Soulnote D-3 D/A Converter

D/A Converter


Premium Silver/Premium Black



The ultimate D/A converter with ZERO asynchronous circuits


* This unit will not operate unless connected to a 10 MHz external clock generator like the X-3. The X-3 is sold separately.

ZERO LINK

Connecting a network transport equipped with ZERO LINK creates a network system that is completely synchronized with the DAC clock, achieving dramatic improvements in sound quality by eliminating asynchronous circuits. The input from the ZERO LINK terminals passes through a selector consisting of a mechanical relay that does not add jitter and connects directly to the DAC chip using a layout unique to ZERO LINK.

Click here for an explanation of ZERO LINK

Click here for ZERO LINK sound samples

A dual monaural analog section

The D-3 adopts a dual monaural construction that employs two identical and dedicated sets of terminals, Type-R circuits, power supply channels, power transformers, relay drive circuitry, and relay power supplies for the left and right channels. It is also fully separated from the digital power supply, including the transformer. A photocoupler completely separates the relay control signals that connect with the analog signal system. The mounting base for the aluminium circuit board is not fixed, laying the foundation for uninhibited and more impassioned sound quality. Analog circuit boards are mounted on independent right and left circuit board chassis and are also independent from the rear panel connectors. Similar to the P-3, foaming Teflon-covered cables connect the left and right independent side aluminium ground anchors to the respective aluminium ground anchors that are isolated from the chassis.

Type-R circuits are used inside the non-NFB balance amplifier

The output line amplifier uses Type-R discrete grade non-NFB balance circuits, similar to the P-3. It also includes the newly-developed super high-quality naked foil resistors. With 1ohm emitter resistors and 3.9ohm output resistance, it delivers astonishing information detail and SN presence for superior power preamplifier drive capabilities.

Four ES9038PRO circuits

Each channel in the DAC chip uses two ES9038PRO chips, for a total of four in the unit. Each channel’s incomparably powerful 120 mA current output is an essential element of the discrete non-NFB DAC. One current voltage conversion resistor uses naked foil resistors to convert current output into voltage directly before the first stage of the Type-R circuit.

Dedicated external clock generator design

Since the clock significantly impacts D/A converter sound quality, we discovered that we can obtain better sound quality by quietly operating the clock in a separate housing unit with a separate power supply instead of housing it inside the unit. So we have stopped using internal clocks and now provide dedicated external clock generator equipment. The X-3 is the most suitable external clock generator for pure sound quality. We highly recommend the RCC-1 clock cable.

Femtosecond order DDS

With its extremely low jitter of 45 femtoseconds, the DDS LMX2594 gives rise to a high-quality master clock that aligns sampling frequencies from the 10 MHz clock input. As a result, it can drive the ES9038PRO in Non-DPLL mode (128 femtoseconds), i.e. the best sound quality mode. By generating a master clock that matches each track’s sampling frequency transmitted from the transport during ZERO LINK, this achieves perfect synchronization with the transport without any use of PLLs or sampling rate converters.

Independent left-right grounding for power transformers

[Upper level]

[Lower level]

The power transformer is divided into three independent transformers – digital, analog right, and analog left – with each section mounted independently on the side of an aluminium base that convey any transformer vibrations from each base to a grounding spike. Each of the three transformers is mounted vertically in parallel with the circuit board to prevent possible noise interference in the circuits caused by leakage flux. A vital component of sound quality, the transformer base’s sandwich structure features an aluminium side floated at three points by titanium spacers and employs optimum materials, structure, and shape to eliminate resonance and avoid dumps. The 152 low-magnification electrolytic capacitors in the rectifier capacitor and 52 ultra high-speed SiC diodes in the rectifier diode demonstrate our unwavering dedication to sound quality. They constitute the core of this massive power supply.

NOS mode

The D-3 uses the highly acclaimed NOS (non-oversampling) mode. This mode does not generate the pre- and post-echoes observed in FIR oversampling. * The NOS mode cannot be used with DSD.

Impulse output waveform with an FIR oversampling filter

Pre- and post-echoes are artificial "sounds" created by data calculations before and after the data is interpolated. They make waveforms like sine waves appear smoother, but calculation algorithms can affect the sound quality or ambiguity and be added to the time-axis.

Impulse output waveform in NOS mode

This waveform can only be achieved by combining a non-NFB discrete amplifier with superb transient response performance. Because music waveforms are actually a series of impulse waveforms of different heights, the NOS mode eliminates any ambiguity in the time axis information, creating a more realistic and natural sound quality and an expansive listening environment to the human ear, which is extremely sensitive to the time axis.

RSR-2-12D (Reference SOULNOTE Relay)

An ultra low loss glass tube sealed reed relay that performs similar to a mercury relay as a base has been further customized. This is an original custom relay created by SOULNOTE that can reach sound quality levels comparable to that of wire.

Ultra high-quality naked foil resistors

We have applied artificial satellite grade ultra-high precision foil resistors with exceptional temperature properties and have made additional customizations with an emphasis on sound quality. These ultra-high sound quality resistors were developed in-house and employ a naked foil design to eliminate dumps with mold resin.

Specifications

Model name   D-3SE(PREMIUM SILVER)/D-3BE(PREMIUM BLACK)

Supported sampling frequency(ZERO LINK,USB)   Maximum 768kHz(PCM)/Maximum 22.6MHz(DSD)

Supported sampling frequency (coaxial AES/EBU)   Maximum 192 kHz(PCM)/Maximum 2.8MHz(DSD64 DoPv1.1)

PCM quantization bit rate(ZERO LINK,USB)   16bit,24bit,32bit

PCM quantization bit rate (coaxial AES/EBU)   16bit, 24bit

Digital input   ZERO LINK, USB (Type B) 2,coaxial (S/PDIF), AES/EBU

*BULK PET,JPLAY supported(USB)

External clock input   10MHz (SMA 50ohms)

Analog output   XLR 1, RCA 1

Analog output level (XLR).   5.6Vrms

Analog output level (RCA)   2.8Vrms

Frequency characteristic   2Hz～120kHz (+0/-1dB）

SN ratio   110dB

Total harmonic distortion   0.008% (NOS/176.4kHz)

Analog filter   Primary passive type

Power voltage   230V AC 50Hz

Power consumption   48W

Maximum external dimensions Main unit   454(W)×174(H)×407(D)mm

Weight   28kg

Included accessories   Spike board, spikes, remote controller, power cable

Rear panel

Included accessories

Spike board, spikes, remote controller, power cable

Spike board dimensions   474(W)×20(H)×413(D)mm