SOULNOTE S-3 REFERENCE

The SOULNOTE Super Audio CD player is a state-of-the-art digital playback system offering flawless clock synchronization. It is engineered to deliver vibrant, natural sound with outstanding quality. Thanks to the specially developed Type-R non-NFB analog circuits, this model adopts a remarkably simple yet precise architecture, consisting of just four high-frequency bipolar transistors and eight resistors. The first stage uses differential amplification without gain, while the second stage—a grounded single-end amplifier—generates the actual gain. Replacing the LED biasing with a transistor thermal coupling has reduced the emitter resistance from 22 ohms to just 1 ohm, significantly eliminating power supply noise and enabling overwhelming drive energy that lets the sound shine with unmatched freshness and expressiveness.

The use of four ES9038PRO DAC chips ensures exceptional audio performance. Each channel is equipped with two ES9038PRO chips, delivering a powerful 120 mA current output per channel. This current is converted into voltage through a single resistor right before the Type-R circuit's first stage. Powering the system is a DDS LMX2594 clock with an ultra-low jitter of just 45 femtoseconds, ensuring non-PLL synchronization between the DAC and the SACD mechanism. The SOULNOTE S-3 Reference also includes built-in ultra-low jitter crystals and can connect to a 10 MHz high-frequency external clock generator to further enhance timing accuracy.

At the heart of the system lies the RSR-2-12D relay, a custom ultra-low-loss glass tube sealed reed relay developed by SOULNOTE, achieving sound performance comparable to a wire. The analog section incorporates high-end foil resistors, specially created to enhance sonic performance and minimize interference, offering outstanding thermal stability and precision.

Another innovation is the ZERO LINK technology, co-developed with SFORZATO Corp., which eliminates asynchronous circuitry in D/A converters and completely synchronizes the network transport to the DAC clock. This dramatically improves sound quality by providing a purely synchronous signal path. Both analog and digital power supplies are designed with a non-NFB configuration using high-grade foil capacitors, ensuring a clean, stable power supply. All signal and power lines use single-core copper wires with foamed Teflon insulation, directly soldered to the boards to minimize contact points and maximize signal purity.

The player also features a NOS (Non-Oversampling) mode that eliminates the pre- and post-echo artifacts typical of FIR oversampling, offering a more natural and precise audio reproduction. When paired with the exceptional transient response of the discrete non-NFB circuit, it allows for ultra-accurate rendering of complex musical waveforms, creating an immersive and lifelike listening experience.

Sound quality is further elevated through meticulous power transformer design. Analog and digital circuits are physically separated within the transformer, each mounted on an aluminum base that grounds vibrations via dedicated spikes. This prevents digital or motor noise from affecting the analog power supply and avoids intermodulation between vibration sources. The SACD mechanism is also mounted directly on an aluminum base with grounding spikes, efficiently dissipating vibrations and preserving sonic integrity.

Finally, the construction of the audio board has been optimized further. It rests on three stainless steel spikes embedded in the chassis. Each part of the aluminum board has been lightened and finely tuned, achieving a sonic presence so transparent, it’s as if the board weren’t there at all. This thoughtful design and material engineering give the player the ability to transport the listener into a truly three-dimensional and dynamic soundscape.

Technical Specifications:

• Supported Discs: Super Audio CD and music CDs (CD, CD-R, CD-RW)
• Digital Inputs: 2 USB (Type B), 1 coaxial (S/PDIF), 1 AES/EBU
• Supported Sampling Frequencies USB: Max. 768kHz (PCM) / Max. 22.6MHz (DSD)
• Supported Sampling Frequencies Coaxial, AES/EBU: Max. 192kHz (PCM) / Max. 2.8MHz (DSD64 DoP v1.1)
• Analog Output: 1 XLR, 1 RCA
• Balanced Analog Output Level: 5.6Vrms (load impedance ≥ 5 kΩ)
• Unbalanced Analog Output Level: 2.8Vrms (load impedance ≥ 5 kΩ)
• Analog Frequency Response: 2Hz to 150kHz (+0/-1dB)
• S/N Ratio: 110dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.008%
• Analog Filter: 1st order or passive type
• External Clock Input: 10MHz (BNC 50Ω)
• Power Voltage: 230V AC 50Hz
• Power Consumption: 50W
• Maximum Dimensions: 454(W) × 170(H) × 393(D)mm
• Weight: 27kg
• Included Accessories: Spike board, spikes, remote control, power cable