soundfan Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 7 hours ago, Qwertyqaz said: There is no such thing as free lunch, you get what you pay for. If the Ares is that awesome, they are doing something very different that no one can match at that price point. Who said it was that awesome? I love mine, a great dac for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwertyqaz Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 6 hours ago, Cardiiiii said: Do the Holo and Debafrips have the same tonal and timbre qualities of the PCM1704 DACs? Holo doesn't and that is a very important thing. As much as I like PCM DACs it's a very vintage sound. The Holo is like a very modern turntable, tonality is very close to my Lampizator. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundfan Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 7 hours ago, gonefishing999 said: @soundfan Can We see a link for Head Fi Denafrips thread please Peter https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/denafrips-ares-r2r-discrete-ladder-dac-close-up-view.833690/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwertyqaz Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 25 minutes ago, soundfan said: Who said it was that awesome? I love mine, a great dac for the money. It's a no brainier for a sub $1000 DAC recommendation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haulien Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 I'll have to admit, even though it's no longer available on AliExpress... if the "Deluxe" version they're selling is the voltage-selectable version, and if it's also the silver transformer (lvl3) version... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pezzy Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 would the spring be too hot for the mystere ca21 preamp? it's a 19db gain pre with a 24 step volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonefishing999 Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 @pezzy There should be no problem as it will accept any 2v input. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pezzy Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 ^thanks peter. but unfortunately it has already been sold. on the upside, i ended up getting the icon audio la4 pre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alphanumerix1 Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 On 09/06/2017 at 4:50 AM, soundfan said: https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/denafrips-ares-r2r-discrete-ladder-dac-close-up-view.833690/ The ares impressions seem to be all over the place its hard to keep up. I'd love to hear one in person one day. As much as i'd love to try a spring dac thats out of my budget atm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgehifi Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 (edited) New thread instead. Edited November 6, 2018 by georgehifi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PicoWattson Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Anyone using one of these in any of it's 3 available versions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZGojira Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 I have recently upgraded from a Spring Level 3 (Wildsim) to a May Level 3 KTE. Prior to the upgrade, I was very satisfied with the Spring to the point where I was unsatisfied with anything else I tried. The main DACs that I was comparing with was: Chord Hugo2, Grace Design m920 and the Denafrips Ares. Comparisons was done in my own environment with both speaker and headphone setups. Now with the May, I vastly prefer the May over the Spring. I could probably still live with the Spring, but will be constantly reminded of what I'm missing out on. With both DACS I was using I2S from a Singxer SU-1 (with LPS) with a Mutec MC-3+ USB as a clock. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_jl Posted December 15, 2020 Share Posted December 15, 2020 I have had the Holo May Level 2 in my system now for the last six months or so. It is the first DAC that I have owned that I am really happy with and the first DAC that comes close to the very best vinyl recordings. (Happy to share my vinyl setup, if that is of help). I have experimented with plenty of DACs over the years (most recently the Chord Hugo TT2) and still have two ESS Sabre based DACs in my system. They all might measure spectacularly well, but I can't fall in love with them. The Holo May is a different matter and presents music that puts a smile on your face. My listening tastes are predominantly classical and jazz - with some rock. The Holo May excels with solo piano, large orchestral works (where it reproduces massed violins better than any other DAC I have heard) and small ensembles (jazz or chamber). I realise this is a very subjective view, but if you similar musical tastes to me, I think you will absolutely enjoy the Holo May. cheers, Chris 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PicoWattson Posted December 15, 2020 Share Posted December 15, 2020 Thanks for both of your comments. Pertinent as I have also spent time listening to the Hugo 2, comparing it to my Resonessence Mirus pro. which I preferred for it's slightly more organic sound in the treble region, while not forgoing any of the Hugo's scalpel like detail. Prior to the mirus pro I had the non pro version so have now spent a number of years galvanised to the ESS Sabre's version of how music should sound. ( 90% Funk, Soul, Jazz, World Fusion, House, 10% everything else). Pressing my