Zellaton and my ascent to Soulution

[geoli]

That would be great !

 

[Audioarts]

Howdy,

Anyone has taken delivery of the 717s yet?

ST

I have great news to report re 717 status…,

heard back from Soulution and the first batch is being prepared for shipment. Here’s a video with the hood up showing final testing.

 

[Silvertone45]

I have great news to report re 717 status…,

heard back from Soulution and the first batch is being prepared for shipment. Here’s a video with the hood up showing final testing.

Looks like a sophisticated beast!

 

[Silvertone45]

All quite on the Western front, any news on the 717? I’m eager to hear first impressions

 

[vinyl_mike]

All quite on the Western front, any news on the 717? I’m eager to hear first impressions

According to Gideon, they were shipped last week. Hopefully any day...

 

[Audioarts]

And now some great news; all my client orders for 717’s have arrived and will ship this week. Will be worth the insane wait - I promise.

 

[Westley1776]

Would you rather use the new integrated Soulution 331 (approx. 29.000€) or an ex-demo used Soulution 511 (19.000 €) to drive Zellaton Plural Evo speakers?

I plan to get a Playback Design MPD-8 as a DAC and pre-amp. Adding a used 525 pre-amp might be an option later on if it becomes available and if it really promises further improvement.

I have the Plural Evo speakers and would like to improve my current Thrax chain in terms of imaging/soundstage/layered depth.
Maybe Gideon Schwartz can answer this question. Of course, anyone’s input is welcome.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Would you rather use the new integrated Soulution 331 (approx. 29.000€) or an ex-demo used Soulution 511 (19.000 €) to drive Zellaton Plural Evo speakers?

I plan to get a Playback Design MPD-8 as a DAC and pre-amp. Adding a used 525 pre-amp might be an option later on if it becomes available and if it really promises further improvement.

I have the Plural Evo speakers and would like to improve my current Thrax chain in terms of imaging/soundstage/layered depth.
Maybe Gideon Schwartz can answer this question. Of course, anyone’s input is welcome.

Which Thrax electronics are you using today specifically?

 

[Westley1776]

Which Thrax electronics are you using today specifically?

DAC: Thrax MAXIMINUS MK2S. Pre-amp: DIONYSOS. Amp: HEROS MK2S

 

[vinyl_mike]

Would you rather use the new integrated Soulution 331 (approx. 29.000€) or an ex-demo used Soulution 511 (19.000 €) to drive Zellaton Plural Evo speakers?

I plan to get a Playback Design MPD-8 as a DAC and pre-amp. Adding a used 525 pre-amp might be an option later on if it becomes available and if it really promises further improvement.

I have the Plural Evo speakers and would like to improve my current Thrax chain in terms of imaging/soundstage/layered depth.
Maybe Gideon Schwartz can answer this question. Of course, anyone’s input is welcome.

I have some comments, however they come with caveats.

• I auditioned the Solution 312 amp (courtesy of Myles Astor)
• My Zellatons are the Statements.
• According to Gideon, my 511 loaner had some trickle down technology from the new 717 series.
• My listening room is fairly large approximately 170 cubic meters (6,000 cubic feet).
• At times especially with classic rock, I enjoy listening at a realistic sound level.
• The room is acoustically treated – more damped than an average room.

With that said, the 312 amp was spectacular and certainly shares the Soulution DNA in every respect. However, when playing loud orchestral and classic rock the amp sometimes ran out of power at the highest levels. The 511 was more refined and never ran out of power. The specific 511 that I had, took everything that the 312 did and moved it up a notch - soundstage, air around the instruments, believability and all the other characteristics that audiophiles hold dearly.

I would lean to the 511. However, Gideon has heard both amps in my room, and with his experience I would defer to his recommendation.

 

[Kingsrule]

I had 511's in mono running Magico MProject's. Pre was MSB Select II.
To say it was underwhelming is a big understatement. The previous Nagra HD amps were far superior.
Reason, for what it's worth, I just had to try Soulution...

Also, how could 511 have trickle down tech from 717? 511 has been around for years.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

DAC: Thrax MAXIMINUS MK2S. Pre-amp: DIONYSOS. Amp: HEROS MK2S

Coming from this set of high level electronics, I would certainly look at the 5 series from Soulution. The 331 is fantastic, but it's an integrated after all with some limitations in terms of power output especially.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

...my 511 loaner had some trickle down technology from the new 717 series.

