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  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
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cleopatra52's avatar
cleopatra52
98 posts
 
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!
luisma31
516 posts
 
not all of the filters are better than pure NOS


@nquery did you tried the EC modulators as well? do you still like the pure NOS over EC mods with HQPlayer?
I ask because per your post I noticed you are using PCM not SDMI'm just curious that's all
brge
8 posts
 
@cleopatra52 , thank you very much. I must say that you seemed to have been lucky avoiding the duties - good for you: they should have been ~15% of the cost of the MAY KTE (which is $USD 5000 from I understand). It is good to have a break once in a while :) ...

Do you have past experiences with other DACs (including may be the La Voce S3) and if so, which aspects of the KTE DAC makes it a superior DAC compared to the others you have owned?
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cudfoo
15 posts
 
Just got the May DAC. 15 days after order - must be a record! Make the mistake of listening right out of the box (after an hour or so). Sound is just ok. Not in the same league as PSA DSD. Bass is bloated. Image is diffuse. Has trouble locking onto different sample rates. Using USB maybe that’s part of the issue. Had been using I2S with Matrix/Uptone PS w/Aurender streamer. Thought I’d start with USB as I’ve heard so many positive comments (not much of a fan of USB usually) Thinking... hoping it’s got to get much better with break - in. We’ll see...
cleopatra52's avatar
cleopatra52
98 posts
 
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 
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