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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
jcarcopo's avatar
jcarcopo
501 posts
 
I'm considering buying the May KTE DAC as well. It would help if they at least offered a 30 day trial. It's a lot of money to spend on a DAC without listening to it first. If it's not better than my Matrix XSabre Pro MQA DAC than I'd like the option to return it because spending the $3k price difference would make little sense otherwise.

I'm following this thread. I await your review! 
snackeyp's avatar
snackeyp OP
455 posts
 
They do offer a 10 day trial.  That's not a lot, but it's also not nothing.  
Mine is out for delivery.  Should get it today.  
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,610 posts
 
let us know snackey

10 days isn’t much time, wonder about break in

but like u say, better than nothing

there are just sooo many very good sounding dacs at reasonable prices nowadays - i have been thru a bunch last 6 months, they are really 'your choice of flavor', so many are really outstanding

good news for us
jcarcopo's avatar
jcarcopo
501 posts
 
I placed an order for the Holo May KTE this morning after a few days of mulling it over. It  measures superbly. Some R2R designs don't measure well at all. I want the simplicity and naturalness of the R2R topology, but not the jitter or added distortion.

The May KTE DAC fit my requirements perfectly.
redwoodaudio
413 posts
 
Just got my May Level 2 yesterday.  Plugged it into my Torus TOT Max conditioner.  Currently streaming ROON from my remote laptop through wifi to mesh endpoint then via ethernet to my HifiBerry Digi + outputting via coax to the May in NOS mode.  Mfr recommends 500 hours of burn-in.  It sounded great right away, though, and I'll be running it constantly for the next week or two.  Initial impression compared to my Chord Qutest is smoother sound, extremely large soundstage with huge center images, no loss of detail but maybe some loss of crispness at the edges.  Bill Evans' piano on Classic Trio 1959-1961 sounded a little harsher at loud volume but also bigger/fuller than Chord.  Almost everything else I played great through and through.
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