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  1. #51
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    Re: Holo May KTE DAC

    Quote Originally Posted by nc42acc View Post
    So true on the one step away from a DIY project but I have seen uber expensive high end audio gear look like they just came out of someone’s basement. I will say the Holo DACs are designed well and the casework is impressive just like my Terminator Plus. There is a place for all this in the market with their own set of risks and downsides.
    For sure.


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  2. #52
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    Re: Holo May KTE DAC

    Quote Originally Posted by ACHiPo View Post
    You should really figure out a way to run it 24/7 (ok possibly powering down and back up every couple days, but generally run it) with the input and OS you plan to use (its USB NOS is outstanding).
    Hey Evan,

    I'm already doing that...just configured it last night to run continually and send signal to the amazing Constellation Inspiration integrated amp (which has the speaker cables disconnected), so it can burn in, too.

    I'm tracking hours on both in Excel.

    Not my first rodeo...😜 😄

    Cheers, mate.

  3. #53
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    Re: Holo May KTE DAC

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Yup. Those who claim these here-today-gone-tomorrow DAC’s are giant killers have not truly experienced really great DAC’s.

    Years ago, these DAC’s would come and go and folks desperate for something better than the nasties we had would buy, try and sell, but today, most people stick to the tried and true brands like Chord, MSB, DCS, Esoteric, NAIM, Berk, etc. Companies with Engineering “departments” and not “a guy”.
    Just to level set here, First Watt doesn't have an "engineering department", but they have "a guy".

    Same applies to Shunyata Research and DarTZeel, now that I think about it.

  4. #54
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    Re: Holo May KTE DAC

    Quote Originally Posted by Puma Cat View Post
    Just to level set here, First Watt doesn't have an "engineering department", but they have "a guy".

    Same applies to Shunyata Research and DarTZeel, now that I think about it.
    First Watt has the gang from Pass: Nelson, Desmond and Wayne and others all able to lend ideas.

    Shunyata also have techs.

    Dart, don’t know, but can’t imagine Herve is doing everything himself.


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
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  5. #55

    Re: Holo May KTE DAC

    Companies/products that pop up overnight, especially from China, can disappear even faster. What is your product worth then? and where is your support?

  6. #56
    Junior Member
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    Re: Holo May KTE DAC

    Quote Originally Posted by nc42acc View Post
    Perfect example of what you get as you climb the DAC ladder.
    I wouldn't describe the Lampi Baltic as climbing the ladder from the Holo May KTE. It really depends on one's music preference and sonic taste. One person's "full bodied" is another person's "smeared and vague". I have auditioned the Lampizator Pacific against the previous MSB flagship Diamond DAC V. Lots of people swear by the Pacific but to me it lacks the bottom end control and grip of a good R2R DAC, even with the PX25 tube. Of course this depends on the music, for acoustic music and small ensemble jazz, Pacific is absolutely amazing. However when you put in modern music like electronic or hiphop, it's just too loose on the bottom with a lot of loss in articulation and nuance. It doesn't have that instant start and stop ability which makes sense for tubes.

    I have also auditioned the MSB Select II in a SOTA system, and the Holo May KTE reminds me quite a bit of the MSB family sound. Of course it's not close to the Select, but some of the same sonic attributes are there, such as the amazing amount of micro-dynamic detail that really translates into texture of the music, as well as a sense of timbrel rightness. Carefully designed R2R DACs with separate power supplies have all impressed so far. At $5.5K it's an absolute steal. I have owned Denafrips Terminator, Rockna Wavelight and Mojo Mystique Evo and the Holo May KTE is better than them by a material amount (for my taste).

    Quote Originally Posted by nc42acc View Post
    So true on the one step away from a DIY project but I have seen uber expensive high end audio gear look like they just came out of someone’s basement. I will say the Holo DACs are designed well and the casework is impressive just like my Terminator Plus. There is a place for all this in the market with their own set of risks and downsides.
    +1, both the Holo and Denafrips DACs are impeccably made. Holo doesn't have $5K worth of CNC labor into a fancy chassis, but the KTE version has premium parts in the most crucial areas, maybe they can up the game on a more premium version with better vibration control, dual mono power supply and better RFI/EMI shielding.

    Quote Originally Posted by dznutz View Post
    Companies/products that pop up overnight, especially from China, can disappear even faster. What is your product worth then? and where is your support?
    I would venture there are actually more defunct American audio brands than there are Chinese ones. A good product will still be a good product. Both Denafrips and Holo Audio have been in business for many years and both have US Service Centers. Yes it's true for other brands if service needs to be done internationally that could be a pain, however I suppose that's the price of admission to sample the different design talents and philosophies the world has to offer.

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