That's not really possible as the 717 has very recently been released where the 511 is an existing model which hasn't been updated recently to my knowledge.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

I had 511's in mono running Magico MProject's. Pre was MSB Select II.
To say it was underwhelming is a big understatement. The previous Nagra HD amps were far superior.
Reason, for what it's worth, I just had to try Soulution...

Also, how could 511 have trickle down tech from 717? 511 has been around for years.

To be fair, you're comparing two very different kinds of designs and amplification - both with their own set of qualities and individual characteristics.

 

[MylesBAstor]

I had 511's in mono running Magico MProject's. Pre was MSB Select II.
To say it was underwhelming is a big understatement. The previous Nagra HD amps were far superior.
Reason, for what it's worth, I just had to try Soulution...

Also, how could 511 have trickle down tech from 717? 511 has been around for years.

I don’t know how many hours the 511s you heard had under the hood. My experience is the 312s need at least 400 hrs of playing before they settle in. I was ready to give them back at 200 hrs but stuck it out.

Also, the earlier top Soulution amps sounded great on the S5s and S7s at Magico’s factory.

Could there also have been some unaccounted for interaction because Soulution amps have a very low-2 Kohl’s-input impedance. Many other ss amps are around 100 Kohms.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Would you rather use the new integrated Soulution 331 (approx. 29.000€) or an ex-demo used Soulution 511 (19.000 €) to drive Zellaton Plural Evo speakers?

I plan to get a Playback Design MPD-8 as a DAC and pre-amp. Adding a used 525 pre-amp might be an option later on if it becomes available and if it really promises further improvement.

I have the Plural Evo speakers and would like to improve my current Thrax chain in terms of imaging/soundstage/layered depth.
Maybe Gideon Schwartz can answer this question. Of course, anyone’s input is welcome.

Even the earlier Soulution 330 integrated sounded great on the Plural Evos. Great bass control, maybe a touch warmer than the current series and super transparent and resolving. The Soulution amps really control the Plural Evos and bring out that stat like speed.

 

[vinyl_mike]

I had 511's in mono running Magico MProject's. Pre was MSB Select II.
To say it was underwhelming is a big understatement. The previous Nagra HD amps were far superior.
Reason, for what it's worth, I just had to try Soulution...

Also, how could 511 have trickle down tech from 717? 511 has been around for yeCorrecti

I had 511's in mono running Magico MProject's. Pre was MSB Select II.
To say it was underwhelming is a big understatement. The previous Nagra HD amps were far superior.
Reason, for what it's worth, I just had to try Soulution...

Also, how could 511 have trickle down tech from 717? 511 has been around for years.

Correction .... I meant the 700 series...

 

[Silvertone45]

And now some great news; all my client orders for 717’s have arrived and will ship this week. Will be worth the insane wait - I promise.

Now, I wait for feedback on these amps so hopefully I become a client

 

[HP_buddy]

The Soulution 331 is superb in driving the Plural Evos in my experience. I have owned the PE's for a couple of years now and marvel at their performance every day (see my post recently in Steve's "End of A 35 year Journey with Zellaton"). Given my budget limitations and looking for a one box "Soulution" after living with separates for years, Gideon urged me to purchase the new 331 and since then, I have never looked back. In my long and somewhat narrow listening room, the 331 never fails to deliver. The 331 is always in complete command of the PE's and their partnership generates dynamic speed, grip and an uncanny ease of resolution and timbre richness that never fails to immerse. Low volume listening is also a treat where there is no compromise on such ease of involvement and immersion. Great recordings of large scale orchestra or live arena concerts fill my room with a layered volume of air between all the players on a wide and deep stage with the 331 putting you right in the heart of the action- each section of orchestra or big band is rock stable in imagery and natural dimensions. The Soulution 331 bass quality is also something special to hear. With a reference CD player (like the Neodio Origine) or turntable that offers the true airy weight and rich timbres of plucks or holds from an acoustic or electric bass, the 331 will deliver deep dynamic and airy drama. I now have the most agile, airy and realistic mid and low bass achieved in my room to date.

That said, definitely work with Gideon and I am sure he'll set you on the right path to getting all you can from your superb Zells, including which Soulution model may fit best in your budget, room etc. The partnership of Zellaton and Soulution is a special musical one indeed... Enjoy!