Overhyped & just too expensive? HOLOAUDIO MAY KTE R2R DAC REVIEW
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- The #R2R DAC from HoloAudio, the #MayKTE in-depth analysis and comparisons.
DAC comparisons:
#Rockna #WavedreamAddition #Chord #DAVE #HoloAudio #Spring2ExtremeEdition #Spring3KTE
Amplifiers:
#WellsAudio #HeadTrip3Level2 #HoloAudio #Bliss #Benchmark #AHB2 #MonoBlock #SpiritTorino #Sigfrid #AIC10 #Riviera #MassKobo #465 #AmpAndSound #RedOctober #WooAudio #WA33 #Cayin #HA300MKII
Headphones:
#Hifiman #Susvara #DCA #Stealth #Audeze #Lcd5 #Focal #Utopia #ABYSS #AB1266TC #DianaV2 #SpiritTorino #Valkaria
Business enquiries:
ConvinceMeAudio@gmail.com
The CMA “ambush of tigers” Patreon page
www.patreon.com/ConvinceMeAud...
0:00 Chapters
01:06 The R2R May KTE DAC breakdown.
09:50 HoloAudio May KTE DAC specs and functionality
13:00 Do DACs have a sound? e.g. May KTE?
18:35 Holo May DAC pairing and synergy problems and strengths
20:00 Rockne Wavedream Edition vs Holo May KTE and Chord DAVE
25:00 Caveats and conclusion of the $6000 May DAC - Zábava
Apologies for the long delay. This review was filmed in 2023.
The Rockna WaveDream comparison and mentioned is the addition not the signature.
The reference system since this current point in time last year has now changed to:
Wavedream signature DAC, hm1 - aic10 riviera amplifier
The latter in progress..
Music:
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1. How does Holo compare to Denafrips DAC + Denafrips DDC, for loudspeakers?
2. For loudspeakers, I hear that Holo is more for electronic music, whereas Denafrips is more for vocals/jazz.
source=Apple Music lossless.
Owning May since 2022, heard many more expensive dacs like Wavedream (none sig), dave, lapizator-baltic 3 and the recent Wandla. Nothing can render analog music as good as May. Everything sounds real and organic, you can feel the body of isntruments, vibration of the string in a 3d- space and the heat in the vocal. Its pure magic. I agree with you it lacks slam if you compare it to some other good dacs, like Dave or even Wandla in NOS mode, but its easily corrected with oversampling like you said. Great review. May is truly a great DAC sub 10k as allrounder and exceptional sub 20k for analog music.
I was fortunate enough to test Baltic seriously two days before this review came out. I’m very pleased with my analysis a year later this review was shot last April and I don’t feel as though much has changed to be honest. Baltic is exceptional personally I would choose it, but I am an advocate of tube dac I think it’s very difficult to beat this here
Holo Audio May KTE is a very honest and musical DAC
and one of the best DACs out there at any price...!!!!
B U T.......!
ROCKNA Wavelight Pre/Dac is a litlle better DAC than May...!!!
With More air , more punch , more musicality and better soundstage and totally analog sound..!!
@@johngian1961 the light is coming for review in the next few days, I’ve already reviewed the addition, and running the signature as the channel reference it’s nowhere near in the category of signature. It’s not even close.
But I think there could be an argument had for addition, though it is superior in my opinion in 90% of places and I would pick addition personally but it is like 3 1/2 thousand dollars more expensive. May is exceptional price to performance ratio.
+1 for comments. to beat the May a person needs to be north of 20K. Nothing at its price point is even close.
I wonder how it compares to a less costing LAiV Harmony R2R DAC. Some people have compared it a Lampizator Baltic which I am suspect of... The May is an AWESOME Dac, there is no doubt! As always, an awesome review, thorough as always!
I just absolutley love your reviews. I would love a video on comparing different interconnects sometime. Like what do I connect my Dave to an amp with in your opinion. I can never seem to get the interconnects right haha
The review is clear, clean, and comprehensive.
Solid review……love the my May Dac……noted a comment on bass slam…..certainly line level inputs/outputs (use fast ones) make a big difference. Love mine, and agree, it would take 5-10k to get past its performance……and then it may be a more subjective outcome. Well done.
Your video quality and content is getting better and better. Thank You for the comprehensive review and the hard work. I am debating the Holo-may the Hugo TT2 or the Goldensound Wandla for my end game DAC to replace my 1st generation Yggdrassil OG with the firmware upgrade.
