Soulution Audio 757 deemphasis preamplifier
Designed as a reference-grade analog command center, the 757 combines exceptional sonic performance with wide-format flexibility for MC, MM, DS Audio optical, and tape-head playback. Jonathan Valin at The Absolute Sound regards it as a new reference, highlighting all-source capability, adjustable gain, selectable deemphasis, and Class A linestage functionality for ambitious analog systems.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Cartridge Compatibility
93/100
Build Quality
91/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Reference-caliber sound quality, with Jonathan Valin naming it his new reference and judging it the finest-sounding phono stage he has heard.
Exceptionally versatile analog support for MC, MM, DS Audio optical cartridges, and IEC/NAB tape-head playback.
Combines phono-stage duties with linestage functionality, potentially eliminating the need for a separate line preamplifier.
Selectable vinyl and tape deemphasis curves plus adjustable gain enable precise source matching.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Jonathan Valin calls the 757 the best-sounding phono stage he has heard and has made it his new reference. The review presents it as an unusually complete low-level analogue control center, though it offers limited track-by-track detail on individual sonic attributes.
Transparency Noise Floor
93/100
Valin's overall judgment that this delivers the best sonics he has heard from a phono stage strongly supports exceptional clarity and resolution. He does not specifically describe background silence, hum, or hiss in listening, but the reference-level verdict is emphatic.
Tonal Balance Musicality
95/100
The review's strongest sonic conclusion is that the 757 surpasses every phono stage Valin has heard, while also naming it his new reference. That broad endorsement indicates an exceptionally convincing and musically satisfying presentation, although the review does not characterize it as warm, neutral, or otherwise tonally voiced.
Dynamics
90/100
Valin's best-ever phonostage assessment indicates that the 757 preserves recorded life and scale at an extremely high level. The review does not separately discuss transient attack, punch, or microdynamic contrasts, so its dynamic character is not described in detail.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
The reference-level overall sonic verdict suggests that spatial information is conveyed very effectively. However, the supplied review does not specifically address image focus, soundstage width, depth, or layering.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
93/100
The 757 supports both MC and MM cartridges with adjustable gain and loading, while extending its remit to DS Audio optical cartridges and tape-head playback with selectable deemphasis curves. Valin says it handles these sources with Soulution's customary aplomb, making it exceptionally adaptable for a system built around several analogue formats.
Build Quality
91/100
The review highlights user-selectable vinyl and tape deemphasis, adjustable gain, a wide-bandwidth Class A output stage, and exceptionally precise deemphasis implementation. These are signs of a highly developed electrical design, although the review provides little direct commentary on casework, controls, or long-term physical durability.
Value for Money
85/100
At $84,975, the 757 is a specialist statement component rather than an accessible purchase. Valin calls it a game-changer and a potential overall Product of the Year, but does not directly compare its price with competing phono stages or explicitly assess value for money.
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Specifications
- Mains
- 100 – 240 V (50 – 60 Hz)
- Power consumption
- < 0.5 W standby 60 W device in operation
- Inputs
- 2 × MC, MM or tape head (RCA & XLR) 1 × DS audio optical (RCA)
- Input impedance
- MC: 10 Ω – 1000 Ω MM: 47 kΩ and 0 – 750 pF Tape head: 20 kΩ - 100 kΩ and 0 – 750 pF
- Accuracy of deemphasis (20Hz – 200kHz)
- ±0.05 dB
- Frequency response (– 3 dB to deemph)
- 0 – 2 MHz
- THD
- not measurable
- Spot noise (input related)
- < -170 dBV/√Hz
- Common mode rejection ratio (CMRR)
- >100 dB
- Channel separation
- >100 dB
- Gain (max)
- -40dB to +80dB for MC -40dB to +60dB for MM -40dB to +70dB for Tape -40dB to +120dB for Optical
- Outputs
- 2 × balanced (XLR) 1 × unbalanced (RCA)
- Output impedance
- 0.8 Ω balanced (XLR) 0.4 Ω unbalanced (RCA)
- Output voltage max
- 16 Vpp balanced (XLR) 8 Vpp unbalanced (RCA)
- Output current max.
