Phonitor x launched

I heard the Phonitor X at Canjam London with the HD650.

Even with all the fancy crossfeed mumbo jumbo off Phonitor X sounded harsh with undefined bass and edgy treble. I left the table unimpressed especially considering its asking price for such mediocre sound quality.

At least the HD650 was listenable on the Phonitor X, compared to the truly atrociuos Apogee Groove - HD650 combo on the Sennheiser table, but I surely missed my Ragnarok!

 

Perhaps a 'dim' switch on the Mini may have helped my experience.
I was running it from the fixed output of the daccord (coincidentally also uses a RK27) which according to specs has an output of 2.2Vrm.

The imbalance was definitely noticeable with my most sensitive cans - they would need to be listened at the lowest level and on the K550 and W5000 the sound would come from one driver. Unfortunately, that was the ideal volume, any higher, there would be no imbalance but it would be too loud for me.

The above issues probably would not be the case with the larger Phonitor models owing to their extra specs and different volume control.

But the sharp sound characteristic seems to be a feature. The high volume and sharpness made even my HD650 a challenge. That leads me to think I am happy with what I have currently.

I'm an advocate of crossfeed. I thought even the basic options on the Mini was excellent. The advanced options in the other models would have been something that I would have used.

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Slightly off topic: The DT880/600's treble doesn't bother me at all. It's the flat(ish) option I wanted. I owned the T1 1st gen (16XXX) before it, but the treble began to bother me far too much and I sold it. I later got the 880 and I honestly find it an improvement, both in sound and comfort (being lighter, and slightly stronger clamp). The 880 and 650 are probably my daily drivers.

I have read reviews and seen Phonitor owners using the 1st T1 on it, and I cannot imagine how they could after my experience - But there you go, different ears...

 

@Scubadude;
I am glad you've found something that you like so much. Theoretically, that is the entire point of this hobby and the entire website, right? As long as you don't start talking about how much you like your Fiio. Or Burson. Or...(?)

 

welp, looks like @Torq bought one ... now if only someone could tell me how it sounds with the Atticus ...

 

I can't say specifically, but it was a magnificent pairing with the Eikon. Made me look at those cans in a new light (and I've liked them regardless, but they were even better here).

Given that it's the most resolving, transparent and neutral solid-state amp I've heard, will push 2w into the 300 ohms (or so) of the Atticus (with an unusually large available voltage swing) at 0.36 ohms OI, it's hard to imagine it not showing them in the best light possible. Short of a big-boy SET OTL tube amp, I guess.

At a minimum, it should simply showcase what the Atticus are, and what they're capable of - but if you're looking for an amp to sway that with it's own signature then it's probably the wrong way to go.

 

Wow, fantastic feedback regarding the Eikon ... I'm thinking the XE might be my new amp, was just hoping I could find an amp that would do equal justice to the Eikon and Atticus (and not digging the look of the pendant) ... Was looking at the WA2 & WA22 just because I love the look ... but also want a SS for reliability and long term use (I put in 6-8 hours / day) and I have no desire to tube roll.

Maybe I have to bite the bullet and get an Yggdrasil, Phonitor XE, and WA2 or 22 ... big nut to swallow though so just have to keep kicking it around. Overall I'm huge fan of the Eikon and Atticus so looking to build a system around them

 

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