{"product_id":"the-soloist-1","title":"The Soloist","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003eCombining the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"14\"\u003eOpal Audio AM7\u003c\/b\u003e with the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"38\"\u003eSPL Phonitor SE\u003c\/b\u003e creates a high-fidelity pairing that balances Canadian artisan craftsmanship with German studio-grade engineering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eWhile the AM7 is efficient enough to run off a phone, the Phonitor SE elevates it from a \"pleasant listen\" to a \"high-resolution experience.\" Here are the specific advantages of this pairing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e1. The \"Voltair\" Advantage (Headroom \u0026amp; Dynamics)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\" id=\"p-rc_4eae08722c029e61-55\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-83\"\u003eThe Phonitor SE utilizes SPL’s proprietary \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"43\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-83\"\u003e120V Rail Technology\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-83 citation-end-83\"\u003e.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Benefit:\u003c\/b\u003e Even though the AM7 has a low impedance (32ohm), the massive voltage headroom of the Phonitor SE ensures the dynamic driver is controlled with absolute precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eImpact on AM7:\u003c\/b\u003e You will likely notice a tighter, more \"physical\" bass response and improved transient speed—meaning the AM7's 40mm driver can stop and start faster, reducing the slight \"softness\" sometimes noted in wood-cup headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e2. Correcting the \"Inside the Head\" Effect\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eThe AM7 is an open-back headphone designed for an expansive soundstage, but like all headphones, it can suffer from the \"super-stereo\" effect where sounds feel glued to your left and right ears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" id=\"p-rc_4eae08722c029e61-56\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-82\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-82\"\u003eThe Solution:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-82\"\u003e The Phonitor SE features the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"43\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-82\"\u003ePhonitor Matrix\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-82 citation-end-82\"\u003e (Crossfeed).\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-82 citation-end-82\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-81\"\u003eThe Result:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-81 citation-end-81\"\u003e By simulating the interaural level differences of actual speakers, the Matrix pushes the AM7’s soundstage out in front of you.\u003csup class=\"superscript\" data-turn-source-index=\"3\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e This complements the AM7’s \"musical instrument\" tuning, making it feel more like you are sitting in a room with a live performance rather than wearing a device.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003e3. Tonal Synergy: Smoothness meets Transparency\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\" id=\"p-rc_4eae08722c029e61-58\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-80 citation-end-80\"\u003eThe AM7 is voiced to be \"warm, honest, and alive,\" leaning away from clinical or piercing highs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-80 citation-end-80\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eTransparency:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-79 citation-end-79\"\u003e The Phonitor SE is renowned for its transparency—it doesn't add its own \"color\" to the music.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\"\u003eThe Synergy:\u003c\/b\u003e This allows the natural timbre of the AM7's \u003cb data-index-in-node=\"57\" data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\"\u003eAmbrosia Maple\u003c\/b\u003e cups to shine through. You get the warmth of the wood and the \"soft\" treble of the AM7 without the muddiness that can occur when pairing warm headphones with a warm tube amp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003e4. Effortless Power for Longevity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"12\"\u003eThe AM7 has a maximum power rating of roughly 30mW, but the Phonitor SE can deliver up to 5W.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"13\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\"\u003eWhy this matters:\u003c\/b\u003e You are essentially driving a sports car at 20 mph. The amplifier isn't even breaking a sweat, which results in \u003cb data-index-in-node=\"130\" data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\"\u003eextremely low total harmonic distortion (THD)\u003c\/b\u003e. This preserves the \"non-fatiguing\" nature of the AM7, allowing for those multi-hour listening sessions the headphones were designed for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"17\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-78\"\u003ePro Tip:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-78\"\u003e Since the AM7 comes with both \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"39\" data-path-to-node=\"17\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-78\"\u003eElite Velour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-78\"\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"56\" data-path-to-node=\"17\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-78\"\u003eElite Sheepskin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-78\"\u003e pads, try the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"86\" data-path-to-node=\"17\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-78\"\u003eSheepskin pads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-78 citation-end-78\"\u003e when using the Phonitor SE.\u003csup data-turn-source-index=\"6\" class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The extra seal of the leather combined with the high damping factor of the SPL amp will give you the most impactful and \"visceral\" version of the AM7's sound.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SolAudio","offers":[{"title":"Black \/ DAC768xs \/ Matte Dark Slate","offer_id":46403502375074,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ DAC768xs \/ Matte Blue Lagoon","offer_id":47290513522850,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ DAC768xs \/ Gloss Marble","offer_id":47290513555618,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ Analog \/ Matte Dark Slate","offer_id":46403502407842,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ Analog \/ Matte Blue Lagoon","offer_id":47290513588386,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ Analog \/ Gloss Marble","offer_id":47290513621154,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ DAC768xs \/ Matte Dark Slate","offer_id":46403502440610,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ DAC768xs \/ Matte Blue Lagoon","offer_id":47290513653922,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ DAC768xs \/ Gloss Marble","offer_id":47290513686690,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ Analog \/ Matte Dark Slate","offer_id":46403502473378,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ Analog \/ Matte Blue Lagoon","offer_id":47290513719458,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ Analog \/ Gloss Marble","offer_id":47290513752226,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ DAC768xs \/ Matte Dark Slate","offer_id":46403502506146,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ DAC768xs \/ Matte Blue Lagoon","offer_id":47290513784994,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ DAC768xs \/ Gloss Marble","offer_id":47290513817762,"sku":null,"price":3612.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ Analog \/ Matte Dark Slate","offer_id":46403502538914,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ Analog \/ Matte Blue Lagoon","offer_id":47290513850530,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ Analog \/ Gloss Marble","offer_id":47290513883298,"sku":null,"price":2952.69,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0694\/5351\/2866\/files\/thesoliste.webp?v=1765849779","url":"https:\/\/www.solaudio.ca\/products\/the-soloist-1","provider":"SolAudio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}