Holo Audio Spring R2R DAC

[Larry Man]

Thanks for info.
There is Gen 2.0 USB module in my Spring 3 KTE unit, so I have to wait for new module to be able to update to this firmware (Jos from Magna promised to send me new module after they will be available).

Is it a no charge upgrade ? or how much cost you for the upgrade ?

 

[koso]

Is it a no charge upgrade ? or how much cost you for the upgrade ?

Have no idea. But even if not free, I suppose it will be symbolic price for first batch units owners.

 

[Delta9K]

Is it a no charge upgrade ? or how much cost you for the upgrade ?

This is the information I got from Tim @ Kitunse - This may not still be the case but was when I talked to him last. I have yet to ask for a replacement because I don't really do up sampling or DSD. I'm old school FLAC and the DAC sounds incredible with the 2.0 module as is. If I decide I want to venture into DSD or upsampling I will just purchase an upgrade. I see no reason to get a new module just to say I have a new module...

Here's what Tim told me:
KitsuneHiFi and HoloAudioUSA upgrade plan for the enhanced usb module users (original usb module in KTE Spring3, KTE May and May L2)

1. For users whom had purchased our May L2 and KTE or Spring3 KTE within the recent 3 months (05/1/2021 through 7/31/2021). We will offer our customers the update for free. But users need to pay the shipping cost and also ship the original module back to KitsuneHiFi.
2. For users who purchases our May L2 and KTE or Spring3 KTE before the recent 3 months mentioned above. We can provide this module at 100USD. Also they need to pay the shipping cost and also ship back the original module to KitsuneHiFi.

Note: this usb module doesn't have sound quality improvements except the ability to do dsd1024 and pcm1.536Mhz. Which is an improvement to some who use these high resolution sample rates. However this a small percentage of users. If you are not going to use DSD1024 and PCM1536K on AMD chipset then no need to update. This is a module that can be installed yourself at home with two Allen wrench sizes and about 10-15min.

 

[Mkoll]

Sadly, my new Spring 3 KTE has developed what sounds like transformer hum while it's on whereas it was completely quiet before. I sit pretty close to my audio equipment in a quiet room so the hum is loud and disturbing; even wearing the closed-back Stellia I can hear it. I tried different power cables and outlets/electrical circuits with no luck. I've contacted Kitsune about it and hopefully they get back to me soon.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

So my problem has been fixed. Turns out it was a DC offset issue, as mentioned by koso in post #2718. Tim from Kitsune Hifi emailed me back and suggested this may be the problem and directed me to an article about it and a review of one of the few products that fixes it: Emotiva CMX-2. He explained that the large transformer in the Spring 3 makes it more vulnerable to DC offset problems. The source of the DC offset is probably somewhere in the wiring of the old apartment I live in. So I bought the CMX-2, plugged the Spring 3 into it, and boom! Problem fixed.

 

[thecrow]

So my problem has been fixed. Turns out it was a DC offset issue, as mentioned by koso in post #2718. Tim from Kitsune Hifi emailed me back and suggested this may be the problem and directed me to an article about it and a review of one of the few products that fixes it: Emotiva CMX-2. He explained that the large transformer in the Spring 3 makes it more vulnerable to DC offset problems. The source of the DC offset is probably somewhere in the wiring of the old apartment I live in. So I bought the CMX-2, plugged the Spring 3 into it, and boom! Problem fixed.

Out of curiousity did you try using the dac in a friend‘s house?

 

[Mkoll]

Out of curiousity did you try using the dac in a friend‘s house?

I did not.

 

[thecrow]

I did not.

And it developed the hum without you having moved in the interim?

i’m definitely not an expert in electrical devices but i’m wondering if that’s a bit strange

i once had an audio device (dac/amp) (another manufacturer) that was sold to me by them at a good price as a demo model and had a noise coming through the headphones feom the get go.
After i tried a few things, including having to send the dac board to them for a new one, with me paying postage, i was told there was issues with my cables (including my stock hd800 and lcd2 cables amd some norne cables) that made my setup susceptible to these (rf?) noises and i should buy better protected cables or some device (from memory) to attach between my headphone cables and device. I sent it back and have never dealt with that audio company ever again no matter how many devices they release.

i had previously owned an amp from them before and was very happy but no more after that second experience

ymmv, that was my experience and i am wary of these issues

ps i am glad you are enjoying your dac now

 

[Mkoll]

And it developed the hum without you having moved in the interim?

i’m definitely not an expert in electrical devices but i’m wondering if that’s a bit strange

i once had an audio device (dac/amp) (another manufacturer) that was sold to me by them at a good price as a demo model and had a noise coming through the headphones feom the get go.
After i tried a few things, including having to send the dac board to them for a new one, with me paying postage, i was told there was issues with my cables (including my stock hd800 and lcd2 cables amd some norne cables) that made my setup susceptible to these (rf?) noises and i should buy better protected cables or some device (from memory) to attach between my headphone cables and device. I sent it back and have never dealt with that audio company ever again no matter how many devices they release.

i had previously owned an amp from them before and was very happy but no more after that second experience

ymmv, that was my experience and i am wary of these issues

ps i am glad you are enjoying your dac now

Thanks. It is possible that I didn't notice it before and it was always present. It's one of those things where once you first notice it, you can't help but hear it when it's there.

 

[KojiCO]

Thanks. It is possible that I didn't notice it before and it was always present. It's one of those things where once you first notice it, you can't help but hear it when it's there.

 

[KojiCO]

I have spent the last two weeks with a spring three kte also having the spring to extreme addition at the desk at the same time
using Diana V2 end susvara
are you where are the upgrade but only if you jump from the Diana to the SUS, here is the review

 

[KotBegemot]

I have spent the last two weeks with a spring three kte also having the spring to extreme addition at the desk at the same time
using Diana V2 end susvara
are you where are the upgrade but only if you jump from the Diana to the SUS, here is the review

I could not bear to watch this "review" thru the end, so could some please illuminate me if the guy climaxes at the end ?!

 

[stuck limo]

I recently got on loan a Spring 1 Level 1 DAC and have been running it from PC > iGalvanic > iMicro > Holo > Phonitor XE > LCD 2.2 pre-fazor. My impression to my audio group were as follows (see attachments).

 

[stuck limo]

I also added a Singxer SU-1 so PC > Singxer SU-1 > Holo. Impressions below. I believe the cable is a Monoprice but I am NOT impressed so far with what I'm hearing. I would definitely try a new cable instead of the generic one included.

 

[thecrow]

error post

 

[Larry Man]

Not sure if you guys are aware of an updated version of USB driver V5.27 for Spring 3 & May DAC. The driver works for both USB Gen2.0 & 2.1 modules.

It has improvements in regards to the latest firmware version V31.32 (It works with earlier versions of firmware as well). I have attached the file here if you'd like to use it. It's not yet posted in Kitsune's site.