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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
bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker OP
271 posts
 

@zlone - Oh yes! Of course. I am looking forward to your review of the QLN Prestige 3s. I also have wondered about the 5's too. I'm especially curious about the bass output of the 5's. Maybe someday I'll get to hear them. 

@wig - Thanks for the suggestion. Out of curiosity, how did you identify the specific fuses used to improve the sound? And are they difficult to install? I've never tinkered with audio equipment so this would be a first for me. 

wig's avatar
wig
1,304 posts
 

@bluethinker 

Been using boutique fuses for over 15 years and have tried, own and used most of them but QSA yellow is the sweet-spot and they have the ability to lower floor noise and extract low level detail and space so convincingly.

The other boutique fuses are good but QSA is something special and they are cheaper than the other brands...

Changing fuses are very easy and the directional arrows on fuses should point away from the circuit board.

Wig

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker OP
271 posts
 

@zlone - I just realized we also both have an Innuos Zenith mkiii. I noticed you are considering Antipodes. I was thinking of getting the pulsar for the living room and moving the zenith mkiii to my office system. Do you have the innuos usb reclocker in your system? If so, was it worth it. 

Sorry for side tangent everyone. 

iseland's avatar
iseland
192 posts
 

As a matter of fact I do have the pulsar aswell and it's a big step up with the reclocker , and for all that's holy get the best usb cable you can afford.  I got myself a Shunyata sigma usb and it is awesome. 

zlone
915 posts
 

@bluethinker I have not tried the Innuos USB DDC, however for some other reasons I picked up a Singxer SU-6 and this has been a significant improvement. The low bass on the QLN’s really improves. Cables do matter as mentioned. 
FWIW, I spoke to an Innuos dealer at AXPONA this year about the DDC, and he said I would probably get better results with their Ethernet box. Both options are kind of spendy for tweaks. 

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