Holo May KTE vs Meitner MA3

Ok, thanks Lord. I sorta thought I’d compare a ’best use case’ (for me anyway) of how I felt each was optimized/at its relative best sonically (having tried various inputs with both with the Mac mini and previously a Lumin streamer - now sold). Fwiw, I did have a slight preference for the MA3 ethernet over its USB/AES input from Lumin/Mac; but not major. Its USB/AES inputs were almost as good and my conclusions would likely be- in general-  the same. I did listen ta while to those, I just mostly used ethernet to really optimize it (since that's how I'd mostly use it). And the May’s USB input is absolutely superb and that's how I use it. But if you feel it’s utter nonsense then so it is and that’s that. Cant win ’em all. Have a good weekend.

It's the equivalent of holding your thumb on the scale.

Why not do a proper review DAC to DAC using the same sources USB/SPDIF.

It's all in the interests of science.

Have a great Easter Weekend.

Attempting to fairly compare Meitner against most other dacs problematic in that Meitner has much proprietary engineering, built in streamer and preamp function. Meitner is really all in one component, hook it up to server, good to go. The Holo requires preamp, streamer, associated cables to play on level playing field. Add in the cost of the associated needs and the Meitner probably comes out as the value leader here. On the other hand, if one already has nice pre and streamer, Holo may be way to go.

Abramsmatch's setup certainly favored the Meitner, but does not automatically preclude some valid insights. The review illuminates the need for all the added equipment needed for Holo, also that the Meitner is more resolving. Whether that due to Holo less optimal setup is up in air. I only know that Ed Meitner is well respected designer and engineer, if the Ma3 is indeed as resolving as I think it may be, it actually is good value at $9500.

@lordmelton I believe if you reread @abramsmatch comments, he did try the MA3 utilizing the exact spdif connection utilized by his Holo May. Do you own one or the other of these dacs? It seems @abramsmatch might slightly prefer the MA3 across the board. Is that somehow upsetting you? If he ends up preferring the May is that going to be of some relief? Give him a break, you seem to imply he should have two complete and identical setups in order to properly evauluate two $10,000 digital setups. That would indeed be “utter nonsense”. Thanks for posting @abramsmatch 

Awesome. Thanks for all the impressions...