DACs - Holo/Kitsune, Bricasti, PS Audio, dCS, etc

You should give Ben Zwickel at Mojo Audio Inc a call.  He not only answers the phone but you actually talk to the person who doesn't just fix it he designed and built it.  There is a caution he's a talker but if you can describe it he can explain it.

The guy at Holo/Kitsune is Tim Conner. He takes a bit of time to get back to you by email however, he does get back to you. I have purchased the Holo Serene preamp from him. I almost bought his personal Benchmark HPA4 preamp from him.

He gave me great advice on how to setup my then complicated office system. I have the Serene and HPA4 as my 2 preamps for my 2 systems. I also learned from Tim that you should not use RCA-to-XLR (and XLR-to-RCA) converters on any Holo gear.

Another DAC that you should listen to is the Schitt Yggi+ LIM (warm) or the Schitt Yggi+ MIB (likely neutral). These DACs need about a month of heavy duty play before they sound their best. My DAC searching is done with the Yggi+ OG and the LIM which I have on my 2 systems. You can save a lot of money.

Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DAC - The Absolute Sound (I have the last version made)

I bought a Holo May in 2021 and had no problem corresponding with Tim Connor at Kitsune Hi-Fi; I had a number of questions about shipping and technical issues, and he replied to me within a day or two, often the same day, every time. That was then and this is now, but Kitsune used to have fine customer service....

I was very interested in buying one of the Holo products, but eventually decided against it after reading that page. Electronics are very reliable these days, but if the thing bricks, it sounds like a long wait and/or ship back to Asia for service. 

T+A, Lampizator, Denafrips (I have a Pontus II 12th with a Hermes DDC), Chord, Mola Mola.  I’ve not owned any other than the Denafrips but the others get a lot of interest on here.  If you post the characteristics you’re looking for from your DAC and price point you’d likely get a lot of good advice/siggestions from those who have owned them.

@jastralfu  -  Among the "many excellent DACs" you reference above, what are some of your favorites that I may have not considered?

@jastralfu  -  Of course you are correct....take my business elsewhere.  However, there is no disputing that the May KTE is an impressive design and strong performer at its price point.  It would compliment/synergize with the other pieces in my system quite nicely.  AND I have just one question that stands in front of my purchase.  Does Holo know from what brand SACD transports the May will receive and process the SACD data?  I'm certain that they know.

We know that the I2S HDMI connection protocol is not a standardized, and hence, several high end audio gurus I've talked to explain it is often 'hit-or-miss' as to whether a given DAC will process the SACD layer from a given transport.  I still play CDs and SACDs so finding an answer on how to proceed is important.  AND WITH A PROPER CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM AT KITSUNE, THAT QUESTION COULD BE ANSWERED QUICKLY.  My second DAC choice is a Bricasti M series, but the downside is the Bricasti M19 SACD transport is priced at $10k which I find tough to swallow.  And therefore, my best remaining option is to find an Esoteric K-01XD SACD Player of which there are many on the used market.

The problems we labor over when children are starving in Africa....

I understand what you’re saying and customer support is an important aspect in making a purchase.  However, if that’s a deal breaker then don’t buy from Holo Audio or Kitsune.  There are too many excellent DACs out there to get worked up over one company that doesn’t meet your needs/expectations/requirements.  In fact, you listed several that do so buy one from them.

Oh, and did I say I've talked to Holo owners who explain they have never received email responses to their requests?