This video is not sponsored for more info on how we work: nbtsmedia.com/about-us/ Relevant reviews: doge 7 tube dac: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/er18i6l9yM2wqWw.html denafrips pontus: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/frNijdaBp8ezoKM.html

I am enjoying your reviews as a 40 year audio enthusiast. If I can offer a suggestion, when you describe the differences in DAC's, it would be great if you could reference comparison's of phrases in specific music tracks that we can all listen to, and understand where you hear differences. This would enable us to also determine if we see this DAC as superior to what we already own. For example, if you have a track segment that is harsh on most DAC's, but not on the Sping, we can listen to the same phrase at home, and determine if we would likely hear a difference in our own setups. I wish more reviewers had reference segments that we could all use at home to better understand your perpective. Keep up the great work!

Jay. Great review. I applaud you saying "I don't know what the difference is" when you don't know. Because honesty.

Glad I found your video. I've been a bit underwhelmed by my Topping D90. I'm in the market for something better, like an R2R dac. This new Holo Audio is now on my list. Great review, mate!

Jay, if possible please review the Kitsune flagship DAC (the Holo Audio May DAC) with all the upgrades. I would love to know how it compares to the Terminator Plus (and I know I'm not alone in this regard).

Thank you Jay , ! That was some WORK PUT IN !

Haaaaaay....I took ah shot averytime dis guy said za word "smooth". 🥴 OUTSTANDING REVIEW!

Holo Audio Spring 2 Kitsune + [fill in the blank amp] + Totem Tribe = great pairing? The Holo Audio May Dac Kitsune is the new one.

I had one and it was too dry. I was able to A/B against Pontus and Venus which were more engaging and impressive.

What you essentially say is that in this upper class DACs differences in music reproduction exists and that after all it's a matter of taste.

Thank you for the review, it’s definitely been hyped

I somehow get the impression that this DAC is maybe a little too butterly smooth.

Great Insightful and spot-on review! Hopefully you would be kind enough to review Holo Audio Spring 3.

there are two types of smoothness. One type is raw smoothness (illusion smoothness) and the other one is nirvana smoothness (concert hall smoothness). unfortunately, the later (unjustifiably) costs much more money. In fact, the later should cost as the former and former should cost around 1000 bucks max.

The diffusor in the back looks nice. Where did you get it? Edit: My bad, I'm too dumb to open the video description xD

Smooth is not the same as rolled off. If a component is smooth sounding it usually takes off the sharp edges of notes, these can be in the mid range as well as in the high frequencies. R2R tends to do that better than DS, which are use inherently sharper. Smooth is also not the same as laid back. Although if a component is laid back and less forward in that sense, sharp edges around notes can be perceived as smoother because they are further away. Haven't read anything about the May being laid back, so very curious how the Spring 3 will perform in this respect.

Hey , like the reviews, good balance of. Data. Great job👍🏾👍🏾as usual!!

Got a spring 3 kte. It's amazing.

There’s a big price difference between Pontus and the tuned edition. Can you compare it with Denafrips Venus 2

To summarise the reviews I’ve seen of the Holo May thus far, they agree with each other in the following: that it is highly resolving and excels at realism. Relative to open window accuracy, ‘buttery smoothness’ is a non starter in my book. It’s only worth something if the original material has that quality too. It would help if you were able to isolate the ‘truth’ factor more and detail how this dac raises the bar (or not). My idea of a great dac is one that doesn’t impose a sonic signature. It would need to be more revealing of the music. Your verdict of the Holo May Kitsune surprises me because it seems to be all about personal preference. Which is not the name of the game as far as I am concerned.

I want to get it just because it looks cool!

The Spring 3 is out now.

Why Spring and not the May that's more in line with the terminator?

it sounds smooth but also overtoned, which is a huge glitch

Losing not loosing. (smile.)

Well in my research I read mixed feedback about holo. That’s why it’s important to do your homework rather than blindly depending on these reviewers

Good Review - thanks . . . Any plans to review the Denafrips Venus ?

Does the remote offer variable output for a direct connection to your amplifier? Is the balanced output a true balanced, dual differential output with a 4 volt output? Does the importer offer service if needed?

Hey Jay, would it be possible to make a video about value oriented DACs and Amplifiers for people who are starting to get into HiFi gradually? A video perhaps, about which type of DAC and amplifier (both new and vintage) would provide versatility when upgrading one’s speakers in the future? Thank you for the videos!

Hi Jay! Thank you for your great work. Do you think this dac will be good match to shiit Freya? What about Pontus or Doge? I do really like your reviews of those dacs but afraid of making sound too smooth or airy.

Only the Gungnir looks as good as the Spring. That wide, slim chassis is so satisfying. I'd love to see a power amp that is slim and attractive like this. Maybe mono blocks in this slim chassis.

You blowing up. Good work bruh.

Great review. Have you heard Holo May and Denafrips Terminator as well? I wonder how Spring compares to them.

I see thats the Rose RS150, you are streaming from the rose to the Holo Spring 2, can you tell us how the internal AKM 4499 dac in the RS150 compare with the Holo Spring 2 please?

These R2R dacs sound very special! I love my Ares II dac!

Excellent, Clearly...Honest Review!!!

Great review/comparo Jay. Great to understand the relative differences between these DACs. Just need to throw the Yggdrasil into the mix as well...should have compared Thujan’s Yggy before he sold it! ;-)

I thought the Kitsune May was the DAC that people loved?

There's always a next best thing. Next month there will be another something. When I can get a really good DAC for $300 I'll jump in.

That review was smooooooth, Jay. But does it do smooth and growl like my COS D2v?

Hello Hay Great video, thanks. You really have to try the Audio-gd R7-HE 2021 model. It completes with the Terminator at a considerably lower price. Cheers from Argentina!

