Holo May KTE 3 Impressions and thoughts

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Xecuter, Oct 23, 2021.

  1. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    I didn't have much luck with running hq player with rockna in NOS or with the filters on. I prefer just using rockna linear filter on its own.

    You can use HQ to basically DSP your DAC to behave a bit differently and if you get it right you can make it sound better with some tracks but overall like DSP I felt there was always a bigger compromise than just running it 'natively'.

    It's different with the May though which basically requires HQ since it's inbuilt filters are really lacking.
     
  2. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

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    after a month or two of comparative listening, i'd say i like the wavedream (sig/bal) for the simple and absorbing joy of listening to music, and the may kte + hqplayer for the fun of tinkering with the sound, given that several of the hqplayer filters/dithering/noise-shapers sound absolutely wonderful on the may kte.

    wavedream == may + HQPlayer ... for differing delights.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2021
  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Makes the May seem like a bargain compared to the price of the Wavedream.
     
  4. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

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    i completely agree.
     
  5. GoldenOne

    GoldenOne Friend

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    I preferred it with HQP. Though it's less of an upgrade than on most DACs as the WD internal OS is pretty good.
    Still a nice bump though and if spending so much money on a system IMO it's silly not to get that last bit of performance out of it.

    I've not found a DAC that I didn't prefer HQP with tbh other than in the situation where I'm wanting NOS (in which case you of course wouldn't use any OS).
    Kinda makes sense I guess, there aren't any DACs with the same level of performance filters and noise shaping as HQP has. Though Chord is apparently releasing an MScaler successor sometime this year so maybe that will be interesting.

    If you're wanting a may and convenience is a big concern though. Roon/Audirvana OS is still better than most DACs and can be turned on with one click so that's an option.
    Or Mscaler and May is still cheaper than WD :p
    Mscaler actually sounded very good with it
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2021
  6. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    With my Holo DACs (Spring 2 KTE, May KTE), I upsample 2x linear in Roon for 44.1 and 48 PCM tracks, otherwise NOS. Reduces slight smear and roll-off without affecting the DAC's character much otherwise.
     
  7. neo_the_one

    neo_the_one Facebook Friend

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    Which version of WD are you referring to? May's current price is 5800$ and WD is showing as $8800 for the balanced XLR and $6600 for single ended. The price difference doesn't seem that big?
     
  8. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I saw the WD Signature with XLR is $17k at one of their authorized dealers.
     
  9. neo_the_one

    neo_the_one Facebook Friend

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    Yeah, the signature edition costs much more. I wonder how much audible difference is there between the standard and signature editions.
     
  10. winders

    winders boomer

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    I have over 500 hours on my May KTE now and I will say that using it in NOS and HQPlayer to upsample both PCM and DSD to DSD256 using the poly-sinc-ext2 filter and ADSM7ECv2 modulator sounds better than NOS and upsampling 16/44.1 and xx/48 tracks to 2x PCM.

    The May KTE in NOS mode with HQPlayer in my 2 channel setup is quite a bit better than my DirectStream DAC. The background is blacker, the clarity and resolution are improved. The soundstage is more 3D without sounding artificial. Voice and instrument separation are improved. I can't really quantify or articulate this better, but it is more musical as well.

    I am loving it!
     
  11. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    the above all holds true for the Spring3 KTE as well, although my cpu can’t handle that exact v2 modulator.
     
  12. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I'm borrowing a May 3 KTE right now and I'm really impressed so far. My first impression is more positive than the Wavelight.

    I want to make sure I have the settings right though, and I'm a dumbasss about this stuff.

    I've got it hooked up to my Pi2AES via AES (until an HDMI cable comes tomorrow or the next day) and streaming Tidal. Should I have it on OS mode, OS PCM or OS DSD? I have it on OS right now and it sounds good, but I want to make sure I'm hearing it at it's best.

    Thanks for the noob question.
     
  13. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

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    Isn't the "magic" in NOS?
     
  14. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    NOS with HQ player.
    The OS filters are trash
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    What if I don't have HQplayer or the savvy to install it and do the upsampling thing with it? I've just got Moode and files from Tidal. Which I can barely keep operational as is.

    :(

    Thanks!
     
  16. winders

    winders boomer

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    I think NOS mode is better than the others even if you don't use HQPlayer.
     
  17. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    NOS is still better than OS on my Spring 2... even without HQplayer
     
  18. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

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    the Holo May's USB implementation is superb, and the way to go if you can swing it.
     
  19. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

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    I'd be glad to help, or point you to good resources... the May is wonderful just as it is — NOS — but HQPlayer adds a very great deal of possibilities.
     
  20. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

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    avoid the built-in OS, for sure. NOS, or even better, NOS+HQPlayer.
     

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