HOLO Audio Spring DAC: Affordable discrete R2R Multibit Dac, could be a winner.


Many manufacturers are going back to R2R Multibit d/a conversion, a good portion of audiophiles are saying it sounds better than the cheaper d/a conversion of Delta Sigma, (1 bit), Bitstream, Saber. etc.
And it says it uses dual R2R’s Multibits to support DSD natively!!? 

Product Description:This new DAC.”Spring” is the first design of a new era, a milestone for HOLO Audio’s own Jeff Zhu. It’s a full discrete R2R type of audio decoder and does not have off the shelf-DAC chip! This is a bespoke custom-designed core DAC module and truly a breakthrough with technology for any DAC chip today. The Spring is here to achieve new heights, new dynamics and simply a full spectrum of audio to please the aural senses. This Dac has been called the poor mans Total Dac / MSB / Wavedream / Chord Dave Etc. It plays with the big boys.

https://kitsunehifi.com/product/springdacbase/

Looks amazing inside for $1,700. Schiit Yaggi better watch out!!!!



Cheers George
128x128georgehifi

Showing 13 responses by pixelplay

Ah I know which you are talking about, thanks for the info.
Im very interested on your thoughts beyond your earlier comments on its sound as there is just so little information on this dac. Have you got the Jensens installed?

Thanks again for your time and thoughts.
I am a end user in hong kong , mine is a level 3 version (but my jensen cap is still on the way), and i have option to upgrade the audionote silver isolate transformer which in front of the digital in, which make huge improve over the cheap one inside, before that i am a metrum pavane owner, i am very happy with pavane , it provide a very smooth and organic sound , strong and defination bass, sell it because to save some money, and for the holo spring performance, it really close to pavane but not better, but consider the price , it almost outclass similar competitor, and i am waiting for my jensen to make a final judgement

Hi Gary, are you able to elaborate on the Audionote silver transformer option as I am in the process of ordering. Thanks, Greg
Looking good Gary, looks like you upgraded to the silver power transformer and the AES to the Audio Note or did you already have the silver power transformer? It would be interesting to see how it now compares to the Metrum Pavane etc. thanks for providing your feedback as there are very few reviews/comparisons available. That said, I have placed an order for the level 3 version....

Hi Charles,
That is some setup that it will be tested in! I look forward to your combined thoughts on the sonic signature of the Holo. What may I ask is it up against?

Kind regards
Greg
Thanks Charles for the further info, I was not sure if the lineup had changed. Will be interesting though.
My Holo Audio Spring Version 3 arrived yesterday and is currently warming up and burning in :)

Thanks George,
PCM 16/44, I have tried upsampling via HQplayer to both 352.8 pcm with very good results. My current computer is just not powerful enough to do high res Dsd. 

I must add add to my thoughts above that I am feeding the DAC with a uRendu via USB. I will be adding a Singxer Su-1 just to see what it will add via i2s 

Cheers
greg
 

I have had my Kitsune level 3 DAC burning in for 3 weeks.

Relaxed,detailed and full come to mind. The most important attribute in my system is TONE and not to the expense of detail.
the Holo spring delivers this in spades with a huge soundstage. The highs have a really nice analog liquid quality which allows the music to be layer out in front of you. Everything is palpable without being forced or fatiguing. Bass is full and enveloping. Dynamics are riveting.

One can say that all described above are traits of R2R which is true when well implemented. I just want to listen to more music as it sounds like music!

I will have a chance to compare it with an MSB diamond which would be interesting and I may have a chance of comparing it to a T&A DAC 8, however this is not confirmed.

I took a punt on this DAC as an early adopter and I held my breath on first listen as you can emagine..... all I can say is that I am very very pleased that I have. Tim at Kitsune has been a pleasure to deal with and I can't reccomend him highly enough.

I have absolutely no involvement with Holo or Kitsune and the DAC was purchased with my own hard earned money.
Thanks for your feedback Charles. I too am in George's bad books for mentioning the fuse! I look forward to your findings with the addition of the singxer.

Cheers Greg