SPL AUDIO Phonitor 3 DAC headphone amplifier, monitoring controller and DAC with 120V technology
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Product Overview
The Flagship Reference Standard for Impeccable Monitoring and Digital Conversion
The SPL Phonitor 3 DAC marks the absolute pinnacle of high-resolution audio reproduction, serving as a comprehensive command center for high-end mastering facilities, premium recording studios, and uncompromising audiophiles. Operating as an all-in-one system, it replaces standalone DACs, headphone amps, and monitor switchers with a singular, high-voltage component. Hand-built in Germany, it leverages SPL's legendary 120V operating rails to provide a completely uncolored sonic canvas, letting audio professionals make surgical mixing decisions with zero acoustic compression or ear fatigue.
Product Description
Revolutionary 120V VOLTAiR Technology:
The foundation of the Phonitor 3 DAC is SPL’s exclusive VOLTAiR 120V operational amplifier technology. While standard audio components operate on a limited $\pm$15V or $\pm$18V internal grid, VOLTAiR circuits run at a massive $\pm$60V DC. This four-fold increase in operating voltage yields an exceptional structural ceiling. It maximizes the dynamic range to a staggering 141.4 dB, drives the self-noise floor down to near-infinite silence, and eliminates thermal distortion. Your audio peaks pass through with absolute transient velocity, preserving pristine micro-details exactly as they were captured.
Premium 32-Bit AKM Velvet Sound Conversion:
The digital-to-analog converter stage features the highly celebrated AK4490 premium DAC chip incorporating Asahi Kasei’s signature Velvet Sound™ technology. This high-performance converter operates with 32-bit processing and handles pristine digital audio streams via class-compliant USB, supporting sampling frequencies up to 768 kHz PCM and native DSD256 (DSD4). Coaxial and Optical SPDIF inputs handle high-resolution clock signals smoothly. The chip’s internal digital filters are meticulously optimized to minimize pre-ringing artifacts, ensuring an ultra-linear phase response and a jaw-droppingly transparent soundstage with zero digital harshness.
The Definitive Phonitor Matrix (Fully Variable Crossfeed):
Standard headphone monitoring forces an artificial left/right split that doesn't exist when listening to loudspeakers in a room. The Phonitor 3 DAC rectifies this via its fully variable Phonitor Matrix. Utilizing pure analog circuitry without digital DSP latency, it features continuously variable knobs for Crossfeed (interaural level difference) and Speaker Angle (interaural time difference up to a standard 30° placement). This lets you precisely dial in the exact spatial image of your physical studio monitors, allowing you to accurately judge panning, center-level balancing, and stereo width directly on headphones.
Master-Grade Monitor Controller and Balanced Routing Architecture:
Beyond its world-class headphone amplifier stage, the Phonitor 3 DAC acts as an elite, analog monitoring hub. The rear panel features gold-plated balanced XLR stereo inputs alongside balanced XLR stereo outputs, allowing you to feed an external stereo power amplifier or active midfield studio monitors. A front-panel source toggle switches fluidly between your analog line gear and three digital connection paths. To facilitate deep acoustic analysis, the tactile front panel is loaded with dedicated hardware switches for Mono summing, Phase Inversion (Pol L/R), Left/Right Solo tracking, and a -20 dB Dim attenuation layout.
Precision Level Tracking and Classic VU Aesthetics:
Housed in a robust, low-profile metal chassis with a thick, premium aluminum faceplate, the unit combines modern technology with timeless analog soul. The main output level is governed by a heavy-duty, high-mass aluminum volume knob paired with a premium motorized ALPS RK27 "Big Blue" potentiometer for immaculate channel matching. Front-panel visual feedback is driven by dual mechanical VU meters featuring an integrated calibration switch (-6 dB / -12 dB), allowing you to accurately track input levels even when driving hot, high-voltage mastering signals.
Key Features
120V VOLTAiR Technology: Flagship high-voltage audio operating rails ($\pm$60V DC) yield an incredible 141.4 dB dynamic range with virtually zero internal clip distortion.
Integrated 32-Bit/768kHz AKM DAC: Premium AK4490 Velvet Sound™ converter chip handles ultra-high-resolution PCM and native DSD256 digital formats.
Fully Variable Phonitor Matrix: Analog speaker-emulation crossfeed controls allow you to fine-tune speaker placement angles and interaural time delays for perfect speaker-like translation.
Pro-Grade Monitor Controller: Balanced stereo XLR outputs seamlessly connect to active studio monitors or power amplifiers, managed by the master volume cell.
Advanced Hardware Diagnostic Suite: Dedicated front-panel switches allow instant Mono summing, Phase Polarity Inversion, Left/Right channel soloing, and Dim tracking.
Motorized ALPS RK27 Potentiometer: High-spec mechanical volume knob delivers smooth, precise, and perfectly balanced left/right level tracking across the entire volume spectrum.
Dual Backlit Mechanical VU Meters: Classic precision meters provide real-time visual tracking of signal levels with selectable sensitivity pads for high-gain mastering.
Asynchronous XMOS USB Core: Jitter-free digital clocking operates class-compliant with Mac, PC, iOS, and Android host systems out of the box.
Technical Specifications
Feature
Specification
Device Type
120V Analog Headphone Amplifier, Monitor Controller & 32-Bit DAC
Internal Operational Voltage
$\pm$60 V DC (120V VOLTAiR Technology Rails)
Digital Converter Chip
AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound™ Architecture
Supported Digital Formats
PCM up to 768 kHz (32-bit) / Native DSD up to DSD256 (DSD4)
Digital Inputs
1 x USB-B (Asynchronous), 1 x Coaxial SPDIF, 1 x Optical Toslink