Very tough choice they are all so different
currently using the ferrum stack on the desk as one of the set ups it’s sensational. I don’t think you can go wrong here. The TT2 is small compact versatile and absolutely the most gorgeous looking hardware. In my opinion, I don’t think you’re gonna go wrong whatever you choose. They are just all very different. May is the most organic sounding out of all of them.
The TT2 is outstanding. I considered the May before getting the Chord. But everyone comments that the May leans slightly warm and soft. I don’t think is the DAC is the place for those.
I recently “downgraded” from a TT2 to an Yggdrasil with an A1 chip. Yggy suits my tastes better personally. However, I could see the TT2 winning if you prioritize instrument separation.
Man! This review is SPOT-ON! As a Susvara on a Bliss KTE/May KTE stack for more than 3 years I can only 100% agree on *all* your conclusions. And so important you highlighted this: HQplayer is essential for electronic music with this DAC.
I mostly listen to electronic music and only use HQplayer PCM Sync-L upsampling. I use HQplayers Parametric EQ converted to convolution with minimum phase. This makes this Stack a beast, and punchy and fast as F**k, PraT is oozing, the soundstage is cavernous (may be too big for some I can imagine 😅), and imaging is almost surreal so 3D.
Still to this day I have to force myself to stop listening. After 1000 hours of listening and so many years, this combo leaves me in a state of awe.
Not sure if I would say the same if I was not using HQplayer: its upscaling and EQ capabilities were truly essential to hit the nail on the head for my personal preferences, without EQ and upsampling I would have been left wanting.
I really appreciate your comparison to other flagship DACs, as I am not able to do this. I never feel the need or urge to upgrade my Susvara/May/Bliss stack. But I was wondering how would it compare. Thank you.
Yeah holo stack is lethal. A fantastic category, and to be honest perfect stopping placement for 99% of people.
Hopefully you can get the LAiV Harmony DAC. Been hearing some good buzz about it competing with DACS 2X it's price
Yeah, I’ve been hearing about this a few times
@@ConvinceMeAudio virtualhifi compare it to the May and said it was close, but he would pick the LAIV and it's half the price.
Great Dac and video;a Chord Dave Killer at a fraction of the price!
Another great review Koji! You have mentioned Dave quite frequently, do you use it on its own or with the M-Scaler? I am using the TT2 with ‘-Scaler now and wonders about the Dave.
Great review thanks ! May is a big step up over spring 3 ? What are the main differences ?
Hi there, you got a new subscribe. I think you finally didn’t mention the sonic differences between the sources, I would be interested to hear about that. Thanks
Thanks for the support, welcome to the fam 🐅
Ultimately, USB and i2s though the latter has limitations of 192 are the best digital inputs
Using the hollow red DDC and streamer was a fantastic bridge roon and Audirvāna ultimately are the players we use
I agree, oversampling into the MAY in NOS mode is fantastic. I do not have HQ player, but I oversample from my Grimm Mu1 streamer into the MAY in NOS mode and it sounds fantastic.
Mu1 + May maaan 😍 This must sound so natural and real
@@Nefty_ I always knew DAC's were important but slightly underestimated the importance of a good streamer until I got the MU1. OMG what a difference and pairing. Those that say streamers don't make a difference miss something...
Oh yeah I agree with you. With the May and it’s galvanic isolation and great PLL I always wondered how much of a difference would still make a good streamer or DDC but apparently it still plays a big role.
No doubt, best price vs. performance and most versatile NOS DAC out there.
Obviously, the WaveDream in this category shoot out was the addition
I realised after editing that this does not get mentioned and only gets called WaveDream.. I do need to put this in the description actually
Wow, one of my dream's DAC. I wonder how the May compares in terms of soundstage holography against Musician Taurus and Laiv Harmony -
It’s a decent DAC excellent price to performance ratio, unfortunately the two you mentioned have not come in for review so I can’t give any feedback yet
Hello @convincemeaudio can you tell me what settings you used on HQ player? I would like to replicate this
Bro, the world is now impatiently awaiting your review of the Astell&Kern CA1000T. lol. Would love to know how it soundstages and images.
It’s nearly ready very interesting device I must say and synergy is gorgeous with LCD 5 and caldera
@ConvinceMeAudio. Can’t wait!! As a pilot I have to stay abroad too often, so am looking for a decent carry-able for my Susvara’s
How is the quality of the pairing between the holo May with using the holo red as a streamer/ddc? I2s and USB sounding the same? Very interested in the May and I’m trying to find it’s perfect partner for streaming mainly using Roon/Hq player. Thank you for this amazing review.
