Holo Audio May DAC

Shipping to US is flat-rate $235. Mine arrives tomorrow.

The 15% restock is clearly stated in the T&Cs. 10-day satisfaction guarantee policy and will be subject to a 15% restocking fee. Unfortunately, I expect far more than 10 days for the unit to come into it's own. https://www.kitsunehifi.com/shop/guarantee-return-policy/

The cost to ship back plus the 15% restock will probably cost more than selling on the used market if you don't get on with it.

Sounds like this is too much risk for you to try at this point. Wait a year and there will be used ones on the market.

Mgrif are you considering one or the other ? The Mola dac is $14,000.00 the May KTE dac is $5200.00 landed on your door step ,..Spiff2001 perhaps I misinterpreted your comments,..I don’t view the dac as the component to make or break sound quality performance of a system, it’s what’s up stream of the dac that counts including the recording playback of itself that counts .
l mean I wouldn’t  build a system around a dac , for me it’s speakers and source first . 

in_shore, yes you did not misinterpret my comments. In my system, I have found the DAC to make a big difference in the overall sound. I have tried a couple highly regarded DACs in the ~5k price range and they were both very different from my current DAC and not preferable to me. Certainly upgrading another component in many systems can make a bigger difference but am pretty happy with speakers and source for now.

Thanks everyone for the shipping costs - just what I needed.

@in_shore 
yes, I am considering both DACs and realize they’re in different price classes.  However, based on this particular thread, it would appear that it’s fair to compare the two units as better examples of their respective topologies.  

I have an Auralic Vega G2.1 - and it’s quite good - particularly when served by the Aries G2 which I also have.  I’m just wondering if there are other solutions I should be considering.  Under consideration are the Tambaqui, the May KTE, Simaudio 680 among others.

Quick update on my burnin experience with my Holo May KTE DAC. I’ve hit peak performance at 3300 hours of continuous play. Basically December 23 until today, March 18, feeding it music 24x7. Maybe I’m an outlier, but that’s what it took. I will say that the sound quality, detail, tone, and soundstage today is nothing short of beautiful and astounding. There were lots of ups and downs along the way of those 3300 hours to get to this point. This is the longest burn-in I’ve ever encountered in 20 years. In suspect many people will give up and sell their DACs before they fully burnin. In any case, everyone’s experience may vary, but this was my experience. Throwing it out there for the benefit of anyone else that bought an Holo May KTE and isn’t hearing the magic and bliss yet. Hopefully you won’t need 3300 hours, but I did. I can say when it hits peak burnin it is the most beautiful and realistic digital source I’ve ever heard in my life and you will love it.