Have you had a chance to listen to the Holo Audio KTE May DAC - 2 box version? Was wonder how it compares to Terminator or Terminator Plus or Doge 7

Nice review! The design looks a lot like the current Linear Tube Audio stuff designed by Fern & Roby. So who ripped off who? 😄 There are too many great DACs out there, especially at this price point. It would be nice to have a pool of money dedicated to rolling a different DAC in and out every couple weeks. #1stworldproblems

Nice set, backdrop! 🕊✨

What wood platform is under the DAC?

I don't see too many high school kids reviewing audio, it's cool to see. When I went to RMAF the median age was definitely up there, so it's cool to see kids getting into the game...

Are you going to review the HOLO Spring 3 KTE?

1:17 into the video! Smooth 🤣😂🤣😂

4:27-4:32 Don't you mean "esthetic" qualities opposed to actual "build" qualities? I agree it wins the Miss Universe DAC award and that does matter to me. Beauty in sound and appearance count.

Thx Jay. Another good review. Do you use the Supra USB cable for all of your DAC reviews? Have you tried AQ Coffee? What do you like about the Supra? No coloring? Thanks

May DAC next! 😬

Nice review! My system is build by Devialet 440 pro with dCS bridge, Metronome T5, Wilson Audio Sasha 2 all Cable with Nordeste Tyr2, included power. I’m considering upgrade the speakers to the new Alexia2, a REL Sub and because I don’t wanna any more the big box of class A Amp, i wanna keep the Devialet, but my question is, would i benefit from using this DAC intend the internal of the Devialet? Best Regards from Portugal 🇵🇹

Pop the top! Which chip? Warranty? US Service location? Home trial?

Hey Jay! Very nice review indeed! Appreciate sharing comparisons and matching advice! Say hi to Thujan!

So the “tube magic” does not come from the one with the tubes

We are dealing with high end DAC, so is it recommended to get involved or to purchase these DAC if you're only listening to streaming music such as Spotify or Tidal, through your headphone ONLY.

Honestly, I still love the industrial design of the Schiit Yggdrasil DAC. So clean that it'll probably never go out of style. I try to stay away from LCD screen front panels for this reason.

another interesting Video! I just must say: "Nomobuyo, Yoshi, Hashitawa, Dokeda, Gunmicha, De, Ribura!" Lets help Jay with all our might! Kitsune DAC sounds interesting. I am curious how a DAC sounds that has my NAme!

So what don't you like about it's oversampling?

I just acquired a used Grace Design M902 and the sound is very neutral, open and airy.

Which dac (Spring or Pontus) gives a better depth, 3D, and positioning? I just heard the Spring 3 KTE vs the Audio GD R8 MK2 and the Spring 3 had a much better imaging, depth and positioning (I know the Spring 3 is much more expensive).

Where is this "everyone" ? Some people on audiogon?

Hi may i know the audio rack you are using? Great Video

But how good is it??? - ''Salma Hayek in Desperado 1995 good'' - Got ya!!!

I notice that on the Pontus, you have the Phase light off. Do you know what the default should be on the Phase button? Have you tested this much in your setup?

Hi Jay, what brand of maple platforms are you using in your system?

Is this your system? Any plans for the review of the willsenton 300B in the clip?

I tot May is the killer BTW is the chopping board part of the purchase?

I loved my holo until the i2s input came loose. I opened it up, and noticed all the soldering points were substandard. The only input that sounded decent was the 12s...

Hi jhay how would you compare the spring to kte to holo may? Thanks

So you’re saying it’s smooth

Spring or pontus is the question

What is the brand of that large screen device on the top shelf to the left?

the dac game is getting more and more interesting lately with all the china made dac coming in... how is it compare to terminator ?

Looks like an old Magnum Dynalab tuner.

Before you buy - try a Chord. Just my 2c. Not easy to find but worth the search. Greetings to one and All.

Which Supra USB Cable do you use

Is this DAC the best out there?

Get them all at one time for a real a/b show !! Do include - Lampizator Amber 3, Audio Note 4.1, Audio Mirror SE, Pontus, Holo Spring, Doge 7, New Yggy, Line Magnetic & MSG. Team up with Sean. Make 5 episodes. Eliminate two per episode. Okay I will produce it for you.

What power cable do you use?

But was it smooth?

It is great but nothing is better than metrum acoustics pavane…

I would still like to see an incredible audiophile dac selling for $1195 or $1295 Candaian Jay. That's what I paid for my stereophile class A musical fidelity a3-24 cr dac years ago. 24 bit 192 khz oversampling. Where's today's equivalent to that?

Great review! Question - what is going on with your hair 😂

he's about to black out 1:22

I was going to watch this review until I saw the price ,,,sorry , beyond the workin mans range

Doge? As in..the meme? 😂

Where did you get that diffusion panel?

Which has more tube magic, the holo may, pontus, venus or termi

I see the Pontus has now become the Pontus II. I am thinking of purchasing the Pontus II but there are always other choices like this to excite the buyer. And you are right, this Holo Spring looks beautiful.

Does anyone know where the Doge service center is in the USA ???????????????????//

It’s all a matter of preference. After watching your Totem Tribe Tower video and bought the speakers that you so highly praised, it’s clear to me that you’re a very subjective reviewer

Isn't the next generation of the Spring DAC due out soon?

Bro,, what is the music at the start?

black box with brass buttons that's pushing the aesthetic language:)

3:03 to 3:12 cleared things up.

it was so "good" that it was discontinued the very next month. buyer beware!

Wonder how it stack vs a Chord Hugo TT2

Thx for the video. Would be great if you could try Audio-gd R7HE ....

But ..... is it smooth? 😉