With the A-3, the Japanese high-end manufacturer Soulnote is launching a new reference integrated amplifier that combines the technologies of the Soulnote flagship models P-3 (preamplifier) and M-3 (mono power amplifier) in one housing.
Soulnote A-3: Symmetrical structure and mechanical special features
The Soulnote A-3 is a pure analog high-level amplifier, so apart from the six analog inputs (3 x XLR, 3 x Cinch), there are neither digital nor phono inputs. The theme of symmetry runs through the entire design, and the right and left channels are consistently designed separately from each other, right down to the separate ground derivation. In addition, control signals – for example from the level controller or input selector switch – are treated completely separately from the signal path using an optocoupler.
Just like in the reference preamp Soulnote P-3, the connection to the signal ground can be interrupted using a slide switch. This can prevent sound degradation caused by ground loops in certain configurations and setups. According to Soulnote, the amplifier circuit itself works without feedback. A so-called single push-pull circuit (SEPP) is used in the output stage, which is equipped with two bipolar TO3 transistors per channel.
The power supply is of course also ambitious: There is a separate 700 VA toroidal transformer for each channel – and for rectification, Soulnote relies on a specially selected film filter capacitor as well as SiC diodes of the latest specification, which guarantees an “extremely powerful and fast power supply”. so the Japanese.
The mechanical design philosophy is partly rigid, partly flexible. On the one hand, the Soulnote A-3 uses a lot of aluminum, copper and steel, but on the other hand the housing can also “unfold”: the amplifier block is connected to the housing via a three-point structure with titanium sliders.
This is intended to reduce the vibrations of the transformers and the amplifier’s natural vibrations to a minimum. The housing itself rests on three steel spikes; a separate base plate made of birch wood is included so that the spikes do not leave any scratches on the rack level. Another typical Soulnote feature is that the A-3’s housing cover is deliberately not screwed on tightly for acoustic reasons.
The price of the Soulnote A-3 is $20,990.
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