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Soulnote Audio E-2 – from one note to the next

 

After I wrote about the Gold Note PH-1000 Line in my last test, it was time to send a second competitor into the race. The E-2 of Soulnote Audio.

Soulnote Audio is relatively new on the market and is currently not represented in Switzerland. I haven't found any CH dealers that have a Soulnote in their range. So I had to look for a dealer in Germany near the border and found one in Wutöschingen.

 

So I picked up the E-2 at home this week for a listening test and of course it had to be wired up and put into operation immediately. Elsewhere I was advised to let the E-2 warm up; advice I followed, of course, but more on that later.

 

As always, a few words about the existing setup with which I carried out the test:

 

• Acoustic Solid – Solid Edition / My Sonic Lab - Eminent GL pickup (MC)

• Magico A5 Lautsprecher on Soulution 330 INT Stereo Integrated Amp0lifier

• GoldNote PH10 with PSU-10 on XLR OUT

•  

And to start with, the report reflects my objective and subjective feelings; other people may come to a complementary opinion.

 

Without further ado, let’s get down to business.

Without exaggeration, the Soulnote E-2 is a real piece of joy weighing 20kg. Very elegantly crafted and the silver aluminum front is immediately pleasing to the eye. As a fan of black devices, I like them better every day in silver and could easily imagine them. Through the exposed lid you can see through the anthracite-colored grille into the interior with the orange LEDs (which also have a use, but you can research that yourself, as well as why the lid is not screwed on). It has such an analog touch. No savings were made on the size either - 430(W) × 160(H) × 410(D)mm are very generous dimensions for a phono PRE.

 

The E-2 offers 4 connections for turntables. A balanced-IN combination connection XLR/RCA, two RCA (MM/MC) and, as a unique selling point, a connection for optical TA from DS-Audio. I used the combination connection for the test, and although I think my cable is not double-shielded as required, it worked right away. I also use XLR in the output area.
 

The first thing I did was listen - but there was no rustling or humming, expectations were fulfilled, that's a good thing.

 

There are “many” many setting options (OLD EQ); if you have very old or special records that were not recorded and pressed according to RIAA. That's not the case for me, so just leave it out. The source selection then automatically provides the correct RIAA parameters and you can set the correct values for the TA and get started. I'll start with 100 ohms because that's My Sonic Lab's recommendation.

There are also LOW CUT (rumble), LOW GAIN (-10dB) and a DEGAUSS function for demagnetization, as well as INV (phase inversion) and MONO (can also be useful).
You can find the remaining technical details in the Manual.

But enough of the technical and visual information, I'll just get to the audio impression of the 3 days.

The E-2 is a super great machine that does exactly what the vast majority expect of it and you won't be disappointed. I would like to praise the bass foundation here. It plays powerfully deep and wonderfully resolving. The treble range is also exactly what most of you expect - so velvety smooth, never annoying, wonderfully suitable for hours of listening. Despite all its softness, it cannot be compared with the classic “rug sound”. The stage width is great, the effects come exactly as you want them, great performance, good dynamics, an outrageously good sound across the entire area.

 

The E-2 is a real joy, and it's also a real eye-catcher visually once you've balanced the 20KG into the rack.

 

Is it worth the price? a Clear YES
Does it do everything right? Yes it does

If I had to find points of criticism, it would be the depth of the stage (yes, the famous black background, which puts the musical events in the foreground, or stands out from the background and better represents the size of the room in the recording) or the high frequency range. I noticed that right after the first few records. I find the highs to be a bit reduced, but nothing is missing. Personally, I'm missing a bit of the shine on top. But that has to do with my listening habits and I certainly wouldn't want to see it as a point of criticism.

 

It took me a while to get used to the new sound. For example, there were phases where I just listened to music without even thinking about impressions for a test. I haven't found a style that doesn't work incredibly well with the E-2.

 

For me personally, there are other points that I would like to say a few words about. The amplification is great and the 72dB of crystal-clear and distortion-free sound that the E-2 generates from the Eminent GL is an announcement, but to be honest it is simply too loud (at least for me). I always tended to hear a little too loudly at the beginning, which my tinnitus soon acknowledged. Compared to the 65dB of my PH-10, +7dB is a lot. Of course that doesn't bother you because it immediately generates joy. During the first few records I constantly had a grin on my face. There is a GAIN reduction - but not graduated, just -10 dB - Zack, there you have it.
 

This could have been solved a little more elegantly, should have been, should have been - it's just not the case now. And with the -10dB reduction I had the subjective impression that some dynamics were lost (maybe it was just the volume - -10dB GAIN on the E-2 +10dB adjusted on the amplifier).

Gain is given as follows: MC: 72dB / MM: 52dB / OPT: 30dB
The classification of the MC load parameters is also a bit special for me - 3/10/30/100/300/1000 - I tested not only the classic 100 (default of the Eminent) but also 30 (smaller, narrower stage and a somewhat more introspective one Sound) and 300 (a little more open than 100, but not quite as precise at the top).

Regarding the setup, I would like to mention that the E-2 gets really warm and yet likes plenty of air. A HiFi rack like mine is just about ok, but I had to take out a shelf at the top because it all got a little too warm for my taste (probably good for the sound, of course). After that, however, it wasn't a problem. Of course, you could also place the eye-catcher on top of a rack, but unfortunately that's not possible for me.

So you see, there's actually little to complain about - the Soulnote E-2 is capable of fulfilling musical dreams, and that should be the primary task of a phono amplifier. I think everyone should listen to these before buying a tube or any other phono PRE.

Conclusion:

I can understand that the Soulnote E-2 is currently on everyone's lips, and I can also confirm that a lot of what was written by other testers (e.g. in Stereo 03/2023) is so consistent with me. I don't think it's hype at all, because the E-2 really does what it promises or even goes a little beyond. If you have a little less budget, the E-1 is a suitable preamplifier in the Soulnote Audio range.

 

I haven't decided anything yet, because a final decision like this needs to be made carefully. My plan says that it should/must be the final machine, and the budget has already been stretched quite a bit with the rest of the system that I bought. But I only go to work and live for something once.

 

Curious people, people who talk shop and those who are always critical are welcome as visitors, just write to me. I always look forward to visiting with like-minded people.

 

Have a good time everyone with lots of great music.