2. digital
  3. 159610-3674

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 5 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
4,529 posts
 
The Halo May Level 3 and the AudioByte Vox | Zap | Hub stack seem like advancing DAC technology without breaking the bank. I am looking at these 2 to supplement or replace a Benchmark DAC3B.

The AudioByte vs the Rockna Wavelight is also very interesting since they come from the same designer and are priced around the same.
yyzsantabarbara
4,529 posts
 
I just bought the Matrix Mini-i 3 Pro (for headphones) and will compare it with my existing Benchmark DAC3B. The Mini is supposed to be close to the Element X. I would like to get the Halo and AudioByte VOX to maybe move up the DAC ladder.

How are people connecting to the Halo DAC? Is the new USB component in the LEVEL3 as good as i2s . If i2s is preferred, what digital converter is being used to output i2s?

Anybody get the Denafrips IRIS to connect to the Halo via i2s?
yyzsantabarbara
4,529 posts
 
How do the XLR and RCA outputs compare on the KTE? 
yyzsantabarbara
4,529 posts
 
Thanks guys. 
yyzsantabarbara
4,529 posts
 
@headphonedreams I have the AudioMirror Tubadour III SE (fully loaded) that some compared favorably with the Halo May. I actually bought the AMT3SE over the Halo May because a guy selling the Halo May decided to keep the AMT3SE instead after comparing the 2 of them. He may have posted earlier on this or another Halo May thread. I took the 30 day home trial for the AMT3SE and never returned it.

I love my AMT3SE with my RAAL SR1a headphones into a KRELL K-300i integrated. Sonic perfection with this combo. However, I recently got a new DAC that I like more than the AMT3SE on my 2 channel floor standers. It is the $1500 Gustard X26 Pro. It is sonically a nice blend of my Benchmark DAC3B and the AMT3SE.

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