There are multiple ways to convert between DSD and PCM, and none of them are mathematically lossless (i.e. not bit-perfect). This leaves a fair bit of room for actual changes in the bit-level data, although if done properly the results should be audibly transparent (if not mathematically lossless).
In other words, performing a conversion, in either direction, and then reversing it will not yield the same output as it had input.
I’d check how the warranty would work if you bought it from a dealer in another country and something went wrong.
Agree… for sure I would buy here in the US.
I would hope that’s the goal and is achievable. It’s just not in my case and in my case converting to PCM with either driver (Wasapi, Asio) is the more faithful/clearer/better sounding method and comes very close to mimicking NOS.
Quality converters, with sane default settings (or appropriate manual choices) will do it with audibly-transparent results. Whether they stay that way on their way to the DAC itself, and/or how one format renders on a given DAC vs. the other, is another matter.
Some DACs simply have different performance with PCM vs. DSD input (especially if they then convert to one or the other for all actual conversion processing), even for audibly-transparently converted source material.
Neither should sound like NOS output, if properly converted. That would mean rolled-off highs, very sharp transients, and aliasing issues.
That was a misstatement on my part. What I wanted to convey is that converting a DSD signal to PCM seems to sound more like a NOS 44.1 file. Obviously I can’t compare the actual DSD file because it is not available in 44.1 but PCM conversions more mimic what I hear from ripped CDs. Native or DOP is much different - the entire sound stage moves back and equalization is different. I don’t know which is true but I do know which one I prefer.
Appreciate your comments…
Im not sure if you have to buy within your region or not. I got my May from Tim (Kitsune) and he was quite helpful with a couple of questions I had. One issue seemed unresolvable (turns out it was my own stupidity and not an issue with the DAC) and he was more than willing to take the May back with full refund. I didnt even ask. I know some find him a little slow to get back to people re questions but he was responsive when I needed him to be.
Luckily I got in before the price and wait times increased.
Hi guys, I’ve just set up my May Lvl 2 which was shipped to me by Wildism in Hong Kong - took less than a week to get here to the UK.
I had to change the firmware from 30.12 to 30.14 to get it working (which was also the case for me with the Spring 2). Could a knowledgeable May user take a look at the below screenshots of my HoloAudio Control Panel and let me know if this all looks correct? Music was playing at the time.
For sure I would buy from Kitsune. Just a matter of a level 2 or KTE
I went L2 for the supposedly improved USB module. The Kitsune upgrades seemed vague at best re their contribution to improved sound so I didnt feel like the upcharge was worth it.
That’s the conclusion I came to. I can’t imagine that the added 1k affects audio quality much if any.
So after a decade of being out of this loop I’m back in. I have my just received my BHSE, my also just received 009s and my recently received Ayre QB-9 Twenty. I’m going to go to school on anyone and everyone with regards to the X9000. I do not want added warmth which is an adjective used on Justin’s site. I’m sure I’ll be able to rely on feedback from forum members - especially Ian. The only other headphone I’m considering is the CRBN. No need to rush right now.
Appreciate your feedback…
Review of Spring 3 by goldensound where he compares with a Spring 2 and a May…
I went with the KTE version of the Spring 3, more for resale value than anything. It also has the USB upgrade module, which the level 2 doesn’t. What I didn’t “spring” for is the $600 preamp add. Pretty happy overall, semi-regret not getting the preamp out, but it’s an expensive add to an already expensive DAC.
What are people streaming with or what is your connection to the Spring 3? I have an ipad pro 2019 and it freezes. I loaded the windows drive on windows 10 and the qobuz app on windows honestly sounds better than my ipad.
any news on the holo totl hp amp to be announced? I heard about it 6 months ago and it had an estimated release date. With all the hype around the Oor, Volot w/preamp module coming, Soloist 3GT… I’m most excited to hear what Holo has in store. Have no clue on pricing if it will be closer to the Spring or May level pricing.
I was told end of the year but it will probably be early next year (that’s my guess).
As for price, a few hundred over the Serene but still TBD.
Okay, since I didn’t get a response, I wanted to respond to myself (and this is a response to someone in a chat about streamers and why my curiosity was peaked again)
My new curiosity with streamers is because of the Spring 3. When I first used the Spring with my ipad, my ipad was unusable when the Spring booted up. I had to hard shut it down (it honestly took 45 minutes it was so hung) and it did not want to shut down. Tried it again and the same thing. Reached out to Tim and it was a firmware issue. This Spring 3 is about 30 days old. After the firmware resolution, I noticed the windows with qobuz (I was using windows to confirm there was not an issue with the Spring) was louder than the ipad (windows allowed me to use exclusive mode). After getting it all up and running, I finally figured out that the volume was turned down on the ipad but it was still outputting to the Spring. I reached out to Tim and his response was “if the driver is done correctly, you should be able to change the volume on the streaming device”.
Anyways, I think the ipad is probably the best solution. It’s paid for. It can run on battery. I can download for offline play and it works with no issues streaming. I have a usb re-generator that I can run in line to clean the usb output before it hits the spring. I’m only using PCM and not purchasing music at this time and not running roon.
The May works very well with an IPad. I prefer it over my MacBook, sounds a bit better to me. Plus the IPad is kind of obsolete anyways so its basically just acts now as a standalone music source for my streaming services.
Ive never had an issue with firmware, at least not yet. I obviously use Apple OS’s though.
Can you change the volume level on the ipad? My guess would be that there may being out longer, any issues would have been resolved by now.
Yes, IPad volume effects the May, if that is what you are asking.
In fact when I first got the May I thought something was wrong with it as I couldnt get the IPad to work when it worked flawlessly with the BF2. The May needs the IPad at max volume, max line out situation, BF2 didnt for some reason.
I was running the IPad with too low volume, it was by fluke that I picked up a very faint signal one time and realized how dumb I was when maxed out IPad volume. All good since.