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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
bill_k
885 posts
 
I haven't seen anything specified regarding the type of I/V conversion circuitry used in the Holo Spring DAC, if that's what Charles is asking about.
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Regarding I/V conversion, I have no specific knowledge of the HOLO DAC’s design beyond what has been posted and linked to here, but it seems to me to be possible that it doesn’t need any. A ladder-type D/A converter circuit, including "segmented" ladder types such as the HOLO appears to be, can be designed to provide either a voltage output or a current output from the ladder itself.

Of course in either case an analog output stage of some sort would most likely still be required. Although if I recall correctly one of the very expensive upper echelon TotalDAC designs manages to do without even that, and by using a multitude of D/A converter circuits in parallel can apparently provide adequately low impedance for many applications without having any active devices between the ladder and its output.

Regards,
-- Al

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charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Bill,
Yes I was referring to current to voltage conversion (I/V). It is usually via a resistor (passive), Op amp or sometimes a transformer (Audio Note). However as Al wrote R2R ladder circuits can have voltage output rather than current output. I’m just curious how this interesting DAC achieves its output.

A good friend of mine decided to order this DAC (level 3 version ) and should have it in a few weeks. He has a Bricasti SE which sounds terrific in his system. I think that this is going to be a interesting comparison. If possible I’d like to hear it in my system and compare to my Yamamoto YDA DAC. It’d be fun to hear this DAC in two very differently assembled audio systems. Well common ground is we both have "class A amplifiers". I have  8 watt 300b SET mono blocks and he has 600 watt Krell FPB mono blocks 😁.
Charles,
bill_k
885 posts
 
Charles,
It would be extremely helpful to hear how both of those comparisons go, especially against the Bricasti SE since that's a more widely known product. I look forward to your further thoughts on the Holo DAC.
Enjoy the tunes!
- Bill

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charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Hello Bill,
The primary comparison will be between the Spring DAC  and Bricasti SE. The Yamamoto is definitely a lesser known Japanese boutique product. It has been built by a very talented designer and sounds superbly natural and is musically/emotionally engaging. This comparison would be optional. 
Charles, 
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