Experience with SoulNote Dac2?

Have you heard a dac with ESS chips? I owned benchmark and thought it was a bit too clinical sounding.
I never heard the Soulnote though but I would highly recommend auditioning it in your system or have ability to return it if you don’t like it. 

@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.

Following with interest as we have very similar systems. 

your problem is more easily remedied by swapping out interconnects 

the Cardas cables are known for their laid back sonics also adding footers under all main components.

look at the Wireworld platinum cables more neutral without being bright,

and critical mass footers will increase the systems clarity, dynamics and imaging

Dave and Toy

audio Intellect NJ

Wireworld and Critical mass dealers

@audphile1 - Thank you. I always appreciate your input and communication on this forum. Apparently - and I say that suspending judgement until I've heard it - SoulNote has implemented the ESS chips in a very musical way. I've read up on the Benchmark dac and I think I remember your past comments on it being a little bright in your system. If it's bright, there is no way I'll like it. I'm going to have the opportunity to demo it in my system end-of-month and will share my results. 

@thriftyaudio - Thank you. I think trying stuff is absolutely part of the journey! 

@zlone - If memory serves, we both have the LTA preamp and Merason Dacs, correct? 

@audiotroy - Thanks for your ideas. After demoing the Mola Mola dac, I'm pretty convinced it's a question of the source in my system. I really like the Merason Dac1 mkii dac, but I think it pairs best with components that deliver a more analytical or detailed sound. It sounds absolutely wonderful with the Gryphon 120 and Dynaudio Heritage speakers, which I plan on pairing it with permantly. 

But I do feel the source is the issue with my system sounding a little too smooth and warm. 

I agree with @audphile1. I really dislike dacs with Ess chips and I find them dreadful for female vocals. I much prefer R2R designed dacs.

I'm listening to the system now with the Merason. It's cranked louder than usual because my wife is still at work. 

It sounds incredibly musical, rich and atmospheric. 

For anyone considering the Merason Dac1 mkii, it's really wonderful sounding in this system. And as mentioned earlier, it sounds even better with more resolving components. I'm absolutely keeping it.

My search for a (potential) new dac in my living room system is, like many of us here on this forum, partially based on curiosity and "audiophilia nervosa." 

@bluethinker 

Changing the 2 3.15a fuses in your Merason with QSA yellow fuses will give you more transparency, dimensionality and musicality...

Wig

Thank you @bluethinker for the kind words. Looking forward to your thoughts on the Soulnote DAC. 

I still can't believe people actually judged a dac for it's chip and not output stage..

Get yourself a D2 and if you for some reason don't like it sell it .

Have had mine almost 2 years and never thought of swapping. 

No one is judging a dac for it’s chip alone. It is a contributing factor though. The advice given here is to audition it. Buying it to try and selling it if you don’t like it ism’t the most logical approach unless you’re buying used at a great price and it’s a hot commodity. 
 

@bluethinker Close. I have the Merason Reuss with QLN 3 speakers. Still owe a review on the speakers, but they are keepers, but I wonder about the 5’s. 😃

On paper that certainly looks like a “warm” system alright. It will be interesting to hear how the Soulnote blends with your system.

@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. 

@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

@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. 

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. 

@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. 

@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.

@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

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. 

Hi All - 

I had the chance to demo the SoulNote D2 in my office system today. Had it paired with a Luxman 590axii and Buchardt S400 MKii speakers with an Innuos Zenith mkiii streamer. It replaced a Gold Note DS-10. 
 

I’m pretty amazed with the sound. It’s articulate, lively and engaging. Finding this to be a very musical Dac in this system. Strongly recommended based on my first day with the unit. Will report back tomorrow with more impressions. 

Thanks for the update, it sounds promising. FWIW, I am now seriously considering a change from my Reuss/QLN combination. This is all your fault! 😀

My current rabbit holes are Bricasti M3 and  Meitner MA3, though I think the Meitner is on the warm side too. I will do some research on the D2.

@zlone - It’s a disease! 

I encourage you to look at Unveiled Audio. They have access to the remaining D2 dacs (model is changing based on something related to parts availability). The D2 is currently on sale at a lower cost. I love my Merason Dac, but man this SoulNote D2 has so much energy and drive that I’m finding to be invigorating. 
 

@bluethinker awesome! Glad you’re trying the new dac in your system. I’d recommend taking your time with it at least 3-5 days if possible. Let it all sink in and settle down. 

@audphile1 - Thank you! 

That's great advice. I'll continue listening for a few days and report back. 

@zlone Meitner MA3 is a more detailed, faster and more engaging sounding DAC than the Bricasti M3. I had the MA3 in my system for 2 weeks.
I then ordered MA3i and sold my Bricasti. Meitner sound is airy, detailed and laid back. It takes a few days to start to really appreciate it. If you like the sound of DSD I would recommend the Meitner. It’s not forward but isn’t dark. I actually find Bricasti M3 to be a darker sounding DAC in comparison. I think what the Bricasti team did is darken the sound signature by design to mask the inherent imperfections of the chip DAC. Great DAC the M3 but the more expensive Meitner beats it. 

@bluethinker Thanks for the tip, that is a good deal for sure. I am looking for something a little more lively, it sounds like the D2 is sounding that way to you. Keep us posted as you get used to it. 
 

@audphile1 Thanks for the commentary, I had thought you had tried both the Meitner and the Bricasti. Your description of the Meitner sounds a lot like Merason, I would be a little worried it would not be a significant change. I never thought I would say it, but I think I want a bit more edge, but certainly not bright. 
 

In the meantime a friend loaned me his Luxman DA-07x. It is quite nice. 

@zlone - Unveiled Audio might offer an in-home audition. I’m going to try pairing the QLN speakers with the SoulNote Dac (I’ve been using Buchardt s400 mkii speakers thus far). I’ll report back to you… it won’t be for a week or so, but I’ll share my impressions. 
 

@bluethinker I would be very interested to hear the results of that pairing, thank you.

I am really starting to wonder what sound I am seeking. I also plugged in my spare DAC, a Schiit Modius+ coupled with a Singxer SU-6, and was honestly very impressed with the results. But most noticeable was the bass and bloomy nature of the sound. The bass is not as articulate as other DAC’s, but certainly more of it, maybe with some even ordered harmonics thrown in to richen things up. I am not suggesting that this is on par with the DAC’s we are discussing, just that it has offered me another perspective. I am a low volume jazz listener, sufficient and articulate bass is important. Probably need some tubes somewhere, but not a great fit for a system that is on most of the day.

And sorry for hijacking, but it sounds like we are both looking for answers to the same question.

@zlone - We seem to be on a similar quest. I actually came on here this morning to write you directly. I’m listening to the SoulNote D2, Luxman 590axii, Buchardt s400 mkii and Innuous Zenith combination in my office this morning with some coffee before jumping into work. 

I’m still very new to the audio world, so my experience is limited compared to so many of this forum... With that admission, the SoulNote D2 has blown me away. It’s bringing an energy, nuance, shading and propulsiveness that I’m finding absolutely addicting. It’s only day 3 for the audition, but very impressed. 

There is some high-frequency energy that, in the wrong system, could be heard as sibilance. I think it's therefore all about system matching. If the amp/speakersare already cool or neutral, the result could be very different. I'll test with the QLN and let you know how things go.