I have tracks in all three DSD formats and can’t hear a difference. I agree that if it’s possible to record/master at 128fs, 256fs, or even 512fs, capturing every last nuance in the recording should be possible.
But in the playback digital chain, we are pulling at hairs to hear the difference. The point of diminishing returns I guess.
I confirm that it works: the May shows DSD64 on its display when I play an sacd on my PSA pst. It was a pleasant surprise, because I did not expect this. I only have about 15 sacds versus thousands of cds, but it’s still an unexpected bonus.
You have to configure the I2S on the May to alt2.
By the way, the combination pst KTE is amazing. It sounds a bit like an audiophile cliche, but I am truly rediscovering my cd collection.
The pst is a much bigger step up from the dmp than the dmp from the pwt.
And as to the DSD replaced by the KTE, like @brett66 said, the KTE is in a completely different league. One hour after plugging the Holo, my DS was for sale.
Good to know that the May DAC can play SACDs when connected to the PST.
Thanks Phil. Then it’s definitely better for my brother’s friend to get the PST than the Jay Audio.
I haven’t heard the Jay and I am not aware of anyone comparing it with the pst, but IMHO, the pst is sublime.
With SACD capability, it’s really a far superior format in my experience. My CDs are not as enjoyable to listen to, although a few mastered in 32 bit is not too bad. I did compared the FIM 32 bit mastered CDs to the same recordings in AP SACDs and no doubt the SACD is less veiled sounding.
Where are you located? That will determine the service experience.
I am in the US and have purchased a couple of times over the last three years, Tim has been great. I had one repair about 6 month ago on my Singxer Su-1 out of warranty . it was minor and Tim just charged $50 for the repair. I have had the May Spring 3 w Preamp for a week and the ordering and delivery was first rate. Email response can be a little slow at times given they are a small company.
It has bee said before if you want to pick up the phone and get immediate response buy from a company like PS Audio. You do pay for that level of service, so it is your option to choose the level of service you desire. In terms of value, the HOLO Spring 3 is incredible, I paid $3,500 with shipping for a DAC with a high quality built in Volume control (Class A preamp) that performs in the upper range of DACS.
The Spring 3 looks like amazing value for money. Are you happy with it?
What did you have before?
If I recall correctly you fried your analog board in your modded DS with XS4400s and the LPS external by accident right prior to Sunlight firmware release, correct? So your baseline was Windom for comparison to the Holo?
So to be fair you should disclose what apple and orange your comparison involves. If one has experienced a DS Sunlight vs Windom differences it is a huge change in bass, clarity and space around instruments and singers in my opinion. Especially after Sunlight has run in.
Very Happy just going through the burn-in up and downs , prior to this I had the Stellar Gain cell for about 6 months before that I had the DS with Windom…
The level of detail and separation is incredible, it keeps teasing me with deeper and wider soundstage it will start to open up and then revert. I am at about 120 hours, Kitstune specs 500 hours for all the MAY DACS for full burn in. The build quality is A+
Couple of notes
The remote volume control works a resistor attenuator and it makes an audible click for every step, also there is no way that I can see to adjust balance.
The unit takes some time to relock to varying bit rates so it you have one track at 44.1 and the next track is at 96K there will be a slight delay before the next track is audible, So you won’t hear the first couple of seconds of the track. I got used to this very quickly and don’t even notice it but it may bother some people… Other than up sampling to a constant bit rate upstream I don’t know of a solution to this.
I should disclose?! What are you a lawyer (rhetorical). I don’t have to disclose anything when sharing my listening experiences.
I have no vested interest in PS Audio nor Holo products. The speakers and room and individual ears make vastly more difference than the dac let alone the version of software running on the dac.
Thank you very much. I’ll stop sharing my experiences.
Brett I for one appreciate your feedback please don’t stop based on one persons view
Sorry. Perhaps I was out of line so I will apologize. I agree everyone is entitled and deserves to express opinions or observations. Perhaps I would like the DAC better than the DS too. You are right it is all about match of all components and preferences. I was reaching for by indirectly inquiring if you did the later comparison with firmware after repair of your modified DS and should have stated it that way. No personal attack on you was intended. Please continue to share your experiences we all grow from other viewpoints.
Appreciated. It’s not just your comment that has me questioning my involvement in this and other forums. This one is by far one of the most open and friendly.
I have always approached everything what I read and learn on all types of forums as opinion and/or people stating what they believe to be true and correct. No one is ever completely true and factual all the time. For me, this hobby is mostly about the music but also the shared experience that brings us all together.
I enjoy sharing my experience and absolutely don’t mind be corrected when I’m incorrect and perhaps your comment just stuck me a bit too strongly…for this I apologize.
I do not like attorneys though…just wanted to put that out there.
It takes effort to disagree without being disagreeable. I continue to work on this, trying to consider how another would view my post. I’m sure I fail regularly.
Attorneys are like any other profession; there are always a few in any occupation who are slime-ball jerks. Amusingly, people often love their lawyer. It is the other guy’s counsel who is an unethical, lying scumbag. 
It’s not so much the individuals that are attorney’s that I maintain a distaste, rather the basic construct that they are needed at all.
They are fortunately needed. My mother, may she rest in peace, died due to the gross negligence of her treating physicians.
It would be nice if members of our society never experienced conflict. But conflict exists, and is sometimes severe.
Instead of pounding on each other or duels at sunrise, the legal system exists to resolve conflict in a more advanced manner. While far from perfect, it is better than the alternatives.
Yeah if we had more tube lovers here we could just throw used tubes at each other