The SPL Phonitor 3 DAC is a cutting-edge headphone amplifier, monitoring controller, and DAC incorporating advanced 120V technology. It is the ultimate centrepiece for monitoring tasks, designed for demanding producers, sound engineers, and mastering professionals working with digital sources or in the digital audio workstation (DAW) environment.

Featuring an integrated DAC, the Phonitor 3 DAC supports various digital input options, including USB, AES/EBU, and S/PDIF. In addition, its analogue-to-digital converter, the AKM AK4490 Velvet Sound™ premium DAC chip, ensures exceptional audio quality by faithfully reproducing the finest sound details. With an unprecedented resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz for PCM audio signals and support for DSD signals up to DSD256, the DAC offers pristine sound reproduction.

On the analogue side, the Phonitor 3 DAC employs the renowned SPL 120V technology, delivering the same high-quality monitoring found in large-scale SPL mastering consoles. This technology enables accurate monitoring on both loudspeakers and headphones. Furthermore, the analogue Phonitor Matrix, a unique feature of the Phonitor 3 DAC, allows for mixing and mastering on headphones with an exceptional spatial perception of the stereo stage, akin to listening on speakers.

The Phonitor 3 DAC provides a front-panel stereo jack plug for headphone use, capable of driving headphones effortlessly thanks to its substantial output power. This allows listeners to experience the advantages of the SPL 120V technology, resulting in an honest, detailed, and rich sound experience.

The Phonitor 3 DAC also serves as a high-quality monitoring controller, offering a stereo output at the device's rear. This output enables seamless integration with active speakers featuring integrated power amplifiers or passive speakers combined with a power amplifier.

Equipped with SPL 120V technology, the Phonitor 3 DAC ensures top-tier signal quality and monitoring capabilities comparable to the renowned SPL DMC and MMC mastering consoles.

The Phonitor 3 DAC boasts versatile connectivity options, simultaneously connecting up to six stereo sources. Two analogue stereo inputs with XLR line inputs accommodate professional analogue players with balanced outputs and line levels. Furthermore, four digital stereo inputs are provided, including USB (type B), S/PDIF coaxial, S/PDIF optical, and AES/EBU, catering to a wide range of digital audio sources.

The USB input simplifies direct connection to the DAW without requiring any driver installations for Mac or iDevices. It supports PCM audio signals with a resolution of up to 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz, as well as DSD signals with a resolution of up to DSD256.

The S/PDIF coaxial and optical inputs can receive two-channel PCM audio signals with sampling rates of up to 192 kHz and a bit rate of 16 to 24 bits. The AES/EBU input, featuring a standard XLR input, supports transmitting two encoded PCM audio channels with a maximum sampling rate of 192 kHz and a bit rate of 16 to 24 bits.

To maintain the utmost audio fidelity, the analogue output of the Phonitor 3 DAC's DAC chip undergoes low pass filtering. Unlike other DACs, the low pass filters in the Phonitor 3 DAC are constructed using SPL 120V technology, enhancing dynamics, headroom, and overall sound quality. The SLP120, an analogue "single low pass" filter with 120V technology, ensures superb filtering performance.

Crafted with precision, the Phonitor 3 DAC features a robust 45mm volume control knob made of milled aluminium. Together with the Alps RK27 "Big Blue" potentiometer, it provides a delightful haptic experience, delivering precise control over the monitoring level.

In summary, the SPL Phonitor 3 DAC is an exceptional tool for professional users in the audio industry. Its incorporation of 120V technology, integrated DAC, versatile connectivity options, and meticulous design make it the ultimate headphone amplifier, monitoring controller, and DAC for critical monitoring tasks.