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Message started by HockessinKid on 07/16/21 at 17:40:52

Title: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by HockessinKid on 07/16/21 at 17:40:52

GroovySauce will be heading my way next week. We'll have a chance to compare the venerable Holo Audio May KTE DAC and the Modwright modified Cambridge Audio CXN V2 DAC in my humble system.

I had hoped to bring my DAC out to Decfest this year, but alas my plans did not pan out. Oh well, at least the two of us will have some time to give them a good listen.

Cheers,

HK

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Geno on 07/16/21 at 19:08:34

Very cool!  Glad that this will happen. I look forward to your impressions.

Best,

Geno


Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by CAJames on 07/16/21 at 20:13:52

Very cool indeed. I wish there was a way to get Denafrips into the mix as well.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Dominick on 07/16/21 at 20:50:55

Roger,

That sounds like a great time.  Looking forward to hearing your impressions and comparisons between these two great DAC’s.  

Dom

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Dr3wman on 07/17/21 at 04:56:15

I’m definitely looking forward to your impressions. I’m in the market for a DAC and trying to whittle it down.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by GroovySauce on 07/17/21 at 14:20:36

I'm looking forward to it also :)

I'm familiar with the Cambridge CXN v2, I've spent many hours listening to music with it serving as the DAC and digital source feeding a PS Audio DSD. There are a lot of really good options in the DAC market today.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by HockessinKid on 07/23/21 at 15:20:10

I enjoyed hosting GroovySauce at my home yesterday. We spent several hours listening to my MWI modified Cambridge CXN V2 and his Mojo Audio May KTE DAC.

The May KTE was tethered to the CXN V2 initially via a Triode Wire Labs coax cable then a Snake River cable. Groovy brought a couple of IC's so the CXN and May KTE could be connected to my CSP3's two RCA inputs, this allowing easy comparison between the two units. We listened to a variety of music streamed via Qobuz w/ Roon. Hopefully GS can provide info on the cables he brought, as I did not write them down.

The musical reproduction and listening proved superb through the Caintuck Audio Lii 15 open baffles. These speakers are very efficient and excelled in allowing comparison between the CXN V2 and Mojo Audio May KTE DAC's.

The May KTE is the real deal! While the DAC's have a very similar tonality, the May just exuded gobs more detail and separation of detail within a deeper and wider soundstage on all the music selections. Music appears from the blackest backdrop and provided me the most immersive listening i've ever experienced.

Both units have a similar tonality and natural sound. The CXN V2 has a bit more lively and a mid-hall listener placement presentation. It exhibits a wonderful deep, wide and high soundstage. The placement of individual instruments and vocals just doesn't have the amazing separation and "reach out and touch quality" of the May DAC IMHO. The May DAC places a listener closer to the front of the hall, not in a bad way at all. The presentation is ultra articulate, a bit less lively but the detail and realism is there in spades.

Suffice to say the SQ of both units is superlative IMHO. The May KTE as as stand alone DAC requires a separate streaming device unless your just listening CD's, so one should keep this in mind.

The May KTE runs $4995 plus shipping from China. The CXN V2 is $1099 shipped from Crutchfield with $1500 for the ModWright modifications. So $ $2600 for the whole enchilada.

While I was deeply impressed with the May KTE I won't be buying one as I'm completely satisfied with the CXN V2. More importantly, I thoroughly enjoyed my time getting to meet GroovySauce and sharing some our mutual joy of all things audio and life in general.

BTW, on an interesting note there was a very discernable difference in the when we swapped out the Triode Wire Labs coax with the Snake River (a non coax) cable. TheTRL gave a somewhat softer presentation. So digital cables can sound different, maybe worth some experimentation in your system 😉.

HK




Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Geno on 07/23/21 at 16:08:47

Thanks for the in depth review, HK. I have been waiting for it.

That is about what I figured would be the case between the two. Even though the May is better (it better be for double the price), like you, I am perfectly happy with the modded CXN.  It ain't goin' anywhere [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Tony on 07/23/21 at 16:30:41

Brilliant.  Thanks for the review.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by JBzen on 07/23/21 at 17:37:48

Thanks HK and GroovySauce. Sorry to see you can't make it to Decfest this year HK.

John

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by GroovySauce on 07/23/21 at 19:31:18

HK was a great host! It was a fun and enjoyable afternoon. HK covered the heavy lifting between the two DACs.

