Once Herb had finished writing his review of the HoloAudio for the August issue's Gramophone Dreams column, I sped to his Bed-Stuy bothy and grabbed the May DAC, both to get it on my test bench and to take a listen for myself.
The review sample was the top-of-the-line Level 3 version ($4998), with both the processor and power supply having the serial number…
Description: Solid-state, two-chassis D/A processor with R–2R ladder DAC modules, Inputs: two coaxial S/PDIF, one optical S/PDIF, one AES/EBU, one USB, and two I2S over HDMI. Analog outputs: balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA).
Dimensions: 17" (432mm) W × 2.2" (56mm) H × 12" (305mm) D each (processor and power supply). Weight: 39.7lb (18kg) together.
Finish: Black-anodized aluminum and polished copper.
Serial numbers of review sample: 1911541872 (processor and power supply).
Price: $3798–$4998 depending on options; $4998 as reviewed.
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Digital sources: Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP universal player; Weiss DAC502 D/A processor.
Preamplifier: NHT PVC.
Power amplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: KEF LS50, GoldenEar BRX.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Vodka (Ethernet), AudioQuest Coffee (USB), DH Labs (1m, AES/EBU), Esperanto (S/PDIF). Interconnect: Canare (balanced). Speaker: AudioQuest K2. AC: AudioQuest Dragon Source & High Current, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Sanus SF30 & Celestion 24" loudspeaker stands; Target TT-5 equipment racks; Ayre…
Before doing any listening, I measured the May with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Apple's USB Prober utility identified the May as "Holo Audio UAC2.0 Gen2 Enhanced" from "Holo Audio." The USB port operated in the optimal isochronous asynchronous mode, and Apple's AudioMIDI utility revealed that, via that input, the May accepted 24-bit integer data sampled at all rates from 44.1kHz to an extraordinary 1536kHz. The AES/EBU and S/PDIF inputs, including Toslink optical, accepted data sampled at rates up to 192kHz.
The…
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That said, how can one accurately assess the "sound" of a piece of electronics without assessing the "sound" of the power cord to which it attached? Good question! The Ayre sounded fine with the supplied cord, but substituting a Yamamura Quantum cord (over…
Description: Full-function, solid-state control preamplifier. Maximum voltage gain: 16dB to balanced outputs, 10dB to unbalanced outputs (line); 40dB, 50dB, 60dB (phono stage). Line input impedance: 10k ohms (each phase). Phono input impedance: adjustable—50k ohms (default); 100, 250, 500, 1000 ohms supplied; other values available. Output impedance: 300 ohms (each phase). Power consumption: 30W.
Dimensions: 18" W by 3.75" H by 11" D (main unit); 10" W by 3" H by 8" D (power supply). Weight: 25lb (11.5kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: 3A 0126.
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