 60 volts – thus offering 12 dB more headroom. All components consequently operate continuously in the optimum operating range. The result is a very pleasant, natural and relaxed sound experience. So you can enjoy your music in every detail.

These diagrams clearly show the superiority of the VOLTAiR technology in comparison to other circuits with lower, common operating voltages.

For audiophiles and professional sound engineers who demand uncompromising clarity and power from their headphone listening experience, the SPL Audio Phonitor se combined with the DAC768 xs represents a benchmark in headphone amplification and digital-to-analog conversion. This integrated solution is designed to elevate every nuance of your audio, providing pristine sound quality and precise control, whether in a critical studio environment or a discerning home setup.

Many headphone amplifiers fall short when it comes to delivering both high fidelity and versatile connectivity. The Phonitor se addresses these challenges head-on by offering a meticulously engineered analog input stage with a maximum input gain of 32.5 dBu and an input impedance of 20 kΩ, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of sources without signal degradation. This means your audio input remains pure and detailed, preserving the integrity of your recordings or playback material. The optional DAC768 xs adds state-of-the-art digital conversion capabilities, supporting an extensive range of PCM sample rates up to 768 kHz and DSD formats up to DSD256. This wide compatibility ensures that no matter your digital source, from high-resolution studio files to streaming audio, the conversion will be accurate and transparent.

The headphone output stage features a low source impedance of just 0.18 Ω and an impressive damping factor of 180 at 40 Ω, which translates to tight, controlled bass response and minimal distortion across the frequency spectrum. With a frequency range extending from 10 Hz to 100 kHz, the Phonitor se reproduces both deep bass and shimmering highs with exceptional detail. Noise levels are kept extraordinarily low at -103 dBu (A-weighted), and total harmonic distortion plus noise is a mere 0.00091%, ensuring that even the most subtle musical elements come through without coloration or interference. The amplifier delivers a powerful output of 5 watts per channel into 250 Ω headphones and 1 watt per channel into 32 Ω headphones, providing ample headroom for both high-impedance studio headphones and sensitive consumer models.

From a practical standpoint, the Phonitor se measures a compact 278 mm in width, 57 mm in height, and 300 mm in depth, with a weight of 2.8 kg, making it suitable for desktop use without occupying excessive space. The unit supports standard 230 V or 115 V mains voltage with appropriate fusing, consuming a maximum of 30 VA, and features an ultra-low standby power consumption of less than 0.3 W, reflecting its efficient design. Connectivity includes RCA analog inputs and multiple digital input options on the DAC768 xs module, such as coaxial SPDIF, optical SPDIF using Toslink or glass fiber, and USB B input, covering virtually all modern digital sources.

This combination is ideal for users who require precise monitoring and critical listening, such as studio professionals mixing and mastering tracks, as well as audiophiles seeking to unlock the full potential of their headphone collections. The Phonitor se’s unique design also includes the patented Phonitor Matrix, which simulates the natural crossfeed of speakers, reducing listener fatigue and creating a more natural and spacious soundstage—a vital feature for extended listening sessions or critical audio work.

In conclusion, the SPL Audio Phonitor se with DAC768 xs is a premium headphone amplifier and DAC combo that delivers exceptional sound quality, versatile connectivity, and robust power output, all housed in a thoughtfully designed chassis. Its technical excellence and user-focused features ensure that your headphones perform at their absolute best, whether in a professional studio or high-end listening room. Investing in this system means investing in an audio experience that is both revealing and enjoyable, bringing you closer to the music as the artist intended.