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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
May absolutely trounced the Direct Stream in almost every way. Frankly I was shocked at the magnitude of the change. I initially purchased the May just to check it out knowing the demand was high I could easily sell after re-affirming the Direct Stream... but the May trumped the DS.


That is the difference when converting PCM recordings 16/44, 24/96 or DXD via R2R Mulitibit conversion vs Delta Sigma conversion.
R2R will convert it "bit perfect" where Delta Sigma can only give a "facsimile" of it.

Great video BTW  https://youtu.be/Wa3sOSRa-U0

Cheers George
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cudfoo
15 posts
 
Thanks all. Looking forward to receiving the unit. Any idea what the used market is looking like for the DSD. You think 3k is possible at this point? Mine is 3yrs old perfect condition. If I could get the May with 2- 2500 out of pocket that would be great. thx again...
tinear123
241 posts
 
I sold my DSD a few weeks back for $3k and it sold in just a few hours.
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cudfoo
15 posts
 
great - thanks for the info
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,899 posts
 
That video on the Holo May was great. The best example of objective and subjective evaluation I've seen. It's was troubling to see on his part 2 video that he mentions that the Denafrips Ares II does not do real NOS but "linear interpolation" instead (if I remember it correctly). Makes me wonder if all of Denafrips line up do that instead of actual NOS. 

All the best,
Nonoise


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