Phonitor One and Phonitor One d: Two new headphone amplifiers from SPL
Germany’s SPL (Sound Performance Lab) has just introduced a pair of high-end headphone amplifiers, the Phonitor One and Phonitor One d. SPL is positioning them as audiophile equipment, although, I’m sure they will also surely do favourably in a studio setting. They appear to replace the manufacturer’s flagship SPL Phonitor e amplifier, which is no longer in production.
Sound quality
The Phonitor One d features the AK4490 32-bit digital-to-analog converter. We do have sample rates up to 768kHz confirmed, along with native DSD4 – DSD256 playback. Expect nothing less than stellar conversion quality.
In both models, pre-amplifying is handled by a pair of Burr-Brown OPA 2134 SoundPlus operational amplifiers, which the manufacturer is selling as audiophile solutions. Their audio distortion level measures at a very zero-ish 0.00008%. Meanwhile, the output stage sees a Class AB push-pull amplifier which is capable of higher gain and output voltage than Class A amps.
Additionally, the power amps are thermal-coupled, which helps with consistency of the stereo image.
SPL Phonitor One d · Source: SPL
Crosstalk functionality for surround sound
If that’s not all, there are the Phonitor Matrix’s crosstalk adjustment capabilities. It features three parameters: Crossfeed, Speaker Angle, and Center Level. The Crossfeed control is infinitely variable to let you freely dial in spatial impressions. The others are stepped in 30 degree and 1dB increments.
Crosstalk is generated by mixing parts of the opposite channel mix with the actual signal. This way, the impression of speakers is emulated on headphones. The functionality is demonstrated in the videos below.
SPL Phonitor One · Source: SPL
Connectivity
The Phonitor One features stereo line inputs on RCA & TRS jacks, and a single stereo TRS headphone output. The Phonitor One D adds a USB Type-B port for computer connection. The latter is class-compliant, so no drivers should be needed on modern systems. There are also line outputs on TRS jacks.
Technical data
- THD + N (0 dBu, 10 Hz – 22 kHz, 600 O): 0.002%
- Max. Input level: +22.5 dBu
- Noise (A-weighted, 600 O): -97 dBu
- Max. Output power (600 O): 2x 190 mW
- Max. Output power (250 O): 2x 330 mW
- Max. Output power (47 O): 2x 400 mW
- Frequency response headphone output (- 3 dB): 10 – 200,000 Hz
- Headphone output: 6.3 mm stereo jack socket
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 210 x 49.6 x 220 mm
Price and availability
The SPL Phonitor One & Phonitor One d are available for order now, priced EUR 379 and EUR 559, respectively. You can find them at SPL dealers worldwide, such as Thomann (affiliate links):
More information
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