SPL Phonitor SE - THX 789 replacement/upgrade!? UPDATE:I NO LONGER RECOMMEND THE SPL PHONITOR SE!!!

UPDATE: I NO LONGER RECOMMEND THE SPL PHONITOR SE!!!
I was just listening to some music using the SPL Phonitor SE and the Sennheiser 660s. It was all going so well and then I heard a pop, a crackle in my ears and the music stopped. I stopped the Audirvana music player. I pull out the 660s and shut down the SPL. I test the 660s in the Mytek output and they are dead, blown drivers. I turned the SPL back on and it starts popping and smells like something is burning and has a very loud hum noise only. I tried another headphone and only hear the hum sound. I have checked all other gear on my desk and it is working well. There also was no electrical surge at my house.
Is the SPL Phonitor SE the replacement or upgrade recommendation for the Drop THX 789?
EDIT: 4/20/21 Update on the SPL and HD660s situation. SPL is arranging for a replacement pair of Sennheiser HD660s in exchange for the damaged pair. I have to give credit to SPL for stepping up and taking care of the customer even though they don't believe it is the fault of their gear. SPL did the right thing and made sure that the customer is happy. I respect SPL for that and appreciate that they are sending me a replacement pair of Sennheiser HD660s.
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[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I NO LONGER RECOMMEND THE SPL PHONITOR SE!!! I was just listening to some music using the SPL Phonitor SE and the Sennheiser 660s. It was all going so well and then I heard a pop, a crackle in my ears and the music stopped. I stopped the Audirvana music player. I pull out the 660s and shut down the SPL. I test the 660s in the Mytek output and they are dead, blown drivers. I turned the SPL back on and it starts popping and smells like something is burning and has a very loud hum noise only. I tried another headphone and only hear the hum sound. I have checked all other gear on my desk and it is working well. There also was no electrical surge at my house. I NO LONGER RECOMMEND THE SPL PHONITOR SE!!!

[@dasninjastix]

Sorry to hear, I hope the manufacturer works with you to make it right. Please let us know if they do. Always helpful to know which companies will work with their customers and which won't. Again, very sorry to hear, you were loving the 660s too.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

yeah I am pretty bummed at the moment. we shall see how all of this is resolved.

[@SPLSoundPerformanceLab]

We are very sorry to hear that your Sennheiser 660s are dead but we are very sure that this has nothing to do with our headphone amplifier itself. Is sound more like a short circuit caused by a defective cable or connector. Of course we would like to help you with this but we did not know anything about this review nor about the defective headphone until now. Please contact us via email: [e-mail]

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Email sent and I look forward to hearing from you.

[@nolly485]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Hi, has it been confirmed to what was the cause the SPL amp or Headphone cable or connector?

[@1BlinkwithAngels82]

DMS sent me, looking forward to your content.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness

[@mahjonglegendISLAM]

Ty Dave

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome 😊

[@theprinceofeverything1975]

Incredible review! Can you reccomend an amp and dac for a planar headphone? Specifically the audeze lcd xc? I enjoy smooth top end and bass in the low end with clarity as well. Thanks for your help!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Hmm haven't heard the Audeze LCDCX but once at Axpona. I love my Mytek Liberty and it powers all of my planar headphones. Not sure how it would pair with the LCDXC, sorry. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated 🥰

[@theprinceofeverything1975]

@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks for your help! I will strongly consider getting that dac amp! Just want to ask if it will cause any harshness to my headphones.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I don't hear harshness unless it's in the recording. You're welcome for the help, my pleasure.

[@pascaljean2333]

Dave, i hope when it comes to low end headphones you can include commentary about cheaper amp pairings. Thanks.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I still have the budget friendly Geshelli Labs Archel 2 and Erish that I use during reviews.

[@WorldView22]

Could you please comment on its performance with easy to drine headphones? Is there any low level or even faint hum with such headphones due to the very powerful output of this amp?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

If I had heard that I would have mentioned it in the review. I haven't heard this device since I reviewed it as it broke and I returned it, twice.

[@markusschulzbro]

There is also “phonitor one d” version available, for about 700$. It comes with dac inside.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Very true but the output power is less.

