Holo Audio May DAC

@snackeyp FWIW I’ve kept mine running 24x7 for 3 weeks, even when my preamp is off and no sound is coming through the speakers- DAC is still playing music 24x7.

Also, I’ve noticed multiple regressions in sound quality along the 500 hour burnin path... ie. sound is improving, and then takes a step back, sometimes for a few days.  It’s frustrating and makes you doubt everything about the process.  However, when it all comes together towards the end of burn-in, the transformation in sound is not subtle, and completely transformative.

Also, I suspect, and will confirm with a few hundred more hours of play, that 500 hours is not a hard and fast rule on when things reach their pinnacle...

Another break-in tip for those slower to ‘get there’ materials, like teflon... This may seem unconventional or even weird to some, but I got this from a designer years ago... During the break-in process, every two or three day power the unit down for 5 hours +/-. Evidently letting the caps discharge for a time like this can actually speed up the process some and even out the rollercoaster some. 

@jriggy Thanks for that... I’m going to try it.

just read through this whole thread. very interesting. I am in the market for a new DAC upgrading from my Resolution Audio Cantata 2.0. I have the option of upgrading to the 3.0, but I am curious about the options out there. the absolute best DAC that I recall listening to was the Light Harmonic DaVinci, but that is unobtainium used and the new one is beyond my budget anyway.

I had my current DAC thoroughly crushed by a Lampizator GG, which showed me how much of a bottleneck my DAC is at the moment. However, I am still very resistant of going the tube DAC route.

I am just moving back from a Gryphon Class A back to my Gryphon Diablo (orginal) so I am very interested in @phastm3 ever got to do his comparison.

Another update on my burn-in experience on my Holo May KTE edition. I hit a noticeable amazing transformation in sound at around 900 hours. I know that sounds nuts, but even after 500 hours of burn-in I’ve had multiple swings and even temporary regressions  in sound quality and sound staging. The soundstage I am hearing now at 900 hours is awe-inspiring. It is not a subtle transformation. I’ve basically run it 24x7 for 35 days. YMMV with your own Holo May KTE or with the non-KTE versions of this DAC, but this has been my experience. If you are questioning the sound you are getting, run 1000 hours through it first.  The transformation in soundstage width/depth, realism, and lifelike imaging is truly spellbinding.  These guys giving reviews of units with only 200-300 hours of time on them are likely only hearing a facsimile of how a fully broken in model truly sounds.