Soulnote A-1 Integrated Amplifier reviewed by The Ear

It’s always gratifying when a product which you have been enthusiastically promoting within your customer base receives a glowing review in the press which places focus some on the key strengths and abilities of that products.

Jason Kennedy’s recent review of the Soulnote A-1 integrated amplifier for ‘The Ear’ perfectly captured what this entry level amplifier is all about – emotional engagement, musical energy and an amplifier that plays with a sense of timing and coherency that belies it’s modest price point. It received a thoroughly well deserved best buy award as well.

The A-1 is priced at £3300 and it’s all amplifier, there is no onboard DAC with streaming, no phono stage and no headphone output either. Connectivity is simple with 3 pairs of RCA inputs, 1 XLR input and a pair of loudspeaker outputs.

Soulnote have placed their focus on making this the best sounding amplifier they can for the price point. It has a thoroughly grown up sound and it plays music with wonderful energy and vitality sounding much more sophisticated and refined than the price point would ever suggest. It has uncanny sense of timing and an energy about it that really draws you into the music. Jason’s observations about the amplifier’s “spritely and entertaining” character and its ability with vocals perfectly sums up what the A-1 is all about.

They manufacture an extensive range of products with Series 1 as the starting point, culminating with some serious high end pieces in their flagship Series 3.

Customers who has taken the time to listen, either in our demonstration room or via a home trial, have been thrilled by the performance on offer and importantly the high level of value they deliver. This theme of strong value is consistent right across the whole product range and it always comes up in conversation when people listen.  If the A-1 was priced at £5000 it wouldn’t be over the top in any way relative to how it sounds and what you can compare it to.

We keep the A-1 on permanent demonstration so if would like to arrange a listen please get in touch, it really is a tremendous sounding amplifier for the money. It works really well with all manner of loudspeakers, but I must say we have been getting some superb results with OePhi, well worth a listen.