We used the Snake River Audio Boomslang digital cable after using the Triode Wire Labs cable. The differences were immediately noticeable. The downside of the Boomslang, it being non-coax, and thus not as well shielded was a raising of the noise floor, my guess some sort of RF noise. The noise wasn’t an issue when listening to music. Only when paused it brought itself front and center.

For the RCA cables we connected the ICONOCLAST UPOCC between the MAY and CSP3. The SRA Mamushi is a difficult to route cable, so we didn’t try that one.

The price of the MAY KTE was recently increased to $5,598 + $230 shipping to the USA = $5,823. If that’s in your budget with the rest of the needed equipment it’s a winner.

If you are looking for a solid digital front end, the Cambridge CXN V2 with the MWI mods out of the gate or added later is terrific solution for years of great music.

HK Thank you again for hosting!

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by piezoman on 07/23/21 at 21:46:52

Great review, guys! Sounds like you had a ton of fun. Thanks for sharing your afternoon together with the rest of us. I love stories like that! And great info on the two outstanding DACs!

Brad

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by HockessinKid on 07/23/21 at 23:45:55

Happy to host fellow Decware folks if you want to travel to Northern Delaware. Plenty of music to share! Just shoot me a PM.

HK

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by dao on 07/24/21 at 05:24:53

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with these two great piece s. I came kinda close to buying the KTE May, but with just getting my toes wet again into the hi-fi scene, it just didn’t feel right. If your first car was a Ferrari, would you appreciate it as much as someone who owned a VW Beetle first?

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by MrDerrick on 07/24/21 at 11:36:44

Nothing better than getting together for some audio fellowship.

I wanted to make Decfest this year, but wouldn't you know it, we had that slot already booked up.

Now there needs to be a Modwright version of the KTE May.

A couple of big ole honking tubes poking out through the top cover.

I would go for it even if they were just for show and did nothing.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by HockessinKid on 07/24/21 at 11:44:49

Or maybe just settle for this PH 9.0X MWI picture.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Dominick on 07/24/21 at 14:58:00

Sounds like you guys had a really great time!  Nothing better than a bunch of Decware guys getting together to listen to music with a DAC shootout.  I would love to hear both of these DAC’s someday.

Your listening impressions were very descriptive and much appreciated.   For a an all in one DAC/streamer…the modified CXN seems to be the best out there.  For a while I was interested in the Teac NT-505, but for not much more, the Cambridge is clearly the best choice.

Dom


Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by HockessinKid on 07/24/21 at 17:26:12

Dom,

The Holo Audio MAY KTE is phenomenal. For those who plan to use it primarily for streaming, you'll need to add a PC or other streaming device and a good coax cable.

For those that want the ultimate, it's a no brained IMHO.

For those who want a solid streamer/ DAC one box solution at a lower cost, the MWI modified CXN V2 is a viable choice. I believe Dan has modified over 75 units so far, so it's a pretty popular option.

HK

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by johnnycopy on 07/25/21 at 04:32:50

Was very surprised and happy to see this thread as well as the sister thread Ed started on the holo May kte.

Thanks for the nice write up and comparisons.

My existing dac failed 6 weeks ago, and in doing a lot of net research came to the holo products.

Was going to pull the trigger on a holo May kte, but kitsume audio indicated an new dac was on the way.

Being considerably cheaper I ended up going for the top iteration (Kte) of the new holo spring 3 dac announced in July.

Same USB board as the May, , and even comes with a brand new optional volume control.

They lowered cost by making it nos only as nobody ran the May in non nos modes

The cheaper price will not last as the distributor indicated price increases of 10% were at hand.

Ordered but have not yet received it.

Thanks again for the comparison review.

I plan to run it with Lii audio new reference speakers.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Steve Deckert on 07/26/21 at 02:48:58


Sounds exciting!  I can see deleting the second set of ladders used just for DSD because many customers would not use it. That would really drop the cost. Your TORII and the HOLO with the Lii Reference speakers will ensure your post count stays low. Hehe, maybe we should name the pairing ' TORIIOLO '.

Yea, that's it... what happened to Jonny?  He had a Toriiolo.  No one's seen him since.

