SPL Phonitor XE DAC

Headphone amplifier with a 32-bit/768 kHz D/A converter, VOLTAiR technology and jack and XLR outputs with 2 × 8 W.

Phonitor XE DAC: the design

The Phonitor XE DAC has the features of the Phonitor XE plus the AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound converter for PCM and DSD256, with a low-pass filter switchable between PCM and DSD. There are four digital inputs: AES, optical, coaxial and USB.

Like the other SPL components it uses VOLTAiR technology: the audio circuits run on ±60 V rails, with discrete op-amps of SPL's own design and a shielded toroidal transformer.

Specifications

• Headphone outputs: 6.3 mm jack and balanced 4-pin XLR, front and rear
• Headphone power: 2 × 8 W
• Converter: AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound, 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD256
• Digital inputs: AES, optical, coaxial, USB
• Analogue inputs: 1 XLR, 1 RCA
• Volume: motorised Alps RK27 "Big Blue"
• Matrix: simulates loudspeaker listening on headphones
• Remote control: learns the commands of any infrared remote
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 278 × 100 × 330 mm
• Weight: 5.1 kg
• Finishes: black, silver, red