[@g.m.6417]

I have the phonitor one D & it’s more than loud enough. I’m using it for a mastering room & I use it with a daw for in the box & outboard gear & can run my other converters & interface threw it & get plenty of volume!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness

[@fighel4127]

Gain switch on bottom is like most stupid thing ever for me, just some thoughts. As always: nice review 👍

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

It is an annoyance but not a deal breaker for me. Thanks for the kind words. 😊

[@suntanglory]

When is your ldsd diablo review coming out?Thanks.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

It will be a few weeks before the iFi Audio Diablo review.

[@suntanglory]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Your opinion on them will be highly appreciated. Cheers!

[@taraszhupnyk2998]

I have this one with DAC768sx and Arya. Do you recommend buy other DAC for my setup? Thanks

[@taraszhupnyk2998]

Or do I need buy other amplifier maybe for my HiFiman Arya?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I haven't heard the Arya paired with the SPL Phonitor SE but I would think it would be an excellent pairing.

[@leninreddy]

Did you not consider schiit jotunheim 2 before going for Phonitor SE ? Just curious

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Actually I did consider the Jot2 for a hot minute. I'd love the chance to compare it with the SPL.

[@leninreddy]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Ya, Hope schitt sends you a jot 2 for review. That would be interesting

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@leninreddy That would be awesome 😀

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

Andrew from the headphone show uses this

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Andrew has some good taste 👍

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

SPL Phonitor se is made for headphones like the Hifiman hifiman susvara not easy to drive headphones I hope your doing well

[@revelationsoundstudio]

I am excited about buying this headphone amp. I have Focal Clear MG which do not have a strong top end like Sennheiser 800's. So I think this very clear sound of the SPL will be a great option to bring out the top end a little. If I had the 800's headphones, I might consider a McIntosh 200 headphone amp instead to smooth out the top end. Do you still not recommend the amp after SPL replaced your headphones. I have a recording studio and my people in the industry use SPL gear and just love it and have had no issues with their gear. Just because you had an issue, I would not state that this means the company is not reliable or that you would have issues with SPL gear if you purchased it.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I have no issue with SPL and their products. Sadly my experience has soured me but I am not going to say do not purchase SPL. Especially since you have positive experience already with them. As I stated in the review, great sounding amplifier.

[@martinslocombe2288]

I have just bought one with the built in Dac and I must say there is little difference between the built in DAC and my Weiss 202 but the Weiss does edge it .There are plenty of warnings about how to use the amplifier particularly i would turn the volume to nill when swapping headphones and never use a mono plug and switch off completly when not in use .Maybe its something to do with the Voltair 120volt technology its the same amp as the X and XE models but without the vu meters and the complex crossover adjustments.I am using it with Hifi man He 1000 stealth sennheiser 600 /650 and they all sound great through this amp .Even compared to my KGSSHV Carbon /Stax 009s .

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@martinslocombe2288 Thanks for the impressions.

[@martinslocombe2288]

PS i`ve just added a Burson soloist 3x to my collection and i`ve been comparing them .Initial thoughts are that the SPL phonitor is the better of the two using my Sennheiser hd600 with more detail and warmth but i`ll give the Burson a good thrashing tonight get it good and hot using the balanced output into my Hifi man HE 1000 stealth and report back.@@TheHonestAudiophile

[@arthurhaywood2184]

So the next step up from the THX 789 is 4X the price???

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Of the amps that I have reviewed, yes.

[@pascaljean2333]

A90 would be the 500 dollar upgrade version. Smooth sound. Not sharp

[@tekis0]

Hello: I came across your video in a search for "spl HPm 1504." What is it? It's an spl product for audio professionals. There are two headphone outs, crossfeed controls, mono switch, phase switch, etc. I'm a professional audio engineer and I need a good headphone amp for working out of my apartment. I really appreciate your review. You seem to really love the sound of the Phonitor. My, perspective, unit is a professional headphone amp, but it's not "standalone" per se. I haven't tried it out yet, but feature-wise it really suits my needs. Respectfully, do you think that it's fair to "condemn" just because it failed or broke down? Audio gear breaking down is not an unusual occurrence. Anyway, I hope that you get it sorted out. By the way, you were talking about "never being in a recording studio and hearing what the engineer is hearing..." Personally, I wouldn't think about such things. If YOU like what you're hearing on your end, then that's all that matters. All control rooms in studios don't always sound great. Some are just crap. Thank-you.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

