Found a Soulution to my quest for neutrality: 520 pre and 511 power amp.

Kuoppis

Kuoppis

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Towards the end of last year I bought the excellent Inakustik Reference 4004 AIR loudspeaker cables. They are dead neutral, and I really like them. That triggered an interest to explore neutrality some more I had heard at Munich High End a couple of times.

So, I sold my trusty Pass and Ayre combination and went for Soulution instead. Here they are, I really like the flawlessly designed understated looks.
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When I bought the Pass I was looking for some lush power, which it delivered in abundance. But over time I grew a little tired of two things. After hearing good examples for more neutral electronics like Nagra and Soulution in Munich, I started feeling that maybe the slight warmth is too much for my liking. Second thing coming with the package is a slight lack of speed. I like fast amps. And here it is, the Soulution 511.
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The 511 is one of the best amps I have ever heard, and by a margin better than anything else I have had in my system. It has a slightly dark and neutral tonality, and it is very fast (600.000 microfarad storage capacitance and 2x2000W impulse power). Thus there is a lots of power on tap when needed. Detail retrieval is magnificent due to the high bandwidth of 0-800 kHz in frequency range it covers. One other thing I really enjoy, is the superb bass grip it has on the Magicos. This is a very synergistic combination IMHO.

For the pre my starting point was the Ayre KX-5/ 20 I owned for several years. A great preamp technology-wise and in tonality, but maybe not the last word in resolution. Also, adjusting volume with the Ayre was loud, a bit slow and controlling volume 1,5 db steps does not always allow to set exactly the desired volume level. So, with the 511 something else was due. I auditioned the excellent T+A P 3000 HV together with the Soulution, and it was better keeping pace with the very highly resolving and fast power amp. Yet the 520 adds a bit to soundstage width and depth, and the ultra-wide bandwidth concept offers greater insight into the music. At the end I therefore settled for the fantastic Soulution 520 with phono stage included. It has a similar resistor-based volume control as the Ayre, it’s just more sophisticated. Volume switching is bridged by another circuit during the process, so it is completely noiseless and also fast.
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The 520 is really magnificent and offers great synergies with the Soulution 511. Both are designed for high resolution, ultra-wide bandwidth, speed and neutrality. I have seen some reviews where it is described as really neutral, whatever that means, to my ears it sounds perfect. Great detail retrieval, very natural sound, bass-mids-treble all well balanced, vast soundstage.

Another reason to go for this model was that it has a superb phono pre inbuilt. My logic was why not have a really great pre with the phono inbuilt, so it benefits from the qualities of the mothership. This is instead of having just a good preamp and just a good phono amp. My choice also allows de-cluttering my system a bit. The concept seems to work, as the AMG V12 appears to like the Soulution. Illinois Jaquet and Tord Gustavsen Trio have never sounded better in my system.
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As a combination the Soulutions offers an expansive three dimensional soundstaging and imaging, a nice layering of the music with reverbs of instruments and venues clearly audible, superb detail retrieval through the ultra-high bandwidth, and great speed, great bass control and very nice tone colors and instrument timbres. I am really satisfied with the choices. If memory serves me right, the first time I heard the S3 mk2 was with Soulution electronics in Munich. This is now a system I could live with for a while.
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Congrats on the Soulution gear. I have had the same in my system including the AMGV12 with the Wilson Benesch Trinity speakers & the 2 Torus Generators. Cables were Siltech. It didn't matter what shitty twists life threw at me, when I sat down in front of that system with a very good glass of Shiraz, I was in wonderland. Brought me to tears a few times... That phono is very good too, as, no doubt you have heard. I'm a bit nostalgic reading this.
 
Nice to hear about your experiences with a similar system.

I had to take a couple of turns testing Soulution, as an earlier demo with a 710 power amp didn’t win me over. It sounded a bit lifeless.

But this combination I really like. And based on your message, appears you enjoyed it in your system too [emoji3].


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I always liked the 5 series better than the 7 series in Soulutions line-up, have heard both but,.... yeah nah as far as the 7 goes..
 
Very nice system. It seems everything in your system have been changed except the speakers.
 
Sure, it has been a constant flow. Trying out stuff, comparing different components and combinations. Unfortunately, there is no substitute for hearing it in your own system. Pretty much what we do, right?

But I believe this is now the first real kind of high-endish system I’ve built.


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kzhtoo said:
Very nice system. It seems everything in your system have been changed except the speakers.
Click to expand...

The speakers are only 1 1/2 years old, and I ordered them even before EU price was announced. So they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

And I really like them, and I am therefore not looking for any change in that department.


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Congratulations! I had the 511’s in mono with 520 and it was neutral with a hint of sweetness. Very fast and a great grip.

Unfortunately over here, Soulution has terrible resale values ($15k for mint current 7 series gear for example), poor distribution and some reliability problems which all make it a very difficult sell for a dealer. I had customers with 2, 7 series amps fail and had to go back to Europe and were gone for months and my own 511 gave trouble. Hopefully you don’t experience any issues.

If you ever get a chance, try a combo of Luxman C900u/M900u monos (or stereo). I prefer that combo, regardless of prices.
 
Congrats. Waiting for the links to all the positive reviews.
 
Mike said:
Congratulations! I had the 511’s in mono with 520 and it was neutral with a hint of sweetness. Very fast and a great grip.

Unfortunately over here, Soulution has terrible resale values ($15k for mint current 7 series gear for example), poor distribution and some reliability problems which all make it a very difficult sell for a dealer. I had customers with 2, 7 series amps fail and had to go back to Europe and were gone for months and my own 511 gave trouble. Hopefully you don’t experience any issues.

