Jonathan Valin says the Soulution 760 DAC is the best he's ever heard. Your Thoughts?
- Thread starter musicfirst1
- Start date
Nice tube monoblocks! That should be one sweet sound indeed!
Enjoy those fine tunes!
Woof!!! RJ
So what are the names of these extraordinary brands worthy of comparison to the "established big guns", If you don't mind me asking? Really curious. Thanks
Yes, I get asked this often and yet to be honest, some of them I can't even pronounce nor even remember! All I can say is, that they are hand made in very very limited quantities, parts mostly sourced from Japan and Korea. Also one particular preamp, if I correctly remember is handmade in my hometown of Sri Lanka! By a chap who Gian happened to come across... I think his name was Sarath, although I can't remember the last name. I've heard that particular preamp when I was last in Thailand and it was awe-inspiring but it has no specific brand name, just our country's flag embossed onto the chassis (the golden lion holding a sword).
If you were to go over to the Sth East Asian region, you will come across unrecognised gear that sounds extraordinary! For the simplest fact that they are not mass produced nor are they available for commercial sale. These are hand built by people who are passionate about the soul of music and they present a particular type of sound or you can call it "a custom sound."
Somewhat similar to the mods I've done with my CJ gear, it's unique and done over a period of two years. So basically a custom sound. The only thing not modded is the Esoteric digital player, and I would never mod it
Perhaps, next time I do visit, I'll try to write down the name but photos aren't allowed and I have to respect their rights. Some don't mind photos though and I had them in my old phone which went under water... sad ending. That phone not only had pics of these exotic audio gear but one of the greatest pics ever taken. It was in 2011 when we visited an elephant orphanage called Pinawella. (You should check it out) my daughter was only 9yrs old at the time, and we took a spectacular shot of her feeding a baby elephant from a massive 4ltr milk bottle! That baby ele just drank it within 3mins! Like a hoover vacuum, he lapped it all up. Then he was still tugging at the bottle and kiddo had to hold on tight as ele bubs was getting all excited on the last ltr... and a chap had to get in to help her hold the last ltr simply because baby ele's trunk was caressing my daughters face! I had this one photo and lost it! And when our Aussies over here see a baby ele from 50m away through a huge glass window they get overwhelmed... wonder how they'd react if they saw that pic, they'll probably have a heart attack! My kiddo is still upset with me for damaging the phone, perhaps that's why those latest Samsung mobiles are water proof!
Anyway, getting back to the topic of the exotic, I also remember listening to some fancy electroststs (modified Quads) driven by an integrated tube amp using EL34's, rated at 45w in Class A! Fully laden with Korean and Japanese parts but hand made in Singapore. Sounded superb! Particularly on the Quads. Brand name? Didn't even have a serial number... go figure.
There are a large number of truly high-quality gear in Japan and Korea, of which we only know of Kondo Audio Note and Allnic... there are many others that sound superb but are hardly available for sale through dealer networks. In order to source these items you have to know the inner city dealers, and they usually have such gear sitting in their own living rooms. If I did have the finances, the second brand of gear I'd choose over CJ would be the Kogaru monoblocks, simply outstanding! Probably one of the finest amplifiers ever made. However, hovering around 200grand $AUD I don't think so... Also, I'm not sure they would drive my CLX's as effortlessly as the CJ monoblocks do. So I'll keep dreaming towards another life.
Then there are other European brands and makes we haven't heard of nor seen. Such brands that are making the news are ones like, Spec, Aries Ceret and Alsyvox. Get to experience these and wow! However, price... forget it, not in my humble finances.
So to answer your particular question on which brands and specifics, sorry I don't have that info at this stage. Hopefully, on my next trip I'll keep it in mind and that's if and when air travel ever returns to normal.
Cheers, and enjoy those fine tunes!
RJ
Last edited:
Happy to see someone making a Soulution vs MSB comparison in their system and drawing a somewhat similar conclusion. After my experience with the Select, I have not even bothered trying out the Reference DAC. I would never claim that the 760 is the best there is and that is purely because I have not tried all the great DACs out there ( Wadax, Nagra etc). That said, I think it is important to keep an open mind and keep experimenting - only a direct comparison in a audio system that you are intimately familiar with has any validity. You always listen to the entire system and not just a component so trying to compare components across two different systems is rather pointless.
I was drawn to SW1X, in part at least, because the designer placed so much emphasis on parts quality. It was evident from his website that he had listened to a myriad of parts and had understood how each one behaved in each particular location in his circuits. I mentioned the company to my customer in San Francisco and suggested that we order a level II DAC to see if he might be interested in something at a higher level after getting a handle on what the level II had to offer. At the time he owned an Aurender 20SE (which he still uses) and a dCS Vivaldi stack consisting of Clock, DAC and Upsampler all hooked up with our top of the line PranaWire Nirvana Series cables. He thought about it for a while and decided to order a level V with upgrades (Around $56,000). Neither of us had heard anything from the company at the time. I said, “You are taking a big risk”, but he was adamant so we proceeded. After a while he read JV’s article about the $70,000+ Soulution 760 and wondered what you get for $70,000 plus, so he asked what could we do to upgrade further. We decided to order pure silver wound signal output transformers and other upgrades, bringing the price to well over $80,000.