- 0.5 A
- Dimensions
- 480 × 167 × 450 mm (W × H × D)
- Weight
- approx. 30 kg
- LINK (remote turn-on)
- 12 V control signal
Manufacturer's Description — Soulution Audio
What a difference precision makes!
soulution’s new reference deemphasis preamplifier connects to all analog sources and sets new benchmarks in terms of noise, phase errors, common mode rejection and distortion.
Inputs for MM, MC, tape head
The innovative input stage of the 757 deemphasis preamplifier enables exceptional common mode rejection without compromising the input stage by introducing noise. This is achieved with parallelized instrumentation amplifiers designed for wide bandwidth (2MHz), lowest noise (noise density < -170 dBV/ ) and optimal common mode rejection (CMMR >100dB). This ensures that even the faintest musical signals can be properly received by the 757 deemphasis preamplifier. With its adjustable termination impedance the input can be adapted very precisely to your magnetic pickup system.
When configured as tape head input the 757 activates its tape head calibration network which allows to compensate for roll-offs induced by imperfections of the tape head.
Input for optical cartridges
One of the 757s inputs is dedicated to DS Audio’s optical cartridges. The 757 deemphasis preamplifier features a wideband transimpedance amplifier for optimal reception of the output signals (current) of the optical cartridges.
Gain control
High speed und ultra-low noise operational amplifiers together with relay-switched high precision metal foil resistors form an 80 step (1 dB) gain control unit. Each channel has its own gain control unit also allowing balance adjustment. To avoid unpleasant clicking noises or harmful voltage peaks during gain adjustments, the 757 deemphasis preamplifier is provided with a second gain control path which is active only during gain adjustments. This secondary, IC based gain control alters the gain without any click or pops. Once the new gain is set, the 757 will revert to the sonically superior path.
Deemphasis curves
The 757 provides a wide range of deemphasis curves.
Phono: RIAA, DECCA, COLUMBIA, LONDON, TELDEC, NARTB
Tape: IEC2-30ips, IEC1-15ips, IEC1-7.5ips, NAB-15ips
The use of very fast amplifier stages ensures highly accurate reproduction of the selected equalization curve (±0.05dB, 20Hz to 200kHz).
Output stage
The Class-A output stage has been optimised for speed, precision and high peak currents. Thanks to its low output resistance the output stage can drive even long cables without difficulty. With a frequency bandwidth of 20 MHz (-3 dB) and the accompanying minimal phase shift in the audio band, all details of the music are reproduced true to life. The result is a three-dimensional spatial sound experience full of musicality and natural timbres. The sheer power of the output stage guarantees that the rich detail of the music reaches your power amplifier.
Distributed Local Power Supply:
The basis for the dual mono power supply of the 757 deemphasis preamplifier is a switched mode power supply (SMPS) which converts mains voltage into an intermediate DC voltage. Highly efficient DC-DC converters and extremely low-noise and fast linear regulators generate the supply voltages needed to operate the 757 deemphasis preamplifier. Local linear regulators are placed next to each current sink (OpAmp, transistor, etc.). This ensures lowest noise levels on the analog supplies and shortest signal paths. Large filter capacitors, as typically used for linear power supplies with transformers and rectifiers, are no longer required.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Soulution Audio 757 deemphasis preamplifier
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Ann Arbor Audio Design — in-store — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (website)
- Audiofeel — in-store — Doetinchem, Gelderland, Netherlands (website)
- Creative Audio of Tennessee — online and in-store — Franklin, Tennessee, United States (website)
- Delve Audio — in-store — Caldwell, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Element Acoustics — Canada (website)
- Euphoria Hifi — in-store — Southlake, Texas, United States (website)
- Farnsworth Audio — in-store — Draper, Utah, United States (website)
- Harmony House Audio — in-store — Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States (website)
and 17 more verified dealers