VALVET soulshine II Mk.II Tube Pre Amplifier
Best tube preamplifier for audiophiles seeking pure, detailed musicality.
Experience unparalleled musicality with the VALVET soulshine II Mk.II Tube Pre Amplifier. Meticulously hand-crafted in Germany, this high-end line-stage preamplifier delivers exceptional detail and tonal purity. It features high-quality ECC82 and 12BH7A tubes, paired with an external solid-state dual-mono power supply for remarkably quiet operation. The short signal path, pure silver wiring, and remote-controlled 64-step volume adjustment ensure a pristine audio experience, bringing the essence of your music to life with dynamic prowess.
$9990.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
22
/ 111
#22 in Audio Amplifiers
Price vs Category Average
-36%
Below average
Amplification
818
/ x, dB
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking rich, natural, and detailed analog sound
- Listeners prioritizing long-term reliability and superior build quality
- Purists demanding a silent background and maximum dynamic range
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for high-value mass-market alternatives
- Modern users requiring digital connectivity and versatile feature sets
- Convenience-focused listeners avoiding the hassle of vacuum tube maintenance
Performance breakdown
Tonal Purity
Pure silver wiring and tube circuitry deliver an exceptionally transparent soundstage.
Signal Integrity
The short signal path minimizes interference for a remarkably clean output.
Noise Floor
External dual-mono power supply ensures a silent background for delicate passages.
Volume Precision
The 64-step Z-Foil resistor switch offers granular, distortion-free level control.
Build Craftsmanship
Meticulous German engineering results in a robust and visually striking chassis.
Connectivity Versatility
Balanced and unbalanced inputs provide flexible integration for high-end audio systems.
Key Specs
Amplification
8x, 18dB
Input Impedance
100 kOhm
Output Impedance
400 Ohm
Max Output
> 50 Volts
Inputs
3x RCA, 1x XLR
Outputs
2x RCA, 1x XLR
Dimensions (Pre-amp/PSU)
444 x 50 x 306 mm (WxHxD)
Volume Control
64-step Z-Foil resistor switch
Features
- Exceptional detail and sound staging
- Quiet background with classic tube virtues
- Remote controlled 64-step volume adjustment
- High-quality ECC82 and 12BH7A tubes
- Cotton-insulated pure silver wiring
- External solid-state dual-mono power supply
- Short signal path design for purity
- Hand-crafted in Germany
What customers say
Owners consistently praise the VALVET soulshine II Mk.II for its exceptional musicality and transparency. The core theme is its perfect sonic balance, delivering the rich harmonic character and three-dimensional soundstage expected from tubes, while maintaining impressive speed and detail retrieval. Users describe the experience as deeply engaging and emotionally resonant. Beyond sound, the robust German engineering and high-quality construction inspire confidence in its long-term reliability. While a significant investment, the performance upgrade justifies the cost for many, positioning it as an endgame component. Its synergy with high-efficiency speakers is particularly noted, confirming its status as a benchmark preamplifier.
Know before you buy
The external solid-state dual-mono power supply isolates the sensitive audio circuitry from electromagnetic interference and power line noise. This separation is key to achieving the remarkably quiet background and high signal-to-noise ratio that the soulshine II is known for.
Instead of a traditional resistive track, this unit uses a high-precision Z-Foil resistor switch. This ensures perfect channel balance at every volume level and prevents the degradation in sound quality often associated with standard volume pots over time.
Yes, the soulshine II is highly versatile, featuring three RCA inputs and one XLR input. It also provides both RCA and XLR outputs, allowing you to easily connect it to a wide range of power amplifiers.
This specific tube pairing is chosen for its ability to balance classic tube warmth with modern transparency. You can expect a rich, musical midrange and smooth high-frequency extension without sacrificing the detail or soundstage precision required for high-end listening.
The short signal path is an internal design choice meant to minimize interference and signal loss. While it doesn't change your setup process, it does mean the unit is highly sensitive to the quality of your interconnects, so using high-quality cables is recommended to maintain the purity of the signal.
Like all tube-based equipment, the tubes will eventually require replacement depending on your usage habits. Because the unit is hand-crafted and uses high-quality components, it is designed to be reliable, but you should ensure the unit has adequate ventilation to prolong the life of the tubes.
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$9990