SPL Phonitor xe User manual

Professional Fidelity
Mastering Grade Listening
Phonitor xe
V
O
L
U
M
E
M
I
N
2
3
4
5
M
A
X
Off On
MAT RI X
C
R
O
S
S
F
E
E
D
2
2
°
3
0
°
4
0
°
5
5
°
A
N
G
L
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
e
n
t
e
r
R
i
g
h
t
StandardBalanced
0+12 FR
VU
+6
Phonitor xe – User Manual
Headphone Amplier
This User Manual is optimized for
Acrobat Reader.
Interactive buttons may not
appear in other applications.

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
V
O
L
U
M
E
M
I
N
2
3
4
5
M
A
X
Off On
MATR IX
C
R
O
S
S
F
E
E
D
2
2
°
3
0
°
4
0
°
5
5
°
A
N
G
L
E
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio R ail 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
e
n
t
e
r
R
i
g
h
t
StandardBalanced
0+12 FR
VU
+6
~ 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
V
O
L
U
M
E
M
I
N
2
3
4
5
M
A
X
Off On
MAT RI X
C
R
O
S
S
F
E
E
D
2
2
°
3
0
°
4
0
°
5
5
°
A
N
G
L
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
e
n
t
e
r
R
i
g
h
t
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

11
Phonitor Matrix
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).
Sound from the right side Sound from the left side
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
Phonitor Matrix
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
Phonitor Matrix
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
Phonitor Matrix
In Detail
An analog filter design creates interaural time and level differences for four different speaker placements.
This analog filter design is controlled by the crossfeed and angle parameters.
Angle
With the ANGLE switch you adjust the interaural time
difference which is related to the placement of the
speakers. 22°22°
30°30°
40°40°
55°55°

15
Phonitor Matrix
Crossfeed
Crossfeed defines the interaural level difference. The six 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 max. Crossfeed and ° Angle of
the right channel (red = right signal, green = left signal)
10
0
50
100
150
200
µs
100 1 k 10 k Hz
Frequency corrected time difference at max. Crossfeed and ° Angle of
the right channel (red = right signal, green = left signal)

16
Phonitor Matrix
Setting of Crossfeed and Angle
Both parameters (Crossfeed and Angle) define the interaural level difference and the interaural time difference. To
reproduce the exact placement of the loudspeakers, first choose the Angle parameter closest to your real speaker
placement. Afterwards choose the recommended Crossfeed Parameter (see table on page e.g.: Angle: °,
Crossfeed: ).
A vast number of factors, e.g. type of loudspeakers, room acoustics or the individual perception, influence the ste-
reo-listening. This is why the Phonitor x offers six different switch positions to finely adjust the Crossfeed and to
best match to your speaker playback.
L
A
T
E
R
A
L
I
T
Y
V
O
L
U
M
E
M
I
N
2
3
4
5
M
A
X
Off On
MATRI X
C
R
O
S
S
F
E
E
D
2
2
°
3
0
°
4
0
°
5
5
°
A
N
G
L
E
L
e
f
t
C
e
n
t
e
r
R
i
g
h
t
Mono
Stereo
MODE
ON
Phonitor xe
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail Headphone Amplifier
RCA
XLR
Coax
Optical
AES
USB
S
O
U
R
C
E
StandardBalanced
FR
0+12
VU
+6
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU

17
Phonitor Matrix
Table: Settings of Crossfeed and Angle
Angle parameter Crossfeed parameter Interaural level difference Interaural time difference (µs) Speaker angle
°
MAX ,  °
,  °
,  °
,  °
,  °
MIN ,  °
°
MAX ,  °
,  °
,  °
,  °
,  °
MIN ,  °
°
MAX ,  °
,  °
,  °
,  °
,  °
MIN ,  °
°
MAX ,  °
,  °
,  °
,  °
,  °
MIN ,  °

