Soulnote D-2 Ver.2 DAC Earns Reference-Class Praise
Soulnote’s D-2 Ver.2 is the latest evolution of the Japanese company’s flagship digital-to-analogue converter, and according to lite magazine, it delivers a listening experience that prioritises musicality, openness and realism over chasing laboratory measurements.
Rather than focusing solely on technical specifications, Soulnote’s design philosophy—led by chief designer Hideki Kato—places equal emphasis on careful listening. The D-2 Ver.2 combines a true dual-mono architecture, four ESS ES9038PRO DAC chips, a discrete Type-R output stage and a non-oversampling (NOS) mode, all engineered to preserve timing, dynamics and natural musical flow.
The review was particularly impressed by the DAC’s ability to create a spacious, three-dimensional soundstage with exceptional transparency and lifelike timbre. Whether reproducing the power of a full orchestra or the subtle textures of acoustic recordings, the D-2 Ver.2 was praised for its effortless presentation, precise imaging and engaging sense of rhythm.
One of the standout observations was its versatility. High-resolution recordings benefited from superb detail and clarity, but the reviewer also noted that standard CD-quality material gained a surprising sense of openness and refinement. Even less-than-perfect recordings remained enjoyable, with the DAC extracting the best from every performance.
Awarding the D-2 Ver.2 its ‘Highlight’ accolade and a 99/100 score for sound quality, lite magazine concluded that Soulnote has created a reference-class DAC that combines outstanding engineering with a refreshingly musical presentation. For listeners seeking a converter that places emotion and realism at the centre of digital playback, the D-2 Ver.2 is an exceptional choice.
Read the full review here, there is an option to translate
See Soulnote dealers here
