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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
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
@jriggy

The high bitrate upsamplers will always say a DAC sounds best that way.

yes i think this is true

in my pursuit of streaming and digital file playing, i have focused on what makes cd quality material sound as close to and ’analog’ like as possible - this objective is important as so much/most music out there exists in this resolution

higher bitrates/mqa/dsd etc etc are icing on the cake, relevant side dishes, not the main meal deal
danamc
57 posts
 
HOLO Audio/Kitsune recommends that you use the non-oversampling mode for best results. Up-sampling is available, but does not use the R2R ladder DAC for processing.
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georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Up-sampling is available, but does not use the R2R ladder DAC for processing.
You "may" have that worded wrong, can you post the link where it says that, or get him to post here if he emailed that.

Cheers George
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
I think he's just referring to the AK4137  chip that handles all upsampling. But you're right that the standard r2r modules are still involved. See below:

From: https://www.kitsunehifi.com/product/holo-audio-may-dac/

"The oversampling is done by AK4137, ‘OS PCM’ converts the input stream to PCM no matter it is PCM or DSD, then send to DAC. ‘OS DSD’ converts the input stream to DSD no matter is is PCM or DSD, then send to DAC. ‘OS’ over-samples the input stream. If it is DSD input, it over-sample to DSD256. If it is PCM input, it over-samples to PCM384K or 352.8K ‘NOS’ does no oversampling. send the input stream directly to DAC module.'
yyzsantabarbara
4,912 posts
 
The Halo May Level 3 and the AudioByte Vox | Zap | Hub stack seem like advancing DAC technology without breaking the bank. I am looking at these 2 to supplement or replace a Benchmark DAC3B.

The AudioByte vs the Rockna Wavelight is also very interesting since they come from the same designer and are priced around the same.
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