The ultimate headphone amplifier and monitoring controller
£1,899.00(Inc VAT)
£1,582.50 (Ex VAT). Shipping calculated at checkout.
Phonitor 3 is the ultimate headphone amplifier and monitoring controller with 120V technology.
It offers the same monitoring quality as the big SPL mastering consoles on loudspeakers and headphones.
The analog Phonitor Matrix allows mixing and mastering...
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Phonitor 3 is the ultimate headphone amplifier and monitoring controller with 120V technology. It offers the same monitoring quality as the big SPL mastering consoles on loudspeakers and headphones.
The analog Phonitor Matrix allows mixing and mastering on headphones in the highest quality – with the same spatial perception of the stereo stage as on loudspeakers.
Three analog XLR stereo inputs for various sources and a wide range of monitoring options make it the perfect monitor controller for demanding producers and mixing/mastering engineers.
Phonitor 3 can be equipped with the optional Expansion Rack, which is not only a 19″ rack housing, but it also expands the connection possibilities with three additional switchable stereo outputs for active loudspeakers or power amplifiers.
Great sound – for headphones The Phonitor 3 offers connection for a standard headphone with a stereo jack plug on the front. Thanks to the enormous output power, all kind of headphones are driven effortlessly. Thus, it plays out the advantages of the SPL 120V technology and rewards the listener with an honest, detailed and at the same time vivid sound experience.
Great sound – also for loudspeakers On the rear of the device, Phonitor 3 offers a stereo output which makes it a high-quality monitoring controller for any monitoring situation. Active speakers with an integrated power amplifier or passive speakers in combination with a power amplifier can be connected at this output.
Monitoring at the highest level Phonitor 3 offers the same key technology – SPL 120V technology – and signal quality as the big SPL DMC and MMC mastering consoles.
Headphones or Speakers The Output switch – simply switch from headphone to speaker playback. In the center position (Mute), no signal reaches the outputs. The VU meters light up red.
Free choice Up to three stereo sources can be connected to the Phonitor 3. The source is selected via the Source switch.
Analog inputs Three analog stereo inputs are offered, each with two XLR line inputs (left channel, right channel). Professional analog players with balanced outputs and line level can be connected here, for example high-quality DA converters or an audio interface.
Milled from solid Aluminium The massive 45mm volume control knob milled from aluminum is a haptic highlight. Its mass together with the Alps RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer enhances the “spoon in the honey” feeling even further and provides perfect control of the monitoring level.
Monitoring without any compromises The Phonitor 3 is a full-fledged monitor controller: • Source selection • Phonitor Matrix with Crossfeed, Speaker Angle and Center Level (the latter can be switched off) • Mono/Stereo • Laterality control • Solo L/R • Phase inversion for L and R • L/R Swap • Output switchable to headphones or speakers • Mute
Mono or stereo – a matter of setting The Mono/Stereo switch can be used to select whether the output signal of the Phonitor 3 is a regular stereo signal or whether it is summed to a mono signal.
Finding the real center Naturally, hearing can be directed more to the left or more to the right. This becomes particularly clear when listening on headphones. Therefore, the Phonitor 3 has the uniquely finely resolved laterality control, which rebalances the stereo image on the monitoring side. The Mono/Stereo switch can not only be used to switch between stereo or mono playback. This switch is also used to activate or deactivate the laterality control.
Solo L/R Only the right or left channel of the audio signal should be played back? The Solo L/R function makes it possible. If the triple selection switch is in the “L” position, only the left channel is played back – if it is in the “R” position, only the right channel is played back. In the middle position “Off” the Solo function is switched off. The regular stereo signal consisting of the left and right channel is thus present at the output of the Phonitor 3.
L/R Swap A special feature is the channel swap function: L/R Swap. This function inverts the stereo image. Left becomes right and right becomes left. This is especially important and extremely time-saving, when you are monitoring samples in video dubbing that should match a scene with direction of movement. If the direction is not correct, you usually have to load the sample into the DAW to switch channels. before you can judge whether the sample matches the image. With the L/R Swap function, this is no longer necessary. You can now adjust the direction of movement on the Phonitor 3 while pre-listening the sample library.
