Holo Audio Spring R2R DAC

[Leto Dal]

Such screens are rather cheap, we are talking about 3-8$ hardware cost, max. Usually they work for decades but due to low cost, there might be some percentage of faulty units, since its pretty much impossible to QC, it is what it is. Some may partially fail, but I doubt it will be something that vast majority of the buyers should be afraid of.

 

[bobski32]

Update: I just wanted to remove my entire post because, there was a misunderstanding. See my post on next page....

 

[SlothRock]

Let's page @bimmer100 to this thread - that's unlike Tim and the folks at Kitsune. I've had them take a few days to respond before but, usually, they've been very prompt and able to assist so it's not an experience I've had either with my Spring 3 or my Bliss.

 

[Lutece]

OK... I need to vent and also warn others who are considering buying a Spring 3.

First off I want to say, I love the sound of this DAC. It's very very good, and with HQ player....it might be one of the best values in audio.

My concern is with Kitsune and their customer service. It's been mentioned many times that we have to give them a pass because there's only one dude doing almost everything....but that is still a big disadvantage to the customer.

I bought a used Spring 3 off a gentleman that only owned it for a few months. Kitsune offers a transferable warranty to the second owner. He emailed Kitsune a few times over the course of a month and a half and got no response. After I proceeded to email them two more times. Once on May 8th, and another time on June 11th. All of our emails have gotten no replies at all, and we have both given them more than enough time to reply. Even if it was a flat out "we don't want to transfer the warranty" would be better than not replying at all.

Maybe they reply to emails if you need to fix your unit, but I really don't have any faith in that being sorted out in a timely manner.

Anyway, just a word of warning to people. I for one will not be purchasing any more products from Kitsune due to this experience.

Sorry to hear that. I don't own a Holo yet but I am willing to buy a used Spring 3 KTE; after reading your post, I asked Magnahifi (Europe) from which the original buyer bought his unit and I got a positive answer in 5 minutes (I am based in Europe too).
Hope you will get an answer soon.

Best regards

 

[borkenarrou]

Wildism from whom I bought is also quite responsive.

 

[mfgillia]

Wildism from whom I bought is also quite responsive.

This. Wildism has been great through multiple purchases. I've gotten replies from him within a few minutes after sending messages - even at 3am in the morning.

 

[bobski32]

I took screenshots of the confirmation after I sent the messages. Sorry for the writing...this was just meant to be for me so I could keep track.

I'm not sure what days the other guy sent his requests.

 

[twinkles]

Such screens are rather cheap, we are talking about 3-8$ hardware cost, max. Usually they work for decades but due to low cost, there might be some percentage of faulty units, since its pretty much impossible to QC, it is what it is. Some may partially fail, but I doubt it will be something that vast majority of the buyers should be afraid of.

ok, thanks for the perspective on this, and thanks to mfgillia also for the feedback on one of the oldest units.

 

[devilboy]

So after living with Tidal for a while, I tried Qobuz (for the second time) because Tidal has been dropping out lately.
Anyway, since Qobuz offers the Hi Rez 24/96, I decided to give it a try. When I play a track with that resolution, the display on my Spring 3 KTE so shows 44.1.
Do I go in my Midi setting and change the output to 96k?

 

[Davidv100]

So after living with Tidal for a while, I tried Qobuz (for the second time) because Tidal has been dropping out lately.
Anyway, since Qobuz offers the Hi Rez 24/96, I decided to give it a try. When I play a track with that resolution, the display on my Spring 3 KTE so shows 44.1.
Do I go in my Midi setting and change the output to 96k?

Devil boy,
You might want to share some info about your streaming device.

Is it a Mac :
you might have to manually change your midi output settings.
Is it an IPad :
It should be automatic (but you have to allow the maximum output (for data usage protection)).
Is it something else :
I hope somebody else can help.

 

[idairyou]

Devil boy,
You might want to share some info about your streaming device.

Is it a Mac :
you might have to manually change your midi output settings.
Is it an IPad :
It should be automatic (but you have to allow the maximum output (for data usage protection)).
Is it something else :
I hope somebody else can help.

If you're running Windows make sure your audio is set to exclusive mode.
Check the Qobuz app in the lower right-hand corner and make sure it is set to the Holo Audio ASIO and not the default direct sound.
In the Qobuz app make sure the audio quality is set to the highest possible, also in the lower right-hand side

 

[devilboy]

Ok.
I'm running Qobuz from my Mac mini. I don't have room or anything else. I'm not doing HQ player either. I'm just leaving via USB (split USB, actually), and going into the USB input on the Spring 3 KTE.

I thought once you click a high-res option on the album, that's all you need to do and Qobuz Will output that resolution. If that's the case, then it still should change the display to 44.1. I think for some reason the DAC is seeing a 44.1 signal or else it would change, no?

 

[devilboy]

The only reason my display reads 96K is because my Midi setting was changed to 96K.
When I play a Redbook 44.1 track, it doesn't switch back to 44.1.
I just don't know if I'm truly getting 96K playback or not.

 

[Davidv100]

The only reason my display reads 96K is because my Midi setting was changed to 96K.
When I play a Redbook 44.1 track, it doesn't switch back to 44.1.
I just don't know if I'm truly getting 96K playback or not.

My understanding from reading a zillion of messages before (I do not have a Spring or May yet) : yes you probably have true 96k. And yes it is true that it does not switch back. This is a well known issue on the Mac’s for now.
On IOS (iPads, IPhone) you just set the maximum allowed throughout, and IOS will adapt, depending on what it is receiving. On Mac OS, we (still) have to adapt manually.

 

[Davidv100]

But for now, the only way to be absolutely sure, is to try via Qobuz on you iPad or IPhone connected to your Spring. If the IPad/IPhone sends Qobuz in 96/24 to your Spring/May, there should be no reason you Mac Mini is sending 96/24 (if you choose this setting manually on your Mac Mini).