SPL Phonitor se User manual

Professional Fidelity
Mastering Grade Listening
Phonitor se Headphone Amplifier
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
Digital
Analog Optic
Coax
USB
C 2
C 1
Off
CROSSFEEDINPUT
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON
Digital
Phonitorse – User Manual
Headphone Amplier
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2
Welcome
and thank you for purchasing the Phonitorse.
The Phonitorse is our entry model into the world of VOLTAiR headphone amplifiers. The Phonitor se has the same
audio signal amplification as its bigger brothers Phonitor x and Phonitor xe and therefore offers the same sound
experience. The DACxs is optionally available.
VOLTAiR technology is what we also call the SPL V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. This
makes the Phonitorse an outstandig device in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom deliver-
ing an exceptional sound experience with invincible serenity, transparancy and realness.
Phonitor se Headphone Amplifier
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
Digital
Analog Optic
Coax
USB
C 2
C 1
Off
CROSSFEEDINPUT
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON
Digital
RISK OF E LECTRI C SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION
USB
OPTICAL
COAX
Phonitor se
Voltage Selection:
1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses
3. Flip Over
4. Reinstall
Fuses:
230 V: T 315 mA L 250V
115 V: T 630 mA L 250V
~115 V AC/~230 V AC,
50 Hz/60 Hz, P ma x. 30 W
LR
Made in Germany
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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 output 
DIP switch 
Level increase of the headphone output 
Specifications 
Inputs 
Outputs 
Internal operating voltages 
Power supply 
Dimensions (incl. feet) 
Weight 
Important Notes 
Declaration of CE Conformity 
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Getting started
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.
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Front view
Front view
Phonitor se Headphone Amplifier
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail
Digital
Analog Optic
Coax
USB
C 2
C 1
Off
CROSSFEEDINPUT
V
O
L
U
M
E
ON
Digital
Standby
1
Power LED
7
Input Selection 4Crossfeed C/Off/C 3Headphone Output
2
Volume 5
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Digital Source 6

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Rearview
Rearview
optional
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
ATTENTION
USB
OPTICAL
COAX
Phonitor se
Voltage Selection:
1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses
3. Flip Over
4. Reinstall
Fuses:
230 V: T 315 mA L 250V
115 V: T 630 mA L 250V
~115 V AC/~230 V AC,
50 Hz/60 Hz, P max. 30 W
LR
Made in Germany
Digital Audio Inputs
11
Mains Switch 8
Mains Voltage 9Analog Audio Input
10
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Bottom view
Bottom view
DIP switches
ON
12
DIP Switch 12
Factory setting.
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VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology
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.
SPL’s V Rail Technology is the internal audio processing voltage (+/- V DC).
It is not to be confused with the external mains voltage (e.g. V or V AC).
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VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology
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
120 V
+ / -  Volt + / -  Volt
Operating Voltage
120
125
130
135
140
145
dB
124,2
141,4
OPA @ V SPL- OP@ V
Dynamic Range
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VOLTAiR – 120V Rail Technology
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 TL at V — in terms of sound pres-
sure level, that corresponds to an improvement of more than %. The operating level most commonly used for
audio equipment is +/-  volts.
Max. Audio Level
OPA @ V SPL- OP@ V
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
dBu
21,5
33,2
TL @ V SPL-OP@ V
-115
-113
-111
-109
-107
-105
dBu
-106
-114,2
THD&N
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