If you ever get a chance, try a combo of Luxman C900u/M900u monos (or stereo). I prefer that combo, regardless of prices.
Click to expand...

I hear you, I remember when I sent my Ayre power amp for the upgrade to the US. It was gone for two months.

But luckily with Soulution, if push comes to shove, I can drive them there and just drop them off.


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Kuoppis said:
I hear you, I remember when I sent my Ayre power amp for the upgrade to the US. It was gone for two months.

But luckily with Soulution, if push comes to shove, I can drive them there and just drop them off.


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There really is no substitute for convenience. Heck, since they are right down the road, the guys from VAC come to my store if something needs fixing. Now that's service!
 
Mike raises some interesting points. Anytime you buy foreign gear you shoulder some risk. Recently I count myself in that number who had to send an amp back to soulution for repair. I was panic stricken when it first happened. I called the US distributor and it turns out, he is out of the country and incommunicado. So I took a flyer and emailed soulution at [email protected].

My email is answered within a few hours at something like 2:00 AM local time by Cyril Hammer the president of soulution. He tells me that his assistant is going to call me later that day and arrange for pick up and shipping of the unit. A day later a freight delivery truck is backing up into my driveway and away it goes.

While its gone Mr. Hammer emails me and asks me if I would like to have the current year's power supply installed while it is on the bench (I had the 2014 version). He quotes a very modest sum. Before I can answer he has already repaired the amp and installed the new power supply. The repair work was all covered by warranty including the shipping.

Long story short the amp is back on my rack within 30 days sounding better than ever. For that kind of service, I am one very happy customer.

To Mike's other point about resale, yes there is steep depreciation. Switzerland has some of the highest labor rates in the world.

Since I bought all of my soulution gear I have been to at least six different audio shows. I have been in numerous other audiophiles homes who have gear costing as much or more than mine. In all of that time I have yet to hear something that gives me the itch to make a change. But I haven't stopped going to audio shows so who knows about the future. But over the last five years it has been audio bliss for me.




Mike said:
Congratulations! I had the 511’s in mono with 520 and it was neutral with a hint of sweetness. Very fast and a great grip.

Unfortunately over here, Soulution has terrible resale values ($15k for mint current 7 series gear for example), poor distribution and some reliability problems which all make it a very difficult sell for a dealer. I had customers with 2, 7 series amps fail and had to go back to Europe and were gone for months and my own 511 gave trouble. Hopefully you don’t experience any issues.

If you ever get a chance, try a combo of Luxman C900u/M900u monos (or stereo). I prefer that combo, regardless of prices.
Click to expand...
 
Odyssey said:
Mike raises some interesting points. Anytime you buy foreign gear you shoulder some risk. Recently I count myself in that number who had to send an amp back to soulution for repair. I was panic stricken when it first happened. I called the US distributor and it turns out, he is out of the country and incommunicado. So I took a flyer and emailed soulution at [email protected].

My email is answered within a few hours at something like 2:00 AM local time by Cyril Hammer the president of soulution. He tells me that his assistant is going to call me later that day and arrange for pick up and shipping of the unit. A day later a freight delivery truck is backing up into my driveway and away it goes.

While its gone Mr. Hammer emails me and asks me if I would like to have the current year's power supply installed while it is on the bench (I had the 2014 version). He quotes a very modest sum. Before I can answer he has already repaired the amp and installed the new power supply. The repair work was all covered by warranty including the shipping.

Long story short the amp is back on my rack within 30 days sounding better than ever. For that kind of service, I am one very happy customer.

To Mike's other point about resale, yes there is steep depreciation. Switzerland has some of the highest labor rates in the world.

Since I bought all of my soulution gear I have been to at least six different audio shows. I have been in numerous other audiophiles homes who have gear costing as much or more than mine. In all of that time I have yet to hear something that gives me the itch to make a change. But I haven't stopped going to audio shows so who knows about the future. But over the last five years it has been audio bliss for me.
Click to expand...

Well said. Soulution (the company) has always been good to deal with, especially Cyril. Very knowledgeable and quick to respond.
 
Mike said:
Well said. Soulution (the company) has always been good to deal with, especially Cyril. Very knowledgeable and quick to respond.
Click to expand...

Cyril has also answered some of my questions with a very short turnaround time. I find that quite impressive.


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I personally dealt with Cyril on a number of occasions including upgrading 711s to 701s. In all cases, Cyril’s customer service was always first class. A class act in every way.


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Congrats Kuoppis on your new gear. I have been tempted several times to try Soulution.
I have read that it has great synergy with Magico. I imagine the sound is similar to the Gryphon sound precise and revealing. I also don’t see myself changing my S3Mk2’s any time soon either. I’m just in love with their sound and don’t think I could find better.....maybe just different.
 
Dguitarnut said:
Congrats Kuoppis on your new gear. I have been tempted several times to try Soulution.
I have read that it has great synergy with Magico. I imagine the sound is similar to the Gryphon sound precise and revealing. I also don’t see myself changing my S3Mk2’s any time soon either. I’m just in love with their sound and don’t think I could find better.....maybe just different.
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Good summary, Larry. I think we’re pretty much in the same boat.

Alon did such a tremendous job in the version change from the S3 to the S3 mk2, that for my purposes I do currently not see any desire to look for anything else.

I also think the Gryphon analogy might be quite accurate, as both deliver great resolution and detail, and superb soundstage spiced with great bass detail and response.

Funny enough, I had a friend over yesterday for dinner with his family. He’s not an audiophile, but has an ok system, and understands tech very well. We listened together a bit an he was impressed. I got the feeling he might have caught the audiophile bug listening to the system [emoji3].


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Congratulations on your new soulution amp. and sounds you will have a great time with your current set-up :)
 
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