Vinyl, With Nothing in the Way

The Soulnote E-1 ver.2 is a perfectly balanced, discrete, completely non-NFB phono equalizer that builds on the circuit layout of Soulnote's legendary ph1.0. By refusing to use negative feedback, it maximises transient responsiveness — capturing the speed, energy and micro-detail that make vinyl so compelling, and presenting it with Soulnote's signature vivid, three-dimensional realism. For the analogue listener, this is the sound of getting out of the record's way.

MC and MM, Fully Balanced

The E-1 ver.2 welcomes both moving-coil and moving-magnet cartridges. MC mode offers 70dB of gain (0.5mV sensitivity) with six selectable load impedances — 3, 10, 30, 100, 300 ohms and 1k ohm — plus a balanced XLR input to exploit a cartridge's naturally balanced signal. A button switches to MM mode with 50dB gain (5mV sensitivity, 47k ohm loading). A low-cut subsonic filter tames warps and rumble, while RIAA accuracy holds to within ±0.3dB.

Reference Engineering for the Groove

A fully balanced non-NFB buffer amplifier drives the balanced XLR output at 2.8V, with a single-ended RCA output at 1.4V for conventional systems. Underneath sits a 260VA toroidal transformer and ten parallel 1,000µF filter capacitors for a rock-steady power foundation, while direct mechanical grounding via spikes and metallic insulators — fitted as standard — drain vibration away from the delicate phono signal. It's reference-grade analogue engineering, distilled into Soulnote's most accessible phono stage.

Why You'll Love the E-1 ver.2

• Completely non-NFB, perfectly balanced circuit derived from the legendary ph1.0
• MC (70dB) and MM (50dB) support with a balanced XLR input for MC cartridges
• Six selectable MC load settings (3–1kΩ) to dial in any cartridge
• Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, plus a low-cut subsonic filter
• 260VA toroidal transformer, spiked mechanical grounding and metallic insulators

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the E-1 ver.2 support both MC and MM cartridges?

Yes. It offers 70dB of gain for low-output moving-coil cartridges and, at the press of a button, 50dB for moving-magnet cartridges — with a balanced XLR input available for MC.

What cartridge loading options does it offer?

For MC cartridges you can select 3, 10, 30, 100, 300 ohms or 1k ohm; MM cartridges use the standard 47k ohm loading.

Can I connect it to a balanced (XLR) preamp?

Yes. A fully balanced non-NFB buffer drives the XLR output at 2.8V, and there's also a single-ended RCA output at 1.4V for conventional systems.

E-1 ver.2 Technical Specifications