Review and Measurements of Holo Audio May --- Probably the best discrete R2R DAC

[Veri]

The Kitsune edition also has hand-selected DAC boards, apparently...

The level 2 ones are hand-selected at holo audio for best specs over level 1. The KTE does not have any better selected modules over level 2, this is an outright lie, or at least there's zero proof they are measuring and selecting these over at the retailer/distributor... Can't prove it though, but let's just say holo audio would recommend to just buy L2.

The silly thing that is really putting me off from getting the May DAC in general, is the Kitsune label they plonked on Talema transformers...

The Talema are only in front of the big toroid transformer and are only used for the sleep/mute mode. There's no reason to be put off by those, haha. Edit: oh you mean the kitsune logo?? haha funny thing to be annoyed at

 

[das]

And this prototype was updated in 2020 for appearance and had a very nice review with measurement on Audiophile HoloAudio May (Level 3) D/A processor | Stereophile.com

 

[Vini darko]

I enjoyed Z's review. "It's a dac"

 

[Scintilla]

I do hope your information was correct Veri, since I relied on it when ordering an L2. I'm not one to waste money on magic fuses and silver wire, but the hand-selected modules are worth extra $$ to me. As far as I can tell the dac covers are simply cosmetic, since they are magnetically permeable alloy. So many audiophiles will just believe anything a distributor says about "vast improvements" while they line their pockets with extra profit from pointless modifications...

 

[Gradius]

Last version called "KTE May" by them (is v3 though) costs $5k:
https://www.kitsunehifi.com/product/holo-audio-may-dac/

 

[deafenears]

Last version called "KTE May" by them (is v3 though) costs $5k:
https://www.kitsunehifi.com/product/holo-audio-may-dac/

Aren't the "KTE" prefixed ones just tuned for them (Kitsune)? Kitsune Tuned Edition of various Holo products where caps and wires are replaced etc.

 

[MOCKBA]

Indeed, it looks very impressive, and no questions about design. Here is a nice video :

The price point is also very fear. What will be a headphone amplifier to it?

 

[das]

And there is a part 2 video that focuses just on the Holo May KTE Level 3, the Spring is "level 2" -- right after you finish Part 1. Quite positive review and well detailed on build and performance.

 

[Scintilla]

I'm certainly enjoying mine.

 

[sq225917]

$900 for fancy caps and wire, I'll take the plain level 2 version.

 

[aj625]

Any blind test with topping d90 se ?

 

[MediumRare]

Any blind test with topping d90 se ?

Yes. I closed my eyes and I couldn’t tell if it the case was silver or black. Is there another issue a blind test would help resolve?

 

[pkane]

Yes. I closed my eyes and I couldn’t tell if it the case was silver or black. Is there another issue a blind test would help resolve?

All DACs look the same in a blind test!

 

[Veri]

All DACs look the same in a blind test!

Hi-Fi stores hate this one simple trick

 

[Katji]

hmmm
Blindness would completely change the WAF parameters.

 

[MediumRare]

All DACs look the same in a blind test!

I wouldn't say "All", but "almost all", yeah.

 

[pkane]

hmmm
Blindness would completely change the WAF parameters.

Is that an option?

 

[Katji]

Is that an option?

I was thinking about the speaker cables, but I quickly went on to think about what if the salesperson was blind and said they could hear the difference...

Hi-Fi stores hate this one simple trick

 

[Miska]

Any blind test with topping d90 se ?

D90SE has so inconsistent technical behavior compared to Holo, that it would largely depend on conditions...

 

[aj625]

D90SE has so inconsistent technical behavior compared to Holo, that it would largely depend on conditions...

What inconsistent technical behaviour ? Does it change its sinad after some time or IMD changes with time or frequency response changes with time ?