SPL Phonitor e User manual

Professional Fidelity
Mastering Grade Listening
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
SOURCE
DigitalRCA
XLR
DIG ITAL
Coaxial Balanced IR Standard
Optical
USB
Phonitor e
Headphone Amplifier
C1 C2
Off
MAT RI X
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON
Phonitor e – User Manual
Headphone Amplier

2
Welcome
and thank you for purchasing the Phonitor e.
The Phonitor e is the ultimate headphone amplifier. It offers connections for headphones operated both balanced
and unbalanced. With up to . W output power the Phonitor e delivers an impressive performance.
Up to five input sources can be connected. The Phonitor e features two analog stereo inputs (XLR and RCA) and
optionally three digital audio sources (USB, coaxial, optical).
VOLTAiR technology is what we also call the SPL V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. This
makes the Phonitore an outstandig device in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom delivering
an exceptional sound experience with invincible serenity, transparancy and realness.
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio R ail
SOURCE
DigitalRCA
XLR
DIGITA L
Coaxial Balance d IR Standard
Optical
USB
Phonitor e
Headphone Amplifier
C1 C2
Off
MATR IX
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON Phonitor e
Serial
Number
Voltage Selection:
1. Remove Fus e Holder
2. Excha nge Fuses
3. Flip Ove r
4. Reinst all
Fuses:
230 V: T 500 mA L 2 50V
115 V: T 1 A L25 0V
~115V AC/~230 V AC,
50 Hz/60 Hz, P max . 30 W
Made in Germany ON BOTT OM SIDE:
DIP SWITCHES
1 ON: Output +22dBu
2 ON: RCA -10dB V to 0dBu
RISK OF ELEC TRIC SHO CK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
RISQUEDE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION
ANALOG SOURCES DIGITAL SOURCES
L
R
USB
OPTICAL
COAX
PGM
VOLUME
Refer to
Manual
IR
Pin 2 +
L
R

Content
Getting started 
Front view 
Rearview 
Bottom view 
DIP switches 
VOLTAiR – V Rail Technology 
Comparisons 
Phonitor Matrix 
Basics of stereo listening 
Stereo listening with an “traditional“ headphone preamplifier 
How does the Phonitor Matrix work? 
Angle 
Crossfeed 
Phonitor Matrix presets 
Source selection 
Headphone outputs 
IR Remote control 
DIP switches 
Level increase of the headphone output 
RCA input HiFi level / Studio level 
Specifications 
Inputs 
Outputs 
Internal operating voltages 
Power supply 
Dimensions (incl. feet) 
Weight 
Important Notes 
Declaration of CE Conformity 

4
Getting started
Read thoroughly and follow the instructions as well as the security advices of the Quickstart
which is enclosed in the scope of delivery! You can also download the Quickstart here.
By pressing the -Button you get to the table of contents.
By pressing the -Button you get to the front view of the unit.
By pressing the -Button you get to the rear view of the unit.
By pressing the -Button you get to the bottom view of the unit.
By pressing the -Button you get to the previous content.

5
Front view
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
SOURCE
DigitalRCA
XLR
DIG ITAL
Coaxial Balanced IR Standard
Optical
USB
Phonitor e
Headphone Amplifier
C1 C2
Off
MAT RI X
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON
Power LED
8
Volume 5

6
Rearview
optional
Phonitor e
Serial
Number
Voltage Selection:
1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses
3. Flip Over
4. Reinstall
Fuses:
230 V: T 500 mA L 250V
115 V: T 1 A L 250V
~115 V AC/~230 V AC,
50 Hz/60 Hz, P max. 30 W
Made in Germany ON BOT TOM SIDE:
DIP SWITCHES
1 ON: Output +22dBu
2 ON: RCA -10dBV to 0dBu
RISK OF E LECTRI C SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION
ANALOG SOURCES DIGITAL SOURCES
L
R
USB
OPTICAL
COAX
PGM
VOLUME
Refer to
Manual
IR
Pin 2 +
L
R
Mains Switch 10
Mains Voltage 11

7
Bottom view
DIP switches
ON
12
Factory setting.

8
VOLTAiR – V Rail Technology
VOLTAiR is the synonym for our V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. The audio signals are
processed with an unequalled +/-V DC, which corresponds to twice that of discrete operational amplifiers and
four-times that of semiconductor operational amplifiers.
VOLTAiR Technology reaches outstanding technical and sonic performances. Technically especially in terms of
dynamic range and headroom and sonically especially in reproducing the finest details and delivering a totally
relaxed sounding audio experience. Music sounds absolutely natural.

