SPL Phonitor XE Headphone Amplifier Review. Reference Level Sound is it worth the price?

Crystal Clear Sound that will plug you into the SPL MATRIX!

 In this article, I will be giving you my impressions on the Phonitor XE headphone amplifier sent over for me to review by Jeremy!  Thank you, again, buddy, for allowing me to check out your Amp!  No one has compensated me for this review, and all thoughts and impressions are my own.  I will be listening to the Phonitor XE paired with my own Topping D90 Digital Analog Converter for this review.   Also, I will be A/B listening to the Phonitor XE vs. the Topping A90, which I currently own, and the iFi Pro iCAN I have on loan from iFi.

 As with all my audio reviews, I will utilize all my headphones in my collection or any headphones that I have in for review to search for synergies with the Phonitor XE amp and comparisons to my current solid-state reference amp. 

 I will cover 4 main topics, Build Quality, Specifications, Design, and Quality of Sound. Then I will give my overall conclusions. So, let’s get right into it! 

 Let’s start with the Build Quality, Specs, and Design.  The Phonitor XE is impressively built in Germany, with a premium feel and look to it that cannot be denied. Available in Red, Black, or Silver, the potential buyer has some options based on their preferred esthetic. 

The volume control feels premium at 45mm.  It’s large and has a wonderful feel when turning it.  The Phonitor XE’s volume control is also motorized and can be controlled via an infrared learning remote.  It is easy to see the marker on the volume control even when listening in dark environments, which is a welcome feature.   

 On the front of the Phonitor, you have an output connection for standard 1/4” and an XLR 4 pin for balanced headphones.  From the single-ended output, you have 2.7watts at 600ohms, 5watts at 250ohms, and 1 watt at 32ohms. 

 From the XLR output, you have 8watts at 600ohms, 3.5watts at 250ohms, and .7watts at 32ohms.  So, there is a pretty decent amount of power available both from the front of the SPL Phonitor XE and the back with the addition of two more outputs, 1 single-ended and one 4pin XLR with the same power ratings.

 One of my favorite design features of the Phonitor XE is the two mechanical VU meters that allow you to visualize the input levels for the left and right audio channels.  The VU switch also allows you to optimize the display for different signal levels.  This headphone amplifier asks you to listen to your favorite music in a dark room and be mesmerized by the VU meters as you listen. 

 The Phonitor allows you to hook up to 6 sources if you choose the optional internal DAC, which gives you XLR, RCA, USB, Coax, Optical, and AES; or 2 sources without the internal DAC. If you opt for the internal DAC, you get an AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound premium DAC chip as the converter.  I cannot give my impressions on that combo as this review unit does not have the included DAC option. 

 However, I did test the Phonitor XE with my TOPPING D90, which has the AK4499 Flagship DAC chip, and that is what I will base my audible impressions on. 

 The next feature of this amp I really dig is the Matrix Crossfeed and angle controls.  With these controls, you have the ability to make your headphones sound more speaker-like.  The majority of music is mixed for playback on speakers, so with some headphones, you may not fully get to appreciate the subtleties of the music as it was intended when listening on headphones.

 The Matrix feature is one of the main benefits in my mind of the Phonitor XE. I will link to more info here on the SPL Phonitor XE so you can go into more depth about these features and their benefits.

 The power supply of the Phonitor XE is built into the back of the unit, so no power brick is needed. Using 120v Voltair Technology, which runs on 4X the voltage of standard audio electronics, SPL states the amp will have a higher dynamic range, lower THD and noise at -114.2db, greater headroom, and crystal-clear sound reproduction.

 So now that we talked about some of the design and build quality, let’s get into the most important part, in my opinion— how does it sound!?  As we all know, sound and the perception of sound is very subjective subject.  Whenever I give my impressions on how audio equipment sounds, it’s my subjective opinion.  You may have a different opinion or different audio chain than I do, which can also play a big factor in your conclusions about audio gear. 

 With that said, I found the Phonitor XE when listening via The RAD-0 from Rosson Audio, the Verite Open from ZMF, and the Aelous from ZMF, to have expansive staging with extreme accuracy and layering.  I found the Phonitor to present zero audible coloration to the music whatsoever to my ears with an immaculate and detailed sound. 

 My impressions were drawn when listening to my Qobuz and Amazon MUSIC HD playlists which I have included in the video description below. I also listened to many other tracks and albums of music over the few weeks I had the amp in for review. 

 So to wrap up, let us talk about comparisons to the Topping A90 and the iFi Pro iCAN, then stick around, and I will give you my overall conclusions and who I believe the Phonitor XE headphone amplifier will best suit. 

 When comparing the SPL Phonitor XE to the Topping A90, I found the A90 to have a touch warmer, more forgiving sound quality. The Phonitor XE has larger and more accurate staging capabilities with ultimate precision presenting a bit more clarity and detail from the music. I did find the Topping A90 to have a bit more impact from drums and lower frequencies on recordings. For some listeners, the Phonitor XE might be preferred for music that plays better with the wider staging, deeper layering, and sniper-level accuracy it offers. The A90 may be preferred for its slightly warmer and forgiving sound. The A90, also with its smaller staging, did present vocals more intimately on some recordings with heavily vocal-based music, which I appreciated when listening.  Also, the price for the A90 vs. the Phonitor XE performance is pretty incredible, considering what you get from it as a reference solid-state headphone amp.

 The other amp I compared the Phonitor to is the iFi Pro iCAN I have in for review from iFi.  Stay tuned for a full review of that headphone amplifier coming soon on the website and our Youtube channel.  Don’t forget to subscribe to our email list, so you don’t miss any future reviews, industry news, or visual content! 

 The iFi is definitely the warmer-sounding amp of the two to my ears.  It has a smoother overall delivery and a virtually fatigue-free sound, in my subjective opinion.  The Phonitor XE again has a wider-sounding staging, with the better layering of the music.

 The Phonitor to my ears presented greater detail, picking up more subtle sounds in recordings from hand plucks on strings to cheers in the crowd.  However, when comparing between the two, the Phonitor sounds sharper and has a less forgiving nature. The quality of the recording and the rest of your audio chain quality is what you will hear when listening to the SPL Phonitor. 

The SPL Phonitor XE presented vocals a bit farther away than the iFi Pro iCAN to my ears. In my opinion, the iFi has a more natural-sounding presentation with significantly more impact while still giving me enough detail to really enjoy the music.

 Again, in my subjective opinion, from a sound standpoint, the Phonitor XE would be my go-to for mixing, video editing, reference headphone reviewing with its fully transparent uncolored sound, where the iFi Pro iCAN would be my choice for music enjoyment, longer listening sessions, versatility, and the Tube Stages.  I found the iFi to be the more versatile amp of the two, while the Phonitor, more of a specialist.

 So, my overall conclusion of who this amp best suits, in my opinion, the SPL Phonitor XE is for someone wanting ultimate transparency in sound with the incredible build quality.

The Matrix Crossfeed and Angle implementation on this amplifier does present a more speaker-like sound from headphones, so a person who is primarily listening to 2 channel speakers and is now moving to higher-end headphone listening may really appreciate this feature. 

 I also believe a person who likes a very pleasing visual esthetic, especially with the VU meters, may find this amp to look beautiful on their desk or HiFi rack.  This is also a headphone amp that would likely find a happy home in a mixing studio for professional use. 

 I hope you enjoyed this review.  Don’t forget to subscribe for many more upcoming articles, videos and show your support by leaving a comment and sharing this article with a friend. Thanks again, friends.  I appreciate you all!  Until next time, MUCH LOVE!

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