Soulnote Series A-1 and D-1 ver 2 on demonstration!

We’ve been Soulnote dealers for a couple of years now and it’s fair to say we’ve been enthralled and startled by their superb performance over that time.

They possess accuracy, transparency and incredible realism but they never dissect the music in an overly analytical or sterile way.

Addictive musical qualities like naturalness and sweetness are present in abundance and you can’t really talk about Soulnote without discussing their exceptional value for money. To say a product punches past its price point has almost become somewhat of a hi-fi cliche and as a Soulnote dealer I’m clearly here to show it off, but they are brand that genuinely offer amazing value for money. I would argue that many of their products are priced too low relative to their performance, but lets not shout that too loudly!

Every customer who has listened had been taken aback with what they heard and orders have been healthy as a result. I always recall one particular amplifier demonstration, the customer admitted he was sceptical, simply because he’d never heard of them before and was considering a couple of more commercially well known brands from other dealers, but he left placing an order for A-1.

I posted a blog in February to announce the arrival of our new A-2 ver 2 integrated amplifier and I’m thrilled to say that our demonstration A-1 ver 2 and D-1 ver 2 both turned up yesterday. Version 2 has given Series 1 and 2 a visual facelift, aligning their appearance with the top of the range Series 3 which gives the whole range greater consistency.

There have been several refinements and improvements with each of these models internally as well, the model changes are not just cosmetic.

Soulnote are well known for avoiding traditional negative feedback in their amplifier designs, instead they place focus on short signal paths, discrete circuitry and carefully controlled resonance behaviour, this results in a dynamic and lifelike presentation with strong spatial imaging and accuracy and this new amplifier builds on the original A-1 in every way.

Power output on the A-1 ver 2 has actually dropped compared to the original A-1, but the ver 2 has been designed to deliver high current to the loudspeakers very quickly, it’s a real world amplifier that can be partnered with any sensible loudspeaker and the results have been superb with both OePhi and Kroma.

The D-1 ver 2 DAC still employs its discrete non-NFB output stage and dual-mono design while introducing circuit and mechanical refinements for improved stability and greater musical flow.

The analogue circuitry in the D-1 ver 2 has a new feedback free Type R Circuit (is there a Honda fan at Soulnote?!) which was originally conceived with the E-3 Phono Stage and it has been fully optimised for use in a digital component. As with the previous version the D-1 ver 2 offers a NOS mode which does away with the classic digital filtering, although this can be turned on or off via button on the front panel.

The A-1 ver 2 is £3900 (the outgoing A-1 was £3300) and there has been an obvious uplift in performance to go with it. This new model is an incredibly strong amplifier for its price point and sounds much more elegant and refined than many other amplifiers at this of money.

Unusually the price of the D-1 ver 2 has been significantly lowered, which is almost unheard of, especially in current times. The original D-1 was £5400 and the ver 2 is £4400, partnered with A-1 ver 2 they make an incredibly compelling and delightful combination.

We’ve been feeding the D-1 ver 2 with a Metronome DST CD transport and a DSAS file server/streamer. As for speakers, we’ve been using the OePhi Lounge 2.5 and Ascendence 2.5 floorstanders, we even gave the system a run out with the Kroma Atelier Mimi and got sensational results.

Our recently refurbished demo room is getting great feedback from all who visit. If you are thinking of exploring Soulnote further please get in touch, you’d be most welcome and I think you’d get a pleasant surprise with what this brilliant Japanese brand can deliver.