Holo Audio May DAC


Just read a very nice review of this in Stereophile this month and after doing some research it looks like this one could be a very nice option for me.  
https://kitsunehifi.com/product/holo-audio-may-dac/
  
It's made in China I think (or could be Taiwan?, and yes, I am very well aware that these are two very different countries. ;)), and employs a direct to consumer model to keep the price as low as possible.  This does not worry me after purchasing a Jay's Audio transport from Vinshine Audio and having zero issues.  

Just curious if anyone here has heard one or purchased?  I'm very intrigued.  I know the Denafrips Terminator is another highly regarded DAC with a similar ordering model, but costs a couple grand more than this one.  Considering that one as well.

Thanks
128x128snackeyp

Showing 4 responses by cleopatra52

I have followed this discussion with considerable interest and I'm close to pulling the trigger on a May. But I am hesitating over the level of the May that would be best for me in my system. The primary difference between the Level 2 and Level 3 (KTE) versions of the May is the use of silver wire and transformers in the latter and it has been assumed by most that this would make the KTE the best. However, my experience with silver cable, some very expensive, has indicated that silver has a particular sound signature quite different that copper. Although silver is certainly transparent and detailed, it can also sound quite thin and even bright (I have experienced this sonic signature in a number of top tier audio systems). The reviews of the KTE May certainly don't comment on this silver signature but, on the other hand, I have not seen any direct comparisons with the Level 2 May. Any comments on this topic would be greatly appreciated. 
brge1
I'm in Canada and I ordered my MAY KTE in the last week of May. I received the DAC in about 3 weeks, half the time predicted by Kitsune. I think shipping came to about $280 US and DHL  brokerage fee were less than $50 CDN. So far, I have not been charged duties or taxes but, of course, that could change. 

The MAY is an amazing DAC!
cudfoo5,
No, the MAY will not get much better with break-in. If you don't like it now, you are unlikely to like it in the future. However, your description of "bass is bloated" and "image is diffuse" is the polar opposite of my experience with the MAY. There must be something wrong with your particular MAY DAC or something else in 
brge2,
I have limited experience with other DACs in my system. I had the Denafrips Terminator for a long weekend last summer (2020) and I thought it was good but not great. I like the MAY considerably more. I have listened extensively to the dCS Bartok and the TotalDAC in a friend's system and there is a chance we will be comparing the MAY to one or both of these highly regarded DACs.