Holo Audio May DAC

@falconquest I have both in my system (see my system page for more information) right now.

The May is extremely clean and extended with great tonality across the frequency range. It paints an amazingly tall and wide picture across my soundstage.  The AM-T3SE is a little less even handed, but provides more body and "meat on the bones." It shrinks the soundstage more between the speakers, but also draws more depth and 3-dimensionality. It's obvious to me that both are superb dacs. 

I'm maybe talking myself into a conspiracy theory, but for people who track the distortion profiles of their electronics, it does kinda feel like a classic 2nd (depth and warmth) vs 3rd (clarity and details) harmonic dominance difference. A lot of good information on that from Nelson Pass in this link if anyone wants to put themselves in the weeds with me (https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/the-pass-h2-harmonic-generator/).  

It's feeling like I'll probably put the May up for sale soon. I think the "demo" has kind of solidified for me that I prefer 2nd harmonic distortion profiles and am going to exclusively shop for them in the future.  This also fits with my experienced preference for First Watt f4s (and Coincident 300b SETs) over Atma-sphere M60s and a Pass Labs XA25.

Anyway, I can let people in here know if/when I do. Feel free to PM me if you're interested and want to talk about it before I release to the general public.

The May is extremely clean and extended with great tonality across the frequency range. It paints an amazingly tall and wide picture across my soundstage. The AM-T3SE is a little less even handed, but provides more body and "meat on the bones." It shrinks the soundstage more between the speakers, but also draws more depth and 3-dimensionality. It’s obvious to me that both are superb dacs.

Was this done with both in NOS mode or OS mode?
If both, was the outcome the same, as for me the borrowed Holo Sping L2 in NOS was richer perhaps not as microscopic than OS mode.

Cheers George

Anyone compare
the May DAC to the Spring 2 DAC? Appears the Spring 2 has implemented some of the upgrades in the May DAC (Usb improvements, upgraded components etc.). Wondering if the sound difference is worth the extra expense?

@georgehifi Honestly, I've only flipped the May out of NOS mode once.  Didn't listen critically, but did prefer the NOS.  I bought it explicitly because it was non-oversampling and the reviews have been so consistent in preferring NOS that I didn't really feel the need to bother.

@73max, how many hours on both? With such a close sound and the Plus not handling delicacy as well as the standard, sounds like just a break-in thing. When I had a Termi, delicacy and final details is what took the time... Not saying your observations are not true, just aways a chance with something ‘new’. Especially since they’re so 

Definitely way more time on the standard. Over a year. I ran the plus 24 seven For about two weeks. Started comparisons around 10 days.  I think most of the character had developed, but you are correct there may have subtle changes to come.  Based on the overall character I had a definite preference standard. Very subjective, based on my ear, my room and my system.