The Disc Spinner Reimagined: Soulnote S3 Reference SACD Player

The Soulnote S3 Reference SACD Player is a masterpiece of audio engineering that treats silver discs with reference-level seriousness. Playing SACD and CD (including CD-R and CD-RW), it pairs a precision transport with the same completely non-NFB, dual-monaural conversion found in Soulnote's finest digital — for breathtaking clarity, exquisite detail and stunning dynamics from your disc collection. Hand-built in Japan.

Quad DACs, Femtosecond Timing

Four ES9038PRO chips — two per channel — provide an incomparably powerful 120 mA current output for Soulnote's discrete non-NFB amplification. An ultra-low-jitter clock delivers 45-femtosecond output from a DDS LMX2594 oscillator, with a 10 MHz external clock input for the ultimate setup. The analogue circuits use newly developed Type-R non-NFB topology with just four high-frequency transistors and eight resistors per channel, emitter resistance reduced to 1 ohm through transistor thermal coupling.

A Disc Player That's Also a DAC

Beyond discs, the S3 accepts external digital sources through two USB Type-B, coaxial S/PDIF and AES/EBU inputs, supporting up to 768 kHz PCM and 22.6 MHz DSD — so it doubles as a reference DAC. Balanced XLR (5.6 Vrms) and RCA (2.8 Vrms) outputs, spike-floating audio boards, custom RSR-2-12D relays and satellite-grade foil resistors complete a genuinely reference-class source.

Why You'll Love the Soulnote S3

• SACD and CD playback — reference transport for your whole disc library
• Quad ES9038PRO, dual-mono — 120 mA current, discrete non-NFB conversion
• 45 fs clock — DDS LMX2594 with 10 MHz external clock input
• Type-R non-NFB analogue — just 4 transistors and 8 resistors per channel
• Doubles as a DAC — USB ×2, coaxial and AES/EBU, PCM to 768 kHz / DSD 22.6 MHz
• Balanced & single-ended out — XLR 5.6 V, RCA 2.8 V
• Hand-built in Japan — Premium Silver or Premium Black, 27 kg

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the S3 play both SACD and CD?

Yes — it plays Super Audio CD and standard CDs, including CD-R and CD-RW.

Can I use the S3 as a standalone DAC?

Yes — it has USB, coaxial and AES/EBU digital inputs supporting PCM to 768 kHz and DSD to 22.6 MHz, so external sources can use its reference conversion, and you can add a 10 MHz external clock.

What DAC does it use?

Four ES9038PRO chips (two per channel) feeding Soulnote's discrete non-NFB Type-R output stage.

Soulnote S3 Technical Specifications