Phase inversion for L and R With this switch the phase of the left or right channel of the audio signal can be inverted. If the three-way selection switch is in the “L” position, the left channel is inverted – if it is in the “R” position, the right channel is inverted. In the middle position “Off” this function is switched off. At the output of the Phonitor 3 the regular stereo signal is thus present.
M/S – Mid or Side? By using the mono/stereo and L/R phase inversion switch in combination, it is also possible to only monitor the mid or side signal. When the switch is set to “Mono” and phase inversion is active for L (or R), only the side signal is played back.
If the phase inversion is switched off, the mono signal corresponding to the “M” signal is played back. Separate monitoring of the M and S signals has become a widespread standard for many mixing and mastering engineers.
Everything at a glance Two mechanical VU meters visualize the input levels for the left and right audio channels.
The “VU Cal” switch can be used to reduce the signal visualized on the VU meters by -6 dB or -12 dB.
Thus, the VU meters operate in the ideal display range even at very high input levels.
The Revolution: Phonitor Matrix One of the unique features of SPL headphone amplifiers is the SPL Phonitor Matrix. It enables mixing and mastering engineers to create perfect mixes on headphones, which will translate perfectly to all types of stereo speaker systems.
But the Phonitor Matrix is not only designed for professional use in the studio. It also enables the hifi enthusiast to enjoy music on headphones, like if it was played back on speakers.
The 120V technology The 120V technology is our reference technology. The 120V technology is unique in the world. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps.
The highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage.
The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers. This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers.
The 120V technology achieves exceptional technical specifications and sonic benefits. Technically, in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom. Sonically, in terms of richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening experience.
By the way, the “120V” in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket. This is about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed.
The mains voltage from the mains power socket is transformed to the required secondary voltage in the device’s internal linear power supply with toroidal transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into DC voltage required in the audio device.
The idea for SPL 120V technology and the SUPRA operational amplifier based on this technology were developed in the 1990s by SPL founder and chief developer Wolfgang Neumann.
With the goal of building the best mastering console ever, this basic technological philosophy then took shape for the first time – thus the SPL MMC1 Mastering Console for Galaxy Studios saw the light of day in 2000.
The outstanding sonic and technical features quickly got around in the scene – so further orders were not long in coming.
Besides the MMC 1, another legendary product with 120V technology was created with the PQ, the “King of Parametric Equalizers”.
Since that time, 120V technology has been the foundation for all SPL premium products. Meanwhile, not only for mastering applications, but also for the, studio or hifi use.
SPECIFICATIONS
Analog inputs & outputs: XLR (balanced) • Maximum input & output gain: 32.5 dBu • Input impedance (XLR): 20 kΩ • Output impedance (XLR): 75 Ω • Common mode rejection ratio (XLR): -82 dB • Frequency range (0 dBu): 10 Hz – 100 kHz • THD +N (1 kHz, 0 dBu): 0.0009 % • Noise (A-weighted): -102 dBu • Crosstalk (1 kHz): -95 dB • Dynamic range: 134.3 dB
Standard Headphones Output: 6.35 mm (1/4") TRS Jack • Wiring: Tip = Left, Ring = Right, Sleeve = GND • Source impedance: 0.18 Ω • Damping factor (40 Ω): 180 • Frequency range (0 dBu): 10 Hz – 100 kHz • Crosstalk (1 kHz, 0 dBu): -91 dB • THD + N (1 kHz, 0 dBu): 0.0003 % • Noise (A-weighted): -102 dBu • Output power (1 kHz, 1% THD, 250 Ω): 2 x 5 W • Output power (1 kHz, 1% THD, 32 Ω): 2 x 1 W • Dynamic range: 134.5 dB
Internal Linear Power Supply with Shielded Toroidal Transformer • Operating voltage for analog audio: +/- 60 V • Operating voltage for relays and LEDs: +12 V
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