Other option is the Spring3 with it’s pre-amp module built-in (it’s an order option) !
For those where May + Serene pre are too expensive.
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No, one preamp is enough for me.
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Have you made your choice already ?
No, not yet. Kinda 
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Dang, Jeff Zhu has done it again 
!
I was looking at Pass to replace my Plinius amplification when it dies, but this is interesting, and so much cheaper.
I prefer to buy the preamp and amp from the same company, however. I wonder if Jeff will come up with matching amps.
Have you run into compatibility issues using different manufacturers for the amp and preamp in the past?
Yes I have. When looking for a preamp for my Plinius SA 103 monoblocks, I tried three preamps: the Plinius Tautoro, the PSA BHK, and an Acoustic Arts. With the BHK and AA, the bass was gone, completely MIA. Both of those are excellent preamps, but they were not compatible with my amps.
I’ve noticed some further opening in the overall sound around the 300-hour mark. It’s not the type of change that makes your jaw drop, but the kind that just helps suck you in the music more. I’ve been enjoying some current pop-oriented releases (Lorde’s “Solar Power”, Killers’ “Pressure Machine,” etc.) that I wouldn’t otherwise have thought would have sounded well. They actually sound fantastic through the May KTE.
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I listened to Lorde Solar Power last evening in the dark. Many won’t get it on first listen but I think that’s how she intended it.
The Serene is allowing so much more of the music to shine through it is jaw dropping.
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Sounds like you have picked a winner 
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What gave you the biggest improvement, changing the dac or changing the preamp?
A difficult question. I feel I’ve realized (or am realizing) the full potential of the May only with the Serene in the chain. The Serene is definitely special but so is the May. Together they are next level without a doubt.
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That’s really interested. I never thought about this before. I previously was using a BHK preamp with BHK 300 monos and that sounded pretty good. I recently started using a high end processor, which was bought for a completely different system but the addition of bass management and room correction transformed my system so much that I plan to stick with it for both my 2-channel and multi-channel system.
If I do go back for some reason to a separate 2-channel preamp I’ll definitely try out matching manufactures of both.
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It’s my experience, but lots of people get great results with different brands for the preamp and the amp(s).
For example @brett66 with Holo and PSA.
Hey Cudfoo, what hdmi cable are you using between the Matrix and Holo?
I just tried to replace my RAL by my WW Platinum (used with the PST), and also with an AQ Dragon 48 I have on loan. The differences were tiny, I don’t think that I could identify them in a blind test.
My takeaway is that the Matrix improves the sound a lot, but the hdmi cable seems to matter less than with the DSD.
Have you tried several hdmi cables?
Hi Phil – bought a RAL HDMI a few days ago. It replaced a WW SS 7. Improvement to this point is noticeable but not dramatic. Maybe that will change with break in. The biggest improvement with the May is (as you mentioned) via the Matrix/I2S. I don’t get all the excitement around the implementation of new USB tech in the May. If I had only heard the May via USB I would have sold it already and kept the DS DAC. With I2S it’s just tremendous…
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Dragon update.
Just to be sure, I tried the AQ Dragon 48 again from the Matrix to the May, and I got the same result : they both sound amazing. And the WW Platinum was at the same level. A three way tie.
This was completely unexpected, because with the DS, the hdmi cable mattered a lot.
To my ears and in my system, it matters much less with the Holo, although I have not tried a cheap generic hdmi (if I had known earlier …).
So no Dragon for me.
My wallet just sent me a nice thank you note.
Oh wait, I still have to pitch it against the WW Platinum from the PST to the May …
Has anyone else experimented with the cables and sources feeding the Holo Spring or May ? Feedback welcome.
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Looks like the HDMI connection does not matter much with the May because these three cables really sounded quite different from one to the other on my DS.
When my friends May arrives, I will test it with the WW, RAL and AQ. This is very interesting. His May is taking forever to ship though. It’s been over 4 weeks and counting. He ordered from a dealer in China though and that may take even longer to ship.
I suspect the I2s input on the May is so good that the cable feeding it is inconsequential.
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That inference makes no sense to me.
I am not saying you are wrong. I just don’t follow the logic.
In any event, congrats on the May. The praise for this kit is high and wide, apparently.
I really dig the aesthetic too.
Cheers.
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