NOS DACs

Really excited to read more about the Holo Spring DAC. Hope somebody can directly compare one to the Yggdrasil.

 

Per the last few posts on the prior page (including the one with a picture of the Yggdrasil sitting on top of a Level 3 Spring DAC), I'm doing just that. Right now the plan is to collaborate on findings with @Hands and start a dedicated thread for it. I've been listening to/auditioning the Spring DAC for 3 days now, so I've got comparable time on it to other DACs I've auditioned against Yggdrasil.

Looking forward to sharing my properly-writte-up iimpressions ... but not giving away more than I've already said until then ...

 

How was the Holo lvl3 choosed among the three versions available? Auditioning? I'd like to understand the tonal differencies between the cheapest and all in version.

 

Can only answer from my perspective ... and in my case it's simply that the top of the line unit was available, so that's what I'm auditioning.

I am working on the basis that, for DACs that exist in multiple versions, it's easier to qualify them on the "top" spec model and if that makes the grade then worry about the lower-spec editions afterwards. It results in fewer overall auditions and less time expended (and makes getting audition units a lot easier) than starting with the lower models and comparing everything.

 

Very curious to hear more about the Spring DAC L3. Look forward to your thoughts/impressions. Cheers

 

Whoa... When did you get the Spring dac Luckbad? Had much time with it to get any impressions yet?

 

Sweet! A "cutting edge" DAC and a classic DAC side-by-side. Look forward to hearing your thoughts and comparisons.

 

Only have it for review. It came in today.

 

We respectfully expect a proper review 2h ago

 

Very short version:

The first thing that struck me is the soundstage. Great depth and width to it. Really excellent placement of instruments.

Outstanding extension in both directions even in NOS mode.

Waiting to find some things I don't like about it since I can't ever get away with buying a DAC at this price.

It's less romantic than the Sonic Frontiers SFD-1 MKII. That's something, right?

P.S. The chain:

• Power/Cables: Fancy power cable from Parts Connexion into the DAC, Belkin Pure AV PF60 feeding DAC and Amp, fancy AudioQuest power cable on the Amp, Straightwire Symphony II RCA cables
• DAC: Holo Spring DAC Level 3
• Amp: ampsandsound Mogwai w/ 6P3S-E output tubes, Melz 6N9S metal base input tube
• Digital: Lynx E22 using AES
• Headphones: Sennheiser HD650 (rear mods, no coin foam in front)

 

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Looking forward to hearing how the spring might compare to a pagoda which i know you have had quality time with

 

I should have mine to you late tonight or early tomorrow, as well.

 

Will do. If it's my old unit, it was unmodded. I had 6N23P-EV tubes in it at the time I had it, and have those in my SE+ unit now.

Kinda hard to A/B them because the volume is much higher from the Holo (think it has to do with the HDCD requirements).

 

It is amusing how many messages I have gotten over at HF nagging for me to post my thoughts on the Spring DAC. Because, of course, I'm absolutely going to respond privately to a one-liner from someone I've never interacted with like "do u like it better than Yggdrasil??????" before I post impressions and comments in the actual thread!

Though I'm holding off on that, since I'd rather that stuff show up here first. And while I might make some additions to what I've written already, my current write-ups are in the hands of, well, @Hands now ...