Spl dac

SPL DAC driver for audio playback with sample rates higher than 48kHz. Sound Performance – Made in Germany. According to SPL , the DAC7is drawing too much power to be used with the Phonitor e and x. Mercury is the first mastering DA-converter in 120V technology.

It offers seven digital stereo input sources, all of which can be synchronized with each other or with a word clock. This review is a supplement to the existing SPL Phonitor XE review here at Basshead.

They’ve been on the periphery of my radar for a while, but not something I’d gotten to spend proper listening time with until I was offered the opportunity to audition this unit at home. The large, central, illuminated volume dial is buttery-smooth. Labels are clear and concise, with the functions they indicate being entirely unambiguous. The overall impression is that this is a very high-quality and entirely “premium” device. SPL make a point of calling out their “VOLTAiR” high-voltage power-rail capability (also known as the “SPL 120V Rail Technology”).

This provides for a lot of voltage-swing in the power-supply, lots of available power and significantly improved dynamic range (claimed 1dB) vs. Unlike most of the competition, however, these inputs can accept high professional-gear signal levels. The $4question is, of course, “How does the Phonitor x sound?

In a word … fantastic!

For a start, it is clearly both an entirely neutral and highly transparent performer. Much of my listening was performed using a Chord DAVE DAC as the source. It covers up nothing, makes excuses for nothing, and lets the source show its true colors without omission or editorialization. It is really an advance analog-domain, crossfeed2system that allows simulation of interaural time and volume differences at various user-selectable levels.

You can read a full explanation of the theory and settings in the Phonitor x User Manual(refer to page 11), but for this review, I’ll focus on the actual effects of the system rather than what’s behind it. SPL offer the Phonitor x with an optional, internal, DAC module (called “DAC192”), which was installed in the unit that I auditioned and used for this review. There is no support for DS native or otherwise - you’ll need to convert to PCM in your player. These I would define as combinations of gear that provide a “better than expected” or “performs above their price points” combination, or that show a particular component either in a “new light” or let them perform the best I have heard them to date. I thought it might be interesting to call out the most notable of those, here.

It would be nice to be able to set the VU meter attenuation independently by input. With an external, balance studio DAC, I need the dB attenuator engaged or the needle spends most of its time buried in the opposite side of the scale. Since the control for this is via a dip-switch underneath the unit, changing it on the fly is not really practical. The optional DAC module seems to have issues with players that do automatic sample rate-switching under macOS 10.

High Sierra) when using the USB input. Setting the bit-depth and sample rate manually, via the Audio-MIDI Setup tool, prior to playback, alleviates this issue. The TOSLINK and COAX inputs are.

It yields a huge sense of scale and power with effortless delivery, has excellent tonality AND tonal weight, transient response is superb and it plies its trade against a dead-silent, void-black, background. Its features, and sonic performance make it easy to integrate into studio scenarios and still able to satisfy audiophile sensibilities. The product is in stock in our warehouse in Niederkrüchten, Germany, and will be shipped the same or next working day.

We process the orders after receipt of the order and update the stock in the online shop regularly. SPL ’s Madicon and Madisons can now be connected in series (daisy chaining) like Audio-Over-IP devices, and are easier to configure and more reliable. SPL show off their new Mercury - a high-end mastering-grade DAC and monitor controller that runs off their proprietary 120v power rail technology for insane. Its design sets it up for transparent, undistorted sound with the ability to drive whatever monitoring system is present. The SPL Director combines two units in one: a reference-class preamplifier with six inputs (2x analog and 4x digital) and both balanced and unbalanced outputs as well as a reference-class DA converter for PCM up to 3kHz and up to Double Rate DSD (DSD128).

It currently consists of four models. This internal Uber- DAC qualifies the Phonitor xe to convert with outstanding sonic performance. The Phonitor SE from the German SPL is intended as an entry-level model in the series. An audio resolution of bits and PCM sample rates up to 768kHz as well as DSD – up to DSD2– are the impressive numbers.

It paints an honest picture of your equipment and the music you’re listening to.