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  3. 159610-3674

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
yyzsantabarbara
4,887 posts
 
I just bought the Matrix Mini-i 3 Pro (for headphones) and will compare it with my existing Benchmark DAC3B. The Mini is supposed to be close to the Element X. I would like to get the Halo and AudioByte VOX to maybe move up the DAC ladder.

How are people connecting to the Halo DAC? Is the new USB component in the LEVEL3 as good as i2s . If i2s is preferred, what digital converter is being used to output i2s?

Anybody get the Denafrips IRIS to connect to the Halo via i2s?
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
Well, the boredom associated with social isolation and the threat of dying upon leaving the house finally got me to place an order. Curious to hear how the May compares to my lovely Audio Mirror T3-SE. Twice the price, but who knows in this hobby.

I believe in NOS, silver, and separate power supplies, and it’s rare to see all 3 in a DAC... regardless of price. The stereophile product of the year award doesn't hurt either.
luisma31
516 posts
 
Hey @cal3713 seems you and I follow all the same threads...
congrats on the DAC, I haven't heard this one but I think it is similar to another DAC I'm familiar with. Try PCM in NOS mode
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
Ha! Indeed.

And it appears that there is significant consensus that the May is better in NOS mode. 

I'm solely redbook pcm, so the NOS performance was the primary reason I chose the May. 

When I got my Audio Mirror I had seven different dacs in the system over a month or two period and became convinced that R2R was the best way forward for redbook (although I'd happily perform no-risk trials of other approaches!)...
thenewguy007
38 posts
 
@cal3713 Tell us how it compares to the Audio Mirror T3-SE. There are so very few reviews of either.
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