Soulution Audio 530 Integrated Amplifier with Phono - Like New $45k MSRP - Factory Refreshed

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General:
The Soulution 530 is a beautifully made, no-compromise integrated amplifier.

With the quality and precision of a Swiss watch, this integrated is among the most impressive integrated amps we've seen.

Featuring a whopping nine power supplies and a dual mono design, it produces 125 WPC into 8 ohms of pure class A power. 

This particular unit was recently factory refurbished from Solution Audio where it was refreshed with the absolute latest software brining performance to like-new levels. During testing since it has worked flawlessly. It will come with its manual, remote and original box.

Also included is the official factory test results. It is a laminated card that is included with all Soulution pieces.  

From Solution:
An uncompromising preamplifier and an uncompromising power amplifier, both of reference quality, combined in one housing. That is the way we at soulution understand the concept of an integrated amplifier. Enjoy the purity and power this music machine is able to deliver.

Philosophy
Most integrated amplifiers combine the functions of volume control, source selection and amplification in single multi-function circuit.

Not so the soulution 530 Integrated amplifier.

It takes the uncompromising route of separate circuits, combining a dedicated reference quality preamplifier, and a dedicated reference quality power amplifier in one housing.

It is a real soulution product – truly a great amplifier.

Design

The amplifier external design is the work of Greutmann Bolzern Designstudio from Zurich. The design received the "red dot design award 2012 Best of the Best" in the category "Entertainment technology and cameras". It will not appeal to everyone. The amplifier is massive and does not look like an audio component. Its faceplate is almost empty, except for the volume control knob, display and three buttons. So is the rear panel. We control the amp with a small remote control unit included with all pre-amps and SACD players from that manufacturer.

The device has been designed in such a way as to constitute a compact, rigid unit. It consists of aluminum plates on the outside, huge radiators on the sides and various screens inside, separating different sections from each other. The whole sits on specially designed feet. They feature two aluminum discs with three steel balls inserted between them – similar to CeraPuc feet from Finite Elemente. I am in favor of a rigid connection between individual components, just like one of my masters, Mr. Ken Ishigura, the owner of Acoustic Revive who I met last November at the Audio Show 2012 in Warsaw. Engineers from Soulution apparently think likewise.

The interior is divided into three horizontal sections. The top two house the preamplifier and power amplifiers, and the largest bottom section is the power supply. The preamplifier is mounted on one large printed circuit board, including both voltage controllers as well as line and phono sections. The circuit is built on Analog Devices AD797 and Burr Brown OPA627 (phono section), and transistors and Burr Brown OPA 627 (line section). Relay switches are used to select the active input from whence the signal is sent to a very sophisticated volume control system. This fully discreet system uses high-precision, low-noise metal foil resistors switched by reed relays – the best components of that kind, sadly, very rarely seen. They can also be found in McIntosh and ASR. They guarantee a long service life. To avoid switching noise, the system has been paralleled by the classical Burr Brown PGA2320 resistor ladder. At the time of volume level change the Burr Brown is switched in the signal path and the discrete circuit is used to select volume level in the "background". Ultra-purist design but it makes sense.

The circuit is coupled via capacitors. A prototype had used Mundorf M-CAM MKP but in the unit I received they were bypassed with beautiful Mundorf M-Cap Supreme Silver/Gold/Oil, in other words, oil capacitors. Phono preamp section looks equally impressive: it employs Evox capacitors and more Mundorf MKP as coupling capacitors. Pre-amp power supply section is very complex. DC power is regulated in the bottom section of the device housing the switched-mode power supply but the final rectification, filtering and stabilization takes place on the preamplifier main PCB. The power supply section employs Mundorf M-Lytic AG+ capacitors and discrete voltage controllers on the ON transistors.

Power amplifier section is placed directly below. It is a fully solid-state dual-mono design. Unfortunately, I was unable to get to it so I do not know exactly how it is built. What is known is that it uses five pairs of bipolar transistors per channel in the current amplification stage.

The bottom section houses four huge 600 W cutting-edge switched-mode power supply units, capable of delivering 2400 W. It is divided into two parts – voltage regulation and rectification and filtering. It seems that the preamplifier has a separate power supply, additionally shielded. The manufacturer quotes a total of nine power supply units in the 530, optimized for their specific functions. The power supplies for digital and audio circuits are electrically isolated from each other by optocouplers and transformers.

The unit is designed and built to work and sound the same in 10, 20 or more years. No expense was spared on passive components. The amplifier uses proprietary solutions which the Soulution engineers are convinced of: switched-mode power supplies, deep local negative feedback, signal coupling via capacitors and an interesting volume control system. With the 530 we not only get outstanding sound but equally outstanding performance.

The audio section of the 530 is physically separated from the power supply and digital circuits. In order to reduce interferences to a minimum, these sections are additionally shielded. The power amplifier section is executed in dual-mono layout. The left and right audio channels have their own respective identical boards to deliver a channel separation of >110dB for a three dimensional sound stage.

