SoulNote
TO REVIVE THE SOUL OF MUSIC
Soulnote Philosophy
Soulnote believes in keeping the dynamic performance of the original waveform as the most important for music playback, which is, however, still unmeasurable by any of the conventional methods.
M3
A single push-pull output stage with 4-stage Darlington can-type transistors. We decided that single-end and single push-pull output was indispensable in creating an emotional musical experience, thus eliminating the “blurring in the microscopic time domain” so often symbolised by improvements in sound quality through high-end clocks. Nevertheless, we still had to overcome the relatively low levels of current provided by the typical single push-pull configurations. As a result, in the M-3 we introduced industrial grade can-type output transistors with a relatively small Cob and large current flow.
SOULNOTE is a high-end home audio brand by CSR, Inc. headquartered in Kanagawa, Japan. CSR was founded in 2004 by the former members of Marantz Japan. It now has around 50 employees.
Hideki Kato has been the Chief Sound Manager since 2016. He has had a long professional career since the late eighties, being deeply involved in the development of the legendary A-10 amplifiers by NEC as well as the LHH series by Philips – whilst keeping himself behind the scenes.
After graduating from the graduate school of Tottori University, Kato joined NEC in 1989, where he worked in the Audio Engineering Department.
With and after NEC’s withdrawal from the audio business, he was transferred to Nippon Marantz. There, he was in charge of the development of non-feedback power amplifiers for professional use and the PHILIPS LHH series.
In 2005, Nakazawa called Kato was invited to join CSR, where he was in charge of SOULNOTE design. The turning point came when he was appointed as Chief Engineer of SOULNOTE in 2016.
He was entrusted with everything from product planning, electrical design, structural design, sound quality management, and promotion, all in one place. At that time, there was one overarching aim…Make SOULNOTE the best audio brand in the world.
“Well, “number one in the world” was boss Nakazawa’s favourite phrase, and while it may seem like a wild idea, I had an idea how to make it happen. We would properly explain the reasons for the discrepancy between specifications and sound quality, which is the biggest mystery in the audio world, achieve unprecedented sound quality using methods that other manufacturers would not (or could not) use, and present it to the world. If we could do that, I really thought we could turn the world’s perception of value upside down. I understood the reason for the discrepancy between specs and sound quality, and that is the basis of SOULNOTE’s current design philosophy. And now I have the environment to make it happen.”
To find out more about Soulnote, visit their website here – https://soulnote.link/
D1N – D/A Converter
PLATINUM SILVER / BLACK
Compatible with 32-bit/768 kHz PCM and 22.6 MHz DSD (DSD512) sound sources.
A perfectly balanced discrete non-NFB D/A converter using independent monaural modes equipped with non-oversampling mode.
A1- Integrated Amplifier (SOULNOTE 10-year Anniversary Model)
PLATINUM SILVER / BLACK
E1 – Phono Equalizer (SOULNOTE 10-year Anniversary Model)
PLATINUM SILVER / BLACK
Building upon the circuit layout of our legendary ph1.0 Phono Equalizer.
An upgraded phono equalizer that pursues the unlimited possibilities of analog recordings.
D2 – D/A Converter
PREMIUM SILVER / PREMIUM BLACK
A DDS using the LMX2594 super low jitter features with external clock generator inputs. A perfectly symmetric, discrete non-NFB D/A converter that uses a total of four ES9038PRO circuits and supports non-over sampling.
A2- Integrated Amplifier
PREMIUM SILVER / PREMIUM BLACK
Every SOULNOTE technique has been lavishly incorporated into the current culmination of our perfectly balanced non-NFB technology.
This integrated amplifier is loaded with a variety of monaural drive and power amplifier modes, like the new BTL/bi-amp setting.
E2 – Phono Equalizer
PREMIUM SILVER / PREMIUM BLACK
The E-2 supports both conventional MC/MM cartridges and DS Audio photoelectric cartridges through technical collaboration with DigitalStream. This is an all-in-one phono equalizer that enables playback using a full range of phono cartridges.
S3 – Super Audio CD Player
Premium Silver/Premium Black
The ultimate digital playback system with clock synchronization.
Extremely powerful Super Audio CD player that reproduces delicate natural sounds and liveliness.
Z3 – Network Transport
Premium Silver/Premium Black
Flagship Network Transport developed to maximize ability of ZERO LINK
by eliminating any bottlenecks at the development stage
D3 – D/A Converter
Premium Silver/Premium Black
The ultimate D/A converter with ZERO asynchronous circuits
* This unit will not operate unless connected to a 10 MHz external clock generator like the X-3. The X-3 is sold separately.
X3 – 10MHz Clock Generator
Premium Silver/Premium Black
Born out of discovery of World-first designing principle
It’s an incredible breakthrough in designing Clock generator.
P3 – Preamplifier
Premium Silver/Premium Black
Fully integrated ultralow-loss custom relay RSR-2-12D and naked foil resistor . A monster preamplifier for truly live and enjoyable music performances
M3 – Monoblock Power Amplifiers
Premium Silver/Premium Black
Newly incorporated industrial grade can-type output transistors to achieve a perfect non-NFB single push-pull structure. Monoblock power amplifier that lets high-end speakers around the world provide playback bursting with emotion.
SoulNote Dealers
New brand – see dealers section.
| SOULNOTE DEALERS | ADDRESS | PHONE |
|---|---|---|
| The Audio Barn | The Threshing Barn, 2 Feltimores Park, Old Harlow CM17 0PF | 01279 454860 |
| Acoustic Streams | Cumbrae, Lower Drift, Penzance TR19 6AB | 01736 368004 |
| Audio Therapy | Newcastle-upon-Tyne *By Appointment* | 07976 496218 |
| Lotus Hifi | Walton-on-Thames *By Appointment* | 07887 852513 |
| Martins Hifi | 85-87 Ber Street Norwich NR1 3EY | 01603 627010 |
| Midland Audio Exchange | Forge Lane, Belbroughton Worcestershire DY9 9TD | 01562 731100 |