Definitely sounds much better with red this is what I was talking about in the review despite being galvanically isolated when using red you do get performance boost
Much better
You’re the best Koji! I went with the Wandla for space and heat reasons but this remains a want.
Currently running Ferrum stack as one of the systems I am loving this thing it’s so good
If you ever get the opportunity I think the Aqua La Voce S3 will push the May for best Dac in the price range. I liked it quite a bit and a bit comes down to personal preference.
I'd really like to try the May dac. For Susvara, would the May be good with a Benchmark Stack (HPA4 and AHB2 monoblock), or would full Holo Stack be better? Also thinking about the HPA4 vs the Serene in a stack too. So many choices!
@@everettedl it’s excellent on both, but for tonal balance I prefer bliss obviously not on the power levels of a mono block, but it’s synergy is fantastic
I must say, that the Holo Audio May along with the Cayin - HA-300MK2 Tube Amp and a number of high-end headphones are all due to your in-depth reviews - full of passion and keen insights. This is why I support you and your wonderful channel. Bravo!
Thank you so much for the support, I’m very glad the reviews are resonating,
If I can assist in anyway, just holler 🐅
What other DACs, amps and headphones have you tried? Which are your favorites?
@@BillyKueekSG 90% of what’s deemed summit tear in the $20,000 category, I recommend watching the SUS review and reading the comment section of the description, too many to list here
But the things above $10,000 pretty much all of them bud 😂🥲
@@ConvinceMeAudio I was asking the poster of this comment.
Yes, I am your subscriber and have watched your Susvara video. I was the one who commented in Facebook group when you announced your Susvara video.
I just picked up the latest Denafrips Ares 12 DAC ….i don’t think i can go back to anything less…that leaves only going up from there 😵💫
I would love to bring the terminator plus in if I get the opportunity
@@ConvinceMeAudio I think 🧐 that would be my endgame..or the May !
How do you oversample to a May because I would like to try it? What do you need in addition to the software?
Roon - hq player
You can get free trials for both I recommend doing that first
So which Input is the most important from a Streamer for the May? Is it USB?
If you’re up sampling to 1536 yes otherwise i2S is great too
A general question about DACs and preamps: Are there differences in suitability between loudspeakers and headphones? I wonder if basically any DAC/pre is suitable for headphones (if I connect it to my Bliss)? Do you have any experience with T+A products? The DAC200 is compared to the May in many reviews.
Honestly, not really if you’re talking about high-quality equipment it should translate very well, stage is very important for two channel systems so if the DAC can produce it on one it will replicate it and probably better on two channel systems, as long as a pre-is clean I think Headphones are a bit more tricky because honestly the higher resolution the driver the more detail is apparent right up against your eardrum the stage and distance tends to hide a lot of things in regards to loudspeakers a lot more than for example electrostatics against your eardrums
Thank you. I'm asking because I imagine that the sound reproduction and also the spatial representation of a signal would have to be different from that of headphones in order to achieve a good musical representation. That was my thought. That's why I thought that there are DACs that are more optimized for loudspeakers and others that are more optimized for headphones. But all the better if you don't have to worry about that.
No experience with the DAC200 from T+A? Perhaps you've at least had it "on your ears" at a trade fair? I'm still hesitating between this and the May.
@@inn3B I actually did at the CMA hi-fi show this year, we put it together, it’s lovely but definitely wasn’t long enough. I know the May is freaking awesome especially for speakers due to the huge stage it throws.
My concern is about incisiveness and attack. I think it’s a little soft, maybe the speakers depending on what they are might make up for it but honestly I don’t think you can go far wrong with either. I probably personally would choose a Dave speakers same price on the market
I'm going to feed the Susvara with it, i forgot to say.
@@inn3B hm may will have a better synergy with the amplifier
Hi, the comparison of the May KTE to Dave/MScaler was the May being fed any upsampling like HQPlayer or just Flac in NOS mode?
Hi, I have done both extensively obviously because both units have been around for a long long time at CMA
@@ConvinceMeAudio So where you describe them as being close the May KTE was using HQPlayer DSD upsampling?
@@nolly485 it’s like this, they’re close up sampling. they’re close NOS and just Dave by itself to
They both have excellent scalability, and have their own strengths and weaknesses, as per the reviews, in regards to functionality et cetera but I would only consider this buying a Dave used, if I was to spend £10,400 versus $6000 for me, I would pick May every time
Gonna need a Cyan 2 comparison 😂 throw the Laiv in the mix
Review unit was ordered in February we’re still waiting
I wonder how the Holo May compares to the Wandla Goldensound edition?
