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Experience with SoulNote Dac2?

Fellow Audio Enthusiasts - 

 

I'm considering purchasing the SoulNote D2 (SoulNote's mid-level DAC). From what I've read, it appears to have an energetic and engaging sound that some posters describe as sounding like live music. 

My current reference system sounds great, but I think I've got several warm sounding components that is taking things into too far into the romantic domain. Don't get me wrong, the system sounds wonderful with jazz and atmospheric music, but I'm finding it less engaging with rock or even classical music. The room is large with fairly high ceilings with hardwood floors... The room is untreated but the system sounds great nonetheless. 

I'm thinking of moving the Merason Dac to another system in my office... 

My Current Reference System 

  • Innous Zenith MKiii 
  • Cardas Clear interconnects 
  • Merason Dac 1 mkii 
  • Linear Tube Audio Level 2 preamp 
  • Conrad Johnson Classic 120 amp with EL 34 tubes 
  • Cardas Clear speaker cable 
  • QLN Prestige 3 speakers 
  • Puritan 156 
  • Power Cables - Assortment of Cardas Clear, Kimber Palladian and Lessloss 

I had the opportunity to demo with Mola Mola dac in the system and it sounded really good. That Dac absolutely changed the character of the system - adding energy, clarity, dynamics, drive - but I sensed something that might be fatiguing in the sound that might not make it a long term fit. 

MY QUESTIONS 
What is your experience with the SoulNote D2 dac? How would you describe the sound? And based on your knowledge, how would you conjecture the SoulNote D2 would sound in my system? 

Thanks to everyone who I've already communicated with on this question, BTW! 

bluethinker

Showing 1 response by thriftyaudio

thriftyaudio's avatar
thriftyaudio
125 posts
 

@bluethinker you have a great system. The Tambaqui would be a great fit. It was in my final four when I was looking at DACs along with the Chord Dave and a Weiss 501. I went with the Bricasti M1S2. It replicated the Mola Mola as well as the Chord Dave. I was not able to sample the Weiss, although I was told it was outstanding. The TMR had both at the time and recommended the Weiss over the the Bricasti. I was able to try the Bricasti M1SE (an earlier version of the M1S2) and absolutely loved it, so I went with what I knew sounded good in my system. The Bricasti has multiple filter options to allow the operator choices depending on the source, the genre, and your mood. I have no regrets regarding the M1S2.

Good luck and have fun. Try as many as you can in your system. Each component is absolutely system dependent.

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