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

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.