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Soulution 710 Amplifier and 720 Preamplifier

Friends:

I am just curious how much better these ultra-reference, ultra-expensive Swiss units are than well respected American reference products like Pass Labs, Spectral, Boulder, Clayton Audio on the SS side or VAC on the tube side.

I am driving German Physiks Carbon mkIV omnidirectionals.

I am told the Soulutions are ultra neutral, ultra-transparent,and ultra musical, sharing the finest characteristics of tubes and SS, yet high bias class AB I'm told by a dealer.

I realize all is in the ear of the beholder, but are these swiss designers using better parts, more innovative circuitry, etc to generate a level of musicality and purity a notch above the finest US brands?.

I am looking for a final purchase as I approach retirement, and am actually considering the Soulution 710 Amp and 720 Pre (an almost mind-boggling cost of $85,000 retail, less a fair discount)..yes I am most fortunate to be in this position, but I do not wish to pay $40,000 extra for 3% difference in sound quality. (I realize this is the nature of purchasing ultra-reference high end gear)

Any strong opinions about the Soulution line would be greatly appreciated (including reliability) Yes, I am planning a trip to NYC in less than 5 weeks to audition, but your thoughts would be a helpful foundation to my audition.

Thanks in advance
Brian
audiobrian
audioquest4life
774 posts
 
Another German company, Octave audio. They sell a massive mono tube amp (Jubilee) with 200 plus watts per channel and giant transformers. They were at the RMAF in the Dynaudio room. I decided to get the little brothers a few years ago when I was contemplating a superior SS or tube to the equipment I had at the time. Decided the Octave MRE130 were the best deal for me compared to other high end brands, inlcuding Mark Levinson, the target SS designs I was going to upgrade to. Ciao,
Audioquest4life
newly
35 posts
 
Without any doubt Soulution are great amps, as are FM, Sovereign, Horch , Gruensch..., if you can make a good system Halcro, Boulder and a few more are also fantastics, and have you heard EAR Paravicini M 100A, I have heard them with Coltrane speakers, and boy I never have heard the Thiel ceramics drivers so good, and I´m not a big fan of these drivers.
bflowers
80 posts
 
If you want an objective opinion, call Goodwin's high end in Boston. They sell Boulder, Soulution and many others. They will give you an opinion based on experience without the hype. I called them for the same advice you seek. I have Boulder and was interested in the differences based on the reviews.
triode
263 posts
 
I'm with jwm...no SS can match the harmonic wholosity of a proper tube amp like the Lamms.
bvdiman
491 posts
 
Dealers' opinion can't be all too objective, they'll most likely recommend products with biggest calculated benefits--many variables at play. I believe calling Goodwin's and Singer will have you two differing opinions at best. Imo, if one or two reviews say so--it may be raves or hype, but when you hear good things from all over, it might just be the real deal. Do some research in forums and threads as these, ask opinions and counter check various reviews gathered from as many sources as guides, narrow down choices, and yes, finally there's no other way then to do the final ritual yourself. Good luck.
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