Holo Audio Spring R2R DAC

[borkenarrou]

this step is bigger as V550 and Bliss

Thanks God, I was already having buyers remorse as the price of the Bliss KTE is only about $900 more than the V550, this give me some solace

 

[LowBeat91]

The USB implementation on the Holo Audio Spring Dac 2 is not the best. Is it possible to have an improved signal by changing the USB module? And is there an alternative to the Titanis 2? Unfortunately this is no longer available

 

[idairyou]

The USB implementation on the Holo Audio Spring Dac 2 is not the best. Is it possible to have an improved signal by changing the USB module? And is there an alternative to the Titanis 2? Unfortunately this is no longer available.

If you haven't updated the firmware, I would try that first. On the Spring 2 the latest firmware is stated to add a noticeable improvement to the USB module.

A DDC/Streamer, like the Holoaudio RED, the Singxer SU6, and the Mercury V2. Of course that is an $800 solution, then you can go through i2s.

Kitsune and Magna Hi-Fi have a USB replacement module for $129, and I think it is the V2.1 version. From what I understand there was no improvements in sound quality, it was to add better support for AMD motherboards.

 

[obzilla]

The USB implementation on the Holo Audio Spring Dac 2 is not the best. Is it possible to have an improved signal by changing the USB module? And is there an alternative to the Titanis 2? Unfortunately this is no longer available

May not be the answer you're after, but I'm running an Iris into the Spring 2 (had a few days so far) via I2S and I'm incredibly happy with the signal. There are other DDC options that you might consider, but I found it a valuable move on my other DACs too.
If you'd asked me before I got the Iris I would have told you it's magic garbage, but here I am.

 

[LowBeat91]

If you haven't updated the firmware, I would try that first. On the Spring 2 the latest firmware is stated to add a noticeable improvement to the USB module.

A DDC/Streamer, like the Holoaudio RED, the Singxer SU6, and the Mercury V2. Of course that is an $800 solution, then you can go through i2s.

Kitsune and Magna Hi-Fi have a USB replacement module for $129, and I think it is the V2.1 version. From what I understand there was no improvements in sound quality, it was to add better support for AMD motherboards.

Do you think this board could improve the sound quality? and could you send me a link to download the firmware? thank you

 

[LowBeat91]

May not be the answer you're after, but I'm running an Iris into the Spring 2 (had a few days so far) via I2S and I'm incredibly happy with the signal. There are other DDC options that you might consider, but I found it a valuable move on my other DACs too.
If you'd asked me before I got the Iris I would have told you it's magic garbage, but here I am.

Thank you. I've been thinking about a DDC like the Singxer SU6 for a long time, but I'm worried that the signal will sound too "clear". As if the sound would get edges / walls. But I want to keep the Spring 2's natural and open identity

 

[obzilla]

Thank you. I've been thinking about a DDC like the Singxer SU6 for a long time, but I'm worried that the signal will sound too "clear". As if the sound would get edges / walls. But I want to keep the Spring 2's natural and open identity

Get a used one, catch and release if you don't like it

 

[LowBeat91]

Get a used one, catch and release if you don't like it

Could you explain how does it sound in comparison without using it?

And is this the latest and right firmware for the Spring 2:

https://www.kitsunehifi.com/holoaud...re-2020-same-firmwares-from-4-67-driver-pack/

 

[mantraone]

sorry I tried to search but... nobody use the Audio GD DI20HE DDC with Holo Spring 3 o Holo May? some comparison in terms of sound quality with the Gustard U18, and roon rock music server?

 

[kingoftown1]

The SU6 for me makes things sound more natural and balanced tonality-wise -- the opposite of what you're afraid of. It can, however, throw you into the rabbit hole of looking at good USB & I2S cables, a nice linear power supply, DC & AC power cables, etc.

 

[LowBeat91]

The SU6 for me makes things sound more natural and balanced tonality-wise -- the opposite of what you're afraid of. It can, however, throw you into the rabbit hole of looking at good USB & I2S cables, a nice linear power supply, DC & AC power cables, etc.

Yes i know what you mean. Maybe its sounds not „better“ just different. But you have to spend more and more money to be happy with that what you already have.

 

[obzilla]

Could you explain how does it sound in comparison without using it?

I find everything is more clearly separated especially on complex passages, and precise, but not edgy or grainy. This is the only way I have fed the Spring... But my Sony TA-ZHE1S, used USB for a long time, and kind of thought that was as good as it was going to get, when I got the Iris, I was really surprised. I'm super skeptical of audiophile bullcrapola, so I bought it assuming I would sell it in a week.

I don't want to get into a bunch of subjective word salad to describe sound. But separation of instruments is easily improved. Detail retrieval is easily improved. Sound stage width is easily improved on the Sony vs feeding it via USB. The Spring is a better DAC than the Sony, and sounds better, and I just don't think I'm ever going to pug USB into the Spring since the Iris seems to handle that end of things so well. Not interested in what a step back sounds like

 

[LowBeat91]

I find everything is more clearly separated especially on complex passages, and precise, but not edgy or grainy. This is the only way I have fed the Spring... But my Sony TA-ZHE1S, used USB for a long time, and kind of thought that was as good as it was going to get, when I got the Iris, I was really surprised. I'm super skeptical of audiophile bullcrapola, so I bought it assuming I would sell it in a week.

I don't want to get into a bunch of subjective word salad to describe sound. But separation of instruments is easily improved. Detail retrieval is easily improved. Sound stage width is easily improved on the Sony vs feeding it via USB. The Spring is a better DAC than the Sony, and sounds better, and I just don't think I'm ever going to pug USB into the Spring since the Iris seems to handle that end of things so well. Not interested in what a step back sounds like

Sound great if its sound detail bit „open“ / „natural“ than before i will give it a try. Do you know that what you describe I also have through the OS compared to NOS mode. Everything sounds cleaner and more detailed but the "air" and the naturalness is lost for me

 

[obzilla]

Sound great if its sound detail bit „open“ / „natural“ than before i will give it a try. Do you know that what you describe I also have through the OS compared to NOS mode. Everything sounds cleaner and more detailed but the "air" and the naturalness is lost for me

If I was going to do it again, I would probably just get the Holo Red and do I2S or coaxial to the spring. Stream to the Red and your music never enters the USB equation.

 

[LowBeat91]

If I was going to do it again, I would probably just get the Holo Red and do I2S or coaxial to the spring. Stream to the Red and your music never enters the USB equation.

It's a bit off topic but as a headphone user I've never dealt with streamers. How do you use such a streamer in conjunction with a normal headphone amplifier like the Bliss? How does the amplifier get the information without a USB connection