Review of Soulution 530 Integrated from EnjoytheMusic.com...
 

Soulution 530 Integrated Amplifier Deeper background, excellent speaker control and something elusive that makes me desire in anticipation for the next track! Review By Wojciech PacuBa

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I have always wanted to try the soulution stuff but have been turned off by reports that it is sterile.

I've heard the Soulution with Focal speakers and it sure didn't sound sterile to me. A very nice paring. I haven't had the opportunity to hear the integrated unit as of yet.

Cyril, thanks for that, looks interesting.....;)

My pleasure Kev :thumbsup:

I can say with some authority the 520 preamp is way & far from sterile, are you reading this Graham?


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Had the pleasure of catching up with Kev today here and put his new 520 to work and play and then later at Bill's at Gosford alongside an ARC Ref5se/Ref150 and Shindo at my place. Still think we should have put it up on the stainless fishing sinkers (Stillpoint Ultras) but now you'll never know the joy :)

Will definitely leave it to Kev to review his new baby more fully but have to say that sterile was the very last word that came to mind, and it was in the company of tubes just about everywhere. Both the Soulution and the ARC brought different things to the music but a very musical arvo it was.

Don't know what has happened but they've definitely put more soul in soulution.

Great preamp absolutely and even tho its early days the new 520 is likely the best solid state preamp I've heard. Beautiful... Congratulations again Kev, got an absolute keeper there. If not then I'll have it. Loved it.

Graham

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

I think part of the "reputation" that CC referred to came from systems which were using relatively analytical speakers, such as Magico and YG. Possible not the best system matching. And the 700 series is perhaps a bit more "ruthless" than the 500 series given Wojech's comments.

Wojech Pacula is an excellent reviewer - I normally read his reviews on his own website, and see that he is now syndicating with ETM rather than 6Moons. Funny business, internet reviewing/clickthroughs, etc.

I see Kev's system has undergone some pretty massive changes over the last few months. With a Lampi DAC, Strads, MC2301 - no sterility there, I suspect :D

The comparison with the Ref5SE sounds fascinating, and I hope there is more to come on the comparisons.

Congrats on the radically revised system Kev :thumbsup:

So has anyone actually heard this unit yet? I am contemplating a downsizing from all boulder separates. I was told by a dealer I've used that the 700 series is still "better" (this conflicts other reports about the 500 series) and are the only amps he thinks are "better" than the outgoing 2050. He is not a boulder dealer. I have 1060,2010,1008,1021. Speakers are magico s5. What about the constellation integrated? Is that out yet? I had the boulder 865 at one point but looking for a little more refined sound than that.

Thanks.

Either stick with the Boulder, or try the Constellation. They're both considerably better than the Soulution, both series 5 and 7, the Constellation being somewhat similar to the Boulder, although less extended in both HF and LF.

If you're looking to downsize, you could either try the new Constellation integrated (forgot the model name), or even the darTZeel CTH-8550.

alexandre