SPL Phonitor xe User manual

Professional Fidelity
Mastering Grade Listening
Phonitor xe
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VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail Headphone Amplifier
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RCA
XLR
Coax
Optical
AES
USB
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Stereo
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Phonitor xe – User Manual
Headphone Amplier
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2
Welcome
and thank you for choosing the Phonitorxe.
The Phonitor xe is the ultimate standalone device for headphone enthusiasts. It offers connections for head-
phones operated both balanced and unbalanced. With up to . W output power the Phonitor xe delivers an
impressive performance.
The Phonitor xe is the first Phonitor headphone amplifier which can be equipped with the brand-new SPL DAC.
This optional internal Uber-DAC qualifies the Phonitor xe to convert with outstanding sonic performance both PCM up
to  kHz sample rate and  bit as well as DSD up to DSD .
VOLTAiR technology is what we also call the SPL V Rail Technology within the Professional Fidelity series. This
makes the Phonitorxe 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 xe
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VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio R ail Headphone Amplifier
ON
RCA
XLR
Coax
Optical
AES
USB
S
O
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C
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Mono
Stereo
MODE
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StandardBalanced
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~ 115V AC / ~230V AC, 50Hz / 60 Hz, P max. 45 W
RL
LR USBOPTICAL
COAX
Phonitor xe
Serial
Number
Made in Germany
PGM
VOLUME
Refer to
Manual
IR
AVIS: RISQ UE DE CHOC ÉLEC TRIQUE • NE PA S OUVRIR
RISK OF ELE CTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
Fuses:
Voltage Selection:
230V AC: T 500 m A L 250 V
115V AC: T 1 A L 250 V
1. Remove Fus e Holder
2. Excha nge Fuses
3. Flip Ove r 4. Reinstal l XLRs: ba lanced, Pin 2 = Ho t (+)
For unbalanced operation
bridge Pi n 3 to GND.
RCAs: Unbalanced, T ip = Hot (+)
WIRING
ON BOTTOM SIDE:
DIP SWITCHES
1 ON: HP Out +22dB
2 ON: RCA -10dBV t o 0dBu
ANALOG SOURCESDIGITAL SOURCES
ANALOG SOURCES DIGITAL SOURCES
HEADPHONES OUTPUTS
HEADPHONES OUTPUTS
AES
R
L
StandardBalanced

Content
Getting started 
Front view 
Rear view 
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 
Setting of Crossfeed and Angle 
Adjustment of the Phonitor Matrix 
Matrix On/Off 
Source selection 
SPL DAC 
Output selection 
MODE switch 
Laterality 
VU meters 
IR Remote control 
DIP switches 
Level increase of the headphone output 
RCA input sensitivity 
Specifications 
Inputs 
Outputs 
Internal operating voltages 
Power supply 
Dimensions (incl. feet) 
Weight 
Important Notes 
Declaration of CE Conformity 

4
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.

5
Front view
Front view
Phonitor xe
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2
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Off On
MAT RI X
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F
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2
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3
0
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4
0
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5
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A
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G
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E
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail Headphone Amplifier
ON
RCA
XLR
Coax
Optical
AES
USB
S
O
U
R
C
E
Mono
Stereo
MODE
L
A
T
E
R
A
L
I
T
Y
L
e
f
t
C
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g
h
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StandardBalanced
0+12 FR
VU
+6
Volume
7
Standby
1
Balanced Headphone
11
Standard Headphone
12

6
Rear view
Rear view
optional
~ 115 V AC / ~230V AC, 50Hz / 60Hz, P max. 45 W
RL
LR USBOPTICAL
COAX
Phonitor xe
Serial
Number
Made in Germany
PGM
VOLUME
Refer to
Manual
IR
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE • NE PAS OUVRIR
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
Fuses:
Voltage Selection:
230V AC: T 500 mA L 250 V
115V AC: T 1 A L 250 V
1. Remove Fuse Holder
2. Exchange Fuses
3. Flip Over 4. Reinstall XLRs: balanced, Pin 2 = Hot (+)
For unbalanced operation
bridge Pin 3 to GND.
RCAs: Unbalanced, Tip = Hot (+)
WIRING
ON BOT TOM SIDE:
DIP SWITCHES
1 ON: HP Out +22dB
2 ON: RCA -10dBV to 0dBu
ANALOG SOURCESDIGITAL SOURCES
ANALOG SOURCES DIGITAL SOURCES
HEADPHONES OUTPUTS
HEADPHONES OUTPUTS
AES
R
L
StandardBalanced
Mains Switch 14
Mains Voltage 15 Analog Audio Inputs
16
Balanced Headphone
19
Standard Headphone
20

7
Bottom view
Bottom view
DIP switches
1 2
ON
Factory setting

8
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).

9
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

10
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