I recently got a used Holo May KTE with my coming from a Chord Qutest, Chord TT2 with M Scaler, and eventually Chord DAVE with M Scaler.
My chain is QoBuz -> Roon -> USB AudioQuest Carbon Cable -> Holo May in NOS mode with PLL -> Auris Nirvana tube rolled -> Susvara.
I've been messing with HQ Player in my chain as well: 1.5 mil upscaling PCM, DSD 1024 upscaling, multiple decoders and filters based on reviews of the Holo May and suggested settings. My computer is very capable as well with 32gb DDR5 5000, i9-12900k, and a 4090 GPU.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, that HQ Player does sounds as good as the Holo May running NOS in exclusive mode through Roon. The HQ Player upscaling, regardless of decoder or filter or sample rate, always introduces a metallic sheen to the music and softens the impact of every single recording, even whippy electronic or rap. It's as though an artificial coating is tossed on the recording, like Vaseline, that smothers and smears fine details. Separation becomes muddy instead of concise and airy. Bass loses its punch
. The music becomes... anemic.
It's interesting to hear so many people praise HQ Player for making their music sound better. I suspect the Chord DACs could have some improvement or maybe other chip-based DACs. Perhaps it's because the Holo May processes true NOS and is R2R. But many people who reviewed the May preferred it in HQ Player.
I just do not hear it. At. All.
NOS without any upsampling is superior to me, and it isn't even close.
Has anyone else had this experience?