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HOLO Audio Spring DAC: Affordable discrete R2R Multibit Dac, could be a winner.

Many manufacturers are going back to R2R Multibit d/a conversion, a good portion of audiophiles are saying it sounds better than the cheaper d/a conversion of Delta Sigma, (1 bit), Bitstream, Saber. etc.
And it says it uses dual R2R’s Multibits to support DSD natively!!? 

Product Description:This new DAC.”Spring” is the first design of a new era, a milestone for HOLO Audio’s own Jeff Zhu. It’s a full discrete R2R type of audio decoder and does not have off the shelf-DAC chip! This is a bespoke custom-designed core DAC module and truly a breakthrough with technology for any DAC chip today. The Spring is here to achieve new heights, new dynamics and simply a full spectrum of audio to please the aural senses. This Dac has been called the poor mans Total Dac / MSB / Wavedream / Chord Dave Etc. It plays with the big boys.

https://kitsunehifi.com/product/springdacbase/

Looks amazing inside for $1,700. Schiit Yaggi better watch out!!!!



Cheers George
128x128georgehifi
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi OP
4,966 posts
 
Charles, I was enjoying this review up until this statement.

We replaced the stock fuse with a Synergistic Research Black fuse and there was genuine improvement. Take that as you like.
Then I’m afraid you lost me, take that as you like, but an incoming mains fuse on especially a well regulated power supply as any dacs have, will not make one iota of difference. What you and your friend most probably heard is what Ralph (Atmasphere) coyly calls "expectation bias" with regards to fuse swapping.

But I still like very much what Holo have done circuitry wise and especially price wise, so I’ll wait for more informed reviews to come along as well to point potential buyers and customers of mine to.

As for them the retailer/distributer (not the designer) having these fuses advertised on their website, they are a retail/wholesale outlet with many audio products and are also there to make a buck as well.

Cheers George

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hi George,
Regarding the fuse comment, I write what I hear, thus my "take it as you like " for the skeptical.   We’ve gone over this before on another thread and I just say that we will continue to "respectfully" disagree and leave it there. If you find my impressions less informed as a result, so be it. My opinion of this DAC is very favorable after hearing it today. As always I simply post honestly my listening observations and people can take them as they wish.
Charles,
gary9413
8 posts
 
Thanks charles review,  as i said before holo spring sound really good and close to my ex metrum panave performance, but after i replace the ddc from bryston buc-1 to singxer su-1 via i2s hdmi, it make a huge improvement, more detail and better 3d soundstage, more silent background and also sound more clear than using Aes in , i feel this combo ready to outperform metrum, i am using aurender n100 for source, vitus ss010 and volent vl-3 as amp,speaker
gary9413
8 posts
 
And one more thing , I only use a >$150 HDMI, as i2s cable , but use xlo limited mk2 for aes, then I sold it immediately and get $400 inside my pocket
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
913 posts
 
Many thanks,  Charles, for the update.
I have auditioned the Bricasti in my home system and going by your description of the Holo's sound next to the Bricasti's, this is high praise indeed.

J. :)

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