Amplification
The amplification circuit of the 530 is based on the technology of the 710 and 700 amplifiers. At its core is an innovative voltage amplification stage that consists of linearized amplifiers operating up to a cutoff frequency of 80MHz.

Current amplification is done in three stages, each with a narrow, almost linear operating range. The high Class A operation supplemented by 47,000µF of storage capacitance results in a nearly infinite impulse response. Massive copper bars on the amplifier board and to the speaker terminals ensure that all the power of the 530 is available to drive the speaker.

High-precision idle current management ensures optimal Class A operation for all conditions, without requiring any readjustment in the music signal. Optimal sound is thereby guaranteed immediately from switch on. Control circuits that protect against RF or DC signals at the input, and short circuits at the output ensure safe operation in all situations. The input level is also monitored continuously.

Power supply
A total of nine power supplies – optimized for each function – feed the 530 integrated amplifier. Those supplying the digital and audio circuits are electrically isolated from each other by optocouplers and transformers. Four cutting-edge switched-mode power supplies deliver 2,400W of audiophile quality power. They feature high performance filtering at the input and output, and six high speed soulution voltage regulators to deliver considerably more stable power than any conventional, transformer-based technology.

Volume control
The 530’s volume control uses only high-precision, low-noise metal foil resistors, and it controls both the volume and balance. To block switching peaks during volume changes which may be hazardous to power amps, the 530 is equipped with a second volume control with PGA (Programmable Gain Amplifier). Active only during the volume control process, it is similar to a potentiometer and enables the volume to be adjusted smoothly without clicks. As soon as the new desired level value has been selected, the unit returns control to the precision resistors.

Pre-Out
The soulution 530 integrated amplifier is equipped with pre-out connections which enable subwoofers, tape recorders or other amplifiers to be driven directly by the 530’s preamplifier section, by-passing the power amplifier section.

Surround mode
Surround mode allows users to optimally integrate the 530 with AV systems. In surround mode, the input signal by-passes the preamplifier section without any adjustment for volume or balance.

Operation
The 530 integrated amplifier is operated via its three front panel buttons and rotary control. Multi-functional, these allow optimisation of the entire audio system, and an ideal set-up of the individual components. All operating modes are indicated on the clear display.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
This unit ahas some very light scratches on the case that are very difficult to see,  and very light cosmetic wear in the form of marks on the top cover and side panels. The top cover also has a couple of rolls on the top right edge. Otherwise very good condition.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA, XLR, IEC power, Speaker Binding Posts

General Sound:
Big beautiful musical sound with little fatigue.

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Exactly as pictured and described above.

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Reviews:
Click Here

Original MSRP:
$45,000.00

Specs:
Mains: 220 – 240 V (50 – 60 Hz), 100 – 120 V (50 – 60 Hz)
Power consumption: < 0.5 W Standby, idle 150 W, max 1600 W
Outputs: 2 pairs Cu-terminal, gold plated
Gain: 31 dB bis + 42 dB
Power output: 125 W @ 8 Ω, 250 W @ 4 Ω, 500 W @ 2 Ω
Pulse power: > 5,000 W
Frequency response: (–3 dB) 0 – 800 kHzTHD + N < 0.001% at 50 W @ 4Ω (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
IM distortions: < 0.005 % SMPTE, < 0.0006 CCIR
Signal-to-noise ratio: > 120 dB (5 W @ 1 kHz)
Channel separation: > 110 dB @ 1 kHz
Damping factor: > 10 000
Output current max: 45 A (limited)
Inputs: 2 × balanced (XLR), 2 × unbalanced (RCA), 1 × Phono (RCA)
Input impedance: 3 kΩ balanced (XLR), 3 kΩ unbalanced (RCA) Phono configurable

Dimensions:
17.4" x 13.78" x 17.64" (442 × 350 × 448mm)

Weight:
88 lbs.

Approximate Age:
2013

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Better

Kimber Summit Series Monocle XL Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

If the device has the ability to decouple the preamplifier from the power amplifier, we remove the jumpers and independently test each section. If the device cannot be decoupled, we assess the electronic condition of the piece by analyzing the speaker level output only.

We start by connecting the "Pre-Out" jacks of the integrated to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface. The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.

We then switch to a 1 KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment.

Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources.

If the preamp section is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve.

Next we test the power amplifier section by connecting the integrated amplifier speaker outputs to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which acts as a dummy load, DC offset monitor, and oscilloscope interface. We start with a low level 1 KHz test signal at the "Main In” jacks and slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping.

At this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance. We finish off the bench evaluation with a 1 KHz square wave check and a 20 Hz to 20 KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier’s frequency response characteristics.

This battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention.

If the preamp and power amp both pass these tests, we reconnect the sections and verify that the preamp section can drive the power amp to rated power with a 1KHz tone on one of the line level inputs.

Before the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics.

If the unit passes all of these tests it moves to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours minimum. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when the unit has fully come up to temperature.