This DAC Blew Me Away - T+A DAC 200 vs HOLO AUDIO MAY KTE

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This DAC Blew Me Away - T+A DAC 200 vs HOLO AUDIO MAY KTE
SYSTEM IN THE VIDEO:
SPEAKERS: QUALIO IQ - www.qualioaudio.com
AMP: FOSI ZA3 + Staccato in Dual Mono mode - bit.ly/virtalhifi (affiliate link)
STREAMER: Macbook M1 Pro with HQ PLAYER for Upsampling
DAC: Holo Audio MAY KTE/ T+A DAC 200
CABLES: Audiomica Excellence USB, VirtualHiFi interconnects and speaker cables
FOOTERS: VirtualHiFi Vibron
Big thanks To Koris koris.pl a HiFi Store in Poznan for providing great gear for the tests.
Few months ago I did multiple streamers tests and I did not consider changing my Weiss 204 DAC. I like the dynamics and soundstage of that DAC. It is neutral but absolutely beautiful sounding with stunning detail and holography. However the Holo Spring L2 that my buddy Marek brought was even more energetic pronounced and while all that more analogue and natural when it comes to vocals. Also it seemed to fill the room more, so I knew I need to change my DAC and so I ordered the HOLO MAY KTE. Funny since less than 2 months later I heard the T+A DAC 200 and this DAC is NEXT LEVEL :)
So here is it - Holo Audio MAY KTE vs T+A DAC 200
00:00 - Holo Audio MAY KTE vs. T+A DAC 200
05:47 - That's How You Know That You're in Love - Loving Caliber PCM
07:17 - Purple Beach - Giants’ nest PCM
08:47 - Monsoons - Johannes Bornlof PCM
10:17- The Last Kiss - Ritchie Everett PCM
11:47 - Love You For It All - Daniel Gunnarsson PCM
13:17 - Wood & Skin - Hara Node PCM
14:47 - Something new - Anthony Lazaro feat Sarah Kang (Korean Version) PCM
16:17 - The Blues This Morning - The Tap Room PCM
17:47 - Queen Of Hearts - Velvet Moon PCM
19:17 - Coming Home Blues - Bo the Drifter PCM
20:47 - Intimacy - Alex Kehm PCM
22:17 - I Am Better Off (Jazz version) - Wildson PCM
23:47 - Thanks for Us - Molife PCM
25:17 - Virga - Bladverk Band PCM
26:47 - The One - Ritchie Everett PCM
28:24 - That's How You Know That You're in Love - Loving Caliber DSD
29:54 - Purple Beach - Giants’ nest DSD
31:24 - Monsoons - Johannes Bornlof DSD
32:54 - Love You For It All - Daniel Gunnarsson DSD
34:24 - Wood & Skin - Hara Node DSD
35:54 - Something new - Anthony Lazaro feat Sarah Kang (Korean Version) DSD
37:24 - The Blues This Morning - The Tap Room DSD
38:54 - Queen Of Hearts - Velvet Moon DSD
40:24 - Coming Home Blues - Bo the Drifter DSD
41:54 - Intimacy - Alex Kehm DSD
43:24 - I Am Better Off (Jazz version) - Wildson DSD
44:54 - Thanks for Us - Molife DSD
46:24 - Virga - Bladverk Band DSD
47:54 - The One - Ritchie Everett DSD
49:24 - Conclusions

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Опубликовано:

11 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 191

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE For stunning revolutionary 3-way speakers visit - www.qualioaudio.com Best Fullrange Drivers - check out Cube Audio cubeaudio.eu Need to get the Fosi ZA3 Amp - fosiaudioshop.com/virtualhifi (affiliate link, no additional cost to you and I get a small commission that will help grow the channel)

@NathanLeight 12 дней назад

You’re videos are the absolutely best on the web. While I don’t understand all the technology, you make it all very interesting👏👏👏

@williams9117 3 месяца назад

Thanks for your video ! Great to hear you will get an opportunity to get the Mola mola tambaqui, I would also love to hear your opinion on the Musician Audio Taurus (and also the Aries Cerat Hélène but it may be difficult to get your hands on a unit).

@phantomplastics6582 3 месяца назад

The May also contains two completely separate DACS. One is for DSD alone and that sounds very different. See the Golden Sound review of the May for details.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the comment. Yes I knew it as its 1 Bit pocessing, but the video was cut in a way that it wasn't comminicated as well. Thanks for the feedback :)

@dailyfrenchie9047 3 месяца назад

You put a lot of effort into these videos. Thank you. I’ve had the May for about 2 years. Love it. But I picked out the T+A pretty easily in these samples without knowing for sure which was A and which was B. I agree it sounds more forward in the vocals and also more meat on the bones, more fleshed out. Bass was deeper and just fuller without sounding mushy. Well done. However I really want to hear the Tambaqui vs the May and T+A, and I’d love to hear those vs the new PS Audio DS MKII. I’ve heard the Tambaqui in another system and it was awesome but the whole system was about $100k so hard to tell what was from the dac vs the rest of the system. I also have Nenuphar Minis and love them. Thanks!

