SPL Phonitor X DAC/AMP - Official Thread

[MrCypruz]

I’ve both black and silver units with flaking lettering issues and they’re both less than 1.2 years old.

[all24bits]

Focal Naim is at least responsive and very nice, so they asked if I could wait a month or so to have it repaired again since they’re backed up (and the amp still works). I said fine, and they’re covering it under warranty and shipping BOTH ways for me when it gets returned.

[cpp]

Darn it, I shouldn’t have read this thread. I’ve been looking at the Headamp GS-X Mini and now the SPL Phonitor X/XE peaks my interest. And the tested paring with the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and a Chord is welcome. If I’m not mistaken, maybe I got it wrong, but the GS-X Mini adds a little bit of color (warmth) .

[Animal]

I ordered a Black Phonitor XE with DAC768 about 2 months ago, but they were out of stock everywhere. On Thursday I got a shipping notice and mine should be here by next Thursday. I have wanted a SPL Phonitor for a long time. I will be honest in that I wanted it as soon as I saw one, before I even listened to one or looked at the specs It’s the meters… with my ADHD I can get lost in them for hours ha ha ha

[ValentineLuke]

I know the feeling! I’ve coveted that thing for a while.

Hopefully soon.

[Animal]

Yeah hopefully soon! I have had mine for a week now and its a fantastic unit. I think you will be very happy with one.

[ValentineLuke]

That’s awesome to hear!

I’m sure I’ll be very pleased. I know so many here love it. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

Cheer!

[cpp]

IS the DAC768 a AKM 4490 or a 4493 ?

[Torq]

4490 according to SPL.

[Animal]

Yup 4490 is what it says in the manual too

[cpp]

Thank you, Appreciate the quick response.

[Animal]

So I have a question about this unit. All the instructions say to turn on the power switch on the back first, then turn the standby switch to on. You obviously do the same in reverse to turn it off. Does anyone just leave the unit with the standby switch on and just use the switch on the back to turn it on and off? Does anyone know if it will hurt anything. I can’t image it would, but I though I would find out first before trying it. Thanks!

[Andrew_Davis]

I don’t ever switch off the rear. I can’t say if it has any long term consequences, as I’m not an EE nor have I had it on for years and years.

But I’m comfortable doing it that way.

[Torq]

I’ve always left the rear-switch on and just used the front-panel standby/on switch. Which is the way the unit is designed to be used. And like @Andrew_Davis … I’ve left mine powered on (at the rear) for most of the time I’ve had it.

You’re wanting to do the opposite. I’d be cautious about it.

While I doubt there’s really much potential for damage to anything but the fuse or the headphones (if they’re connected), there is potential to pop the fuse or get a transient to the cans (remember, the output on the Phonitor X isn’t protected). And while I never heard a pop or click from mine when flipping the standby switch to “on”, I’ve also never powered it on and off the way you’re describing.

[Animal]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. It makes sense what you are saying @Torq and @Andrew_Davis, and is probably easier that way opposed to the way I suggested. You were definitely right about the sound too @Torq of this thing! It’s amazing!

[Animal]

You already bought the GS-X mini, or you are still deciding? If you already purchased the GS-X Mini I would not worry about the SPL unit. The GSX-Mini is a very nice amplifier that has its own following of people who love it. I was impressed when I first heard one.

[cpp]

Nope haven’t purchased anything yet, Still researching, heck if I had the funds I would by both,

[callmevil]

Is it worth upgrading the mains cable for the Phonitor X? How does most owners here power their Phonitors?

[generic]

@callmevil

Is it worth upgrading the mains cable for the Phonitor X?

Here are some of @torq’s best posts on cables, to include several types. The first one applies to mains cables.

Power/Line Conditioner

If you have a lot of noise on your AC lines, or are running hardware that uses SMPS that does allows noise back onto the AC supply (95% of all cheap hardware that ships with an SMPS, especially wall-warts, and a distressing percentage of high-end hardware too), then a good power conditioner can be anywhere from making inaudible changes to being an absolute requirement. “Good” in the above case is down to it a) conditioning the line in a manner that address any noise/line-issues you have and b) …

(Mis)Understanding USB Audio

(Mis)Understanding USB Audio I’ve read a lot of discussions/threads (in various places), and had numerous discussions (online and in-person) that demonstrate an enormous level of misunderstanding relating to USB audio - especially UAC2 (USB Audio Class 2) - which is the USB audio specification that almost all modern DACs utilize. Lots of magical attributes are assigned to USB Audio, most of which are either due to faulty assumptions, lack of understanding, or pure flights of fantasy couched in …

Cables - 3rd Party/Upgrades & Recommendations

Cables for full-size headphones make, at best, tiny differences (excepting for the SR1a and electrostatics, where impedance or capacitance, respectively, are CRITICAL factors and must be tightly controlled). I only say this, because until everything ELSE in your system is “end game” then cables are the last place to spend your money, as they’ll give by far the smallest return. Excepting getting to a reasonable balanced cable if you don’t have one (and re-terminating the Focal cable if the best…

[callmevil]

Ah, thanks, I’m still waiting for my phonitor to be shipped by the store so I can’t commend if my ac line would be noisy or not. I’m not asking in terms of conditioning or main blocks tho. Forgive me for not being clear on my query.

I am asking more in terms of would upgrading the Phonitor X’s mains cable to a much thicker gauged, better shielded, and improved conductor type improve its sound or not. I dont know how power hungry the phonitors are and would there be any instance where it requires sudden jolts of power to output certain frequencies at certain volume or not.

I understand the benefits of having a good mains cable as mentioned in torq’s comments, I am just unclear whether or not the phonitor would be one of those amps that would require such cables or not.