Which digital inputs did you prefer? Which digital cables did you use?
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
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
- ...
- 376 posts total
Wow you are replacing a $25k DAC with a $5k DAC. I definitely want to read the comparison! The May is on my list as well, but I have a modded Gustard U20, so definitely expect an improvement.@achipo I would also like to read the comparison. $5k is still too much for me, if someone can make an equally good dac and shave off another 80% of the price then we're talking. I can dream, can't I? |
$5k is still too much for me, if someone can make an equally good dac and shave off another 80% of the price then we're talking.Yes, you can dream. That's what this hobby is all bout, isn't it? There are several DACs at the $1K price point that will provide 95% of the SQ that the May DAC offers. Denafrips Ares II is a very good choice for about a grand. The Schitt Gungnir is another. I'm sure there are others. My quest began with DACs in this ($1K) price range. After owning some of them I was prepared to spend $10-20K on my next DAC when I discovered the May DAC. After purchasing the MAY and owning it for nearly a year I am still satisfied and have no interest in upgrading. Thinking how I might very well have ended up spending $10K or more additional to buy one of the Super DACs makes me feel very good about my purchase. I'm not saying I will never upgrade, but this DAC is very special and I plan to hold onto it for the next several years. |
Wonder if the Sonnet Morpheus dac would compete with the May dac. Looks very interesting and can be use as a pre as well. https://www.sonnet-audio.com/Morpheus.html |
@headphonedreams I have the AudioMirror Tubadour III SE (fully loaded) that some compared favorably with the Halo May. I actually bought the AMT3SE over the Halo May because a guy selling the Halo May decided to keep the AMT3SE instead after comparing the 2 of them. He may have posted earlier on this or another Halo May thread. I took the 30 day home trial for the AMT3SE and never returned it. I love my AMT3SE with my RAAL SR1a headphones into a KRELL K-300i integrated. Sonic perfection with this combo. However, I recently got a new DAC that I like more than the AMT3SE on my 2 channel floor standers. It is the $1500 Gustard X26 Pro. It is sonically a nice blend of my Benchmark DAC3B and the AMT3SE. |
- 376 posts total