Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › SPL Phonitor, new reference amp?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

SPL Phonitor, new reference amp?

post #1 of 198
5/29/08 at 5:22am
Thread Starter 
I have recently enjoyed listening to the new Sound Performance Lab Phonitor.
A stationary headphone monitoring amplifier.
After a search here on head-fi I did not find anything so I thought I might start a thread on it. (or my search was wrong )

I was really stunned! It drove an Ultrasone ED9 and it was as if a new refrence was set. Dynamics, rhythm, pace, seperation, it all fell in place.
Man could this goody make the ED9 sing. I mean really sing.
It was next to a Lehmann Lineair, so I could compare one-on-one.
I know the Lehmann and ED9 well (we have them both).
All I can say is that the Lehmann came nowhere near.
So I decided to take it into my shop, for this is really a new reference for me. It will arrive in a week or two.

I would like to read if any of you have heard it as well?

Here is some info:



website: Home: Sound Performance Lab

Hans.
Qables Insider

It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections ...

» Get the latest news and updates at the Qables sponsor page.
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #2 of 198
5/29/08 at 5:37am
Very, very interesting. I see the list price is 1,344 Euro, or roughly $2,091 USD. Not cheap, but not ridiculous. Nice casework, too. It has a clean and elegant look.

Would you mind telling us a little more about the unique controls on the Phonitor? It has crossfeed, but the Speaker Angle and Center Level controls grabbed my interest. Did you get a chance to play with those? How do they work? Did you find them valuable?

Also, I didn't find information about the circuit. I assume this is a solid state amp, correct?

I hope you get it soon and can find time to stop listening and tell us about it!
Reply
post #3 of 198
5/29/08 at 5:58am
Thread Starter 
Well I also do not know more. I have a sales rep coming by to deliver mine (sales will only start 30 may) so I guess it will be early June before I get to learn more.

All you can read is some sort of '120V technology' that they use. But again using higher voltages is not that uncommon in professional equipment.

I will for sure post back when I learn more.

Hans.
Qables Insider

It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections ...

» Get the latest news and updates at the Qables sponsor page.
Reply
post #4 of 198
5/29/08 at 6:46am
I'm intrigued! Balanced in and single-ended out?!? Never mind, the outs for balanced are on the rear, because of the overall dimensions I imagine, probably worth every penny of the price of admittance.
Reply
post #5 of 198
5/29/08 at 7:55am
Thread Starter 
After a little digging:

"This 120 volt technology is based on discrete operation amplifiers
from SPL’s own production, developed and perfected over many years
by SPL’s co-founder and chief developer, Wolfgang Neumann. These
SUPRA OPs work with high-performance semiconductors in Class A
technology at a symmetrical voltage of +/-60V.
In the Phonitor nine SUPRA OPs are employed. The SUPRA OPs have a
Signal To Noise Ratio of 116 dB and offer a nearly 34 dB headroom – that
yields an unequalled 150 dB dynamic range."

So: discrete, class A. and

Frequency Response: ‹10 Hz to ›200 kHz (-3dB)
CMR: -80 dBu
@ 1 kHz, 0dBu input level and unity gain
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz: -67 dB
THD @ 1 kHz: 0,005 %
@ 0dBu input level and unity gain
Noise (A-weighted): -97 dBu
Dynamic Range: 129,5 dB
@ connection with 600 Ω Impedance

Hans
Qables Insider

It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections ...

» Get the latest news and updates at the Qables sponsor page.
Reply
post #6 of 198
5/29/08 at 8:34am
is it pro gear?
Reply
post #7 of 198
5/29/08 at 8:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by achristilaw View Post
I'm intrigued! Balanced in and single-ended out?!? Never mind, the outs for balanced are on the rear, because of the overall dimensions I imagine, probably worth every penny of the price of admittance.
It's not a balanced headphone amp. The outs have a 75Ohm output impedence which is a bit high for driving phones (though I'm not going to say it doesn't sound good).

Otherwise very interesting. The speaker angle stuff is neat too.
Reply
post #8 of 198
6/12/08 at 4:50am
Thread Starter 

Arrived

It has arrived yesterday and is burning in.

I will post some pics later.

The sound is as I recollected from my earlier listening.
Very natural and balanced. It drives my ED9's very well.
big big soundstage and very dynamic.

Hans.
Qables Insider

It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections ...

» Get the latest news and updates at the Qables sponsor page.
Reply
post #9 of 198
7/3/08 at 8:09am
Hello, Hans, please keep us posting!
Reply
post #10 of 198
8/10/08 at 10:29am
Any further thoughts Hans, I'm looking for a home version of my iQube, would you recommend the SPL perhaps? I'bd like something thta can drive the >200ohm 'phones vey comfortably.
Reply
post #11 of 198
8/10/08 at 10:55am
Thread Starter 

Hi guys.

Ah, just returned from holiday. Tomorrow back to work again.

Sorry, that I have not posted more partly the time just failed, but I also find that since I am selling it, it would not be proper to review/compare it as well.
I rather would have somebody else do that. I would be prepared to lend mine (in NL that is).

But I do keep to my original opinion, for me it is my new reference amp.

A home version of the iQube, hmmmm, nice thought! Let me work on that one OK? At least I know which one I would take as competition to beat .

Rgds Hans
Qables Insider

It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections ...

» Get the latest news and updates at the Qables sponsor page.
Reply
post #12 of 198
8/10/08 at 1:24pm
Very impressive looking I must say. It look like a piece of pro test equipment.
Reply
post #13 of 198
8/24/08 at 4:26am
has anyone else listened to this amp. it looks pretty interesting.

there is a review of the amp in a german magazine with internal shots.

http://www.soundperformancelab.com/f...honitor408.pdf
Reply
post #14 of 198
8/25/08 at 1:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
has anyone else listened to this amp.
Yes, I auditioned Phoniter at Fujiya avic store, Japan. Phonitor is imported by Electori co. Japan.

Here are some photos.



The sound is flat and neutral, but not sterile. It is full and much detailed.
I like the sound but I need some struggle with the manual to understand the idea of the new concept..Not fully understand yet.

Reply
post #15 of 198
8/25/08 at 2:35pm
^^ how does it compare to your other amps - GSX, etc.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › SPL Phonitor, new reference amp?