MR Hifi reviews are driven to create informative reviews of home audio and technology. With this in mind, of course the platform could not ignore our nonplusultra headphone amplifier SPL Phonitor xe and published a great review. You can find the complete review online at MR HiFi and its associated video on Marcello Rostagni’s Youtube channel – here we provide a short summary.
Build Quality, Specs and Design:
“The Phonitor xe is impressively built in Germany, with a premium feel and look to it that cannot be denied. Available in Red, Black, or Silver, the potential buyer has some options based on their preferred esthetic.”
“The volume control feels premium at 45mm. It’s large and has a wonderful feel when turning it. The Phonitor xe’s volume control is also motorized and can be controlled via an infrared learning remote. It is easy to see the marker on the volume control even when listening in dark environments, which is a welcome feature.”
“One of my favorite design features of the Phonitor xe is the two mechanical VU meters that allow you to visualize the input levels for the left and right audio channels. The VU switch also allows you to optimize the display for different signal levels. This headphone amplifier asks you to listen to your favorite music in a dark room and be mesmerized by the VU meters as you listen.”
“The Phonitor allows you to hook up to 6 sources if you choose the optional internal DAC, which gives you XLR, RCA, USB, Coax, Optical, and AES. If you opt for the internal DAC, you get an AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound premium DAC chip as the converter.”
Phonitor Matrix:
“The next feature of this amp I really dig is the Matrix Crossfeed and angle controls. With these controls, you have the ability to make your headphones sound more speaker-like. The majority of music is mixed for playback on speakers, so with some headphones, you may not fully get to appreciate the subtleties of the music as it was intended when listening on headphones. The Matrix feature is one of the main benefits in my mind of the Phonitor xe.”
Sound:
“The quality of the recording and the rest of your audio chain quality is what you will hear when listening to the SPL Phonitor.”
“The Phonitor xe has larger and more accurate staging capabilities with ultimate precision presenting a bit more clarity and detail from the music.”
“The Phonitor to my ears presented greater detail, picking up more subtle sounds in recordings from hand plucks on strings to cheers in the crowd.”
Conclusion:
“So, my overall conclusion of who this amp best suits, in my opinion, the SPL Phonitor xe is for someone wanting ultimate transparency in sound with the incredible build quality.”
