Replacing NAIM 500 series with SOULUTION 700 series

T

Thoms

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Hello,

I’m planning to make some changes to my setup :)

My current system is :

Source : Naim ND555, 2x555DR
Preamp : Naim NAC552DR
Amp : Naim NAP500DR
Cables: Super Lumina cables, complete set
Speakers: Magico S3 MkII with SPODs

I'm planning to "simplify" the system and replace all Naim electronics (7 boxes) with Soulution.

Soulution 760 DAC (with Leedh processing) directly connected to Soulution 711 amplifier.

I’ll use Vovox Textura Fortis speaker cables and interconnects (which were designed in collaboration with Soulution)

I auditioned Soulution products with both Magico S3 and M2 speakers.

Soulution 500 series range presents music a tad differently. The 700 series is a lot better. It not only is different, it outperforms the Naim gear in many areas, if not all.

What do you think about the change?

Has anyone else followed the same or similar path?

Cheers,

Thomas
 
I've heard Solution with Magico and they were a good match to my ears. I found the match to fall into the neutral camp in sound.

I've heard Naim but never with Magico.

Sounds like you like the change, congrats. Try to listen as much as possible and ask yourself which sound do you really enjoy. Sometimes we get excited with a change, some things are better but it may not be what draws us into the music when listening.
 
If your goal is to reduce boxes, than Soulution is a great option. The sound of Soulution is somewhat similar to Naim in that it’s very fast and musical and more on the neutral side of things.

When deciding on my own home system, I was between these exact two brands to pair with my Kharma’s, but I ultimately felt the NAIM was more musical. YMMV.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mr Peabody said:
Try to listen as much as possible and ask yourself which sound do you really enjoy. Sometimes we get excited with a change, some things are better but it may not be what draws us into the music when listening.
Click to expand...

You’re right. I already spent a few hours listening to Soulution and Magico setups. Not in my listening room (which is well treated) but in a correct environment not impacting too much the sound (a really large listening room).

I’m planning another visit to my dealer, and give the system another listen.
 
Mike said:
If your goal is to reduce boxes, than Soulution is a great option. The sound of Soulution is somewhat similar to Naim in that it’s very fast and musical and more on the neutral side of things.
Click to expand...

Interesting, my thoughts exactly!

Naim and Soulution have indeed a lot in common.

But Soulution, especially the 700 series, is a lot more capable regarding details retrieval, separation and airiness creating an impressive soundstage. This is something really enjoyable with acoustic and orchestral music. It really gives the illusion of the real thing.

What didn't tic for you in Soulution's 700 series presentation?
 
Following with interest! I have a Naim 500-level system and at some point will simplify down to a smaller system but ideally one not really less capable. I'd be considering their better integrated. My Magico A3's have paired well with my system. We're considering bigger speakers now that we've moved into a bigger space but Magico is still on the list.

I've never heard Soulution however.
 
Mike said:
If your goal is to reduce boxes, than Soulution is a great option. The sound of Soulution is somewhat similar to Naim in that it’s very fast and musical and more on the neutral side of things.

When deciding on my own home system, I was between these exact two brands to pair with my Kharma’s, but I ultimately felt the NAIM was more musical. YMMV.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

I’ve also read/heard the word musical when people describe tube amps/gear in their systems.

That said, to you, what how is musicality defined with solid state gear?

Is the NAIM more musical than the Soulution because of its lack of neutrality?

And if the OP wanted “Musiciality” from his electronics, wouldn’t the neutrality of the Soulution gear provided that if its in the recording?
 
mdp632 said:
I’ve also read/heard the word musical when people describe tube amps/gear in their systems.

That said, to you, what how is musicality defined with solid state gear?

Is the NAIM more musical than the Soulution because of its lack of neutrality?

And if the OP wanted “Musiciality” from his electronics, wouldn’t the neutrality of the Soulution gear provided that if its in the recording?
Click to expand...

It’s a fair question and I would answer it this way:

NAIM has the ability to keep me planted in my seat, tapping my toes and getting more emotionally involved in the music than other gear.
 
Thoms said:
Interesting, my thoughts exactly!

Naim and Soulution have indeed a lot in common.

But Soulution, especially the 700 series, is a lot more capable regarding details retrieval, separation and airiness creating an impressive soundstage. This is something really enjoyable with acoustic and orchestral music. It really gives the illusion of the real thing.

What didn't tic for you in Soulution's 700 series presentation?
Click to expand...

