If you’re worried about servicing, take a look at the Denafrips Terminator 2 or Terminator Plus. They have authorized service centers in the US and the distributor , Vinshine Audio, is based in Singapore. The performance is quite similar as they’re both R2R dacs.
Holo MAY KTE DAC/ Kitsune Hi FI, Lynnwood Washington
Have been looking for a new DAC for sometime now. I would like to thank all of you that have helped in my search. Recently, I have watched a very nice review of the HOLO AUDIO KTE DAC from a reviewer, called Golden Sound. A very detailed and professional review. After reading and viewing and listening, it seems that the aforementioned DAC is the best thing since sliced bread!!! It caught my attention.
My first thought, after going to the website, lets look up a few things. I read some of the covenants/warranty statements and came away with the thought, my God if I sneeze, they will void the warranty. Where is this item serviced in and out of warranty, and does it go back to China on your dime. No one addresses this. Any help in this area would be great. Robert TN Thanks , AS USUAL!!
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Doge also makes an excellent tube dac with US service. I agree with you that it is an important issue. There are several Holo owners here, so I’m sure they can offer more information. Just as an aside, I don’t recall reading a single thread with an owner complaint about a Holo product or service issue. |
https://www.kitsunehifi.com/contact/ KitsuneHiFi is based out of Lynnwood Washington. Email would be the best way to contact us. We generally reply fairly soon during the week and sometimes longer if during the weekend.
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I love my Holo Audio May KTE DAC. I bought it with the knowledge that it is made an serviced in China, so if I have a problem I’m screwed, or at least without DAC for many weeks. I decided it was worth the risk, and over a year in couldn’t be happier. I have only reviews to go by, but they said it performs better/equivalent to DACs 2X the price. I can’t say one way or another, just that I and the few audio buddies that have heard it think it’s really good. |
I have heard the latest KTE and Denafrips terminator2, and plus they are all $10 k + dacs if made in Europe,or North America , the KTE is very detailed and a bit softer leading edge , where the terminator with its Huge power supplies has better grunt and grip especially in the midBass,Bass , I2S the Denafrips likes , but very good usb is still very very close with its dual over clocks , you can’t go wrong ,the terminator plus is $1500 more then the T2 ,it’s slightly better for basically the same unit just higher specked parts ,hey are all very good . |
Since there has not yet been a response on point, I’ll chime in. I have owned a couple of quality Chinese DACs over the last 8 or 9 years. I think I’ve read somewhere a while back that what I suggest may apply to the Holo. First, I have found quality control excellent and I’ve never had a problem. Quality Chinese DACs generally are spread out in larger cases than some domestic/European DACs making components easy to see and remove. Separate boards within the case each do specific things. So if there is a difficulty, correspondence with the factory, or rep, can usually identify the board that needs replacement. Generally the boards are easily removed and sent in for repair or replacement. It’s not a very big deal. Normally you remove 4 screws and unplug a board. In one case it was reported that the maker of my DAC sent out a new board and asked the owner to use the box to send back the board needing repair. You need to be comfortable opening the case and replacing a board, though. All of this is just my surmise as to what may apply to a Holo. |
I have no experience with the Holo DACs, but they seem to have a good reputation. They have numerous customer testimonials on their website, including some related to repairs - https://www.kitsunehifi.com/customer-comments/ I own a MHDT Labs Orchid R2R DAC. I bought mine second hand and when I received it, could not get USB to work. I contacted them and let them know I was not the original owner and wanted to get it repaired. Jiun (the designer) contacted me directly and diagnosed the issue and sent me a new board free of charge even though I had no warranty, not being the original owner. Some of the best customer service I've ever received. If service is one of your major concerns, they would be worth checking out. You'll find a ton of favorable reviews. |
I would chime in on what @big_greg said. I also own a MHDT Labs Orchid R2R DAC. I had upgrades done to it by grannyring. Total invested in the DAC is about $1500. Here's something to consider. I did an extended shootout on a very high quality and sensitive system with the Holo May vs. Orchid. Holo May has somewhat smoother highs, more presence in bass and midrange, and a wider, more articulate soundstage. But not by much. Maybe 5-10%. And this was in a very resolving system. My host also had a Holo Spring 3 DAC. In his view, it gets "90% of the way" to the Holo May. So, personally, if I felt the urge to upgrade past my $1500 modded out Orchid, the Holo Spring might be the way to go. It would help hedge the risk factor of repair -- though it seems that Tim at Kitsune is already providing that hedge. Oh, and I have heard MHDT's Jiun is very good to deal with. In a nutshell, you've got good options, and I think the risk is a bit less than perhaps you are supposing. My two cents. |
Hopefully not getting off topic, but I would also add that if you're looking for a "natural" (less "digital"?) sounding DAC to include FPGA technology in your search. I still have my Orchid in a second system, but replaced it in my main system with an Aqua La Voce S3 FPGA DAC. The FPGA DACs are nice because most can be upgraded with new firmware and/or boards in the future. As far as sound quality, the Aqua is a major improvement over the Orchid in terms of detail, but also in another price category. |
I’ve owned Terminator v1, heard Terminator + during audio show, tested MHDT Labs Orchid (seller brought it to my house and demoed tube rolling), and now own Holo Audio May L3 KTE bought directly from HK. I also have Marantz SA-10 SACD player purchased years ago which I use as USB DAC until Holo May arrived 2 weeks ago (still breaking in). Firstly, the MHDT Orchid was highly overrated, especially in this forum. It’s not in the same class as discrete R2R DACs or FCPGA-based DAC like the SA-10 I have. Please read Stereophile’s comments about Terminator + versus Holo Audio Spring 3, which is the model below Holo May: Holo May is really a good DAC, especially when using USB input. It demands a very good digital source to shine. Even though Holo May includes USB galvanic isolation, when using music server with USB galvanic isolation at the music server side, the sound is better. USB cable used also matters. A person who owns all Esoteric digital gears (streamer, DAC, external clock) heard my system and said the Holo May is a damn good DAC. Holo May will stay in my system as the reference DAC for a long time. To ops question about warranty, if the unit failed to work, yes I have to send it back to HK. |
@audioman58 You mention the Terminator has oversized power supply and has better bass than the Holo May? It made me laugh considering the Holo May has an entire shelf dedicated for a power supply also. I'm pretty sure its also way oversized for a DAC. |
@anwar Thanks for clarifying. I heard it with a tap x Bent preamp, Coincident monoblocks and a really great streaming setup -- all on speakers with a delightfully articulate Beyma tweeter. Comparing my Orchid vs the Holo May showed the kind of difference you describe, but not that much of a difference. The Orchid really shined. That said, I bet on a less resolving system, such as my own, your point would be even more obvious to me in a head to head. I suppose it would be my call to decide if the $4500 price difference was worth the extra performance. |
@hilde45 If you prefer NOS, then Holo Audio Spring L3 most likely is good enough. It has similar USB module like May L3. I only use NOS with my May L3. |