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
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!
@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? |
@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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I’m a little late to the discussion but I have recently directly compared the Soulnote D1-N to both Merason DAC-1 MKII and NewOnThech DAC07 as well as super expencive MSB Premier DAC. Both NewOnTech and Merason sound very good (both have a similar sound characteristic) but the Soulnote is just something else entierly. The holograpich soundstage and imaging is superb and with great clarity. One of the best DACs I have heard and sounds like a much, much more expencive DAC. It was much closer to the MSB than to the other two DACs and even had better holograpich soundstage. |
@aweloi - Did you end up purchasing the SoulNote D1 Dac? I was evaluating the Mola Mola, T+A dac200 versus the SoulNote D2. I never got the chance to hear the T+A dac, but I’m very pleased with the D2. Not too many people seem to know about SoulNote, but it it’s a brand worth seeking out in my humble opinion. |
@bluethinker I did not, but not because I am no longer interested. Right now was a little bad timing financially but if things go as planned I will have a nice budget for hifi in a year or so and I will more likely go with the new D2 perhaps paired with a pre owned A3 from the used market. |
