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 seeking unparalleled clarity and precision in headphone listening, the SPL Audio Phonitor se Headphone Amplifier offers an exceptional solution. This amplifier is meticulously engineered to deliver studio-grade audio performance, ensuring that every nuance of your music or mix is reproduced with utmost fidelity. Whether you are mixing tracks, mastering audio, or simply indulging in high-resolution music playback, the Phonitor se elevates your listening experience by providing transparent amplification that preserves the integrity of the original recording.

One of the standout features of the Phonitor se is its analog input stage, which accepts RCA connections with a maximum input gain of 32.5 dBu and an input impedance of 20 kΩ. This means the amplifier can handle a wide variety of source devices without signal degradation, ensuring a clean, noise-free input that translates into superior sound quality. The selectable mains voltage and robust power supply design, with a maximum power consumption of 30 VA and ultra-low standby power usage of less than 0.3 W, make the Phonitor se both versatile and energy-efficient, suitable for use in different regions and professional environments.

The optional DAC768 xs digital input module further enhances the Phonitor se’s capabilities by offering multiple high-resolution digital inputs, including coaxial SPDIF, optical SPDIF, and USB. These inputs support a broad range of PCM sample rates from 44.1 kHz up to an impressive 768 kHz, as well as DSD formats up to DSD256. For the customer, this means seamless compatibility with virtually any digital audio source, from computers and CD players to high-end digital streamers, allowing you to enjoy pristine digital audio without compromise.

When it comes to headphone output, the Phonitor se is designed for precision and power. Its 6.35 mm TRS jack delivers up to 5 watts per channel into 250 ohms and 1 watt per channel into 32 ohms while maintaining a remarkably low total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD + N) of just 0.00091%. The source impedance of 0.18 ohms combined with a damping factor of 180 at 40 ohms ensures tight control over your headphones’ drivers, translating into accurate bass response and a well-defined soundstage. Crosstalk is held to a minimal -90 dB, allowing for clear separation of left and right channels, which is crucial for critical listening and mixing tasks.

Physically, the Phonitor se is compact and robust, measuring 278 mm wide, 57 mm high, and 300 mm deep, and weighing 2.8 kg. This makes it a practical addition to any desktop or studio rack setup without occupying excessive space. The unit’s build quality reflects SPL’s reputation for durability and attention to detail, ensuring reliable performance over years of professional use.

The Phonitor se excels in a range of scenarios, from home listening with high-end headphones to professional audio production where accurate sound reproduction is non-negotiable. Its combination of analog and high-resolution digital inputs makes it the ideal centerpiece for anyone needing to switch effortlessly between source types while maintaining sonic integrity. Whether you’re mastering a mix or simply enjoying your favorite album, the Phonitor se delivers the clarity, power, and precision your headphones—and your ears—demand.

In conclusion, the SPL Audio Phonitor se Headphone Amplifier is a meticulously engineered device that offers unmatched audio clarity, versatile connectivity, and precise headphone control. Its superior technical specifications and thoughtful design translate directly into an elevated listening experience, whether for professional applications or discerning personal use. Confidently invest in the Phonitor se to unlock the true potential of your headphones and hear your audio with unprecedented detail and accuracy.