# SPL Phonitor X DAC/AMP - Official Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs and Digital\ **Tags:** spl, headphone-amp, amplifier, pre-amp\ **Created:** [April 27, 2018, 9:29pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50 "2018-04-27T21:29:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![angstorms](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/angstorms/32/9017_2.png) [@angstorms](https://forum.headphones.com/u/angstorms)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/221 "2020-01-24T23:50:34Z")
I found a deal on a new SPL Phonitor X that I could not pass up. The Phonitor X was better for one of my workflows, Times when I use a UA Apollo x8p I/O interface for recording and video work. X still allows me to pass audio through to the second set of Monitors. ---
**Author:** ![elquixote](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/elquixote/32/14291_2.png) [@elquixote](https://forum.headphones.com/u/elquixote)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 12:55am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/222 "2020-01-27T00:55:39Z")
@Torq your review on the Phonitor x lead me to get both the x and the rme adi-2. I have my rme hooked into the Phonitor via xlrs. I have my auto ref set on db 0 and dbu +13 (highest it goes) based on your settings. The Phonitor x VU meters spike to +3 in the red on lots of tracks, is this something I should be concerned with? Will it trigger the short circuit protection if goes much higher? Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you. With HD800s highest I am going is around noon ish with no DIP switches enabled. ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/223 "2020-01-27T01:00:00Z")
Not @Torq but you can switch the toggle for the VU meters to matchthe output from I think 0-6-12 …that helps with getting the VU meters right. But, I’m half the time just listening and not paying all that much attention to them… ---
**Author:** ![Torq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/torq/32/16384_2.png) [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 1:05am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/224 "2020-01-27T01:05:55Z")
No, there’s nothing to worry about there. Though for that configuration I do as @TylersEclectic says, and use the dip-switches on the underside of the unit to apply attenuation to the Vu meters (it’s an on/off setting on the X, but has three options on the XE). Full-scale music, via the balanced inputs on the X, from the RME at 0 dBr (AutoRef: ON) will still peak the Vu meters into the red. Which is fine. The X has more than enough headroom for that. ---
**Author:** ![elquixote](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/elquixote/32/14291_2.png) [@elquixote](https://forum.headphones.com/u/elquixote)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 1:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/225 "2020-01-27T01:06:06Z")
Hi @TylersEclectic thanks for the quick reply. Where is that toggle for the UV meter located? Are you referring to the DIP switch #3 ? ---
**Author:** ![elquixote](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/elquixote/32/14291_2.png) [@elquixote](https://forum.headphones.com/u/elquixote)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 1:26am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/226 "2020-01-27T01:26:59Z")
ah, got it. Thank you so much this thread has been instrumental in my decision making, I got a chance to demo the X for a few hours twice and fell in love with the sound. I sold my thx-788 and loving this combination so far. @Torq @TylersEclectic thanks for the quick responses! ---
**Author:** ![elquixote](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/elquixote/32/14291_2.png) [@elquixote](https://forum.headphones.com/u/elquixote)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/227 "2020-01-27T02:18:46Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/e/e304d452e7efb56db2d4f0fe560aa1dc09f235aa.jpeg) Loving every second of this! Wanted to put the iPad on top of the RME but the iPad case is magnetic and kinda scared to put it on top of it lol ---
**Author:** ![prfallon69](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/prfallon69/32/43781_2.png) [@prfallon69](https://forum.headphones.com/u/prfallon69)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 8:28am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/228 "2020-01-27T08:28:22Z")
Wow, what a truly beautiful setup. I’ll bet it sounds great. ---
**Author:** ![elquixote](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/elquixote/32/14291_2.png) [@elquixote](https://forum.headphones.com/u/elquixote)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 11:52am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/229 "2020-01-27T11:52:03Z")
Thank you, it sounds amazing ---
**Author:** ![TylersEclectic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/tylerseclectic/32/8751_2.png) [@TylersEclectic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TylersEclectic)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/230 "2020-01-27T16:09:37Z")
I like it! Looks familiar… 🤓 🧐 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/d/db78e96250522d149207c54d33169fe71b3672cd.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![dRnRcR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/drnrcr/32/5392_2.png) [@dRnRcR](https://forum.headphones.com/u/dRnRcR)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 1:27am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/231 "2020-01-28T01:27:08Z")
Wow! What a great setup. Always impressive. ---
