At the online platform What Hi-Fi you can find a review about our nonplusultra headphone amplifier SPL Phonitor xe. You can read the complete review online and a summary here on our blog.
First impression:
“This is the first time we’ve reviewed a product from SPL, and we’re mighty glad we did. We love the way this thing looks. The nerd in us is drawn to all the control dials and a multitude of switches. But there’s real substance here from the solidly-made casework and high standard of fit to the robust feel of the controls. This is obviously a product designed to take heavy use over many years.”
“The Phonitor xe is an analogue headphone amplifier. It has both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA line-level inputs and delivers the output through a 4-pin XLR or a standard 6.3mm socket. This pair of outputs is available from the front panel, but if you want things to look a little neater, they are repeated at the back. There is a small toggle on the front panel to switch between the two.”
Sound:
“The SPL’s sonic character proves consistent regardless of the partnering headphones we use, delivering a combination of refinement, authority and insight that’s rare.”
“Voices come through with natural warmth and passion with the SPL communicating dynamic nuances superbly. We love the weight it lends to the piano and also the way the Phonitor xe allows music to flow. This is a highly detailed presentation but it never feels overly analytical.”
“It’s this sense of control that helps to mark the SPL out as something special.”
Conclusion:
“If you’re something of a headphone obsessive the Phonitor xe certainly deserves to be on your wishlist. It has a considered, refined but still entertaining approach to music replay that we really enjoy. Given a suitably talented source and headphones, this SPL headphone amplifier delivers a level of sound quality that is among the best we’ve heard.”