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing your comment and thank you for your sucscription. Indeed the T+A is fuller and more alive in a way. I like it very much but for those who need to relax more the May migh be better ;) Well I hope some more great things are coming my ways soon :)

@ottosato 3 месяца назад

IMHO, DAC A sounds livelier, more transparent and crispier. DAC B is more organic and natural sounding, a bit darker.

@glenschneider5978 3 месяца назад

I would agree exactly with that

@2pramus 3 месяца назад

me too

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Yup it's exactly the case ;)

@ericelmore887 3 месяца назад

Great review as always , i would love to see holo may, Weiss, mola mola, msb , t&a comparing sound clips

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

We will see what can be done ;) thanks as always ;)

@Andy-Kach 3 месяца назад

Good videos and quality comparisons! Glad I found your channel. For some reason, I liked the DAC B better for PCM and DAC A better for DSD. Both are great for sure.

@VirtualHiFi 2 месяца назад

Thank you for sharing your opinion and positive feedback about the channel ;) Welcome to the community ;)

@ramlord6669 3 месяца назад

I thank you for this comparison in that generously scope 🤗 These are two of my absolutely favourite DACs which are playing on a level no ones could say the one or the other is superior. It is more a matter of personal taste here. But for sure without forgetting to have the right synergy with the rest of the equipment. You make definitively no fault by going with the T+A here. The dedicated DSD section by the way is a unique in house development by T+A engineering. The son of the founder of T+A was responsible for the new 200 series project and he admitted in an interview that indeed he had regarding the DAC200/HA200 HQ-Player in mind, because he is an admirer of it and uses it self. With your test tracks you celebrated it this time...I much appreciate it, that you let me enjoy so much to compare. For me the difference over YT was most listenable with PCM. The Holo was more laid back and the T+A was more lively. With DSD I had problems to here differences. Would have really liked to sit there in your room to compare the DACs ❤ The Mola Mola is something special; I am sure you will like it too. Some other DAC you should also listen to on your DAC world tour could be the Rockna Wavedream/Wavelight or the Playback Design MPD6, but here the price rocket accelerates a bit 😬 By the way due to T+A sees much value in research, the company is named in that respect: Theory plus Application or on German Theorie plus Anwendung 🙃 You have forgotten to mention if the wife of the German dealer listened to your system with the T+A or the Holo 🔥🐹🔥

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for your comment and all the information :) I hope that the Mola Mola will be and not be better at the same time ;) But I can't wait to hear it ;) I also can see that HQ Player is stunning and I'll definitely go that route ;) I'll try to get all units I ever can since it's plenty of fun and I hope I can help few of us make the best decision for their system ;). The German dealer and his Wife did listen to T+A. Since I got it and started to listen to it I totally lost interest in listening to the MAY and MAY is great ;)

@ramlord6669 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi Happy to read, that you are so motivated to get other units in for further comparision. I am thinking I am not the only one here who is really profitting from your unique approach with HiFi. It never looks like that you are only interested in selling gear but absolut honestly into the sound. Thank you for letting us accompany you on this journey...Greets to Poland 💥🐹💥

@MartinBury-bv7jy 3 месяца назад

Hi Grzegorz, great comparison and recording setup. In your previous video comparing two Holo Audio DAC you said, that it was more impactful for sound to upgrade source - streamer. Now you have changed Auralic to noisy notebook. This is puzzling me ... would the results be the same if you will be streaming PCM from Auralic? Or it's HQ player magic, that makes even top end streamers obsolete? Thanks.

@tango_gru 2 месяца назад

Hello there, Thanks for these comparisons... they are really nice to hear on a headphone or IEMs. The DAC A vs DAC B is also amazing to use. Helps me keep a neutral approach until the very end. Which one is your current favorite DAC ?

@flashhog01 3 месяца назад

Great video. I think the real star of the show are the Fosi amps, amazing they can resolve such differences.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the comment. Yes the Fosis are amazing and one can save amazing money on the amp and spend it on for example truly special DAC ;)

@davidrivera2165 3 месяца назад

Fantastic comparison. Thank you for your excellent work. I've actually heard the T+A in person at the Florida Audio Expo. I Love both of these dacs, but my favorite dac is MSB Technology Select Dac, which I've heard in person twice for more than two hours. Of course at more than $100K it's for millionaires only.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing :) Koris.pl is a Distributor for MSB so maybe later on I'll borrow the ultra High End MSB Technology Select Dac even though its way over my budget. But I wonder how much an extreme High End things can get ;)

@portwill 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFitry the MPD-8 please! That is a fantastic DAC and I’m really curious about your opinion, especially after living with such good DACs for quite some time ;) And keep up the amazing work with your videos!

@RyanChoo 3 месяца назад

How about dCS? 😁 Ok, I am pushing the envelope here!

@amigoz3201 3 месяца назад

I changed my Audio note Signature 2.1x to T+A 200 dac and i'm very happy. Before T+A every dac i tried could not touch AN2.1x signature, but i just tested t+a 200 for interest and man, it made such nice improvement, added liviness, slam to some tracks. As in video how described ! It is amazing dac, yes dsd via usb cable is again like different dac, so many options you has with t+a filter etc...

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thank you for sharing. I also am very impressed with the t+a dać 200 and it will be mine I hope ;)

@amigoz3201 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFii just want to test its pream section, but do not have power amp just integrated

@rokodrago 2 месяца назад

Read somewhere that the 1 bit DAC on the T+A200 is Amazing BUT that the PCM DAC is average ... is this real ?

@pellex512106 3 месяца назад

Great job!

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

thank you ;)

@victorasanza1584 Месяц назад

Buen Video Comparitivo de Equipos de Audio Hifi. Pregunto si es Posible en sus Video hacer Revision del Tipo de Chip Interno pues cada ves Nuevos Chip DAC y Chip Amplificadores mas Pequeños y Eficientes son Utilizados ayudando a Fabricantes a Compactar los Diseños

@TheKent2288 3 месяца назад

Love my Dac200. A noticeable upgrade to my TT2 and the inbuilt preamp is stellar, too. With the HDMI from my TV, I am really enjoying using my hifi system for movies, YT, and console gaming. Then, for pure listening pleasure I stream HQPlayer DSD512 Qobuz from my gaming PC. All sound fantastic. More air and more solid imaging as if the singer is really there. More front to back depth as well.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I tortally understand and congratulate. I'm changing my Auralic G2.2. for a HQ Player as well ;) But want no noise and will probably go a Mac Route ;)

@HiFi-Tom 3 месяца назад

Pair it with the A3000HV and you are in heaven 🙂 HiFi-Tom reviews T+A A3000HV HighEnd Power amplifier ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9qpG8mY9yxI.html @VirtualHiFi, hope the link is fine with you!

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

@@HiFi-Tom Sure You can share your link. Best of luck with you channel as well;)

@HiFi-Tom 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi thank you! Once I am large enough, you can send me your speakers for review 😬😬😬.

@HiFi-Tom 2 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi thank you, appreciated!

@mrglindsay3 2 месяца назад

The May KTE has 2 DACS, one for DSD and the other for PCM. Love the Holo Audio May KTE! I also own one.

@philippeb4972 2 месяца назад

Thank you for a great review! Will you be reviewing the MSB Discrete vs the Holo May and/or the T+A 200?

@VirtualHiFi 2 месяца назад

Yes I definitely will do the test. MSB should be available soon, and o believe the Mola Mola is on the way ;)

@philippeb4972 2 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi thank you for the quick response! the reason I ask is I have an MSB Discrete with two PSUs. I'm thinking that if the May KTE is 99% of the MSB I can sell the MSB buy the May and have cash leftover. Having so much money tied up in hifi is getting questioned by the authorities (my wife), and I also wonder if I'm paying a LOT for very minuscule improvements. Maybe the Weiss 204 would do the trick also? Anyway thank you for your reviews. You are pretty much the only RU-vid reviewer I trust...

@musikfreund1822 3 месяца назад

Thanks for your great comparison Videos. Did you ever checked the Canor 2.10 Dac? Would be interesting to hear this one in your studio with the T+A for example. Best regards 🙏🍀🤗☀️

@VirtualHiFi 2 месяца назад

Hello, I did not compare it directly, but had a chance to listen to it in an audio shop multiple times and I'd say its ok but it did not put me out of my socks ;)

@jos5067 2 месяца назад

It’s a matter of taste between those high end DAC’s, combined with your system.

@teknolojigundemi 3 месяца назад

Hi, Thanks for comparison. I have 2 question. How you get DSD256 files? I dont have any streamers. I have ipad connected usb dac. How you operate macbook from your sitting point. HQ player has tablet or phone synchronization?

