BearlyPizza
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Posting this here since it may be relevant to those considering either a Holo May or a Rockna Wavelight. (Previously posted on Wavelight thread)
I have owned a Wavelight previously and moved to a Holo May KTE, so I could provide some impressions! However, its been quite awhile since i've listened to the Wavelight, and the bridging setup is different. So take my impressions with a huuuge grain of salt. I know you guys have been wanting to hear about a comparison!
for the Wavelight it was connected to PC via Pink Faun OCXO i2s bridge with a Tubulus Argentus i2s cable
for the Holo May KTE it is connected to PC via JCAT USB card XE with a Shunyata Alpha USB cable
So they actually share more in common in that they both sound exceptionally high end as befitting their respective price points. Clarity, Details, extremely black background, Organic, and "Lifelike" voices are words i'd share with both! Regardless which one you go with, I do not think you'd be disappointed with either.
How I would describe both:
Wavelight:
-Extremely Black Background
-Slighty more forward on the highs and mids? and slightly lacking on bass impact. (It's just Decent) But the bass extension goes on for miles!
-Organic
-less power hungry (15 watts measured) and a warmup of a few hours from standby
*Holo May KTE*
-Even blacker background.
-Extracts details just a little bit more.
-Very balanced without being hot up top.
-Excellent bass impact with extension that is just as deep as the Wavelight!
-Very analog sounding
-43 watts power consumption and requires a traditionally long warmup time
-USB is superior to the Wavelight's USB IMO**
**While I didn't test the Wavelight's latency through video tests and FPS games, the MAY KTE had no latency issues over USB. I do love how well designed their USB implementation is! It sounded exceptional even going straight into the PC! So if USB is something you want, go for the Holo May. **
So the reason why I moved from the Wavelight is more of a personal issue with my ears rather than for sound reasons. After damaging my ears, they became more sensitive than normal, so highs and mids that are too forward can fatigue me. The Wavelight's highs and mids were just slliiiiiightly more forward than i'd like, but it shouldn't fatigue most people!
The bass impact was also slightly less than my previous DAC, which was an Audiogd R8, so it was a little disappointing.
Moving to the Holo May KTE pretty much balanced the mids and highs out and it brought back the bass impact! It's definitely staying as my end game! But again, take these impressions with a huge grain of salt since I haven't listened to the Wavelight in awhile! I consider it within the same class of DAC's as the Holo May, but I do prefer the Holo May KTE more. Major respect to both companies for innovative and wonderfully designed DAC's. It's a good time to be into audio!
I have owned a Wavelight previously and moved to a Holo May KTE, so I could provide some impressions! However, its been quite awhile since i've listened to the Wavelight, and the bridging setup is different. So take my impressions with a huuuge grain of salt. I know you guys have been wanting to hear about a comparison!
for the Wavelight it was connected to PC via Pink Faun OCXO i2s bridge with a Tubulus Argentus i2s cable
for the Holo May KTE it is connected to PC via JCAT USB card XE with a Shunyata Alpha USB cable
So they actually share more in common in that they both sound exceptionally high end as befitting their respective price points. Clarity, Details, extremely black background, Organic, and "Lifelike" voices are words i'd share with both! Regardless which one you go with, I do not think you'd be disappointed with either.
How I would describe both:
Wavelight:
-Extremely Black Background
-Slighty more forward on the highs and mids? and slightly lacking on bass impact. (It's just Decent) But the bass extension goes on for miles!
-Organic
-less power hungry (15 watts measured) and a warmup of a few hours from standby
*Holo May KTE*
-Even blacker background.
-Extracts details just a little bit more.
-Very balanced without being hot up top.
-Excellent bass impact with extension that is just as deep as the Wavelight!
-Very analog sounding
-43 watts power consumption and requires a traditionally long warmup time
-USB is superior to the Wavelight's USB IMO**
**While I didn't test the Wavelight's latency through video tests and FPS games, the MAY KTE had no latency issues over USB. I do love how well designed their USB implementation is! It sounded exceptional even going straight into the PC! So if USB is something you want, go for the Holo May. **
So the reason why I moved from the Wavelight is more of a personal issue with my ears rather than for sound reasons. After damaging my ears, they became more sensitive than normal, so highs and mids that are too forward can fatigue me. The Wavelight's highs and mids were just slliiiiiightly more forward than i'd like, but it shouldn't fatigue most people!
The bass impact was also slightly less than my previous DAC, which was an Audiogd R8, so it was a little disappointing.
Moving to the Holo May KTE pretty much balanced the mids and highs out and it brought back the bass impact! It's definitely staying as my end game! But again, take these impressions with a huge grain of salt since I haven't listened to the Wavelight in awhile! I consider it within the same class of DAC's as the Holo May, but I do prefer the Holo May KTE more. Major respect to both companies for innovative and wonderfully designed DAC's. It's a good time to be into audio!
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