Solutions to a partial differential equation of the third order containing the modular nonlinearity are studied. The model describes, in particular, elastic waves in media with weak high-frequency dispersion and with different response to tensile and compressive stresses. This equation is linear for solutions preserving their sign. Nonlinear phenomena only manifest themselves to alternating solutions. Stationary solutions in the form of solitary waves or solitons are found. It is shown how the linear periodic wave becomes nonlinear after exceeding a certain critical value of the amplitude, and how it transforms into a soliton with further increase in the amplitude.