9
Comparisons
These diagrams show how our VOLTAiR Technology compares to other circuits.
The direct relation between operating level and maximum level is fundamental for the classification: the higher
the operating level, the higher the maximum level a circuit can handle. And since virtually all essential acoustic
and musical parameters depend on this relation, a higher operating voltage also has a positive impact on the
dynamic range, distortion limit and signal-to-noise ratio.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Volt
30 V 36 V
120 V
+ / -  Volt + / -  Volt + / - Volt
Operating Voltage
120
125
130
135
140
145
dBu
124,2
129,1
141,4
OPA @ V OPA @ V SPL- OP@ V
Max. Audio Level

10
Do bear in mind that dB scales do not represent linear but rather exponential increases. A dB increase corresponds
to doubling the acoustic power, +dB correspond to twice the sound pressure level, and +dB correspond to twice
the perceived loudness.
When it comes to volume, the VOLTAiR Technology exhibits a performance, in regard to maximum level and dynamic
range, that is twice that of common components and circuits given that its values are approximately dB higher.
THD measurements show a difference of more than dB compared to the OPA at V — in terms of sound
pressure level, that corresponds to an improvement of more than %. The operating level most commonly used for
audio equipment is +/-  volts.
Dynamic Range
OPA @ V OPA @ V SPL-OP@ V
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
dBu
21,5 22,5
33,2
TL @ V OPA @ V SPL-OP@ V
-115
-113
-111
-109
-107
-105
dBu
-106
-111,7
-114,2
THD&N

11
Phonitor Matrix
Basics of stereo listening
When listening to speakers sound coming from the right is not only perceived with the right ear (red line) but it is
also perceived with the left ear (green line). The sensation is time delayed, lower in level and has a reduced fre-
quency range (this applies to the left speaker accordingly).
Right loudspeaker Left loudspeaker
It arrives later because the signal travels a distance of approx.  meters per second and the distance from the right speaker to the left ear is
longer than it is to the right ear. It is quieter and does not deliver the full frequency range, because the signal of the right speaker does not directly
arrive at the left ear but is partially reflected and absorbed by the head.

12
Our brain determines the direction of the sound by perceiving the time delay (interaural time difference) and the
level difference (interaural level difference).
Stereo listening with an “traditional“ headphone preamplier
When listening to music with a traditional headphone amplifier, the right ear only perceives the right signal (red
line) and the left ear only perceives the left signal (green line).
The delayed and quieter signal of the respective opposite side is miss-
ing. This unnatural sound irritates the ear and is stressful for our brain,
because it constantly is busy trying to locate the direction of the sound.
Besides, this super-stereo-effect leads to an exaggerated stereo width.
Instruments that are placed in the stereo field appear to be located
much further outside than desired.
These unnatural effects are corrected by the Phonitor Matrix.

13
How does the Phonitor Matrix work?
In simple terms, the Phonitor Matrix creates a speaker-like listening experience on headphones. It calculates the
time and level differences with their specific frequency responses to deliver a true rendition of a speaker playback.
Because time and level differences are set like real loudspeaker place-
ment, the brain is able to correctly identify the direction of the sound.
You can perceive a speaker-like listening experience.
All instruments appear at the correct position within the stereo image –
just like it was intended when it was mixed in the studio. In comparison
to a traditional headphone amplifier it provides the best conditions min-
imizing hearing fatigue.

14
In Detail
The Phonitor e makes use of analog filter networks to create the interaural level and time differences. The time
difference relates to the standard stereo speaker placement of °. The Phonitor e offers two crossfeed settings to
create the interaural level difference.
Angle
The Phonitor e has a fixed ° speaker angle placement
representing the standard speaker set-up.
30°30°

