Holo MAY KTE DAC/ Kitsune Hi FI, Lynnwood Washington

I would like to thank all that responded and helped. I hope I can sometime do the same. This form is very much appreciated!!!!! Your expertise is always welcomed, as I have very little. Thanks again for your advice.

Since there has not yet been a response on point, I’ll chime in. I have owned a couple of quality Chinese DACs over the last 8 or 9 years. I think I’ve read somewhere a while back that what I suggest may apply to the Holo.

First, I have found quality control excellent and I’ve never had a problem. Quality Chinese DACs generally are spread out in larger cases than some domestic/European DACs making components easy to see and remove. Separate boards within the case each do specific things. So if there is a difficulty, correspondence with the factory, or rep, can usually identify the board that needs replacement. Generally the boards are easily removed and sent in for repair or replacement. It’s not a very big deal. Normally you remove 4 screws and unplug a board. In one case it was reported that the maker of my DAC sent out a new board and asked the owner to use the box to send back the board needing repair.

You need to be comfortable opening the case and replacing a board, though.

All of this is just my surmise as to what may apply to a Holo.

I have no experience with the Holo DACs, but they seem to have a good reputation.  They have numerous customer testimonials on their website, including some related to repairs - 

https://www.kitsunehifi.com/customer-comments/

I own a MHDT Labs Orchid R2R DAC.  I bought mine second hand and when I received it, could not get USB to work.  I contacted them and let them know I was not the original owner and wanted to get it repaired.  Jiun (the designer) contacted me directly and diagnosed the issue and sent me a new board free of charge even though I had no warranty, not being the original owner.  Some of the best customer service I've ever received.  If service is one of your major concerns, they would be worth checking out.  You'll find a ton of favorable reviews.

I would chime in on what @big_greg said. I also own a MHDT Labs Orchid R2R DAC. I had upgrades done to it by grannyring. Total invested in the DAC is about $1500.

Here's something to consider. I did an extended shootout on a very high quality and sensitive system with the Holo May vs. Orchid. Holo May has somewhat smoother highs, more  presence in bass and midrange, and a wider, more articulate soundstage. But not by much. Maybe 5-10%.  And this was in a very resolving system.

My host also had a Holo Spring 3 DAC. In his view, it gets "90% of the way" to the Holo May. So, personally, if I felt the urge to upgrade past my $1500 modded out Orchid, the Holo Spring might be the way to go. It would help hedge the risk factor of repair -- though it seems that Tim at Kitsune is already providing that hedge.

Oh, and I have heard MHDT's Jiun is very good to deal with.

In a nutshell, you've got good options, and I think the risk is a bit less than perhaps you are supposing. My two cents.

Hopefully not getting off topic, but I would also add that if you're looking for a "natural" (less "digital"?) sounding DAC to include FPGA technology in your search.  I still have my Orchid in a second system, but replaced it in my main system with an Aqua La Voce S3 FPGA DAC.  The FPGA DACs are nice because most can be upgraded with new firmware and/or boards in the future.  As far as sound quality, the Aqua is a major improvement over the Orchid in terms of detail, but also in another price category.