@@nespressoman WANDLA, more incisive better detail retrieval far better for electronic music
May biggest stage more organic sounding better textural information scales better
What do you mean by „texture“? I hear this term more often lately but do not quite understand what it means. Is it something like micro dynamics?
A very good question
Texture refers to almost the timber of the equipment which basically means if you were to close your eyes, could you envision and feel it with your mind’s eye that it’s either wood metal robbery? If that makes sense? Something like cello should have a wooden texture to it and it shouldn’t sound anything else.
The textual information of the cello should not sound like a symbol, it should be very wooden as if the resignation is coming from a wooden box. I actually need to do a video on all of these terms soon.
@@ConvinceMeAudio Ok what you are describing is what I would call timbre accuracy, or at least part of what timbre means to me. Timbre accuracy would also include how warm/soft or bright/hard an instrument sounds in general. For example a saxophone would be warmer than a trumpet.
@@gehtnurdurch a very nice summary, yes, but there are separate aspects of the entire umbrella such as timber tuning which is part of frequency response, textual information tactility and resolution and detail
There are very few headphones that can do everything all at the same time. We usually compartmentalise everything and separate everything to make life a little bit easier.
I’ve noticed improvements when doing tweaks which made individual sound more nuanced and texture changes were more apparent. Like with vocal you can hear very slight variations rather than just the overall sound. Sounds have a life of their own rather than just being part of a mix of sounds. It’s all hard to put into words.
A marvel of design and engineering. Best retail DAC I have tested and measured in 35 years. Recording studios in Berlin, Amsterdam and London had more superior Pro DACs. However, the May unit(s) are physically too large, dissipates too much heat, utilises too much electricity. Overall, not a practical solution for my studio
1. How does Holo compare to Denafrips DAC + Denafrips DDC, for loudspeakers?
2. For loudspeakers, I hear that Holo is more for electronic music, whereas Denafrips is more for vocals/jazz.
source=Apple Music lossless.
May like I stated in the review is not for electronic music it’s for real instruments and vocals
Unfortunately, the latter has not come in for review
Very interesting review and I agree Holo Mya but also Spring 3 are gread for the acoustics music, 3D sound stage deep and wide, could you tell us how you connect the Holo May? I see on your back the Holo Red streamer. Do you use this unit via I2s Cable? Which I2s? and about Ethernet cables?
I2S and USB predominantly USB for 1536 sample rate
And IT asked if I want to completely detach as a streamer from the Mac
I do apologise this review is one year old currently the reference DAC for the channel is waived signature from rockna Andy net as the streamer in 2024 now
The $2700 LAiV R2R Harmony DAC is supposed to crush everything up to $5K.
If it gets offered for you will definitely bring it in
Vitualhifi pick it over the May.
Have you found that Dave + Bliss with Susvara... Bliss runs out of power? I find myself at Max volume frequently.
What about dCS Lina DAC?? I know it's a bigger price difference, but sound wise how May is comparing to Lina?
It’s more of a liquid tonality I would say shallow depth per field very nice DAC but honestly, I think priced to performance ratio I would pick May
But I’ve not had them side-by-side the DCS stuff I’ve only experienced at shows which is not really full in-depth analysis
@ConvinceMeAudio Thank you for your quick response.
Could you advise me on what streamer you would pair with the May dac?
I'm asking because I'm currently looking to buy a streamer and a dac.
It's a bit daunting for me to pick the right synergy without the ability to listen to them. Often shops will have one, but not the other, so spending that kind of money blind is a bit scary. I was looking at the hifi Rose 130 either with MAY or Weiss 502, but those combos are already in the dCS Lina price range too.
@@robotstonka7118 holo Red will do a nice job, at the office I use the rockna Net
@ConvinceMeAudio Thanks, I will resurch them. All the best to you!!
You just gained a new subscriber.
🖖😎
@@robotstonka7118 welcome to the fam 🐅
Try Audio GD R7HE and an external clock similar in price but much better performance
Not a fan of their products, Unless they have seriously upped their game from a few years ago
I think May KTE is too expensive personally. But it sounds lovely.
Scared to buy one now in case it's replaced. It's been out for an eternity as far as DACs are concerned.
Don’t expect a replacement for the next two years
Check out New Record Day's review of Holo's Cyan 2. He reckons there's not as big a gap between Cyan and May as you'd think.
L2 can be found around $3100 and will only go lower. More than enough, don't need KTE
@@hemispherecompensation No-one is going to buy L2. KTE exists and is top of the pile. It's brilliant marketing, because L2 owners will always wonder what if?
