Holo Audio May DAC Speculation

[George Hincapie]

Congrats on the May, and I share your excitement! Seems burn in may vary, but I've found it just gets better with time. It checks most of my boxes with an analogue sound, amazing soundstage, with super sharp and clear instruments. I dunno if you've caught New Record Day's May review on YouKnowWhoTube, but I think his analogy with the little blue ornament is completely spot on and nails this quality of May. I can picture each instrument and vocalist, it's placement in the room, and everything is sharp and clear. I can focus on any one sound in that room and easily move my focus around the room. It's pretty amazing, and what keeps me loving May. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions once you get it setup or want to chat further... Just give it time, and it will show its true colors.

I can't stand his reviews. He just grins like a moron, while wearing that stupid cap. God save me.

 

[thecrow]

I can't stand his reviews. He just grins like a moron, while wearing that stupid cap. God save me.

There is a lot of caps on headphone reviewers on youtube.
And then some put a headphone on and discuss comfort and hotspots.

It’s ok - there’s a lot of us folically challenged here.

 

[al210]

My May burn in experience. There is definitely a separate burn in for the DSD section since its a separate DAC section from the PCM section. Mine went from really good to spectacular in about a month with 24/7 burn in. It initially got really good after two weeks and then kinda didn't change much until week 4. That's when it became magical to my ears.

 

[shwnwllms]

My May burn in experience. There is definitely a separate burn in for the DSD section since its a separate DAC section from the PCM section. Mine went from really good to spectacular in about a month with 24/7 burn in. It initially got really good after two weeks and then kinda didn't change much until week 4. That's when it became magical to my ears.

This is kind of what I’m expecting. I also noticed a significant improvement going from DSD256 to DSD512

 

[jonh1]

There are problems with new versions of Holo May KTE
https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/58090-holo-audio-may-dac/?do=findComment&comment=1215685
Text:
"Just got notice from Tim that some May KTE models recently shipped including mine have a wrong part in the dc surge protection circuit that could damage the power supply. Part was miss marked by the vendor by accident. He advised to turn the unit off and un plug from the outlet. They will be shipping out a replacement DAC chassis sometime next week. I was just getting close to the break in 500 hour mark."

Including the one that was supposed to come to me just the other day. If I hadn't found out about this news, I would have burned my dac!
Now we decide what to do...

 

[al210]

There are problems with new versions of Holo May KTE
https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/58090-holo-audio-may-dac/?do=findComment&comment=1215685
Text:
"Just got notice from Tim that some May KTE models recently shipped including mine have a wrong part in the dc surge protection circuit that could damage the power supply. Part was miss marked by the vendor by accident. He advised to turn the unit off and un plug from the outlet. They will be shipping out a replacement DAC chassis sometime next week. I was just getting close to the break in 500 hour mark."

Including the one that was supposed to come to me just the other day. If I hadn't found out about this news, I would have burned my dac!
Now we decide what to do...

The problem with the May DAC is very limited and only effects the power supply unit. The wrong part is in the DAC but under certain circumstances it can cause a failure of the power supply unit. Especially removing the cable between the power supply and DAC while powered up.

 

[OneEyedHito]

There are problems with new versions of Holo May KTE
https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/58090-holo-audio-may-dac/?do=findComment&comment=1215685
Text:
"Just got notice from Tim that some May KTE models recently shipped including mine have a wrong part in the dc surge protection circuit that could damage the power supply. Part was miss marked by the vendor by accident. He advised to turn the unit off and un plug from the outlet. They will be shipping out a replacement DAC chassis sometime next week. I was just getting close to the break in 500 hour mark."

Including the one that was supposed to come to me just the other day. If I hadn't found out about this news, I would have burned my dac!
Now we decide what to do...

The problem with the May DAC is very limited and only effects the power supply unit. The wrong part is in the DAC but under certain circumstances it can cause a failure of the power supply unit. Especially removing the cable between the power supply and DAC while powered up.

Yes as @al210 mentions it is not "problems" but a singular problem with some units, Tim emailing those affected assures me that he will get it sorted quickly and transparently obviously. My Spring 3 comes back to me today (bought it back from my friend I sold it to previously) and I am looking forward to it!

 

[Timbuk2]

I can't stand his reviews. He just grins like a moron, while wearing that stupid cap. God save me.

I hear ya... All the reviewers have their quirks, huh. He just happens to be spot on, and I'm a sucker for a great analogy... Fortunately, there are plenty of opinions out there!

 

[Skyediver]

The wait is over! Finally got my May all hooked up, beginning the burn-in process. Sounded amazing already, hooked up to my Pendant and doing a first night listen with my beloved ZMF Verité. Glad tomorrow is Sunday and I got no place to go

 

[jonh1]

The wait is over!

Check with your distributor to make sure your Holo May is not defective.

 

[Skyediver]

Check with your distributor to make sure your Holo May is not defective.

I would’ve assumed that I was fine since I’ve been in communication with Tim from KitSune throughput the purchase process and this issue was before my purchase but good call to follow up and ask specifically about it, thanks.

 

[al210]

I would’ve assumed that I was fine since I’ve been in communication with Tim from KitSune throughput the purchase process and this issue was before my purchase but good call to follow up and ask specifically about it, thanks.

If you weren't notified by Tim via email or phone then your unit is not affected.

 

[DMITRIY R]

Tell me, is it possible to connect the RCA and XLR line outputs simultaneously to different amplifiers by May (listening at the same time from only one of the amplifiers)? Does the sound quality deteriorate with this connection? As far as I know, the DAC from Aquarius and Denafrips have such problems. Thanks for the reply.

 

[OneEyedHito]

Signal is output simultaneously from both the XLR and the RCA outputs on the Holo Audio Kitsune DAC’s yes. No degradation that I’ve heard.

 

[lsantista]

same here with spring 3, no listanable degradation and doing it quite often, I have the preamp module but wouldn't expect a different sotry w/o it or with May