Steve




Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by jslateiv on 07/26/21 at 19:39:08

The KTE May is the real deal as everyone else here who's heard it mentions.    I've had one for about 6 months now,  previously owning a PSA DSD for 3 years and a Lampizator Atlantic TRP for about 9 months as well.   In my system (F15 OB/Large Zen style and the 25th Anniv amp),  the Holo is simply amazing and smoked the competition. I actually really liked the PSA-DSD and Lampi but they were almost too polite and the natural decay recorded into the music was lost a bit.  With that Holo,  the spatial sense and natural decay of the recorded sounds are just eerily and spookily natural.    Easily and instantly discernible over any other DAC I've ever heard.  Certainly takes a great amp and speakers to hear it in spades though.  BUT,  if you have some of the Lii FR speakers implemented and a DECWARE amp driving them,  your golden.  I can't imagine it really getting much better,  but I say that from time to time and the next thing you know something new comes out that raises the bar.  In this case though and from a full systems standpoint,  I just can't see a DAC raising that bar much beyond the KTE May.   Speakers maybe, amp maybe but not that DAC!

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by MrDerrick on 07/26/21 at 22:53:08

The KTE May still continues to amaze me every time I listen to it.

The only thing that I miss is the volume control of the PSA DSD.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Lon on 07/27/21 at 00:31:45

Sure seems like the hot DAC to own and to have the goods to back up the claim!

For the foreseeable (well sort of) future I won't be able to upgrade my DAC and I'm very happy with my PS Audio DSD--and with my system's ZBIT, ZROCK2 two Decware preamps, and extensive tube-rolling options I've dialed the system in exactly how I like it and it serves me well across all the quality natures of my disc collections. Not sure I'd go for a Holo May if I were to make a change--their lack of a US presence beyond one guy as a distributor gives me pause. But likely that won't be much of an issue in a continuingly global market once we get past the pandemic bumps and grinds.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Brian on 07/27/21 at 04:57:58

Is any one here familiar with other Holo Audio DACs?  I see they have a model called Cyan which also is a discrete resistor ladder DAC, for $1100 – $1500 depending on options. A considerable saving over the May model. I wonder how it sounds.

Brian

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by jslateiv on 07/27/21 at 14:36:33

I would imagine that they are solid DACs since they are designed by the same fellow (as far as I'm aware),..  probably on par with other similar offerings of similar price points from other manufacturers,. Their Spring model has garnered some good press over the years but like most DACs out there, it's almost a flavor of the month kinda deal.  You really need the ability to listen in your own environment (as with any gear) to be able to make an informed decision.    Purchasing something from Holo (or any other oversea's manuf) def. gives pause when you consider the need to deal with any trouble down the road. It's certainly a risk you have to be willing to take.  I do think that Holo would do everything in their power to make things right but it's not as if you can just ship the unit across a few states and have the company repair for you.  I have heard that in the few rare cases where there was a problem,  once identified,  the company would ship a replacement board or such and the user would then swap out themselves.   Due to the modularity of the components this is apparently the best solution to issues,..    


Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Ellsworth on 07/31/21 at 15:19:24

Thanks for the thread and the listening comparisons.  I have the Holo Spring 2  Kitsune Edition.   Wonderful DAC but I am sure the May is on another level.  

I have been really interested in Lampizator DACs and am surprised I don’t hear more about them with Decware users.  Based on comments above it sounds like the May was preferred over the  Lampizator Atlantic TRP by a fair margin.  Very interesting comments.  

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by jslateiv on 08/02/21 at 17:13:09

I never felt like I heard alot about the Lampi's either save for in a couple Forums where there were some very specific threads for Lampi and all of the members/posters were Lampi owners, (and they all raved about them ,lol)...     I really liked the Lampi and would put it on Par with the PSA - DSD.  I had the Atlantic TRP which had the Power Tubes on top (used essentially as preamp output) and you could def. roll those to suit your tastes.  I think the Lampi had a little more 'jump' factor than the DSD but all in all the Presentation was pretty similar and very smooth across the board.  I ultimately ended up not wanting to deal/mess with tubes in my DAC since all the rest of my gear is tube based.   Ultimately I just didn't feel like there was enough difference betwen the PSA and Lampi  and I was really looking to take my DAC implementation to the next level so I sold the Lampi,..   I do feel like the KTE May brought me to that next level.

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by Ellsworth on 08/05/21 at 01:55:00

Thanks for the detailed impressions of the Lampi.  I do wonder if most of the enthusiastic Lampi supporters have SS amps.  The idea of rolling tubes in a DAC while fun might be more hassle than I want to go through

Title: Re: DAC Comparison Listening Session
Post by magicknow on 09/26/21 at 20:12:04

https://youtu.be/hhf9GpGC55w

HOLO Spring 3 Review

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