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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
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,316 posts
 

@bluethinker 

I have no working knowledge (only what I’ve read) on the SoulNote, but just wanted to say what a wonderful system you have built. 😁

All the best.

wig's avatar
wig
1,298 posts
 

@bluethinker 

No first hand experience but have heard the D2 is very musical but do know the Soulnote A2 Integrated Amplifier is phenomenal and has very similar sound characteristics as my 300b Mono blocks but with more macro/micro shading which says a lot as I'm a tube guy..🤭

Wig

 

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,532 posts
 

I used to be a SoulNote dealer and have had this DAC.  I had it side by side with the Lumin X1 and found them indistinguishable.  I had them in separate inputs in my preamp and would get lost trying to keep track of which is which.  Not sure current pricing but the D2 at $9K vs. Lumin and $14K was really a fair gap since Lumin has an excellent volume control and built in streamer and the SN isDAC only.  

It definitely tilts to the brighter/colder side of neutral which is not good or bad, just a fact.  Wonderful staging and a lovely device.  Build quality is great and overall I thought the unit sounded wonderful. 

I am  a former dealer because when Fidelity dropped the line it did not sell well enough for me to seek it out with the new distributor.  Business decision.  Had nothing to do with the sound. 

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