Holo Audio Spring R2R DAC

[Bkido]

Thanks, bit expensive solution haha but yeah it makes sense, as a follow up question, is there any benefit of pre amp module if the use case is purely headphones?

In the headphone context the pre module is mostly for flexibility. Some amps like a hotter signal (Cayin tube amps for example in my experience) - Spring 3 w/o pre module being on the hotter side. Others sound better or require line level. The pre just gives you the opportunity to try and adjust things on the fly. But I also decided for it because it can't be added afterwards and I wanted to keep the ability to use the dac down the road in combination with a power amp as well. Finding a comparable stand alone active pre with similar capabilities at the price of the pre-module is probably next to impossible. So I ended up getting the pre option too .

 

[Leto Dal]

In the headphone context the pre module is mostly for flexibility. Some amps like a hotter signal (Cayin tube amps for example in my experience) - Spring 3 w/o pre module being on the hotter side. Others sound better or require line level. The pre just gives you the opportunity to try and adjust things on the fly. But I also decided for it because it can't be added afterwards and I wanted to keep the ability to use the dac down the road in combination with a power amp as well. Finding a comparable stand alone active pre with similar capabilities at the price of the pre-module is probably next to impossible. So I ended up getting the pre option too .

Yeah, considering it too, but leaning towards investing the moneys it into my bliss fund instead haha. How do you like the dac with Ha-3a btw? Any experience with ZMF headphones in such chain?

 

[jlemaster1957]

In the headphone context the pre module is mostly for flexibility. Some amps like a hotter signal (Cayin tube amps for example in my experience) - Spring 3 w/o pre module being on the hotter side. Others sound better or require line level. The pre just gives you the opportunity to try and adjust things on the fly. But I also decided for it because it can't be added afterwards and I wanted to keep the ability to use the dac down the road in combination with a power amp as well. Finding a comparable stand alone active pre with similar capabilities at the price of the pre-module is probably next to impossible. So I ended up getting the pre option too .

The other reason could be if your particular headphone will be connected to a poweramp or speaker amp, ie for insensitive headphones like Susvara. It would be possible to use a separate pre-amp between S3 and the speaker amp, but the Holo preamp is configured to work with the DAC and is an active pre-amp not just a volume attenuator. One might wish to use a pre-amp with more coloration ie a tube pre-amp. For my use, I’d prefer to use a tube amp if I want that color.

I cannot speak from personal experience, my order is ‘yet to occur’- but I will order with the pre since I have a Susvara and I do plan to listen to it from a poweramp.

 

[McPh1st0]

I also considered the lvl 1 or lvl 2 of the Spring 3 first but in the end decided to go for the KTE. The galvanically isolated USB Input module from the May used in the Spring 3 KTE being the main reason. Since USB is my main input and Spring 3 the DAC for my system for years to come I decided to pay once and cry once. Big advantage of the isolated USB-Module is that you won't have to worry about any ground loop/noise issues or a DDC in general for that matter if USB is your main input.

Spring 3 L1 & L2 have also galvanically isolated USB module. Spring 3 kte has the fancier USB module from May (Titanis chip).
Spring 3 L1 and L2 give also outstanding measurements (check out the review from L7audiolab). If the (marginally?) better USB module and a bit of silver wiring is worth the 1000€ then one should go for the KTE version. For me it was not so i went for the S3 L1 (L2 don'tt make any sense since i don't need the pre-amp module). Couldn't be happier with my decision...

 

[CT007]

L2 don'tt make any sense since i don't need the pre-amp module

Why not? It's further upgraded, and the pre-amp is optional(with L1, L2, or KTE).

 

[McPh1st0]

Cause you pay around 300€ for a couple of capacitors. That is all what is upgraded if i remember correctly....

 

[Leto Dal]

Cause you pay around 300€ for a couple of capacitors. That is all what is upgraded if i remember correctly....

Infact specs on the magna hi fi page mention ONLY the additional cnc milled remote control with L2. I dont see any technical differences in wiring, fuses or capacitors mentioned there. Hmm ^^

 

[CT007]

Yeah lol, looks like caps, gold fuse and remoat for +$900. Ouch. Good thing you're not lazy, and don't need that remoat

 

[Leto Dal]

Somewhat wish there would be some proper neutral comparisions between all 3, with messurements and subjective impressions by people who didnt invested into one of the variants, somewhat of a tough choice and I really would like to avoid getting baited by the rather good marketing for once haha

 

[CT007]

Somewhat wish there would be some proper neutral comparisions between all 3, with messurements and subjective impressions by people who didnt invested into one of the variants, somewhat of a tough choice and I really would like to avoid getting baited by the rather good marketing for once haha

Go for May L1, and never look back lol

 

[Leto Dal]

Go for May L1, and never look back lol

Not immune to buyers remorse unfortunately, have to do some research I guess and wait for more feedback. KTE is not availible till mid march anyway and waiting for Caldera. will not keep the dac anyway if there is no good synergy with Caldera and Verite Open in the same time. Currenty eying Yggy too, considering its much cheaper aftermarket.

