Jonathan Valin says the Soulution 760 DAC is the best he's ever heard. Your Thoughts?

musicfirst1

VIP/Donor
Mar 8, 2015
504
309
395
Canada
www.musicfirstdistribution.ca
I've heard the Soulution 760 DAC on two or three different occasions. (twice in dedicated systems and once I think at a show.)

I've travelled extensively from Chicago and down the Eastern Seaboard and have heard many of the contenders for best (the DCS Vivaldi, the Trinity, the MSB Select; the Kassandra, the Tambaqui among others) at shows or fronting dedicated sytems.

The Soulution 760, for me, did not make the podium.

Therefore I was surprised at JVs rave in December TAS.

Did I miss something here?
 
  • Like
Reactions: PR13 and Samsoum

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
I have never listened to Solution demo that I can consider exceptional - probably my fault, my experience with the brand is only in shows or a shop. However considering some very experienced people here in WBF own Solution and tell us it how great it sounds I can easily accept that the Soulution 760 DAC is an exceptional DAC. However, when I have read the review I got the idea that Valin was one of these guys with the mind filled with old digital stereotypes that has been sleeping for around two decades and suddenly awakes and finds that digital can sound excellent and they have been loosing it ... :oops:

A long and interesting review, anyway.
 

thedudeabides

Well-Known Member
Jan 16, 2011
2,127
651
1,200
Alto, NM
Absent his bias against digital, system synergy and personal bias are always present when one decides if one likes the product or not.
 

lordcloud

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2016
218
101
175
47
Round Rock, Texas
It's just as astounding to me that some people think some systems sound as amazing as they claim them to, as it is that some people don't (want to) understand that what's the best to one person, even a reviewer, isn't the same as it is to another.

Most audiophiles cleave to their favorite flavor of audio reproduction, and whatever does that the best, at that moment in time, is the best to them.

JV's chosen best is no more or less the best than MF's or anyone's in here.

Knowing what JV values, I can see why the Soultion would be best to him.
 
Last edited:

Gregadd

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
10,517
1,774
1,850
Metro DC
I have never listened to Solution demo that I can consider exceptional - probably my fault, my experience with the brand is only in shows or a shop. However considering some very experienced people here in WBF own Solution and tell us it how great it sounds I can easily accept that the Soulution 760 DAC is an exceptional DAC. However, when I have read the review I got the idea that Valin was one of these guys with the mind filled with old digital stereotypes that has been sleeping for around two decades and suddenly awakes and finds that digital can sound excellent and they have been loosing it ... :oops:

A long and interesting review, anyway.
I get the impression you are ambivalent about digital. I recall making my piece with digital decades ago. TThe fact is digital was good byt decidedly hi-fi. The question was always digital v analog v real music in real space. In its present incarnation digital can capture the soul of music.

******
JV presents a sort of chicken and egg argument for me. Does he choose products because he thinks they ae the best? Or is that his reward for providing a review sample?
 

rbbert

Well-Known Member
Dec 12, 2010
3,820
239
1,000
Reno, NV
Did you ever think that Valin cannot here well.
Except for the typo you are right on target. Anyone who has been in the same room as J V while listening to music knows this. At a couple of audio shows, I overheard Valin discussing sound quality with the exhibitors in a few rooms; almost invariably you could see the exhibitor trying to be courteous rather than incredulous, and wondering how this deaf hack could have an audience for his opinions.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Golum

Jeffy

Well-Known Member
Apr 27, 2014
475
171
348
Orchard Lake, MI
Except for the typo you are right on target. Anyone who has been in the same room as J V while listening to music knows this. At a couple of audio shows, I overheard Valin discussing sound quality with the exhibitors in a few rooms; almost invariably you could see the exhibitor trying to be courteous rather than incredulous, and wondering how this deaf hack could have an audience for his opinions.
Exactly, and I know people who have been to his house and said how dreadful the sound was.
 

lordcloud

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2016
218
101
175
47
Round Rock, Texas
Exactly, and I know people who have been to his house and said how dreadful the sound was.

What were those people's listening preferences?

Most audiophiles I've been around, listen to systems and not recordings, and prefer it that way. It's very difficult to find an audiophile that actually values transparency and accuracy, or the pursuit of those things, versus their system sounding "musical". Which is fine of course. However, if those same audiophiles listen to a system that prioritizes resolution, accuracy, and transparency, they will likely think it sounds bad. Many audiophiles greatly prefer for instance, a DAC that changes the sound to their liking and covers up the digital sound signature, versus one that attempts to accurately replicate what it's receiving.

If Valin prefers accuracy and transparency, I can see most audiophiles hating the sound.

He could also have horrible hearing and/or he thinks horrible sound is great sound. Though I think, based on reading his reviews and what he likes, he prefers a different type of sound than many, if not most audiophiles.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OZ996 and MadFloyd

rbbert

Well-Known Member
Dec 12, 2010
3,820
239
1,000
Reno, NV
Though I think, based on reading his reviews and what he likes, he prefers a different type of sound than many, if not most audiophiles.
Part of the problem is "what he likes" changes frequently (every month or two?)
 
  • Haha
Reactions: christoph

rubinken

Well-Known Member
Jan 15, 2020
119
71
95
73
Olympia, WA, USA
How can so many of you criticize JV when he's not here to defend or explain himself? It seems quite shady, insensitive and unprofessional to me. Why not describe how *you* hear the 760DAC with specific components, room acoustics & music sources?
 

Gregadd

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
10,517
1,774
1,850
Metro DC
Even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in awhile. He has access to some of the top equipment. He is bound to get it right sometimes.
 
Last edited:

dan31

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2010
1,016
365
1,153
SF Bay
I will say that I would be happy to have the 760 DAC. JV or not they make great products. Maybe some prefer others but they make some nice products. Priced accordingly of course.
 
Last edited:

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,018
13,348
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing