Miska Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 34 minutes ago, Holzohr said: I replaced my Matrix Audio Element H USB PCIe card by a cheap Asmedia 3142 card today and to my surprise the playback of 1411.2 and 1536 kHz PCM is possible with my Spring 2 DAC. Afaik the JCAT USB XE comes with the same controller. Why not just use the Intel controller built to the motherboard? Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
Holzohr Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 3 minutes ago, Miska said: Why not just use the Intel controller built to the motherboard? I don't have a Gigabyte board with DAC-UP USB ports. 🙂 Euphony (NUC7DNKE: Roon or Stylus) --> Euphony EP (NUC7CJYH: Roon Bridge or NAA or StylusEP) --> Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (I2S) --> Euphony (NUC7DNKE: Roon) --> WS 2019 Core (i7-8700: HQPlayer, JPLAY Femto, Roon Bridge, MinorityClean) / Matrix Audio Element H --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (USB) --> B & M Prime 6 Synology DS 112+ (LMS) --> pi3B+/HifiBerry Digi + Pro (PiCorePlayer) --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (SPDIF) --> bedroom: pi3/DigiOne (RoPieee) --> S.M.S.L M500 --> KRK Rokit 5 or AKG 712 Pro Link to comment
GoldenOne Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 On 3/30/2020 at 8:41 AM, Bimmer100 said: serene will be totl or flagship preamp/headamp. Same form factor as spring/spring2/May dac chassis and designed to pair perfectly with these products. It will be an absolutely epic preamp/headamp with tech similar to azure yet many improvements of course. Are you able to confirm if the serene will include a headphone amp? Your msg said it will, but the unit that WolfX received to measure didn't seem to have any headphone outs (but did have all 8 modules as in the azure). Hoping it will have a headphone amp! So excited to get one. https://youtube.com/goldensound Roon -> HQPlayer -> SMS200 Ultra/SPS500 -> Holo Audio May (Wildism Edition) -> Holo Audio Serene (Wildism Edition) -> Benchmark AHB2 -> Hifiman Susvara Link to comment
Bimmer100 Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 40 minutes ago, GoldenOne said: Are you able to confirm if the serene will include a headphone amp? Your msg said it will, but the unit that WolfX received to measure didn't seem to have any headphone outs (but did have all 8 modules as in the azure). Hoping it will have a headphone amp! So excited to get one. There will be two versions. One is preamp serene, the other will be headamp serene. there is too much to put both into one chassis. The headamp version is not ready yet. Tim Connor KitsuneHifi.com / HoloAudio USA Link to comment
GoldenOne Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 1 hour ago, Bimmer100 said: There will be two versions. One is preamp serene, the other will be headamp serene. there is too much to put both into one chassis. The headamp version is not ready yet. Ooh interesting. Does that mean that the headamp version won't additionally function as a preamp? Also, are you able to give any information as to pricing? My wallet is trembling but I am so ready! (Also goodness, a quadruple holo-audio stack would look fantastic) https://youtube.com/goldensound Roon -> HQPlayer -> SMS200 Ultra/SPS500 -> Holo Audio May (Wildism Edition) -> Holo Audio Serene (Wildism Edition) -> Benchmark AHB2 -> Hifiman Susvara Link to comment
Popular Post ted_b Posted January 31, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2021 Just upgraded my Holo Spring KTE (original) to the newer XU208 XMOS USB module (driver 5.00 and firmware 21.16). I will break in a bit and then compare to the I2S input via tweaked SU-1. LoryWiv and wouterk 1 1 "We're all bozos on this bus"....F.T. My JRIver tutorial videos Actual JRIver tutorial MP4 video links My eleven yr old SACD Ripping Guide for PS3 (needs updating but still works) US Technical Advisor, NativeDSD.com Link to comment
wouterk Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 Would be good to hear your findings:-) Link to comment
Popular Post ted_b Posted February 6, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted February 6, 2021 The gap between the sq of my Holo Spring KTE's USB input (good, grade 85) and its I2S input via an externally powered Singxer SU-1 DDC (excellent, grade 95) has changed. As I previously stated I ordered and recently installed the newer XU208 XMOS USB module in my Holo. Immediate comparisons had the gap only closing by a point or two, as the new cold module (and driver/firmware) exhibited quite a bit of congestion, but yet was able to gain traction based on almost identical (to SU-1 I2S) dynamics, timbre and overall musicality. Everything but clarity, a sort of veil or dirty window feeling. I've let the module "break-in" (I guess, don't know any other way to explain :) ) and now the gap is, according to my b-s arbitrary scoring, less than 5 points..more like 1 or 2. The SU-1 is still worth it, but only cuz it's not thousands of dollars, and for a few hundred I get marginally better sq. All this in rarified air where some decisions to improve sq by a point or two could cost BIG money. So I'm sticking with my depreciated SU-1 for now, but I gotta assume a well-integrated XU208 USB module (i.e original equipment) in the Spring 2 or May would make a decent DDC like the SU-1 moot. Not saying a theoretically better DDC wouldn't push any Holo forward.....unknown but would not surprise me. As always YMMV. wouterk, LoryWiv and Superdad 1 2 "We're all bozos on this bus"....F.T. My JRIver tutorial videos Actual JRIver tutorial MP4 video links My eleven yr old SACD Ripping Guide for PS3 (needs updating but still works) US Technical Advisor, NativeDSD.com Link to comment
Popular Post Holzohr Posted February 25, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2021 On 12/13/2020 at 5:46 AM, shahed99 said: Is there any Holo DAC users who are successfully upsampling PCM 1.5Mhz? @Diavolo are you using your motherboards USB port? I wonder if there's any audiophile grade USB PCIE that'd support PCM 1.5Mhz with Holo. I love the sound of DSD 256 with ASDM7EC. But it's so taxing on the server and my linear PSU. It'd be great if I can switch to PCM 1.5M upsampling (given the very positive feedbacks lately). I'd appreciate if @Marcin_gpscould shade some light on his excellent JCAT XE card's PCM 1.5M compatibility with certain usb interface like XMOS used in Holo. Quoting @shahed99 another time (hope he is still around). Thanks to @StreamFidelity I can test the JCAT USB XE in my system for a couple of days. So as expected after using a cheap Asmedia 3142 USB card with my Spring 2, PCM 1411.2 and 1536 khz are neither a problem with the JCAT USB XE. Tested with HQPlayer OS. StreamFidelity and Marcin_gps 2 Euphony (NUC7DNKE: Roon or Stylus) --> Euphony EP (NUC7CJYH: Roon Bridge or NAA or StylusEP) --> Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (I2S) --> Euphony (NUC7DNKE: Roon) --> WS 2019 Core (i7-8700: HQPlayer, JPLAY Femto, Roon Bridge, MinorityClean) / Matrix Audio Element H --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (USB) --> B & M Prime 6 Synology DS 112+ (LMS) --> pi3B+/HifiBerry Digi + Pro (PiCorePlayer) --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (SPDIF) --> bedroom: pi3/DigiOne (RoPieee) --> S.M.S.L M500 --> KRK Rokit 5 or AKG 712 Pro Link to comment
Marcin_gps Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 On 2/25/2021 at 6:29 PM, Holzohr said: Quoting @shahed99 another time (hope he is still around). Thanks to @StreamFidelity I can test the JCAT USB XE in my system for a couple of days. So as expected after using a cheap Asmedia 3142 USB card with my Spring 2, PCM 1411.2 and 1536 khz are neither a problem with the JCAT USB XE. Tested with HQPlayer OS. Great to hear - thank you for reporting this :) Regards, Marcin JPLAY & JCAT Founder Link to comment
shahed99 Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 On 2/25/2021 at 12:29 PM, Holzohr said: Quoting @shahed99 another time (hope he is still around). Thanks to @StreamFidelity I can test the JCAT USB XE in my system for a couple of days. So as expected after using a cheap Asmedia 3142 USB card with my Spring 2, PCM 1411.2 and 1536 khz are neither a problem with the JCAT USB XE. Tested with HQPlayer OS. Thank you @Holzohr for the update. I think your success of upsampling PCM 1.5Mhz may be attributed to HQP OS or Linux variant. I was able to upsample PCM 1.5M to my Holo DAC (using old version of JCAT USB card) when I use Gentoo as OS. However, 1.5M upsample doesn't work when I use Windows OS. My server uses AMD mobo in both scenarios FYI. Holo apparently recommends Windows for best performance given their ASIO driver. Link to comment
Holzohr Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 8 hours ago, shahed99 said: Thank you @Holzohr for the update. I think your success of upsampling PCM 1.5Mhz may be attributed to HQP OS or Linux variant. I was able to upsample PCM 1.5M to my Holo DAC (using old version of JCAT USB card) when I use Gentoo as OS. However, 1.5M upsample doesn't work when I use Windows OS. My server uses AMD mobo in both scenarios FYI. Holo apparently recommends Windows for best performance given their ASIO driver. Hi @shahed99, interesting that it has worked with the Femto card and Gentoo. Well @Marcin_gps, I have to update/correct myself. I had kind of 'hiss' with PCM 1536 khz and HQPlayer OS. I don't remember that with Windows but it seems I could solve this in my case. Changing DAC bits from 20 to 16 in the HQPe settings fixed it. According to @Miska the 16 bits doesn't matter using a noise shaper as LN15. Euphony (NUC7DNKE: Roon or Stylus) --> Euphony EP (NUC7CJYH: Roon Bridge or NAA or StylusEP) --> Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (I2S) --> Euphony (NUC7DNKE: Roon) --> WS 2019 Core (i7-8700: HQPlayer, JPLAY Femto, Roon Bridge, MinorityClean) / Matrix Audio Element H --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (USB) --> B & M Prime 6 Synology DS 112+ (LMS) --> pi3B+/HifiBerry Digi + Pro (PiCorePlayer) --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (SPDIF) --> bedroom: pi3/DigiOne (RoPieee) --> S.M.S.L M500 --> KRK Rokit 5 or AKG 712 Pro Link to comment
lpost Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 On 1/8/2021 at 1:03 PM, Holzohr said: I replaced my Matrix Audio Element H USB PCIe card by a cheap Asmedia 3142 card today and to my surprise the playback of 1411.2 and 1536 kHz PCM is possible with my Spring 2 DAC. Afaik the JCAT USB XE comes with the same controller. Do you happen to a link to the card that works for you? My AMD/Asrock 3.1 Gen2 USB MB ports won't even stay sync'd with May but every crappy laptop I have will. Ha, I didn't realize that was a hyperlink, thanks. I'll try one. Link to comment
cjmv50 Posted March 28, 2021 Share Posted March 28, 2021 I am curious if anyone heard any news about the Spring 3 that is supposed to start shipping in April. I was thinking about trying a Spring 2 when I got a message from the US distributor saying that it was being replaced. Link to comment
CJH Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 From Tim C: Current Spring 3 Details; Price: Level 1 $1998 Level 2 $2298 KTE $2798 All Models have optional Pre-Amp module for an additional $500. This is a fully balanced, discrete design. The module can be easily installed at a later date if you change your mind. Trickle down technology from the May DAC. Exclusive to the Spring 3 KTE model; The enhanced USB module found in the MAY DAC, which includes Titanus 2.0 FPGA circuit. Additional details to be disclosed on the launch date. Estimated for late-April to mid-May 2021. CJH Link to comment
Jean Paul D Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 On 3/29/2021 at 1:29 PM, CJH said: From Tim C: Current Spring 3 Details; Price: Level 1 $1998 Level 2 $2298 KTE $2798 All Models have optional Pre-Amp module for an additional $500. This is a fully balanced, discrete design. The module can be easily installed at a later date if you change your mind. Trickle down technology from the May DAC. Exclusive to the Spring 3 KTE model; The enhanced USB module found in the MAY DAC, which includes Titanus 2.0 FPGA circuit. Additional details to be disclosed on the launch date. Estimated for late-April to mid-May 2021. CJH Might be the replacement one for me. Or a Denafrips Pontus or one of the forthcoming (I guess ;-) ) second hand Spring 2 L2 or T+A DSD8. Hopefully my Mini M1 will handle PCM 1.5 from any PCM rate and 7EC/256 from 64. At those outputs, how would you rate S2, SKTE vs S2L2, May, Pontus, T+A on a 10/10 scale ? HQ Player 4 Mac Mini M1 Link to comment
cjmv50 Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 I am wondering about the new Spring 3 KTE or Spring 2 KTE vs May level 1 the cost difference is approximately $1000.00. I wonder if sound quality of the MAY Level 1 would be that much better. I have never seen a review of the MAY Level 1 or Level 2, or for that matter a Spring Level 1 or Level 2. It would be interesting to get an opinion of the sonic changes as you go up the line. Link to comment
Johnseye Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 3 minutes ago, cjmv50 said: I am wondering about the new Spring 3 KTE or Spring 2 KTE vs May level 1 the cost difference is approximately $1000.00. I wonder if sound quality of the MAY Level 1 would be that much better. I have never seen a review of the MAY Level 1 or Level 2, or for that matter a Spring Level 1 or Level 2. It would be interesting to get an opinion of the sonic changes as you go up the line. I can't speak for the Spring 2 or 3 KTE. I had the Spring 1 KTE v2 with the updated USB. I just received the May yesterday and good God, out of the box it's remarkable. I also have a Chord Hugo TT2, and I've had a DAVE in house to compare. The May is just outstanding. The soundstage width, height and depth is huge by comparison. I say huge and by that I mean the sound envelops you. There is clarity, definition and most importantly realism to the instruments that I've not heard with these other dacs. I'm excited to hear how it sounds after burn in. Audio System Link to comment
Holzohr Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 From ASR Forum: Measurements & Preview of Holo Audio Spring 3 DAC / wPreamp (Prototype) Euphony (NUC7DNKE: Roon or Stylus) --> Euphony EP (NUC7CJYH: Roon Bridge or NAA or StylusEP) --> Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (I2S) --> Euphony (NUC7DNKE: Roon) --> WS 2019 Core (i7-8700: HQPlayer, JPLAY Femto, Roon Bridge, MinorityClean) / Matrix Audio Element H --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (USB) --> B & M Prime 6 Synology DS 112+ (LMS) --> pi3B+/HifiBerry Digi + Pro (PiCorePlayer) --> Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro (MQA) (SPDIF) --> bedroom: pi3/DigiOne (RoPieee) --> S.M.S.L M500 --> KRK Rokit 5 or AKG 712 Pro Link to comment
SDIESEL77 Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Hi All, PLEASE HELP !!!!! I have a Spring v1 Kitsune and decided today to upgrade it with the USB module XU208 XMOS. Since then, it's not working anymore, the only thing I'm getting from the speakers is a loud white noise/jittery sound 😭🥶 I tried updating the firmware with holo_gen2_3012 or holo_gen2_3014, same issue... Link to comment
ted_b Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 I've done the same upgrade a couple months back. No issues, but I seem to remember that I also updated the driver (Windows) to V5.0.0 You may be using Linux, so that's irrelevant. I'd certainly restart the server, NAA or whatever machine the USB is getting it's music from. "We're all bozos on this bus"....F.T. My JRIver tutorial videos Actual JRIver tutorial MP4 video links My eleven yr old SACD Ripping Guide for PS3 (needs updating but still works) US Technical Advisor, NativeDSD.com Link to comment
hifi25nl Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 An information: upgrading XU208 XMOS on Spring v1, will DSD1024 (and PCM 1411200) be possible? Firmware needs to be updated? What version should work (linux)? AudioLinux --> https://www.audio-linux.com developer of AudioLinux realtime OS Link to comment
SDIESEL77 Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 53 minutes ago, ted_b said: I've done the same upgrade a couple months back. No issues, but I seem to remember that I also updated the driver (Windows) to V5.0.0 You may be using Linux, so that's irrelevant. I'd certainly restart the server, NAA or whatever machine the USB is getting it's music from. I have unfortunately tried with 2 different sources (Raspberry and Windows laptop), same issue 😒 Link to comment
SDIESEL77 Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 Issue now fixed 😁 Had to install a new Spring 2112 firmware Link to comment
mraulino Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 any news on the Spring 3 release? Kitsune hasn't updated the previous "late-April to mid-May 2021" eta... Link to comment
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