In the meantime SW1X had provided a level II DAC for him to use while waiting for the V. That proved so good hooked up to ordinary no name cables that we packed up the dCS gear and helped him sell it long before the V arrived. He hasn’t looked back.
We can arrange for listening sessions in his room and of the level III + Balanced DAC in our reference system. You are welcome to bring any DAC you like to compare with the level III (too difficult to move the V) and report back to this thread. Any takers?
415-897-8884
Joe
In the meantime SW1X had provided a level II DAC for him to use while waiting for the V. That proved so good hooked up to ordinary no name cables that we packed up the dCS gear and helped him sell it long before the V arrived. He hasn’t looked back.
We can arrange for listening sessions in his room and of the level III + Balanced DAC in our reference system. You are welcome to bring any DAC you like to compare with the level III (too difficult to move the V) and report back to this thread. Any takers?
415-897-8884
Joe
Interesting, 56grand, 70grand, 80grand .... just for a Dac or whatever, ha! This level of drug money I'm certainly no part of. Don't want to ever be in it. The amount of money spent and sheer determination to reach the ultimate will never exist, simply because there's no ultimate. The ultimate will always be the live event. Trying to emulate that is pointless and a futile task. The length they go for "reproduced music". Might as well just sit in the studio sessions.
There's always better round the corner, yet the passion or greed to pursue the so called ultimate continues... to what extent? To what point? And to what satisfaction, only that person can answer that. Not too sure if they even know!
If this is the amount needed to really "enjoy" music then I must already be in heaven!
No disrespect, if one wants to spend that much to achieve whatever they're after, by all means go for it! Question is, will they ever be content...? Probably not.
I find it pretty ridiculous to divulge in that kind of expenditure to achieve top quality playback. Nonetheless, those with deep pockets will never be content, it's just human nature.
Best to the lofty gear, and most of all, do enjoy those fine tunes!
RJ
There's always better round the corner, yet the passion or greed to pursue the so called ultimate continues... to what extent? To what point? And to what satisfaction, only that person can answer that. Not too sure if they even know!
If this is the amount needed to really "enjoy" music then I must already be in heaven!
No disrespect, if one wants to spend that much to achieve whatever they're after, by all means go for it! Question is, will they ever be content...? Probably not.
I find it pretty ridiculous to divulge in that kind of expenditure to achieve top quality playback. Nonetheless, those with deep pockets will never be content, it's just human nature.
Best to the lofty gear, and most of all, do enjoy those fine tunes!
RJ
I will never understand this logic. People pay for extra performance in every facet of life. Let the person decide where their level of enjoyment is.
Your logic is like saying the Toyota Prius is all the automobile you need.
It's about level of realism. The better made and pricier stuff done well does get you to a more lifelike sound. It happens in digital and analog (LP and R2R).
If you like the Prius fine, but let people who have the means buy Porsches and Ferraris. Life is short.
As for containment, that's a personal decision. Again let the individual decide.
Emphatically, the answer is no, you do not need to spend that kind of money to get deep enjoyment from a component. It was appropriate to respond in this way because this is specifically a thread about a $70,000+ DAC, the Solution 760. Though I have had the privilege of getting to live with the SW1X DAC V Special, when I returned to my level III DAC I was not disappointed, nor am I disappointed when I listen to a level II DAC.
The pursuit of the ultimate has no end because we keep learning and discovering new pathways. A designer is thrilled when he has a customer that asks for his ultimate because he can really flex his creative muscles. Getting to the outer limit will cost. There's no way around that. Whether it is in alignment with one's values, cost does not detract from performance in the absolute sense. In most cases the designers can't afford to build one for themselves, but a patron makes it possible to pursue the dream. Definitely, enjoy those tunes no matter what your system!
Yes agreed. Perhaps my words / phrases didn't come out quite right...
Just saying that after careful planning, component selection and wise spending, you can achieve a marvellous combination. It's really not all about the money.
As for a Toyota Prius vs a Porsche... nah mate, that's way too low. I'd be thinking more on the lines of Merc AMG class vs a Porsche or Ferrari. Plus personally I wouldn't even fit in a Porsche!
I had trouble getting out of Honda's NSX... after a test drive, got osteo so bad knees. That's what happens when you play rugby at club and national level and break / dislocate most joints against those tough British and Kiwis!
Although, that's one fine piece of machinery, and over here in Aus, the NSX costs 60grand more than a Lambo. Those Honda techies must have done some fine tuning...
Like I said, one of my long term trusted distributors whom I've know since a teen, has the ML Statements driven with the Momentum preamp and Relentless monoblocks. He also has parked in a corner, Arnie Nudell's original IRSV's, and in his personal listening room, where no one hardly goes other than himself, he has the CLX's driven with CJ's ART300's. Out of those three systems, I certainly know which one I prefer.