ESLs back into service I would like to try something that may have a slightly more relaxed ,velvety presentation to counterbalance a very edgy, analytical system now in play. All reading leads me to the Holo May as a possible contender. We don't always get an opportunity to audition equipment in our own system and I'm guessing many major purchases after all distilled research have been made on gut feelings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownMagic Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 On 15/12/2020 at 1:37 PM, chris_jl said: My listening tastes are predominantly classical and jazz - with some rock. How does the May do on fast rock? Like say fast drumming? My friend who had the spring was not very happy with how the spring handled complex fast heavy metal tracks with too much going on. Also between the May and Spring, which is more laid back? Thanks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZGojira Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 The May handles complex tracks better than the Spring, in that the May is able to present more layers simultaneously in a uniform manner. In terms of being laid back, neither DACs are the aggressive type. To me, they put everything out there but nothing is particularly emphasized. I think this characteristic can be changed with the used of oversampling filters using software like HQplayer. May I ask what DAC your friend compared the Spring to, and if possible what source/inputs he used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_jl Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 On 21/12/2020 at 12:46 AM, BrownMagic said: How does the May do on fast rock? Like say fast drumming? My friend who had the spring was not very happy with how the spring handled complex fast heavy metal tracks with too much going on. Also between the May and Spring, which is more laid back? Thanks Chris These are two questions I can't really answer. Heavy metal is one genre that I don't listen to that much. For classic rock, however, and any other music with complex rhythm and attack, the May is exceptionally clean. And the second question I can't really answer either because I have not compared it to the Spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme_Boky Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Where did you guys buy your DAC's? Crux Audio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZGojira Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 42 minutes ago, Extreme_Boky said: Where did you guys buy your DAC's? Crux Audio? I got mine from Crux Audio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_jl Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 48 minutes ago, Extreme_Boky said: Where did you guys buy your DAC's? Crux Audio? Likewise.... Crux Audio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madfonzy Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 On 20/12/2020 at 9:46 PM, BrownMagic said: How does the May do on fast rock? Like say fast drumming? My friend who had the spring was not very happy with how the spring handled complex fast heavy metal tracks with too much going on. Also between the May and Spring, which is more laid back? Thanks Chris I got my Holo May KTE on Xmas eve. I tried out some heavy metal tracks from Van Halen and Led Zeppelin. Both sound superb and accurate. For instance with Led Zeppelin - Moby Dick with the fast drums. The soundstage is great and the drums beats are clear, fast and perfectly placed. No issues from me. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownMagic Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 6 hours ago, madfonzy said: I got my Holo May KTE on Xmas eve Congratulations! What transport do you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madfonzy Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Running a RPi4 with RoipeeXL usb to the Holo May. Nothing fancy at all! Roon core on my NAS connected by the Ethernet cable which is under the house in the cellar/dungeon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 6 hours ago, madfonzy said: Running a RPi4 with RoipeeXL usb to the Holo May. Nothing fancy at all! Roon core on my NAS connected by the Ethernet cable which is under the house in the cellar/dungeon. In my opinion this is as good as any. I know a lot will disagree. Congrats on your purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizaudio Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 (edited) On 29/12/2020 at 1:45 AM, madfonzy said: Running a RPi4 with RoipeeXL usb to the Holo May. Nothing fancy at all! Roon core on my NAS connected by the Ethernet cable which is under the house in the cellar/dungeon. The RPI4 is a great source, especially paired with a solid DAC (Good USB implementation). I did notice a good improvement powering it using an ifi power x supply. Without using audiophile clichés, it was better and worth the investment for me. I have conversed with a few users who have compared the RPI4 (USB) to decent "highend" streamers sources such as the Lumin Mini U1, SOTM ultra, Allo USB signature etc. They stated they could not hear a difference. Yet you have others, who state the differences are night and day. Feedback seems highly variable. For me personally, I sold my $2500 Pioneer N70a in favour of the RPI4. The May looks, measures and by all reviews seems to sound amazing. Too bad its so pricey. Edited December 30, 2020 by Grizaudio 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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