Phonitor Matrix, Volume remote control, VU meter in retro look, premium DA converter and the preeminent VOLTAiR technology make the Phonitor xe the best headphone amplifier of our time.
The Phonitor xe offers connections for a standard headphone with a stereo jack plug and for balanced-driven headphones using a 4-pol XLR jack.
Thanks to the enormous output power, all headphones are driven effortlessly.
If you like to avoid the headphone cable hanging off the front you may want to use the connectors on the back of the Phonitor xe.
The switch on the front selects between the front (F) and rear (R) outputs.
“With the Phonitor xe, SPL delivers the ultimate device for all headphone enthusiasts, who value neutrality, preciseness and control, combined with great musicality.”
is the big 45mm Volume control. Its mass together with the motorized Alps RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer enhances the “spoon in the honey” feeling even further.
The red marker LED makes the setting visible even in darkened environments.
The volume can be remote controlled with any infrared remote control, that the Phonitor xe simply learns.
To do this, press the IR programming button and then the buttons for louder and quieter.
Using Phonitor x as an example, this video explains how you can use any infrared remote control to remotely control the volume.
“The fineness and transparency with which the music is depicted is just awesome – what a richness of detail!”
Up to six (6 !) stereo sources can be connected to Phonitor xe:
XLR, RCA, USB, Coax, Optical and AES/EBU
Phonitor xe accepts almost all audio connections. Balanced via XLR or unbalanced via RCA connectors.
With the optional DAC, four additional digital sources can be added. From USB to the professional AES format, no wishes remain unfulfilled.
The highly acclaimed AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound™ premium DAC chip is used as the converter chip in the optional digital-to-analogue converter, which thanks to its new architecture reproduces the finest sound details.
It converts PCM audio with a resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 768kHz, which is equivalent to 16 times CD resolution. Direct Stream Digital is also supported up to a resolution of DSD4 or DSD256.
The analog output of the DAC chip must be filtered by a low pass filter. Phonitor xe has two of them: One for PCM audio and one for DSD audio, since different roll-off frequencies are required.
And in contrast to all other DACs in the world, the low pass filters here are built using VOLTAiR technology, which provides a plus in dynamics and headroom.
“How does the device sound?
Let’s erase all doubts right away:
it sounds fantastic!”
Two mechanical VU meters visualize the input levels for the left and right audio channel.
With the VU switch you can optimize the display for different signal levels.
is not always easy. By our very nature, hearing can be leaning more to the left or more to the right. This is especially obvious when listening with headphones.
That’s why Phonitor xe has the uniquely finely resolved laterality control. With it, the center can be found perfectly.
With the mode switch you can choose between stereo or mono playback. To the right, the laterality control is switched on.
On to the meat of the review though,
how does the Phonitor xe itself actually sound?
To be honest, it’s spectacular.”
in the headphone amplifier is the Phonitor Matrix, thanks to which you can listen to music through headphones as if you were listening through speakers. The tiring super stereo effect is a thing of the past.
Enjoy your music exactly the way it should be heard.
Level and frequency adjustment of the right (red) and left (green) audio channel at maximum crossfeed.
Settings for the speaker placement angle to determine the interaural time difference.
“One way or another, the purchaser of a Phonitor xe receives a reliable high-end solution, which not only drives every kind of headphone on the market without any effort, but also convinces through useful and rare extras like the, in my opinion, still unrivaled crossfeed circuit.”
What exactly is that?
And what does it do?
Good questions need good answers. And that’s what the 120V video gives you.
Reference: 0 dBu = 0,775V. All specifications are subject to change without notice.
No driver installation required for Mac or iOS devices (class compliant).
iOS devices must be connected using the Apple camera adapter.
To operate with a higher than the standard sample rate this driver installation is required.
Windows 7/8/8.1/10 up to 2009/20H2
(32/64 bit)
Windows 7/8/8.1/10 up to 2004/VB
(32/64 bit)
Due to Covid19 there are no events scheduled at this time.
In Stock!
The product is in stock in our warehouse in Niederkrüchten, Germany, and will be shipped the same or next working day.
We process the orders after receipt of the order and update the stock in the online shop regularly. If the product is no longer available at short notice due to high order volume, you naturally have the right to withdraw from the purchase (see Right of Withdrawal).
In any case, you will receive an e-mail with details of the delivery and the estimated delivery time.
Available soon!
The product is not in stock in our warehouse in Niederkrüchten, Germany. Usually it will be available again within 5 working days.
Due to the current pandemic and the associated worldwide shortage of components, delivery times may be significantly delayed in some cases.
In any case, you will receive an e-mail with the details of the delivery and the estimated delivery time.
Of course you have the right to withdraw from your purchase (see Right of Withdrawal).