18
Phonitor Matrix
Adjustment of the Phonitor Matrix
By using the CROSSFEED switch () and the ANGLE switch () you can adjust the headphone playback through the
Phonitor xe to your room with your loudspeaker setup.
• Play some audio material you know well with the Phonitor xe and go to a place where you usually listen to
music through speakers.
• Set the ANGLE switch according to your loudspeaker placement (see page).
• Then set the CROSSFEED switch to the value that comes closest to your familiar loud-
speaker-listening sound.
Listen to the instruments panned in the stereo field. These instruments shall have the
same positions on headphones.
L
A
T
E
R
A
L
I
T
Y
V
O
L
U
M
E
M
I
N
2
3
4
5
M
A
X
Off On
MATRI X
C
R
O
S
S
F
E
E
D
2
2
°
3
0
°
4
0
°
5
5
°
A
N
G
L
E
L
e
f
t
C
e
n
t
e
r
R
i
g
h
t
Mono
Stereo
MODE
ON
Phonitor xe
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail Headphone Amplifier
RCA
XLR
Coax
Optical
AES
USB
S
O
U
R
C
E
StandardBalanced
FR
0+12
VU
+6
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU
L
A
T
E
R
A
L
I
T
Y
V
O
L
U
M
E
M
I
N
2
3
4
5
M
A
X
Off On
MATRI X
C
R
O
S
S
F
E
E
D
2
2
°
3
0
°
4
0
°
5
5
°
A
N
G
L
E
L
e
f
t
C
e
n
t
e
r
R
i
g
h
t
Mono
Stereo
MODE
ON
Phonitor xe
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail Headphone Amplifier
RCA
XLR
Coax
Optical
AES
USB
S
O
U
R
C
E
StandardBalanced
FR
0+12
VU
+6
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU

19
Phonitor Matrix
Matrix On/O
With the MATRIX switch () you activate or deactivate the Matrix of the Phonitorx.
L
A
T
E
R
A
L
I
T
Y
V
O
L
U
M
E
M
I
N
2
3
4
5
M
A
X
Off On
MATRI X
C
R
O
S
S
F
E
E
D
2
2
°
3
0
°
4
0
°
5
5
°
A
N
G
L
E
L
e
f
t
C
e
n
t
e
r
R
i
g
h
t
Mono
Stereo
MODE
ON
Phonitor xe
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail Headphone Amplifier
RCA
XLR
Coax
Optical
AES
USB
S
O
U
R
C
E
StandardBalanced
FR
0+12
VU
+6
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU

20
Source selection
Source selection
The Phonitor xe is a headphone amplifier with up to six audio sources.
It features two analog stereo inputs – XLR and RCA ().
Phonitor xe can be equipped with the DA converter. With that installed the available inputs are expanded by
USB, coaxial, optical (TOSLink) and AES digital stereo inputs ().
• Select an analog audio source by using the SOURCE switch () – RCA or XLR.
• If the option DAC is installed you can select a digital audio source (USB, coaxial,
optical or AES) by using the SOURCE switch ().
Signals at analog RCA input (), can be amplified from HiFi level to studio level with DIP
switch . The sources are then equal in level when you switch between XLR and RCA (pro-
vided that a studio signal is present at the XLR input).
L
A
T
E
R
A
L
I
T
Y
V
O
L
U
M
E
M
I
N
2
3
4
5
M
A
X
Off On
MATRI X
C
R
O
S
S
F
E
E
D
2
2
°
3
0
°
4
0
°
5
5
°
A
N
G
L
E
L
e
f
t
C
e
n
t
e
r
R
i
g
h
t
Mono
Stereo
MODE
ON
Phonitor xe
VOLTAiR
120V DC Audio Rail Headphone Amplifier
RCA
XLR
Coax
Optical
AES
USB
S
O
U
R
C
E
StandardBalanced
FR
0+12
VU
+6
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU
20
0
%
–+
30 50 70 100
10 75 3 1035
VU