
Soulnote · D
D-3
The ultimate reference DAC, engineered for absolute temporal and spatial realism.
The D-3 represents the pinnacle of Soulnote's digital engineering, serving as a masterclass in temporal accuracy and signal purity. Rejecting the industry-standard reliance on digital oversampling and aggressive filtering, this unit employs a non-oversampling mode that eliminates the artificial pre- and post-echoes inherent in conventional conversion. The result is a soundstage that feels expansive, organic, and startlingly present, allowing the listener to perceive the subtle spatial cues of the recording environment with effortless clarity.
At the heart of the D-3 lies a dual-monaural construction featuring four ES9038PRO DAC chips, providing an exceptionally powerful current output. This is processed through Soulnote's signature non-NFB Type-R balance circuits, utilising in-house developed naked foil resistors to ensure the signal path remains as transparent as possible. Every element, from the independent left-right grounding for the power transformers to the photocoupler-separated relay controls, is designed to minimise interference and preserve the purity of the audio signal.
Designed for the most discerning systems, the D-3 demands a high-quality external 10 MHz clock and thrives when paired with a Zero Link-equipped transport. It is a bold, uncompromising component that discards the clinical nature of typical digital designs in favour of a vivid, tactile, and emotionally engaging presentation. For those who seek the definitive digital reference, the D-3 offers a bridge to a truly lifelike listening experience.
Key Features
01
Zero Link Synchronisation
Eliminates asynchronous jitter by creating a fully synchronised digital network between the transport and the DAC.
02
Non-Oversampling (NOS) Mode
Bypasses digital filtering to eliminate artificial echoes and maintain precise temporal accuracy on the time axis.
03
Discrete Non-NFB Type-R Circuit
A fully balanced output stage derived from the P-3 pre-amplifier, using custom naked foil resistors for ultimate transparency.
04
Quad ES9038PRO Configuration
Utilises four ESS chips in a dual-monaural layout, providing a powerful 120 mA current output per channel.
05
Resonance-Managed Chassis
Features an unfixed, floating top plate and titanium-spaced transformer mounting to effectively dissipate mechanical vibration.

Chapter 01
The Philosophy of Time
Soulnote rejects the supremacy of static performance measurements, identifying the preservation of the original waveform on the time axis as the most critical factor for realistic music reproduction. By avoiding the calculation algorithms of FIR filters, the D-3 avoids adding artificial 'ambiguity' to the time axis. This focus creates a sound quality that is more realistic to the human ear, which is evolutionarily tuned to be extremely sensitive to temporal information.

Chapter 02
Mechanical Isolation
In the D-3, mechanical design is as important as electronic topology. The unit utilises a non-fixed structural architecture where the circuit boards, transformers, and terminals are mounted on an aluminium base that is decoupled from the chassis by titanium spacers. This intentional lack of rigidity allows internal energy and external vibrations to be expelled into the environment, preventing the colouration and 'boxy' sound often associated with high-rigidity enclosures.

Chapter 03
Sonic Signature
The D-3 is characterised by its ability to resolve faint background detail and ambient air that are often masked by standard digital filtering. Listeners will find that their listening space feels expanded, with instruments placed with high precision within a vast soundstage. It is a profoundly detailed and fast-reacting DAC that avoids the fatigue of clinical digital sound, instead offering a rich, weightier, and highly textured performance.
Specifications
Supported sampling frequencyZERO LINK, USB: Max. 768kHz (PCM) / Max. 22.6MHz (DSD) Coaxial, AES/EBU: Max. 192kHz (PCM) / Max. 2.8MHz (DSD64 DoP v1.1)
PCM quantization bit rateZERO LINK, USB: 16bit, 24bit, 32bit Coaxial, AES/EBU: 16bit, 24bit
Digital inputZERO LINK, USB (Typ B) 2, coaxial (S/PDIF), AES/EBU
External clock input10MHz (SMA 50ohms)
Analog outputXLR x1, RCA x1
Analog output levelXLR: 5,6Vrms RCA: 2,8Vrms
Frequency characteristic2Hz bis 120kHz (+0/-1dB)
S/N ratio110dB
Total harmonic distortion0,008% (NOS/176,4kHz)
Analog filterPrimary passive type
Power voltage230V AC 50Hz
Power consumption48W
Maximum external dimensionsMain unit: 454(W) × 174(H) × 407(D)mm
Weight28kg
Included accessoriesSpike board, spikes, remote controller, power cable
