Holo Audio Spring R2R DAC

[Bonddam]

Hello everybody. I am a new owner of the Holo Spring 2 Level 1 (One week so far). I liked it with my Schiit Vali 2 but I'm having some troubles with the pairing of the Audio GD M9. Anybody have any success with the sound without the SU-1 and its variants? Or is it an essential part of getting the best sound out of it? (I'm using an AudioQuest Forest USB into the PC right now.)

It's very peaky and shouty in the treble regions right now (For certain albums). I also know that burn-in is essential for these too. I saw between 100-280 hours for some people. Anyone else using the Master 9 with their Spring DAC?

have the Spring 2 KTE going into my WA33 and it’s not shouting on my end. It’s a little too smooth for my taste. I also use it on my BHSE and it’s bright when using Stax SR-009s but in a good way.

 

[xtiva]

Hi headfier
New owner of Spring 2 Lvl2 but how do u put dac into standby mode?

Thanks.

 

[Baten]

New owner of Spring 2 Lvl2 but how do u put dac into standby mode?

It is the mute button. Muting the device puts it in a low-power/standby mode, for if you want maximum SQ after resuming listening.

 

[xtiva]

It is the mute button. Muting the device puts it in a low-power/standby mode, for if you want maximum SQ after resuming listening.

Oh thanks so much for the quick help

 

[Bonddam]

I just leave it on keep it warm. Sounds really good when I listen to SR-007 mk2 through BHSE.

 

[xtiva]

Hi all Spring owners...

Currently using RPi with Allo DigiOne. Was using Coaxial RCA out and found that sound was muddy but when changing connection to USB straight from RPi board itself, sound has changed so much better... and this made to look at I2S interface...

However this is whole new world for me and wanted to get some information... looks like connection is not like any other connection where there are so many variants in I2S...

Firstly, does Spring have functionality to change pin-out like Denafrips or SMSL?
if not is it only the Singxer XU-6 is the only one that is compatible?
Do you know if PI2AES would be compatible? Would love to connect straight from

Thanks for reading.

 

[Baten]

Do you know if PI2AES would be compatible? Would love to connect straight from

Thanks for reading.

Out of the box, L and R will be swapped. So if you just reverse those, it'll work

 

[xtiva]

Out of the box, L and R will be swapped. So if you just reverse those, it'll work

Thanks so much for quick response...
So I could theoretically connect DAC and AMP in reverse? ie. connect L to R and R to L?
Thanks.

 

[Baten]

So I could theoretically connect DAC and AMP in reverse? ie. connect L to R and R to L?
Thanks.

yep, that should do it! easily verifiable, too.

 

[xtiva]

yep, that should do it! easily verifiable, too.

Great thanks bit disappointing that you can't change I2S output though...

 

[Baten]

Great thanks bit disappointing that you can't change I2S output though...

Pi2Aes is working on adapting the I2S but I can't link to that forum

 

[xtiva]

Oh thanks I meant Holo Spring... looks like May can be changed...

 

[xtiva]

Sorry for posting so many question but seems to be getting channel imbalance on XLR and it looks to have lower output level compared to RCA?

Looks like might require service?

Below is RCA output to my head amp;
https://i.imgur.com/12sVVqX.mp4

And below is XLR and see the difference from VU meter and it difference can huge when listening...
https://i.imgur.com/12sVVqX.mp4

 

[xtr4]

Sorry for posting so many question but seems to be getting channel imbalance on XLR and it looks to have lower output level compared to RCA?

Looks like might require service?

Below is RCA output to my head amp;
https://i.imgur.com/12sVVqX.mp4

And below is XLR and see the difference from VU meter and it difference can huge when listening...
https://i.imgur.com/12sVVqX.mp4

Hi xtiva,

Coincidentally, I own the Phonitor X as well and I've noticed on some tracks that the VU meters will display differently for certain mastering, depending on the stereo recording. This to me is perfectly normal (from a VU meter display perspective).

However, from the videos, I can exactly tell what information is being portrayed.
Could you tell me the following when comparing RCA to XLR;

1) Are both connections at the same volume on the volume knob?
2) Is the sound "weaker" on the right side due to the imbalance or does it sound the same?
3) Have you tried swapping the L and R cables to see if the channel imbalance follows accordingly?
4) Are both RCA and XLR connected simultaneously from the Spring2 to the Phonitor? If they are both connected at the same time, something funky might be going on. Try testing then separately

 

[xtiva]

Hi xtiva,

Coincidentally, I own the Phonitor X as well and I've noticed on some tracks that the VU meters will display differently for certain mastering, depending on the stereo recording. This to me is perfectly normal (from a VU meter display perspective).

However, from the videos, I can exactly tell what information is being portrayed.
Could you tell me the following when comparing RCA to XLR;

1) Are both connections at the same volume on the volume knob?
2) Is the sound "weaker" on the right side due to the imbalance or does it sound the same?
3) Have you tried swapping the L and R cables to see if the channel imbalance follows accordingly?
4) Are both RCA and XLR connected simultaneously from the Spring2 to the Phonitor? If they are both connected at the same time, something funky might be going on. Try testing then separately

Thanks for reply. It is actually playing same part of the music. Only thing I did was to switch input between xlr and rca. I can definitely feel center of music shifting when changing the input. Have used another input via XLR and did not have issue

I have tested 3 and 4 but didn't make difference. Unplugged RCA completely but same issue... swapped the cable as well.. and changed the cable..

Will do more testing tommorrow.