Phonitor 3 DAC

The headphone amplifier, monitoring controller and DAC with 120V technology Phonitor 3 DAC is not only the ultimate headphone amplifier and monitoring controller with 120V technology – the integrated DAC makes it the perfect monitoring centerpiece for demanding producers as well as sound and mastering engineers working with digital sources or in the DAW.

Whether if USB, AES/EBU or S/PDIF – the integrated DAC with analog SLP120 converts digital PCM audio signals with a resolution of 32 bit and a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz. It converts DSD signals with a resolution of up to DSD256.

On the analog side, the Phonitor 3 DAC, based on the SPL 120V technology, offers the same monitoring quality as the big SPL mastering consoles – on loudspeakers and headphones.
The analog Phonitor Matrix allows mixing and mastering on headphones in the highest quality – with the same spatial perception of the stereo stage as on loudspeakers.

The DAC768v2 – Only the best is good enough

The converter chip in the Phonitor 3 DAC’s digital/analog converter is the highly acclaimed AKM AK4493 SEQ VELVETSOUNDTM premium DAC chip in the latest version of the SPL DAC “DAC768v2”, which thanks to its architecture reproduces the finest sound details. It impresses with even lower distortion characteristics and a wider dynamic range than its predecessor.

It converts PCM audio with a resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz, which is equivalent to 16 times CD resolution. Direct Stream Digital is also supported up to a resolution of DSD4 or DSD256.

The DAC768v2 features the newest version of the Spartan FPGA – Spartan 7.
In contrast to the smaller SPL DAC “DAC768xs”, it not only offers an AES/EBU digital input, but also the new, optimized SPL SLP120 with 120V technology.

The SLP120 (Super Low-Pass)

The analog output of the DAC chip must be filtered by a low pass filter. In contrast to all other DACs in the world, the low pass filters here are built using 120V technology, which provides a plus in dynamics and headroom and sound. The filter specially optimized for the new SPL DAC768v2 is called SLP120 (Super Low-Pass).

The DAC768v2 inside the Phonitor 3 DAC is equipped with the SLP120 – an analog “Super Low-Pass” filter with 120V technology.

The Revolution: Phonitor Matrix

The Phonitor Matrix is the revolution in the headphone amplifier.

One of the unique features of SPL headphone amplifiers is the SPL Phonitor Matrix. It enables mixing and mastering engineers to create perfect mixes on headphones, which will translate perfectly to all types of stereo speaker systems.

But the Phonitor Matrix is not only designed for professional use in the studio. It also enables the hifi enthusiast to enjoy music on headphones, like if it was played back on speakers.

How is this possible?
Music is normally produced and mixed for playback on stereo speakers.

Listening on headphones is different from listening on loudspeakers. The biggest difference is the lack of crossing signals of the sound signal from the left speaker to the right ear and from the right speaker to the left ear.

These crossing signals are missing in conventional headphone listening, because there are no signals crossing from one side of the headphones to the other. This results in an unnaturally wide stereo stage and sound sources are not played back at their actual position in the stereo spectrum.

The SPL Phonitor Matrix can correct this false stereo image with an analog circuitry.

Phonitor Matrix settings

With the Matrix switch you can activate the Phonitor Matrix – with the Center function (All) or without (Cr/A).

In the Off position, the Phonitor Matrix is deactivated.
The Phonitor Matrix creates a speaker-like listening experience on headphones, by mixing the left and right signals, each delayed (interaural time difference) and attenuated (interaural level difference), to the corresponding opposite side.

The two main parameters of the Phonitor Matrix are Crossfeed and Angle:

• Crossfeed determines the crossing signals of the channels.
• Angle determines the opening angle of the stereo image.

Preamp Out or Direct Out

With a DIP switch on the rear of the device, the volume control for the rear stereo output can be switched out of the signal path.
But that’s not all. It is also possible to output the Phonitor Matrix to the stereo output on the rear panel of the device – regardless of whether this is configured as Preamp Out (with volume control) or Direct Out (without volume control).

More power

If headphones have a rather low sensivity – no problem. With DIP switch 1 on the rear of the device, the level at the headphone output can be increased by 12 dB.

Would you like a little bit more?

The SPL Expansion Rack is not only a 19” rack housing for the Phonitor 3 DAC it also expands the connection possibilities. A passive four-way switch integrated into the Expansion Rack allows the Phonitor 3 DAC speaker output signal to be switched between up to four stereo speaker pairs.

Expansion Rack

Rack-mount for Phonitor 3, Phonitor 3 DAC and SMC 7.1
The SPL Expansion Rack is not only a 19” rack housing for the Phonitor 3, Phonitor 3 DAC and SMC7.1, it also expands the connection possibilities.
A passive four-way switch integrated into the Expansion Rack allows the speaker output signal to be switched between up to four stereo speaker pairs.

With the Expansion Rack, a desktop device, such as the Phonitor 3, can be installed in a 19-inch rack. All compatible devices are installed in the same way. Detailed, illustrated installation instructions can be downloaded a little further down on this product page.

The Expansion Rack is equipped with a rotary switch that passively routes the stereo output signal of a built-in device to four stereo outputs. Switching takes place passively, i.e. without active electronics in the signal path and without a power supply. Phonitor 3, Phonitor 3 DAC or SMC 7.1 are expanded with three additional stereo outputs together with the Expansion Rack so that for example full-range, midfield and nearfield monitors can be connected.