Soulnote E-2 – What An Exceptional Amplifier

The Soulnote E-2 is a phono stage for people who want something far beyond the ordinary. In the lite-magazin review, it’s described as a “superb everything-different maker,” and that’s exactly the appeal: Soulnote has built a phono preamplifier that doesn’t follow convention yet delivers remarkable musical results.

The E-2 supports MM, MC and optical cartridges from DS Audio, making it unusually flexible. It includes both unbalanced and balanced inputs, independent grounding options, cartridge demagnetisation, a mono switch, low-cut filter and multiple gain settings. But the headline feature is its astonishing 144 selectable EQ curves, allowing historic or non-RIAA records to be played with true accuracy — a huge draw for collectors with vintage pressings.

The design is deliberately unconventional too: instead of mass-loading and clamping everything down, Soulnote uses strategically “loose” mechanical coupling to increase openness and speed. It’s very much a “sound first” philosophy.

And according to the reviewer, it works. The E-2 delivers striking clarity, lifelike presence and excellent dynamic expression. Piano, drums and bass come through with realism, space and control, giving music a sense of immediacy and atmosphere.

In short, the reviewer sees the E-2 as a top-tier phono stage that offers true high-end performance — especially for anyone who values flexibility, authenticity and musical vitality.

Check out the full review here, it is in German but there is a button to translate.