[Frankie D]

Hi guys,

I just received my unit yesterday (MAY KTE + Red) and am currently in break-in process. However, I find that the DAC unit runs very hot (well... not too hot to the touch but hotter than usual). I also have Denafrips Terminator Plus and I thought it ran hot... until I have the May KTE, and it's different story as the May runs significantly warmer.

I'm thinking of getting a high quality/ low-RPM fan e.g., some Noctua fans to blow the air over, but then I realize... if anything, doing so only cooling down the case, but its' inside the case that's hot and the case has zero ventilation port.

As where I live, with no AC on the room temp can go very high (up to 40C), so I'm unsure leaving it in "standby" mode while not in use will significantly wear the components.

Anybody in hot climate leaving this in standby while not in use (and you are away so the AC is off)? How long have you had the unit and have you guys run into any problems?

No issue. The May runs hot. When in standby it is cool. I have mine stacked with Bliss and do not use a fan. You may need to cool the room, but may should be fine.

 

[joseph69]

I just received my unit yesterday (MAY KTE + Red) and am currently in break-in process. However, I find that the DAC unit runs very hot (well... not too hot to the touch but hotter than usual).

if you just received it how do you know that the DAC unit runs "hotter than usual"? Have you experienced a cooler running DAC unit temperature from a friends?

 

[PrTv]

if you just received it how do you know that the DAC unit runs "hotter than usual"? Have you experienced a cooler running DAC unit temperature from a friends?

As in "usual" I don't mean to compare with other MAY unit, and I just mean it runs warmer than my other DACs (i.e., Terminator Plus / Ayre QB9 Twenty). From my research, I'm aware that May runs hot but I don't expect this kind of temperature. It's particularly warm on the side panel. In any case, if it's cooler when standing by that's fine. Haven't put it in stand by yet as I want it to pass break-in period ASAP.

 

[Frankie D]

As in "usual" I don't mean to compare with other MAY unit, and I just mean it runs warmer than my other DACs (i.e., Terminator Plus / Ayre QB9 Twenty). From my research, I'm aware that May runs hot but I don't expect this kind of temperature. It's particularly warm on the side panel. In any case, if it's cooler when standing by that's fine. Haven't put it in stand by yet as I want it to pass break-in period ASAP.

In standby mode it is completely cool.

 

[joseph69]

As in "usual" I don't mean to compare with other MAY unit, and I just mean it runs warmer than my other DACs (i.e., Terminator Plus / Ayre QB9 Twenty). From my research, I'm aware that May runs hot but I don't expect this kind of temperature. It's particularly warm on the side panel. In any case, if it's cooler when standing by that's fine. Haven't put it in stand by yet as I want it to pass break-in period ASAP.

I see.
While I have the Spring3 KTE I find the top (metal casing) to run slightly warm - but I've never felt the side panels. With that said, copper is one of the most dissipating metals, so it would make sense for the sides to be warmer than the rest of the metal casing.

 

[PrTv]

In standby mode it is completely cool.

Great, that's cool (pun intended)!

I see.
While I have the Spring3 KTE I find the top (metal casing) to run slightly warm - but I've never felt the side panels. With that said, copper is one of the most dissipating metals, so it would make sense for the sides to be warmer than the rest of the metal casing.

That makes sense. If you guys never run into any trouble that's a bit relief.

Now I will see whether I will like the Termie Plus or May KTE more and will let one go. The Termie Plus has been with me for about 2 years (left on/in stand by almost all the time) with no issue.

 

[joseph69]

Would be curious what you decide to let go - including the Terminator, unless you use two DACs for different systems.

 

[PrTv]

Would be curious what you decide to let go - including the Terminator, unless you use two DACs for different systems.

I will know soon enough mate... If I let go the T+, it will be with great loss, as individually the set costed more than the Holo. The DAC, the Hermes DDC, and BNC link cables for syncing the T+ clock with the DDC ($920 each). Maybe at 45-50% discount to be able to let all these go.

