2. digital
  3. 159610-3674

Holo Audio May DAC

Just read a very nice review of this in Stereophile this month and after doing some research it looks like this one could be a very nice option for me.  
https://kitsunehifi.com/product/holo-audio-may-dac/
  
It's made in China I think (or could be Taiwan?, and yes, I am very well aware that these are two very different countries. ;)), and employs a direct to consumer model to keep the price as low as possible.  This does not worry me after purchasing a Jay's Audio transport from Vinshine Audio and having zero issues.  

Just curious if anyone here has heard one or purchased?  I'm very intrigued.  I know the Denafrips Terminator is another highly regarded DAC with a similar ordering model, but costs a couple grand more than this one.  Considering that one as well.

Thanks
128x128snackeyp

Showing 14 responses by philippe0

philippe0
15 posts
 
Cudfoo
I was also using I2S with the DS, and to compare apples with apples, I have used I2S so far on the May. One from my PST and one from the Matrix.
I am planning to try USB without the Matrix, but I am not in a rush because it sounds amazing with the Matrix 😀.
philippe0
15 posts
 
I just received my Holo Audio May KTE a week ago.
Wow !
My PS Audio Directstream dac is for sale.
philippe0
15 posts
 

This DAC is amazing. Fed native pcm and dsd (no up or over sampling), in NOS mode, it wipes the floor with my PS Audio Directstream, with almost zero break in. And the PS Audio is a very good dac. 
I played the piano and went to a lot of classical music concerts, so I know what live instruments sound like. 

Simply wonderful. Thank you Holo Audio and Jeff Zhu !!


philippe0
15 posts
 
I am not good at audiophile descriptions. It just sounds like what I hear at classical music concerts, and compared to the DS: bigger soundstage, more air, more acoustics of the recording space, more precise/less boomy bass, amazing cristalline clarity overall. 
philippe0
15 posts
 
And welcome to the club 🙂
philippe0
15 posts
 
Cudfoo
Yes, I agree with Cleopatra, something must be wrong.
My Holo May KTE trashed my PS Audio DSD from the first minute it was plugged in.
philippe0
15 posts
 
I recommend Chord Company USB cables. I have the ChordMusic, but a SarumT or something in a cheaper Chord range would work too. In my system, the ChordMusic was better than the Shunyata Omega and the Jorma Reference. The Chord Sarum T was better than the Shunyata Sigma.
philippe0
15 posts
 
Cudfoo : usb to matrix spdif to dac
philippe0
15 posts
 
Nucleus + to Lumin U1 over Ethernet (Wireworld Platinum Ethernet cables), ChordMusic USB from Lumin to Matrix, RAL hdmi from Matrix to Holo. Matrix powered by Farad with all options. Wireworld silver power cables plugged into PSA P20.
philippe0
15 posts
 
PLL is enabled but never takes more than a second or so to lock.
philippe0
15 posts
 
You’re very welcome, cudfoo, and thank you.
philippe0
15 posts
 
The May KTE is just amazing. 
I was listening to G Gloud in Bach 2 and 3 parts inventions, and something sounded wrong. I have had this cd forever and never noticed anything. Turns out Gould modded his Steinway piano and that’s why it doesn’t sound like the Steinways I hear at concerts.

Amazing. 
philippe0
15 posts
 
Tarheelneil: the May is really well packed and protected (at least in Europe), so DOA is highly unlikely. And IME, a dac is unlikely to need repairs. I would worry about a CD player or transport, but not a dac. And if it does need repair, I have experienced great service so far from Magna Hifi in Europe (don’t know about the US distributor), so I am not worried.
philippe0
15 posts
 
Hey cudfoo, yes indeed, it’s sublime. I am sure there’s better, but probably at two or three times the price.
It’s just so much better than the DS in terms of decay, soundstage, tonality. You are literally transported to the recording location and time. Right now, I am in Jesus Christus-Kirche in Berlin with Karajan and Eschenbach.
As long as you don’t knock the DS (beware the cult of Ted 😉 and his fanboys), posting your impressions on the PSA website is fine, people do it all the time. I would just avoid comparisons.
More to discover