2. digital
  3. 164333-129142

Has anyone compared the Terminator Plus to the Holo Audio May (KTE edition)?

I know each of these has been discussed separately on this forum, and I've seen comparisons between the original Terminator and the Holo Audio May.  But I haven't seen direct comparisons between the Terminator Plus (which is supposedly a substantial upgrade to the original) and the May.  So I thought I would pose the question. 
I'll be upgrading from my Chord Qutest soon (I like the Qutest a lot, but I know there's better out there), and my budget will be around 5 - 9k.  I'm interested in R2R DACs because of their supposed natural/analog sound.  And I've heard/read that these two R2R DACs punch above their price points.
128x128hiphiphan
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
John Atkinson was very impressed
Even more so with the Holo May, the Weiss only "rivaled" it.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/holoaudio-may-level-3-da-processor-measurements
In almost every way, the HoloAudio May (Level 3) is the best-measuring D/A processor I have encountered, rivaled only by the Weiss DAC502 and MBL N31.—John Atkinson

And then there’s this review also. Watch the 2nd half as well.
https://youtu.be/Wa3sOSRa-U0

Cheers George
hiphiphan's avatar
hiphiphan OP
72 posts
 
orosie ("oh girl"), that's some impressive gear.  And i'm surprised the terminator+ and gaia outperform the Auralic stack, considering the price difference.  Great bang for the buck.  
George, if i remember correctly John A. was more impressed with the May than the Weiss only with regard to measurements.  But in terms of actual sound, it was about even, with maybe a slight edge going to the Weill.  (But i could be misremembering).  Thanks for the links!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
But in terms of actual sound, it was about even,


Maybe that last iota of measurement perfection, is impossible to hear?
What’s staggering for me is how clean the minus 90db wave forms are, I have never seen them this clean measured on AP gear.

Cheers George
hiphiphan's avatar
hiphiphan OP
72 posts
 
Just came across this review/comparison of these two DACs:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSPBX3W1heE
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


Because sonically all these discrete R2R ladder dacs are very close to each other and all have well over >2v output (most amps only need <1v for full ouput) and low impedance outputs, as strong as any preamp.
I would then start looking at the one that has an inbuilt volume control to go direct with, as best best preamp is no preamp, and you’ll save a stack of money also.

My MSB discrete R2R ladder dac sounds stunning going direct using it’s own volume control, and betters any preamps that have been used even $$$$$K ones friends have tried to challenge it with.

Cheers George
More to discover