Oh! I forgot, he's also taken delivery of the Alsyvox Botticelli X, with the specially made out board crossovers. This particular setup I haven't heard as yet due to covid restrictions... but I heard his Alsyvox when he first got them delivered. I always take a pun at him, calling him the Cartel boss and where he hides the snuff...
Humble beginnings from a kitchen hand to chef to master distributors of luxury highend, plus owns top tier commercial real estate in Spore. So I guess it's time to get let loose once in a while.
Cheers to those lofty systems, and Porsche's and Ferrari's and of course the NSX, perhaps one day... oh! My knees, two people had to help me out, bloody embarrassing!
Woof! RJ
Just saying that after careful planning, component selection and wise spending, you can achieve a marvellous combination. It's really not all about the money.
As for a Toyota Prius vs a Porsche... nah mate, that's way too low. I'd be thinking more on the lines of Merc AMG class vs a Porsche or Ferrari. Plus personally I wouldn't even fit in a Porsche!
I had trouble getting out of Honda's NSX... after a test drive, got osteo so bad knees. That's what happens when you play rugby at club and national level and break / dislocate most joints against those tough British and Kiwis!
Although, that's one fine piece of machinery, and over here in Aus, the NSX costs 60grand more than a Lambo. Those Honda techies must have done some fine tuning...
Like I said, one of my long term trusted distributors whom I've know since a teen, has the ML Statements driven with the Momentum preamp and Relentless monoblocks. He also has parked in a corner, Arnie Nudell's original IRSV's, and in his personal listening room, where no one hardly goes other than himself, he has the CLX's driven with CJ's ART300's. Out of those three systems, I certainly know which one I prefer.
Oh! I forgot, he's also taken delivery of the Alsyvox Botticelli X, with the specially made out board crossovers. This particular setup I haven't heard as yet due to covid restrictions... but I heard his Alsyvox when he first got them delivered. I always take a pun at him, calling him the Cartel boss and where he hides the snuff...
Humble beginnings from a kitchen hand to chef to master distributors of luxury highend, plus owns top tier commercial real estate in Spore. So I guess it's time to get let loose once in a while.
Cheers to those lofty systems, and Porsche's and Ferrari's and of course the NSX, perhaps one day... oh! My knees, two people had to help me out, bloody embarrassing!
Woof! RJ
Quick question: how would you (or anyone else) describe the analog sound reproduction, staging, and musical presentation of the 760? I was surprisingly able to demo a Trinity Silver Reference a couple of weeks ago and I was incredibly impressed. I actually preferred it over the Vivaldi stack I heard. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to demo the Soulution 560 or 760 without paying the freight for my dealer to ship them in from California. Consequently, I’m trying to gather all the intel I can to find out if it would be worth shipping them in or if the TSR would better suit my analog-obsessed taste.
Look inside a Constellation amp. 50K really? Now, look into the Jef Rowland A/B amps. now you see the quality and where the money went and what sd for his products.
I have such a difficult time watching his videos. I appreciate that his channel exists.... but it's a bit cringe. To me at least.
Yes, some very valid points here. In fact simply goes to show that we all have varied preferences, and not any one product is ever the best. Getting the system set up right, the room, accessories, other parameters setting aside the gear and careful selection, all count towards a highly engaging level of playback. Once that's sorted out then just sit back and enjoy those fine tunes!
There are certainly some fantastic gear available, and they will excell within their operating guidelines. However, it's not always the case where such lofty gear must sound great just because it costs a fortune. Most recently there was a live demo with some very pricey gear; total cost approx over 600 grand just for amplification and speakers alone... Reports came in from those who attended: lacked any sort of transparency and detail, lacked cohesiveness, lacked soundstage depth and imaging, LF was muddy... basically lacked a whole lot of things. So what were the good points I asked? Only a loud thunderous presentation with plenty of dynamics! Yet again there are plenty out there who absolutely love this kind of sound. I'm just wondering though whether this level of "boom factor" really requires spending over half a million
Cheers, RJ
There are certainly some fantastic gear available, and they will excell within their operating guidelines. However, it's not always the case where such lofty gear must sound great just because it costs a fortune. Most recently there was a live demo with some very pricey gear; total cost approx over 600 grand just for amplification and speakers alone... Reports came in from those who attended: lacked any sort of transparency and detail, lacked cohesiveness, lacked soundstage depth and imaging, LF was muddy... basically lacked a whole lot of things. So what were the good points I asked? Only a loud thunderous presentation with plenty of dynamics! Yet again there are plenty out there who absolutely love this kind of sound. I'm just wondering though whether this level of "boom factor" really requires spending over half a million
Cheers, RJ
Last edited:
I've heard Soulution 760 DAC last year in Paris show. System was with Constellation electronics and Magico A series speaker. I was impressed with the sound. I would like to hear comparison between Soulution and MSB DAC in the same system.
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |