The Phono Stage That Plays Every Record Ever Made: Soulnote E-2 ver.2

Most phono stages give you RIAA and little else. The Soulnote E-2 ver.2 gives you 144 of them. This is a reference-class Japanese phono equalizer built for the serious record collector — one that reads moving-coil, moving-magnet and even optical cartridges, and can dial in the correct equalization curve for everything from a modern RIAA pressing to a Decca, a Columbia, or an early SP. Like every Soulnote, it's a completely non-NFB, fully balanced design, tuned by ear for sound that's vivid, dimensional and unmistakably alive.

Non-NFB, Twin-Mono, Uncompromising

At its heart is Soulnote's fully balanced, non-NFB "New Type-R Circuit," which embeds the RIAA curve directly into the differential amplifier's gain — sidestepping the compromises of conventional NF and CR phono designs. Each channel runs as an independent twin-mono unit, powered by a 400 VA super-massive bifilar-wound toroidal transformer and high-speed non-NFB regulation using parallel small-capacity capacitors. It's the kind of power supply you'd expect in a flagship, dedicated entirely to the tiny, delicate signal a cartridge produces.

Built for Every Cartridge and Every Curve

Four independent inputs cover a dedicated balanced MC input, two MC/MM unbalanced inputs, and a dedicated optical-cartridge input. MC gain runs to 77 dB, MM to 55 dB, with adjustable MC loading from 3 ohms to 1 kΩ and MM capacitance settings, plus mono, invert, gain-reduction and degaussing functions. The equalizer's independent Roll-Off, Turnover and Low-Limit controls combine for 144 curves — so pre-RIAA and archival records finally sound the way they were mastered. Ver.2 also adds compatibility with the E-3's power-isolated XLR cable connector.

Why You'll Love the Soulnote E-2 ver.2

• MC, MM and optical cartridges — four inputs, including a dedicated balanced MC and optical input
• 144 EQ curves — independent Roll-Off, Turnover and Low-Limit for any record era
• Non-NFB "New Type-R" circuit — RIAA built into the gain, fully balanced
• True twin-mono — independent channels for maximum separation
• 400 VA flagship power supply — bifilar toroidal with non-NFB regulation
• Deep adjustability — MC loading 3 Ω–1 kΩ, MM capacitance, mono, invert, degauss
• Hand-built in Japan — Premium Silver or Premium Black, spikes and power cord included

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cartridges does the E-2 ver.2 support?

Moving-coil (including a dedicated balanced MC input), moving-magnet, and optical cartridges — across four independent inputs — with adjustable loading and up to 77 dB of gain for low-output MC cartridges.

What are the 144 EQ curves for?

Records made before (and around) the RIAA standard used many different equalization curves. The E-2 ver.2 lets you independently set Roll-Off, Turnover and Low-Limit — 144 combinations in total — so Decca, Columbia and early SP records can be replayed with their correct, intended tonal balance.

What changed in ver.2?

Ver.2 refines the design and adds compatibility with the E-3's power-isolated XLR cable connector, keeping the E-2 current within Soulnote's Series 2 lineup while retaining its non-NFB, twin-mono architecture.

Soulnote E-2 ver.2 Technical Specifications