15
Crossfeed
Crossfeed defines the interaural level difference. The two crossfeed values approximate the influences of room
size, reflection and absorption characteristics.
The interaural level difference and the interaural time difference are frequency-corrected because the sound is
reflected and absorbed by the head in a non-linear fashion.
10
0
0,2
0,4
0,6
0,8
1
100 1 k 10 k Hz
Frequency corrected level difference at Crossfeed C and ° Angle of the
right channel (red = right signal, green = left signal)
10
0
100
200
300
400
µs
100 1 k 10 k Hz
Frequency corrected time difference at Crossfeed C and ° Angle of the
right channel (red = right signal, green = left signal)

16
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
SOURCE
DigitalRCA
XLR
DIGITAL
Coaxial Balanced IR Standard
Optical
USB
Phonitor e
Headphone Amplifier
C1 C2
Off
MATRI X
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON
Phonitor Matrix presets
The Phonitor e offers two presets. The Speaker Angle is fixed to °. For the Crossfeed there
are two settings: C and C.
The value C has less crossfeed and therefore a lower time difference than C.

17
Source selection
Up to five audio sources can be connected to the Phonitor e.
It features two analog stereo inputs – XLR and RCA ().
Phonitor e can be equipped with a DA converter. With that installed the available inputs are expanded by USB,
coaxial and optical digital stereo inputs ().
• Select an analog audio source by using the SOURCE switch () – RCA or XLR.
• You can select an digital audio source (USB, coaxial, optical) by using the DIGITAL
switch ().
Set the SOURCE switch to Digital.
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
SOURCE
DigitalRCA
XLR
DIGITAL
Coaxial
Balanced IR Standard
Optical
USB
Phonitor e
Headphone Amplifier
C1 C2
Off
MATRI X
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
SOURCE
DigitalRCA
XLR
DIGITAL
Coaxial Balanced IR Standard
Optical
USB
Phonitor e
Headphone Amplifier
C1 C2
Off
MATRI X
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON

18
Headphone outputs
The standard headphone output () takes priority over the balanced headphone output (). There is no signal at
the balanced headphone output if a headphone is already plugged into the standard headphone output.
Warning: Never connect a mono jack cable to the standard headphone output (front panel stereo jack).
Make sure that the stereo jack is fully inserted, otherwise a short circuit might damage the headphone
amplifier!

19
IR Remote control
The volume potentiometer can be remotely controlled using any infrared (IR) remote control.
The special feature is that the Phonitore learns your remote and not the other way around. You do not need a learn-
able remote control. Take, for example, the remote control of the CD player. Out of the many buttons there are two
you hardly use if at all. Assign Volume up / Volume down to these two buttons and let the Phonitore learn them.
• Press the PGM IR VOLUME button () on the rear of the unit. The Power LED now lights up
brighter.
• Point your remote control towards the IR Receiver () and push the button you wish to use to
lower the volume. The power LED lights up once per push. Press the same button repeat-
edly until the power LED lights up three times within a short interval – programming this button is then
completed.
• Point your remote control towards the IR Receiver () and push the button you wish to use to increase the
volume. The power LED lights up once per push. Press the same button repeatedly until the power LED
lights up three times within a short interval – programming this button is then completed.
(Learn mode ends automatically after the second button is learned.)
Phonitor e
Serial
Number
Voltage Selection:
1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses
3. Flip Over
4. Reinstall
Fuses:
230 V: T 500 mA L 250V
115 V: T 1 A L 250V
~115 V AC/~230 V AC,
50 Hz/60 Hz, P max. 30 W
Made in Germany ON BOTTOM SIDE:
DIP SWITCHES
1 ON: Output +22dBu
2 ON: RCA -10dBV to 0dBu
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION
ANALOG SOURCES DIGITAL SOURCES
L
R
USB
OPTICAL
COAX
VOLUME
IR
Pin 2 +
L
R
PGM
VOLUME
Refer to
Manual
IR

20
DIP switches
With the DIP switches () on the bottom of the unit the following settings can be chosen:
Level increase of the headphone output
By using the DIP switche  you can increase the level of the headphone outputs to better feed power-hungry
headphones.
DIP switch : ON = The headphone output is boosted to + dB.
RCA input – HiFi level / Studio level
If you connect a HiFi audio device (e.g. a CD player) to the analog RCA input (), you can amplifiy the signal from
HiFi level to studio level with DIP switch .
The sources are then equal in level when you switch between XLR and RCA (provided that a studio signal is pres-
ent at the XLR input).
DIP switch : ON = The RCA input is boosted from - dBV (HiFi level) to  dBu (studio level).