SPL 1504 I have never heard or used. SPL Phonitor SE is a desktop amplifier for the at home audiophile with some studio type functions on the side. Do I recommend the Phonitor SE, yes and no. The fact I had two break with the same issue in a short period of time, breaking two headphones in the process; is a negative in my book. Yes, Sweetwater, Meze, Sennheiser and SPL did resolve the issues. I loved the sound of the Phonitor SE. Yes it has a lot of functions that other amplifiers do not include. BUT I find that the HeadAmp GS-X Mini is more natural and accurate in it's presentation while maintaining neutrality in comparison to the Phonitor SE neutral cold leaning sound. Overall, I am more happy with the GS-X Mini than I was with the Phonitor SE. As for working from home, I think either are good choices. I use the GS-X Mini as my reference amp as I think it reproduces an accurate, neutral and natural sound.

[@johnm7011]

Mine did the same thing but no support from SPL as 6 months over warranty.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Dang, that's a bummer. Sorry to hear that.

[@johnm7011]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Not as sorry as I am, lol.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@johnm7011 I had two headphone broken and two amps broken. I had to deal with a lot to get replacement. I understand your frustrations and am sorry you had to go through the situation. You should get a replacement, 6 month warranty is ridiculous on SPL part.

[@johnm7011]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Agreed. Sold by Moon Audio but they haven't been helpful either and paid $3K

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@johnm7011 That sucks. I purchased from Sweetwater and they were kind to refund the amp. They helped facilitate the headphone replacement as well. Sorry you've gotten short end of stick from both vendor and manufacturer.

[@ahmedsafa91]

what about soundstage depth ??

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

The entire technical abilities of the soundstage, depth, layering, imaging, width is all incredible on the Phonitor SE. As I stated in the video everything about the stage is the best I've heard from an amplifier. Sorry very hard to explain. The SPL Matrix brings the speaker experience to headphones. Love my Hifiman Ananda on the Phonitor SE and Mytek Liberty DAC pairing.

[@ahmedsafa91]

@@TheHonestAudiophile thats awsome .. what i have heard the mid-fi amps all sound smooth clean and powerful but with linited stage depth .. if the spl do it good then its a must buy in this price range

[@vershua1]

Dave you've gotta try the bqeyz kc2 my mates said it's the endgame of iem no one can beat it.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into see about getting a pair in for review.

[@jekken333]

I also think the thx789 is harsh. Bought one from used market and sold it right away. Great measuring equipment doesn't mean they sound great. Even my rme adi 2 dac, I find it harsh and brittle. My raal sr1a showed me how flawed the rme adi 2 dac is, hence selling them.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Interesting. Thanks for the thoughts. RME ADI 2 DAC is fantastic every time I have had the opportunity to hear one. I would love a chance to review it.

[@jekken333]

@@TheHonestAudiophile it is a fantastic DAC/Amp/DSP box. However, their harshness is in full display when paired with a transparent headphones like Sr1a or Stax 009/S.

[@ExplainedExplanation]

@@jekken333 I don’t own any amps or dacs as of now but had the opportunity to listen to the thx and rme through a friend. I totally agree with you in regards to the harshness, what would you recommend as an entry level amp or dac that doesn’t have this issue ? I’m more into a warm deep sound signature so maybe a tube amp ?

[@markjeroendurr2626]

Dip switch on the bottom of the unit is the same as with Lehman Audio Black Cube Linear: must be a German thing...

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Interesting. Good to know.

[@RenRenification]

Yikes, that much for a single ended thx upgrade. How much of an improvement over a 789 in percentage would you say this is? For that much money I could get a pretty good stereo amp, so I’d have to think on that.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Percentage upgrade, very hard to determine. All I know is that I sold my 789 after comparing the two for a few weeks. The SPL is a refined and more defined 789. Though the 789 does have a few advantages like balanced connection, se bypass and gain switches easily available. I suggest if possible to hear the SPL before purchasing so you can decide for yourself. You are right it is a lot of money and there are plenty of options available. Thanks for watching, commenting and subscribing.

[@chrisdeme1010]

DMS sent me what's up man

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness. Thanks 😊 Enjoying the warmer weather.

[@supergwizzo]

Voltair is not a technology ! They run the dc at 120 volts as the electronics are designed to operate !