**Author:** ![wantan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@wantan](https://forum.headphones.com/u/wantan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 11:35am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/232 "2020-01-28T11:35:31Z")
Phonitor + RME ADI 2 DAC is a very popular combination and seems to have good system synergy, does anybody use a Phonitor with Bifrost 2? I’m looking for a DAC in this pricerange to go with my Phonitor and HD660/HD650 and the ADI 2 DAC and Bifrost 2 are the most popular ones these days and as I’m in europe they cost about the same. Most reviews so far seem to prefer the Bifrost 2 sound in general but system synergy can make a difference so I’d love to read some thoughts for use with the Phonitor. ---
**Author:** ![Rayzilla](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rayzilla/32/8184_2.png) [@Rayzilla](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Rayzilla)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/233 "2020-01-28T14:19:39Z")
I’m not sure how to search on here as I am sure it must have been covered already but how does the original Phonitor compare to the X, or is it XE. Sorry I’m not quite up to speed on this beautiful looking amp. ---
**Author:** ![MartinTransporter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/martintransporter/32/8809_2.png) [@MartinTransporter](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MartinTransporter)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/234 "2020-01-28T15:02:00Z")
What I know is the Xe has the 3 VU-Meter gain options at the front while the older models used switches at the bottom - don’t make me swear The Xe has the balanced hf XLR out on the front and the back- so you can easily connect two headphones and switch between them on the front The Xe is available with and without build in DAC Similar to the smaller SPL Phonitor E model ---
**Author:** ![Torq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/torq/32/16384_2.png) [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/235 "2020-01-28T15:09:35Z")
> [@Rayzilla](#): > > I’m not sure how to search on here Spy-glass icon, top right. corner of the screen. > [@Rayzilla](#): > > how does the original [Phonitor](https://amzn.to/2rdjAMO) compare to the X, or is it XE. I’ve never heard the original version of the Phonitor. Then there’s the Phonitor 2, which doesn’t have a digital input option, but has an extra analog input, has a couple of more pro-centric features, pre-outs and has the Vu meter calibration on the front panel. Phonitor X and XE are very similar, but the X has pre-outs where the XE has a second set of headphone outputs (on the back). X is configured via dip-switches on the bottom, XE lets you change Vu meter sensitivity from the front-panel. And both can take internal DAC modules, but **not the same** modules. As far as I can tell, the X and XE sound identical. ---
**Author:** ![Xgatt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/xgatt/32/764_2.png) [@Xgatt](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Xgatt)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/236 "2020-01-28T15:14:54Z")
> [@wantan](#): > > does anybody use a Phonitor with Bifrost 2? I’m also curious to see impressions of this combo. ---
**Author:** ![ValentineLuke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/valentineluke/32/9729_2.png) [@ValentineLuke](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ValentineLuke)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/237 "2020-01-28T15:15:27Z")
You can check this thread out. 👍🏽 > [@What are you upgrading?](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-are-you-upgrading/1546/269): > > switching to the Phonitor BF2 HEDDphone combo… wow…noticeable…coming off the RME for a week plus with the HEDDPhone…yeah… @ProfFalkin has the right of it in his comparison of the two… the Bifrost2 is a more enjoyable listen. RME is definitely right there but the Bifrost just for me edges it out for pure enjoyment. RME still is my go to reference though, I can tell that much already wink ---
**Author:** ![dRnRcR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/drnrcr/32/5392_2.png) [@dRnRcR](https://forum.headphones.com/u/dRnRcR)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/238 "2020-01-29T05:06:52Z")
![Screenshot_20200128-210535_Drive](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/9/9dc9983cded33df281d6fe7a7dd212da990b4b01.jpeg) Here’s a comparison. Hope it helps. ---
**Author:** ![Torq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/torq/32/16384_2.png) [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/239 "2020-01-29T21:17:59Z")
A post was merged into an existing topic: [RME ADI-2 DAC fs - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/rme-adi-2-dac-fs-official-thread/1540/389) ---
**Author:** ![angstorms](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/angstorms/32/9017_2.png) [@angstorms](https://forum.headphones.com/u/angstorms)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50/240 "2020-01-31T21:47:35Z")
The SPL Phonitor x amp arrived. It was B-Stock unit, but saved $1000 off the retail price, which I am putting against an upgraded DAC, It still has the full factory warranty) There are a couple of marks on the faceplate of the amp that I need to buff out. But other than that it sounds great. ![IMG_9849](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/8/8fb7ccfe2c7125d1639bb269cc9edbe7780544eb.jpeg) [Previous page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50.md?page=11) [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/spl-phonitor-x-dac-amp-official-thread/50.md?page=13)