To achieve this, the super stereo effect must be corrected. Phonitor xe has two of theOne for PCM audio and one for DSD audio, since different roll-off frequencies are required. And in contrast to all other DACs in the worl the low pass filters here are built using VOLTAiR technology, which provides a plus in dynamics and headroom.
The Phonitor xe is available with an optional high-end DAC. They’ve been on the periphery of my radar for a while, but not something I’d gotten to spend proper listening time with until I was offered the opportunity to audition this unit at home. The large, central, illuminated volume dial is buttery-smooth. Labels are clear and concise, with the functions they indicate being entirely unambiguous.
The overall impression is that this is a very high-quality and entirely “premium” device. SPL make a point of calling out their “VOLTAiR” high-voltage power-rail capability (also known as the “SPL 120V Rail Technology”). This provides for a lot of voltage-swing in the power-supply, lots of available power and significantly improved dynamic range (claimed 1dB) vs.
Unlike most of the competition, however, these inputs can accept high professional-gear signal levels. In a word … fantastic! For a start, it is clearly both an entirely neutral and highly transparent performer. Much of my listening was performed using a Chord DAVE DAC as the source.
It covers up nothing, makes excuses for nothing, and lets the source show its true colors without omission or editorialization. You can read a full explanation of the theory and settings in the Phonitor x User Manual(refer to page 11), but for this review, I’ll focus on the actual effects of the system rather than what’s behind it. SPL offer the Phonitor x with an optional, internal, DAC module (called “DAC192”), which was installed in the unit that I auditioned and used for this review. There is no support for DS native or otherwise – you’ll need to convert to PCM in your player. These I would define as combinations of gear that provide a “better than expected” or “performs above their price points” combination, or that show a particular component either in a “new light” or let them perform the best I have heard them to date.
I thought it might be interesting to call out the most notable of those, here. It would be nice to be able to set the VU meter attenuation independently by input. With an external, balance studio DAC, I need the dB attenuator engaged or the needle spends most of its time buried in the opposite side of the scale. Since the control for this is via a dip-switch underneath the unit, changing it on the fly is not really practical.
The optional DAC module seems to have issues with players that do automatic sample rate-switching under macOS 10. High Sierra) when using the USB input. Setting the bit-depth and sample rate manually, via the Audio-MIDI Setup tool, prior to playback, alleviates this issue.
The TOSLINK and COAX inputs are. It yields a huge sense of scale and power with effortless delivery, has excellent tonality AND tonal weight, transient response is superb and it plies its trade against a dead-silent, void-black, background. Its features, and sonic performance make it easy to integrate into studio scenarios and still able to satisfy audiophile sensibilities.
But as mentioned earlier, this device has a Matrix switch that according to SPL adjusts the cross feed setting from the standard degree speaker placement. The product is not in stock in our warehouse in Niederkrüchten, Germany. Usually it will be available again within working days. Spacious and dynamic, with a nice hint of warmth.
W output power the Phonitor x delivers an impressive performance. The SPL Phonitor XE is neutral, clean, resolving, and utterly transparent. How does the Phonitor XE sound?
SPL describe the Phonitor ‘s controls using phrases such as determines the stereo width caused by frequency–dependent interaural time differences and simulates the frequency–dependent interaural level differences. It is reference grade. The noise floor is virtually nonexistent.
Transients come through without any loss of detail, presence, or spatial reference.