Why dont they fit an analog pre amp like in the spring ? I have not personally experienced the preamp but i hear it is so good that you don't need a separate pre amp to achieve top sound from your power amp. I mean cmon , it's a two piece device and costs a shit load of money.
If it had the pre amp choice and just a single analog input like say the rockna wavelight i would totally go for it.
IIRC it's because the feedback from their customers was that the pre-amp functionality on the models prior to the May wasn't really being used. So they didn't include it.
@@Michael_mki233 Darn it. I mean why would you pay extra for an analog pre-amplifier and not use it? Lol They could at least offer it for the ones that need it.
Very nice review second time on this channel . The first was the wavelght, not into headphones though.
Cheers M8
I wish it came in silver.
There is no excuse for not implement a PEQ option 2024 imo.
I’ll take the May over the Dave, Lina and Bartok. It is fabulous.
THE LAMPIZATOR BALTIC 4 BEATS MAY FOR $6800
I think so too. I had this unit in literally four days ago. I think it’s better across-the-board. Except perhaps build quality.
But it’s versatile in a very different kind of way to the May for those people who are predominantly looking for solid state
I’d take the Wavelight over it.
There will be a review coming soon in regards to this comparison. It’s arriving shortly. I’m currently using the signature as my reference.
I’ve also compared to Golden Atlantic from lampizator and Baltic in the last couple of months
You should start your review by saying, " Why is it so dark in here?". Then I said, " Take Off your Dark Glasses"
@yttean98 - the reviewer is legally blind. This comment comes across with bad taste. Let’s focus on the content (which is great!) and not be petty with dumb comments. Please do better next time.
@@thenip73 a lot of people aren't aware he's blind. I'm sure no hard feelings are meant by these comments. If anything, being blind gives him an advantage over other audio reviewers.
Chi-fi _is_ getting ridiculously expensive for what it used to cost. Look at Denafrips. The May KTE is up there in price with a Terminator Plus 12th. No Chi-fi is worth over 5k USD in my opinion, but people pay it so here we are.
Chi wages and living standards are moving on up!
@@KeenAesthetic1 Not for supply chain parts manufacturing, as I understand it. Even though they'd swear those are too. Just Google "The Xinjiang Data Project". That's a big chunk of who makes the screws, nuts and washers that put everything electronic together. "Smile for the Western cameras & tell them you're happy while you make our screws or it'll be another year apart from your family!"-type stuff. If they're going to exploit international trade concessions and workers human rights, don't think you can exploit consumers too. That's all I'm saying.
@@KeenAesthetic1 For the Han majority maybe. I don't believe that's true for some of the "lesser" ethnicities who make a lot of the supply chain parts that hold your Chi-fi amp together. It's been well documented since about 2017 what's happening to them and if they're going to take advantage workers and of international trade concessions, by still demanding they be listed as a "developing nation", then don't expect to take advantage of us, the consumer.
I don’t like a long talk without some a-b compare tracks. This kind of review is really out-of-date.
Compare tracks through CZcams is ridiculous and in no way tells you what you will hear in person. Anyone doing this is wasting their time..
The audience of this channel come for deep analysis and comparisons with comparable equipment, very large amounts of the audience are very interested usually in the products and people who usually are don’t require or look for surface level reviews or misinformation, because they’re serious about the equipment itself, and that’s what I try and provide.
But I’m not offended if you’re looking for surface level 5:57 minute reviews I’m sure there are others that can accommodate, in a very artistic excellent manner like Josh or some other quick reviews on TikTok, which are short hand reviews to give you an idea of what is happening, here you will only find in-depth analysis and detailed comparisons when being interested in a product, and to be fair if you’re planning to spend 6000 and above You really should not be looking at surface reviews. You could be missing out on something that you might actually dislike about a unit.
Without a-b compare tracks all one gets from the channel is just some very personal opinions.
@@user-nf4ob5rq4o thanks for swinging by hope you find what you’re looking for, bud
No offense taken over here it is your opinion after all right?
well sir, if you like the MAY KTE then i strongly sugest checking out the CEN.GRAND DSDAC 1.0 DELUX, it is a clone of the PLAYBACK DESIGN MPD-8
May is great, the channel reference right now is waved signature. I think it’s the best DAC I’ve ever heard under 30,000 for technicality, and the play design DSD unit is something I’m trying to bring in but it’s very difficult. I’ll keep an eye out.
@@ConvinceMeAudio i own a dsdac 1.0 delux. i also have a totaldac d1-direct r2r and rme adi-fs dacs
@@tthedon2471 where did you buy the TotalDac? Assuming you are in the USA