The musicality of the NAIM played a role, but it was also more complicated than that. My need for a plethora of connections. I need four MC inputs since I have three turntables, one with two arms and all are MC carts for example and the Soulution 7 series phono stage only has 2. I need a lot of BALANCED inputs for all my sources as well (tape, HT, digital, phono, etc.) and the 725 was limited there.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mike said:
The musicality of the NAIM played a role, but it was also more complicated than that. My need for a plethora of connections. I need four MC inputs since I have three turntables, one with two arms and all are MC carts for example and the Soulution 7 series phono stage only has 2. I need a lot of BALANCED inputs for all my sources as well (tape, HT, digital, phono, etc.) and the 725 was limited there.
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your answer :)

You have a variety of different sources!

Not sure the Naim NAC-552DR or even the Naim NAC-S1 fits your needs.

Except for the NAC S1, which has 2 balanced inputs, the rest of their NAC are unbalanced.
 
Thoms said:
Hi Mike,

Thank you for your answer :)

You have a variety of different sources!

Not sure the Naim NAC-552DR or even the Naim NAC-S1 fits your needs.

Except for the NAC S1, which has 2 balanced inputs, the rest of their NAC are unbalanced.
Click to expand...

552 is fine. I had Chord make me some XLR to DIN cables.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mike said:
552 is fine. I had Chord make me some XLR to DIN cables.
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

Not sure you'll get a balanced connection as the connection needs to be balanced at both ends :skeptical:

It is interesting you prefer the NAC 552 DR over the Soulution 725.

The 552 is a fine preamp (I love mine) and it offers 7 inputs which is convenient in the context of your system!

But, in my opinion, the 725 outclasses the NAC552DR. I'd say it is more at the NAC S1 level.
 
Thoms said:
Hi Mike,

Not sure you'll get a balanced connection as the connection needs to be balanced at both ends :skeptical:

It is interesting you prefer the NAC 552 DR over the Soulution 725.

The 552 is a fine preamp (I love mine) and it offers 7 inputs which is convenient in the context of your system!

But, in my opinion, the 725 outclasses the NAC552DR. I'd say it is more at the NAC S1 level.
Click to expand...

It’s irrelevant. It’s for home theater. You wouldn’t use a 725 in a full NAIM system. Love the 725 though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
I was recently surprised how much I liked the Soultuion 511 monos in a Avalon Isis / dCS Vivaldi system. We liked them better than Gryphon Essence / Antileon Evo / Mephisto. The Mephisto was a clear mismatch for the system. Essence and Antileon were a bit better, but the owner, who owns over 10.000 CDs and is not really an audiophile (more like a music lover) have told me that the Gryphons did not engaged his emotionally as much as Soulutions did.

Kind of surprising, as we all know that "soul-less-lution" moniker.

I have to say, the sound he is getting with the 511 monos is really something special. I would love to compare 511 monos /711 is the same system (I have another friend running Avalon Isis / Soulution 701 monos / 725 / 760).
 
Mike said:
511 Monos are no match for a 711.
Click to expand...

Indeed, I couldn't agree more. While the 500s are nice, the 711 or 701 are really a lot better.

I heard the 500s with a pair of M6 and the 711 with a pair of M2 and S3 MkII (same listening room).

The 711 is jaw droping... even with smaller speakers. And the 760... God, it is really something!

Once we hear it, we can't un-hear it.

That's why I'm planning to change my system. Not only to reduce box count (7 is a lot) but also for better.
 
I’ve also wondered if there would be a flagship “9” series from Soulution (Pre+amp) coming soon.

At the extreme high end, perhaps it would pair well with the M9 from Magico.

What file server is the OP going to use to connect to the 760 DAC?
 
mdp632 said:
I’ve also wondered if there would be a flagship “9” series from Soulution (Pre+amp) coming soon.

At the extreme high end, perhaps it would pair well with the M9 from Magico.

What file server is the OP going to use to connect to the 760 DAC?
Click to expand...

I’ve also wondered about a 9 series.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Thoms said:
Indeed, I couldn't agree more. While the 500s are nice, the 711 or 701 are really a lot better.

I heard the 500s with a pair of M6 and the 711 with a pair of M2 and S3 MkII (same listening room).

The 711 is jaw droping... even with smaller speakers. And the 760... God, it is really something!

Once we hear it, we can't un-hear it.

That's why I'm planning to change my system. Not only to reduce box count (7 is a lot) but also for better.
Click to expand...

I would love to compare a 725 + 750 Vs 755.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mike said:
511 Monos are no match for a 711.
Click to expand...

I do not think this is as easy.

The tonality of both amps is different - the 511 have the warmth and density of tone color which 7-series amps lack in my experience.

It will very much depend on the system IMO.
 
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