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

[DonH56]

Yes, sorry. Typo. meant to write 'bits', not 'dB'

Ah, no worries, units are important...

 

[AdamFrandsen]

I am in the process of trying to design one with an engineer - will see how far I get…

 

[DonH56]

I am in the process of trying to design one with an engineer - will see how far I get…

Bet he doesn't like being crammed into that little box...

Your engineer (and perhaps you) will already know this, but this article includes a bit about segmentation and how it helps (and hurts):

Digital Audio Converters (DACs) Fundamentals

Author: our resident expert, DonH50 The purpose of this thread is to provide a quick introduction to digital-to-analog converters (DACs), the magical things that turn digital bits into analog sound. Previous threads have discussed sampling theory, aliasing, and jitter. Now we’ll get down to the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[AdamFrandsen]

Hahaha! Thanks for the article!

 

[asrUser]

I don't get the benefits of R2R DACs like this one. Would I fall off my chair if I used this DAC instead of a Topping DAC?

 

[BDWoody]

I don't get the benefits of R2R DACs like this one. Would I fall off my chair if I used this DAC instead of a Topping DAC?

Maybe if you drank too much, after expecting it to sound any better.

People buy stories.

 

[Dgob]

I don't get the benefits of R2R DACs like this one. Would I fall off my chair if I used this DAC instead of a Topping DAC?

I owned both (including the Serene) and sold the Holo Audio to return to my Topping D90Se/Pre90/Ext90 setup. The detail retrieval of the latter is far greater. However, it probably comes down to taste - as one Holo Audio champion favours them over Topping alternatives as the latter are seen to present too much detail for his taste.

 

[BDWoody]

The detail retrieval of the latter is far greater. However, it probably comes down to taste - as one Holo Audio champion favours them over Topping alternatives as the latter are seem to present too much detail for his taste.

I'd love to see anyone tell them apart in a controlled test.

 

[Dgob]

I'd love to see anyone tell them apart in a controlled test.

Aaagh, that old chestnut.

 

[BDWoody]

Aaagh, that old chestnut.

The quest for evidence to back up the endless claims never ends. It would if someone could back them up, but no one ever has.

The idea around this place is to help people see beyond the stories. Buying stories can get expensive.

 

[Dgob]

The quest for evidence to back up the endless claims never ends. It would if someone could back them up, but no one ever has.

The idea around this place is to help people see beyond the stories. Buying stories can get expensive.

True, and unarguable. The test results for the noted groups of equipment would seem to confirm this.

 

[firedog]

They have a new model for about $1200 - the Cyan2. It essentially does the same thing for less. DNR -127
It has more standard parts and PS, not "audiophile" parts.

 

[VientoB]

Aaagh, that old chestnut.

That's the gold standard in scientific disciplines.

 

[Dgob]

That's the gold standard in scientific disciplines.

That's the gold standard in scientific disciplines.

Measurable, repeatable and objective distinction or subjective repeatability?

 

[VientoB]

Would be interesting to see the measurements of this DAC if you were to plug in a standard power supply, if that's possible.

 

[ObiWanKenobi]

I know the review for this was some 6 years ago but it 4vrms on XLR and the manual mentions 5.8vrms.
So which one is correct?

 

[misterdog]

Output Voltages by Connection Type:

• RCA (Single-Ended): 2.9Vrms (PCM) / 1.45Vrms (DSD)
• XLR (Balanced): 5.8Vrms (PCM) / 2.9Vrms (DSD)

 

[ObiWanKenobi]

Output Voltages by Connection Type:

• RCA (Single-Ended): 2.9Vrms (PCM) / 1.45Vrms (DSD)
• XLR (Balanced): 5.8Vrms (PCM) / 2.9Vrms (DSD)

Well thank but that’s what I wrote.
It’s in the manual.