 

[McPh1st0]

Infact specs on the magna hi fi page mention ONLY the additional cnc milled remote control with L2. I dont see any technical differences in wiring, fuses or capacitors mentioned there. Hmm ^^

From kitsunehifi:
1) Spring 3 L2:
Spring Version 3 L2. This is the model known as the Level 2 - Standard USB Module, Standard Copper Roundwire Otype transformer, HoloAudio Caps, Schurter Gold Fuse, CNC Remote Control. USB Cable, Power cable included ONLY for North America.

2) Spring 3 L1:
Spring Version 3 L1. This is the model known as the Level 1 - Standard USB Module, Copper Roundwire Otype transformer, Shurter fuse, no Remote Control, USB Cable, Power cable included ONLY for North America.

These are the differences...
Mind you the remote control of the L2 is pretty much useless if one doesn't opt for the preamp. So essentially If you don't need the remote you pay more for couple of 'Holo Audio Caps" and a useless remote.
This ist how kitsunehifi describes the L2:
”Level2″

(With HoloAudio caps for ultimate power filtration and improved sound quality – Sound quality is refined and more relaxed, transparent and details are more refined and clear while remaining neutral. ) It has standard Red label 5N Copper Otype Transformer, round wire type copper wiring. This is a popular option for those who want a little more out of their dac with improvement of sound from the caps as well as this version will include the cnc machined aluminum remote control."

Make up your own mind.

I don't want to bash Holo Audio. On the contrary, i bought the Spring 3 L1 and i am very satisfied with it!!!
I just want to say that the L1 might just be what most of us want or need...
But that's just me...

 

[Bkido]

Yeah, considering it too, but leaning towards investing the moneys it into my bliss fund instead haha. How do you like the dac with Ha-3a btw? Any experience with ZMF headphones in such chain?

I'm really enjoying the Spring 3 in combination with the HA-3A. I was using an Ares II before and the Spring 3 was the worthwhile upgrade for the whole system across the board for me. Where the Ares II can sound a bit blurred in comparison the space Spring 3 puts me feels super focused but very natural at the same time. This and the improvements in more forceful attack and nicer decay and texture are the most prominent improvements that I noticed when switching between the two.

The HA-3A quickly became my go to tube amp when I got it. It plays very nice with my Atrium and VC (and D8000) - I'm running the ZMF on the 6.3 SE out mostly. The 4.4 has even lower noise floor but I prefer the sound from the 6.3. Just sounds a bit more spacious and open. And that's what I'm looking for when switching to tubes. Great open stage, full mids and sweetness in the vocals and as long as you run it with some nice tubes, the HA-3A gives me exactly that. Especially noticeable with my VC so I guess your VO would work great with it as well.

What I have to say though is that the changes in DAC where much more obvious to me with my Final D8000 - Not that there was no improvement on my ZMF - they have just so much more resolution compared to VC and especially Atrium and make it much easier to pick out differences. But as I see you're waiting for Caldera currently which is good. I demoed Caldera a few weeks ago and really enjoyed them and with their resolution and technicalities it's definitely worth looking into a capable DAC like the Spring 3. If you go for the LVL 1/2 or KTE in the end is up to you. I think neither of the levels is an outright bad choice.

 

[Flm09]

Spring 3 L1 & L2 have also galvanically isolated USB module. Spring 3 kte has the fancier USB module from May (Titanis chip).
Spring 3 L1 and L2 give also outstanding measurements (check out the review from L7audiolab). If the (marginally?) better USB module and a bit of silver wiring is worth the 1000€ then one should go for the KTE version. For me it was not so i went for the S3 L1 (L2 don'tt make any sense since i don't need the pre-amp module). Couldn't be happier with my decision...

I am leaning towards Level I as well! Was it smooth and warm like they say when you first got it?

 

[McPh1st0]

I find it difficult to give an answer to this question. Smooth and warm may mean something different to me than it does to you. I am gonna say that it sounds just right. In comparison to Pontus 2 it has more precise staging, it's bass is more accurate with more punch and less bloated, more detailed sound but never fatiguing. Feed it the right recording and you will ba amazed.
That's of course in my room, with my gear and my set of ears...
Overall a very satisfying DAC. I don't think i will be looking for a new DAC anytime soon...