Holo Audio: one of the best dacs ever? J Atkinson, H Reichert, S Deckert, M Lavorgna, GoldenSound, D Abramson and the Stereophile reviewers think so. Stereophile A+ and POY 2020

Audio Components DACs
1426

For some reason older recordings we are well familiar with have gone back to original recordings and remixed and remastered for SACD or Flac download. See Steve Wilson interview: Steven Wilson: Remixing Classic Albums

Steve Wilson has remixed/mastered many legacy recordings with astonishing results. Turns out the mixing process & capability in the 70’s was significantly behind the artistic vision of many bands and they implemented mixes beyond what was technically capable to fully reveal the sound. LOTS of recording detail was lost in the mix. Dumping the original recordings into latest Pro tools allows the mix process to carry the original detailed intent of the artist through to the final master.

Seems like a lot of old hippies from the classic rock period are setting their legacies while able. Just a guess, but not unrealistic the press of time have made old contract and copyright contentions fall away to make this possible.

You have never REALLY heard Jethro Tull or Yes until you have listened to the Hi-res Steve Wilson remixes.

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1427

Live newly remix & Master as must listens:

Rolling Stones - Goats Head Soup (Deluxe Edition)

Rolling Stones - Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert (Deluxe set)
Still the best live recording of Midnight Rambler!

Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Welcome Back My Friends to the Show that Never Ends

The Doors - Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Only recorded show of theirs played straight as best I know

Though not recently remixed, the Ray Brown Trio Live Jazz Concert, Amazing ripped from my SACD is just terrific

Yeah, I know almost everything from the Stones is flat, lifeless, and limited bandwidth. NOT ANY More. Nearly the whole catalog was remixed & mastered with stunning results.

1428

I really only care about the Stones up to “Exile on Main St.”. For those years, there are several incredibly good SHM SCADs:

Beggars Banquet
Let It Bleed
Sticky Fingers
Exile on Main St.

Most of these are flat transfers…and sound FANTASTIC!

2 Likes
1429

Agree Speed-racer. I have Sticky Fingers from HDTracks & Let It Bleed from my SACD. Terrific.

1430

Really cool!

I think there was a bit of this type of wizardry on display with the audio (and video) re-production that Peter Jackson’s crew pulled off in his recent Beatles documentary, “The Beatles: Get Back”.

The A/V displayed in this work was pretty amazing.

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1432

Continuing the discussion from Holo Audio: one of the best dacs ever? J Atkinson, H Reichert, S Deckert, M Lavorgna, GoldenSound, D Abramson and the Stereophile reviewers think so. Stereophile A+ and POY 2020:

How would a fully modded DSD compare with the upcoming DSD Mk2? It has been discussed before for sure but I thought I would ask. I am about to get back my DSD modded with Edcor XS4400 transformers and JKRICHARDS analog power supply board power Ed by a Keces P3. I will also be getting SR purple fuses 2 in the dac and 1 in the Keces. I will be getting a Furutech NCF iec for the dac as well. How will my modded dac compare with the new DSD Mk2?

1433

You’re going to have to wait and see, unless you have a time machine.

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1434

You only need one in the DAC one slot is now a spare

1435

I can’t speak for the new up and coming DS Mk2 but my modded DS with Keces P3 power supply is sounding good out of the box and is quickly getting better. An obvious improvement over before the mods.

1436

I’m very happy with my Chord Mscaler and Chord TT2… don’t see myself upgrading them for a long time

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1437

Mitch - I lagging behind however, are you aware if the TSS will also rely on periodic upgradable firmware. Would love to know.

1438

I don’t know but probably. I’m sure it will be beautiful when it is available.

1439

I nearly pulled the trigger on the Chord TT2. How much longer for the TSS according to your gut feeling. It’s taken a long time. Thanks

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1440

What is the true intent of the May, since you didn’t bother to explain?

1441

I didn’t bother to explain?!

NOS, upsampling in HQPe.

Good luck.

1442
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1443

I have an odd question for Holo Audio May KTE DAC owners- does anybody have this issue where after play for a while (it can be an hour, or after a few hours)- the sound is shrilly (generally not as good, especially noticeable in high frequency sounds), but is good again after a power down (off, then on- and the world is all right again)? Mine seems like that since I bought it last year- easy work-around, but kind of annoying to listen- then realize that it is a bit off.

1444

Tim from Kitsune told me verbatim to leave May KTE powered -ON- 24/7/365.
I asked him this question as I was nearing end of 500 hour break-in period also prescribed by Tim.

1445

Never had that issue with either the May KTE or the Spring 3 KTE.

1446

I have never had this experience.

I leave my May KTE on 24/7/365 but do power cycle it every couple of weeks to a month just to reset everything. I power cycle my Roon server and HQPlayer NAA at the same time for the same reason.