SPL Phonitor, Auditor, Creon, Crimson, etc.

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Scubadude, Jan 31, 2016.

  1. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

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    The question was raised in the "Pass Labs HPA-1" thread ... "Speaking of Phonitor, how's SBAF's take on their products?"

    I have an early Phonitor 2730 and regard it as a true reference ... deadly accurate but not cold or sterile. And then there is the wicked cross-feed feature set.

    What are your experiences with SPL headphone amps?
     
  2. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Looking at the picture and drooling. Oh my god, there it is! In your avatar!

    I had planned to visit a studio-gear shop, while I was in London, and listen to one, but I never did. Probably saved myself a lot of money!
     
  3. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

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    Certainly you did ... but you also missed out on the staggering experience of a high-powered Class A amp with 120V rail technology, not to mention the most sophisticated analogue cross-feed circuitry known to man. The result is an extremely dynamic, transparent and non-fatiguing presentation.

    The Phonitor 2 is even nicer for home use with lower output impedance, RCA input (in addition to 2x XLR), input switching and pre-out. I was fortunate to pick a very gently used Phonitor Gen 1 for much less than the price of a Phonitor Mini, even below the price of an Auditor.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2016
  4. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    I am interested in reading about some comparative comments on the Phonitor vs V281. Both seem to be noted for their good compatibility with HD800.
     
  5. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I hated the first gen phonitor and thought it was grossly overpriced and sounded pretty poor with my Beyer 880s and Senn 650s. Sold it within a month.

    You asked :p
     
  6. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Somewhere on chang I seem to recall Marv said the Phonitor was one of the best hardware crossfeeds he's heard. That was a while ago though.

    I'm really curious about the Crimson. I want to get one with a Cavalli just to have a Crimson Crimson setup... =P
     
  7. elwappo99

    elwappo99 Friend

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    I had a brief audition with the Phonitor 2, and a longer one with the Phonitor 1. As a pure amp, I've gotta agree with bixby. Pretty heavily overpriced. I would put it a notch above something like the Matrix M-stage in terms of pure SQ. I just wasn't impressed as I was expecting.

    I do really like the design and definitely remember the volume knob. Thought it really looked cool in person. I would maybe pick one up in the $500 range just cause it looks cool and has cool knobs.
     
  8. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Oh well, another day! Have to do some saving first, though, for the flight, let alone the purchases.

    I'm vaguely aware that not everyone thinks they are wonderful

    I could get an awful lot of cognitive bias out of that knob, the meters, and all the rest of the front panel. Oh wait, I'm not actually that keen on meters... stuff that moves to the music just takes the attention off it, unless its female and pretty. Oh wait... especially if its female and pretty. What was I saying?
     

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