無 · Nothing to Correct

One clock.
Nothing left to guess.

The Soulnote Z-3 is a network transport built around a single goal — hand your DAC a signal so perfectly timed it has nothing left to correct.

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Nothing in the way

mu — nothing added

Everyone adds.
Soulnote subtracts.

The best producers know the secret: the art is what you leave out. Soulnote engineers the same way — every stage a conventional design adds to the signal path is a chance to blur the original waveform, so Soulnote removes them, one by one, and tunes what remains by ear.

Between input and output: 3 extra stages, each with a fingerprint. Between input and output: almost nothing.

Every stage does a job — and leaves a fingerprint on the waveform as it passes through.

Fewer hands on the signal. What remains was chosen by listening — part by part.

Designed by subtraction

Less circuit.
More music.

768kHz PCM

and DSD to 22.6 MHz — hi-res everything, over ZERO LINK or USB.

260VA

transformer with 16 SiC rectifier diodes, in a titanium-accented chassis.

3modes

network player, ZERO LINK bridge, or network transport — one box, several roles.

Technical specifications
TypeNetwork transport with ZERO LINK
InputsSFP (optical / RJ45 switchable), USB
OutputsZERO LINK, USB
PCM supportUp to 768 kHz (16/24/32-bit)
DSD supportUp to 22.6 MHz
ClockUltra-low-phase-noise OCXO
ModesNetwork player / ZERO LINK bridge / network transport
Power supply260 VA transformer; 16 SiC rectifier diodes
Weight20 kg
What does the Z-3 do?
It pulls audio from your network or a computer and hands it to a DAC. With a ZERO LINK DAC such as the D-3 the two lock to one clock, so the transport and converter agree on time.
Do I need a ZERO LINK DAC?
For the full benefit, yes. Without one the Z-3 still works as a network transport over USB, and it can also act as a ZERO LINK bridge to bring an existing USB source into the synchronous chain.
How does it connect to the network?
SFP, switchable between optical and RJ45, plus USB. PCM to 768 kHz and DSD to 22.6 MHz.
About the Soulnote Z-3 Network Transport

Availability: Ships in 10–15 business days.

The Source, Reinvented: Soulnote Z-3

The Soulnote Z-3 is a flagship network transport built around a single, radical goal: hand the D/A converter a perfect, perfectly-timed signal and let it do far less work. Through Soulnote's ZERO LINK interface, the Z-3 all but eliminates the asynchronous components that smear digital timing — the source of so much of digital's fatigue. Built by ex-Marantz engineer Norinaga Nakazawa's team, it's the front end a reference system deserves.

ZERO LINK, Zero Compromise

Feed it from your network via SFP (optical or RJ45, switchable) or from a computer via USB, and the Z-3 outputs to a ZERO LINK-equipped DAC such as the Soulnote D-3 — locking transport and converter to a single clock so timing errors simply never arise. An ultra-low-phase-noise OCXO clock, a 260 VA transformer, 16 SiC rectifier diodes, and a non-rigid, titanium-accented housing with spike isolation directly under the transformers put it firmly in Series 3 reference territory. Support runs to PCM 768 kHz and DSD 22.6 MHz.

Three Devices in One

The Z-3 adapts to your system with three operating modes: a full network player (LAN to ZERO LINK), a ZERO LINK bridge (USB to ZERO LINK) to upgrade an existing source, or a network transport (LAN to USB). One box, several roles, one goal — the purest possible path from your files to your DAC.

Why You'll Love the Soulnote Z-3

  • ZERO LINK output — clock-synchronous link that eliminates asynchronous timing errors
  • Flexible network input — SFP optical or RJ45 (switchable), plus USB
  • Three modes — network player, ZERO LINK bridge, or network transport
  • Hi-res support — PCM to 768 kHz, DSD to 22.6 MHz
  • Ultra-low-phase-noise OCXO clock — reference-grade timing
  • Series 3 build — 260 VA transformer, SiC diodes, titanium isolation, 20 kg
  • Hand-built in Japan — Premium Silver or Premium Black

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Z-3 and what does it do?

It's a flagship network transport/streamer: it pulls audio from your network or computer and delivers it to a DAC. Its key feature is ZERO LINK, which synchronises it to the DAC's clock for dramatically cleaner digital timing.

Do I need a ZERO LINK DAC to use it?

To get the full ZERO LINK benefit, pair the Z-3 with a ZERO LINK-equipped DAC such as the Soulnote D-3. It can also feed other DACs via USB in network-transport mode.

Can it upgrade my existing streamer?

Yes — in ZERO LINK bridge mode it takes a USB signal from an existing source and converts it to a clock-synchronous ZERO LINK output for your DAC.

Soulnote Z-3 Technical Specifications

Type Network transport with ZERO LINK
Inputs SFP (optical / RJ45 switchable), USB
Outputs ZERO LINK, USB
PCM support Up to 768 kHz (16/24/32-bit)
DSD support Up to 22.6 MHz
Clock Ultra-low-phase-noise OCXO
Modes Network player / ZERO LINK bridge / network transport
Power supply 260 VA transformer; 16 SiC rectifier diodes
Dimensions (W × H × D) 454 × 174 × 393 mm
Weight 20 kg
Finishes Premium Silver or Premium Black
Made in Japan — Soulnote