Zellaton and my ascent to Soulution

[Kbh57]

I heard the Plural Evos at the southwest Audio show driven by 700 series Soulution amplification, and it was an absolutely wonderful match. Beyond reproach.

My Plural Evos are driven by Burmester amplification and to say I am satisfied is an understatement. So, there are options and the speakers are not terribly difficult to drive, so there are many options

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

I’d like to thank everyone who has been so kind to give feedback to my question.
Since the Soulution 331 is part of the discussion, it might be of interest to some that this integrated amp got the highest ratings in a recent article in a German hifi magazine. It is the very best integrated transistor amp with an almost perfect score according to this magazine. I attached the article.

I am also looking forward to what people will report in regard to the new Soulution 717. I may even consider this amp to drive my Plural Evos although a used 511 would most certainly be the most affordable and more sensible option among Soulution amps. Whether it makes sense to use a Playback Design MPD-8 (with new 2024 pre-amp section) to drive those high end Soulution amps is an additional topic. At least from the point of matching impedance it should work nicely.

Living in Germany, I cannot work directly with Gideon but I hope that he will find the time to share his opinion on the topic of ideal amp combinations with the Plural Evos, possibly even expanding beyond Soulution.

We’ve been carrying Playback Designs for many years in Scandinavia where Soulution has been a part of our line-up as well since last year.

The Playback Designs MPD-8 > Soulution 717 combination is something that I’m very much looking forward to explore myself where I would be happy to share my impressions.

/ Marcus

 

[Audioarts]

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.

Hi Wesley and sorry for the late reply.
I’m aware that my friends at Rhapsody NL partner ZELLATON with Thrax and know the combination well. While I would be quite reluctant to advise on the Playback as pre, my suggestion is a hybrid approach using a Soulution 511 to add layers of imaging/soundstage/layered depth as you indicated, but still incorporate your Thrax pre to add texture and elegant flow. Start there and if you like, subsequently consider a full Soulution chain…., or simply stop there with the hybrid approach.
Gideon

 

[Audioarts]

Here are the first set of 717’s which have just arrived stateside, heading to (very patient) Audioarts clients.