Mind has the original… I’m currently not using a streamer but would like to get a bluesound node and go the usb route. I also would prefer not buying a DDC hence the interest in the spring 3 usb improvement. I’d also utilize the pre-amp functionality taken from the serene as well. I’ve searched for a decent streamer with I2S but most are all $3k+ that have these.
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The pre-amp on the Spring is pretty great; very transparent.
Although, the pre-amp on the Soloist might be better for someone that likes a more flavored sound.
Just thought I’d put it out there…
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Pi2AES is $200.
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Matrix Audio Element i and Mini-i Pro 3 are both right around $1,000 and have i2s also.
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Got my HOLO May DAC with the fox on it a few weeks ago and just let it burn in; Tim suggested enough hours that would get through about 3 weeks. Just hooked it up to my AmpsandSounds Forge tube amp. I had been using a DAVE and M Scaler to input to the Forge, but for my Utopias and ZMF Verite Opens, the May wins. Didn’t think I’d be saying that, but it really does, in NOS mode. I’ll try the M Scaler and DAVE with my speaker setup - if it doesn’t improve it (I’ve got an MSB ‘Analog DAC’ as for that right now), I’ll be putting both Chord units up on the selling block.
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Pictures or it never happend… 
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Hi Gordon! I aim to please! Got Eddie Current, Holo May DAC, Forge, and Utopia all together!
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Nice!
And that must be a strong desk 
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It’s a BIG-ASS L-Shaped counter-top that is a little over 2" thick, and it’s supported by multiple short chests of drawers and a wooden support at the bend. And it’s all one piece! You should have seen it when the decorators had to carry it up 8 flights of stairs as it wouldn’t fit in my elevator. But 4 people can manage it without too much difficulty!
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Has anyone tried dsd512 upsampling with may? I am really interested in trying out dsd 512 specifically. The main challenge I see is there seem to be no proper reclocker out there for dsd512(except few diys)
That May looks like it fits right in
Nice audio equipment Sir!
Thank you! It looks to me like Darth Vader’s headphone system…
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Any thoughts on which you prefer synergy-wise with your Utopias (for the tube amps you have on there)?
Hey there, hifiDJ - I’m actually doing A/B comparisons today. From what I’ve heard so far, I will quite likely keep both of them - the Utopias sounded really good through both of them, just different, so that would largely be down to individual taste…
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Where is the best place to purchase a Holo May?
TIA
If you’re based in the US, then Kitsune is the official distributor.
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I have visited that site and asked only because there is mention of the Hong Kong dealer. I’m also on the fence with either Holo or Denafrips. Both are highly rated and have recently been updated. I really believe they are both as good as or better than a ‘Dave’ at half the price.
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The HOLO May sure is. I thought I was going to need a 3rd headphone amp just to give enough juice to the Susvaras to have a rich sound as well as a loud one, 'cause with the DAVE, with or without M Scaler, it was loud enough but sounded somewhat anemic. When I substituted in the HOLO May, I get much better quality sound out of both my Forge and my Eddie Current Studio B. I may still give a try to the old ‘headphone to speaker taps’ on a Benchmark AHB2 or something, but I no longer feel in any rush to do so. I’d never heard an R-to-R DAC before this; I guess I like 'em!
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I’ll leave comments about how they sound/perform out of this, despite being pretty familiar with all of these units, as there is too much subjectivity at work there, but in terms of pricing etc. I’ll say this:
If you’re paying anywhere close to double for a new Chord DAVE vs. the full-blown May (KTE) or Terminator Plus, then you’re doing it wrong. The MSRP is the MAP, not what a dealer that you have a relationship with will actually charge you. Of course, if you aren’t on good terms with your nearest Chord dealer, you may get a smaller discount than if you are. If you are, they’ll have a demo unit you can try and the better ones will let you take it home and run it in your own system.
The only way audition the Denafrips stuff is to either a) find one locally (via a meet or friends) you can listen to or b) buy it. If you buy it, you get to keep it. There are no returns/refunds.
Tim (I know him personally from when I still lived in WA), at Kitsune, can, in some circumstances, make demo/audition units available.
Selling a used May unit is pretty easy, with minimal loss (maybe none). Denafrips’ higher-end stuff doesn’t see quite the same demand. DAVEs tend to sell for not much less used than they actually cost new, and don’t hang around long when listed (possibly because those in the used-market perceive the price difference vs. new as bigger than it really is).
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Thank you as usual for your advice. Of course, I would never pay retail for a ‘Dave’ but even so it certainly would be more than a May. I wouldn’t purchase the full blown Holo or Denefrips but rather the May 2 or Terminator II. I actually just received my Ayre QB-9 Twenty and it sounds very nice but I still have to come up to speed and though I didn’t pay a lot for the upgrade (which brings the QB9 to a QX-8 status albeit with only USB input) it more than likely is representative of what is available in the 5K range.
What has me considering moving on are the differences I hear when changing from ASIO to WASABI or back. Don’t know where in the pipe line the changes occur but they sure do. Of course they all sound different than HQPlayer which, to me, has a way of compressing the sound and attenuating the upper frequencies regardless of the filter I use. Another major difference I hear is when I play a DSD file in either Native or DOP vs. converting to PCM. Substantial differences in sound and, again, I haven’t a clue as to where in the pipe line the changes occur. I don’t have another reference for comparison.
Off Topic: Just, finally, got my BHSE and it is just lovely. Couldn’t be happier.
Thanks again for the reply…
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