SPL Phonitor X Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier Review

A detailed review of the SPL Phonitor X Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier!
I take a look at aesthetics, build, functionality, subjective impressions and measurements!
SPL Phonitor X: amzn.to/32j1wUT (affiliate link)
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[@glennbucc7107]

Great review, this unit does cost a lot but if it is too heavy for your wallet, the SE version has the same quality sound with less features

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Great review, these SPL headphone amps are a step up from things like the Toppings A90D

[@Jamie-666]

Expensive bit of kit, but it looks astonishing. Any difference using the HD800S using the XLR? Nice review +10. Sidenote - have the 800S using the Monolith THX Dac/Amp.

[@gamingaudioguide9292]

thanks! I did not detect any audible differences from the XLR and 1/4" jacks. Not really a surprise. The 1/4" actually measures better and SPL says XLR is better for more power and shortage protection. HD800S is not for everyone, but man I love that headphone. Nice setup you got.

[@scrapethebottom]

hello, thanks for the review. any reason in particular you went for the phonitor x over, say, the phonitor 2? the main difference being the balanced heaphone out?

[@Accuaro]

I vaguely recall you saying you would review a Vioelectric amplifier after you did the V850. If you can, I'd love to see a V81 review but as they're EOL and that they're kinda still expensive I doubt that would happen, rip. The SPL Phonitor amps are absolutely fantastic though! I already have the V281 but I kind of am tempted by the VU meters which is silly to buy an amp for LMAO.

[@gamingaudioguide9292]

yeah, basically since these nice/niche amplifiers draw minimal interest anyway (SPL Phonitor X video only has 60 views), I do less of them. I had intended to review my v181, but with the views low and it EOL - it seemed the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. Having said that, I will continue to review current amps and such on occassion because I flat out enjoy it. this video was one of my favorites to make. The V181 is an AMAZING unit. HUGE power, great profile (not as long as the 280/281. I really like it. Nice build and extremely clinical. The VU Meters on the SPL's are great. A good VU meter on it's own, so you need to figure that into the price. When you look at the functionality of the unit and everything it includes, it is pretty good. Spending money on these nice units I think is just fine. As long as you can justify how much you use it, the build quality, the post warranty customer support.... Lots of good reasons to still buy high end amplifiers.

[@coolbepis9301]

Could you explain how it's not fully balanced? If it isn't, why does the 4-pin xlr output have more power and +3db noise floor?

[@rhodey2952]

Gotta get into the tube game with the hd800S

[@elgingaragegym]

How does this unit compare to the Benchmark HPA4? Equal, better, worse, different?

[@InternetUser-d7s]

Which is the most transparent with better detail retrieval, this or the Violectric 281?

[@gamingaudioguide9292]

they are both amazing. I would lean the Phonitor X but it's so close I think you should choose which suits your needs and aesthetic better.

[@MrYousif07]

When i see the notification i thought its a sundara review 😭

[@gamingaudioguide9292]

haha. sorry bro. only so many hours in a day and this doesn't pay the bills. :) next up is the 1990 Pro re-review. Sundara and 560S come after. Not sure which will land first.

[@sergiocurvelo2384]

Is XLR output much superior to single end output? Is it far superior to Phonitor SE?

[@gamingaudioguide9292]

I have always enjoyed XLR headphone output when I need the extra juice. Outside of that, I rarely find any audible difference. On paper you tend to get lower crosstalk distortion between the separated grounding but you also get an increased noise floor. Use it if you are using really power hungry headphones, otherwise use SE.

[@bigreed43]

Is there a gain switch?

[@gamingaudioguide9292]

only on the Phonitor 2 and Phonitor XE I believe.

[@manykzdj792]

Bro fuck this background music