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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
zlone
1,348 posts
 

@996turbo911 @bluethinker Thanks for all the additional information. I decided yesterday to pick up a used Bricasti M3. I view this as a tentative step towards the world of more detailed, and less warm, DAC'S. It is also a lower cost, less risk path to see if this sound appeals to me and works with my system. I am a little deep in gear right now, and need to sell some to make any big moves. 

I did quite a bit of review on the SoulNote and I am/was very tempted, especially given your results. For now I will take the baby steps.

@bluethinker I am still very interested to hear your thoughts on the combo with the QLN's. Please share if you find the time to try it out.

 

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker OP
324 posts
 

@zlone - Totally get it. When my wife spotted the Soulnote Dac in my home office system, I definitely did undergo a bit of an interrogation. I also need to sell a few pieces too. And congrats on the new Dac. Please share impressions once you’ve had time with it. 
 

I will try to demo the SoulNote and QLN today, but no later than end of week and will share impressions. I’m very curious myself to hear the SoulNote with different components.

996turbo911
209 posts
 

The Bricasti M3 is also an exceptional DAC. No doubt you will enjoy the beautiful sound it makes. 

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker OP
324 posts
 

@zlone - I’ve been slammed with work so haven’t moved equipment yet to test QLN speakers with SoulNote d2 Dac. 

I did want to share how much of an impact changing the usb cable with the Merason has been. I switched out a revelation labs usb cable with a final touch Callisto cable with the Merason. The change? Way more leading edge energy. Way more propulsive. 
 

How is the Bricasti Dac sounding? 

zlone
1,348 posts
 

@bluethinker I discovered the same thing with USB and my Merason, and probably any good USB DAC, that cable can make a huge difference. In my case I replaced a Transparent USB with a Wireworld Platinum, huge difference, so I know what you are talking about. 

The Bricasti M3 is doing well and has brought the increased level of incisiveness to the sound that I was looking to balance out the warmth of the QLN's. A few days after I bought the Bricasti, I picked up an Antipodes CX server to compare it with my Innuos Zenith MkIII. Switching from Zenith-USB-Bricasti to CX-Ethernet-Bricasti was a big step up.

I had a friend over today to listen and we compared the CX Bricasti combo using both USB and Ethernet, a very significant difference in sound. I have to go back and listen to the Zenith-USB-Bricasti again. Zenith was running Sense, CX was running Roon, so not a clean experiment, nor meant to be.

Somehow I have the feeling I will eventually take @audphile1's advice and try the Meitner 3, it sounds like it hits the sweet spot, and it supports Ethernet.

 

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