I won't keep both as I only have one headphones system.

 

[Darion]

I listen to May with hqplayer dsd 1024, gaus xla filter and 7ecv3 modulator. The bass delivery changes dramatically compared to listening without hqplayer. I use two rel t/9x subwoofers.
If I listen without hqplayer, then according to the rules (recommendations from the manufacturer Rel), the volume of the subwoofers needs to be reduced (I like a lot of bass). But with hqplayer, the bass is so transformed that on the contrary I want to add it (but I don’t). The sound becomes very dense, soft and envelops the whole body, rather than filling the room. A very unusual feeling. I like.

 

[PrTv]

Hi guys, what's the most recent firmware version? When I turn on the May it said "Holo" and then "May" with Ver 1.32 on top right. Is this the firmware version of the Dac? From this section in Kitsune website it seems to refer to something else (i.e., 3144 firmware pack).

EDIT:
Nevermind... I seem to find the answer to my own question from Cameron's post in Audiophile Style forum shown below. So mine seem to be hardware revision 1.32 then.

 

[Mavwong]

FYI, May is design to run warm, all the caps and component are of higher temp rating. So no worries about the warmness, just don't stack anything too close to the main unit of May, think manual did mention about keeping min distance if you going to stack something else on top of may main unit. I keep my may 3 inch apart from bliss. And both are warm!

 

[Zachik]

Question: anyone here using their Holo May with Roon?
I have a very frustrating technical issue that I have been trying to debug...
Basically, as a relatively new Roon user, I tried to add the May as an output device / audio zone, but Roon does not show it at all
Setup is:
* Roon Core running on dedicated NUC (ROCK).
* Roon Remote running on a Win10 PC.
* Holo May connected to Win10 PC with USB cable.

I tested the hardware by using Jriver MC on Win10 and successfully played music on the May.
Roon (Remote) does not see ANY device connected to local Win10 PC:

I have confirmed that both Roon Remote and Roon Server - are the latest versions.
Both ROCK and Win10 PC - were rebooted. Twice.

ANY help is very welcome

 

[genefruit]

Question: anyone here using their Holo May with Roon?
I have a very frustrating technical issue that I have been trying to debug...
Basically, as a relatively new Roon user, I tried to add the May as an output device / audio zone, but Roon does not show it at all
Setup is:
* Roon Core running on dedicated NUC (ROCK).
* Roon Remote running on a Win10 PC.
* Holo May connected to Win10 PC with USB cable.

I tested the hardware by using Jriver MC on Win10 and successfully played music on the May.
Roon (Remote) does not see ANY device connected to local Win10 PC:


I have confirmed that both Roon Remote and Roon Server - are the latest versions.
Both ROCK and Win10 PC - were rebooted. Twice.

ANY help is very welcome

Have you installed the Holo May driver on the Roon remote machine?

 

[Zachik]

Have you installed the Holo May driver on the Roon remote machine?

Yes. Unfortunately, that made no difference at all. Jriver worked before and after installing the driver. Roon did not work before, and still no joy after

 

[GoldenSound]

Question: anyone here using their Holo May with Roon?
I have a very frustrating technical issue that I have been trying to debug...
Basically, as a relatively new Roon user, I tried to add the May as an output device / audio zone, but Roon does not show it at all
Setup is:
* Roon Core running on dedicated NUC (ROCK).
* Roon Remote running on a Win10 PC.
* Holo May connected to Win10 PC with USB cable.

I tested the hardware by using Jriver MC on Win10 and successfully played music on the May.
Roon (Remote) does not see ANY device connected to local Win10 PC:


I have confirmed that both Roon Remote and Roon Server - are the latest versions.
Both ROCK and Win10 PC - were rebooted. Twice.

ANY help is very welcome

Make sure usb input is selected on the may. If it's set to i2s or coax or something the USB input is disabled entirely and the connected pc won't see it