Holo Audio May DAC

 Hchilcoat hang on to your Big 7 and see what the Evo Aeon brings to the table ,,I changed dacs for a couple reasons , personally I find the Holo May KTE a tremendous bang for the buck and it’s beautiful to look at too.

I have followed this discussion with considerable interest and I'm close to pulling the trigger on a May. But I am hesitating over the level of the May that would be best for me in my system. The primary difference between the Level 2 and Level 3 (KTE) versions of the May is the use of silver wire and transformers in the latter and it has been assumed by most that this would make the KTE the best. However, my experience with silver cable, some very expensive, has indicated that silver has a particular sound signature quite different that copper. Although silver is certainly transparent and detailed, it can also sound quite thin and even bright (I have experienced this sonic signature in a number of top tier audio systems). The reviews of the KTE May certainly don't comment on this silver signature but, on the other hand, I have not seen any direct comparisons with the Level 2 May. Any comments on this topic would be greatly appreciated. 

@cleopatra52 On the May (unlike the Spring), the transformers are the same copper model on all versions:  " Also each channel is individually powered by it’s dedicated Otype FLATWIRE transformer found in all three models."

Unfortunately I doubt you're likely to find many who've got experience comparing the different levels besides Kitsune and Holo themselves.  It's a challenge to hear any model here in the states, let alone two versions. 

Although we've got very different opinions of silver (I put solid core high purity silver wire throughout my system and find it increases the naturalness of the sound), I certainly didn't hear any thinness to the May KTE presentation.  There was a touch of brightness, but I believe that would have washed away with more burn-in.

Also, I feel a designer deciding to use silver internally in certain locations is little different than using silver ICs throughout a system. 

Cleo 52 if you have ever been diagnosed with audio OCD or experienced symptoms of OCD while obsessing over tweeks and or upgrades your not alone , the extra few hundred for the KTE model could end up being money well spent especially for your peace of mind ,....