I have a few DACs in my house and I've auditioned others. I first cut my teeth on an Audio Alchemy, now Elac DAC. Peter Madnick did a great job with this entry level DAC, then sold it off to Elac.
I then did a lot of research and wanted to hear what R2R was all about. I bought a Holo Spring KTE edition and was very impressed. It was a nice improvement in soundstage, and smoothness.
Around the same time I auditioned a Chord DAVE. I liked what I heard but the difference between it and the Holo Spring were not worth another $7500. About a year later I began working from home and wanted a DAC in my office. Knowing what the Chord sounded like I bought a Hugo TT2 and have been able to directly connect a pair of Omega CAM monitors and run the Hugo in amp mode. A great nearfield sound.
Then the Holo May was released. All reviews were glowing. Already liking the Holo R2R sound I took a chance on the May. This was the most significant DAC upgrade I have experienced. The soundstage, image depth and tonality are deep and true. Something you need to hear.
People have been responding to this post with improvements other than the DAC. I have made improvements all along the chain, from the server hardware and software, power supplies, circuits, wiring, cabling, shielding, room treatments, really everything. The biggest impact component will always be the speakers. Preamp and DAC are probably the next impactful.
I then did a lot of research and wanted to hear what R2R was all about. I bought a Holo Spring KTE edition and was very impressed. It was a nice improvement in soundstage, and smoothness.
Around the same time I auditioned a Chord DAVE. I liked what I heard but the difference between it and the Holo Spring were not worth another $7500. About a year later I began working from home and wanted a DAC in my office. Knowing what the Chord sounded like I bought a Hugo TT2 and have been able to directly connect a pair of Omega CAM monitors and run the Hugo in amp mode. A great nearfield sound.
Then the Holo May was released. All reviews were glowing. Already liking the Holo R2R sound I took a chance on the May. This was the most significant DAC upgrade I have experienced. The soundstage, image depth and tonality are deep and true. Something you need to hear.
People have been responding to this post with improvements other than the DAC. I have made improvements all along the chain, from the server hardware and software, power supplies, circuits, wiring, cabling, shielding, room treatments, really everything. The biggest impact component will always be the speakers. Preamp and DAC are probably the next impactful.