@michelcouture7026 3 месяца назад

Octave records Or native dsd

@2002sprocket 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the comparison of both DACs. how would the Lamp Baltic 4 compete or compare to these dacs?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Hard to tell now since I already sold the Baltic, but I sold it since my Weiss 204 gave me way more scale, dynamics and holography. From that point I believe each Holo and T+A were a steps up. Baltic is for sure very analog and relaxed. For such kind of sound it might be a great option.

@benburridge4324 3 месяца назад

since owning the dac 200 and trying Hq player to upsample dsd, it has converted me and 2 of my audiophile friends to switch, as we find it to be a substantial jump up in sound quality, at the moment im doing DSD 256, asdm7ec super modulator, Sinc L filter and FFT 4096 , shoud be upgrading pc to be able to do DSD 1024 Sinc Long as the quality gets even higher

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing. I am also doing DSD 256 asm7Ec on my Macbok Pro m1. I also have a Ryzen 3900x 64Gb of ram and GTX 3070, not a bad system but 512 does not work consistantly ;( Maybe it's windows 10 and I would need to try Linux, but Id probably sell Auralic and get Macbook Max m3 to comfortably do DSD 512 from battery for critical listening and no noise at all ;)

@benburridge4324 2 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi iirc mac cant go beyond dsd 256

@rafalbroncel5792 Месяц назад

Second Hand T+A 200 DAC or new LAiV ? :)

@gli7utubeo 3 месяца назад

I have not looked at which DAC is A or B, but I sort of like B better, a bit more relaxing and focused at the same time. Edit: OK, I did blindly choose the T+A as my clear favorite (listening through a DAVE/Mscaler+KEF LS50s, mainly the PCM samples.). Thanks for the great demonstration. Edit 2: OK, the DSD samples confirm the T+A as better again, even more so, especially in terms of the lack of glare. Thanks again.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing your feedback. I feel the same about the test ;)

@borschec4164 3 месяца назад

Hi! Do you plan to test guatard R26 with external clock and hqplayer? I would be curious to know how it compares to t+a. Thanks!

@VirtualHiFi 2 месяца назад

I'll try to test everything I can put my hands on, but I am at the point where I cannot have everything I would wish for now :)

@johncallaghan3097 3 месяца назад

Hard to tell over YT, but I kinda preferred DAC B - somehow a bit more engaging and natural. Wouldn't kick either out of bed, mind! Currently I have a Gustard R26 and don't plan to upgrade real soon. Have you reviewed the Gustard, by the way?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing. Nope I have no experience with Mustard other than the Auduishows :(

@victorasanza1584 Месяц назад

Comentario Adicional. Seria Posible un Video Sobre Audio y Video Hifi donde recomiende la mejor Combinacion de Audio y Video para un Centro de Audio y Video 4K a Travez de HDMI con DTSX vs DOLBY ATMOS . Cual seria la Mejor Opcion Denon Sony Onkio Pioneer Yamaha?

@michelcouture7026 3 месяца назад

Just for my info, what is the difference of upsampling a file with your computer or using « OS» on the DAC?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I'll do a separate video on the oversampling itself, but there are different reconstruction filters and some of them require so much computer power that DACs can't do it. especially with the dsd. the dad up sampled by the Holo May is a joke and kills all dynamics and fun and dad coming from HQ player is awesome ;)

@mikehuntington4440 2 месяца назад

HQplayer takes a while to really find the best settings for your preference and system. Higher sample rate like DSD512 and even 1024 is not necessarily better. I have a spring 3 kte, and I have preferred DSD 256 for over a year now.

@klepp19 3 месяца назад

Btw when is your bi amp Qualico speakers ready for the market?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I'm working on it now. Hopefully will be ready for Munich Audio Show ;)

@tabl10s 3 месяца назад

Could you please add the new PS Audio Directstream Mk2 to the list of potential candidates?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I'll try to get it ;)

@PaoloCaminiti 3 месяца назад

Then it would be very interesting to test the PSAudio DSD dac (I have the mkI, but the mkII should be a great improvement on that)

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Sure thanks for the idea. I'll try to get it ;)

@stevejohnson5740 2 месяца назад

Now that your open to try dac's you owe it to yourself to try to listen to the Musician Taurus R2R Dac, my impression was when compared to the Halo May KTE, at only $3800 OMG, it was absolutely stunning, exceeded the May in every aspect, big bold and yet super tight bass, highs absolutely no harshness, but incredible realistic shimmery detail, simply blew me away, Warmth, organic, you could hear and feel the wood in the piano keys, this takes all the greatness of the weis 204 which I always liked as well, and expands everything, huge sound stage, holographic ness, you simply have to try it, spend a day or 2 with it, it will blow your mind. Dac's that I think that are better than the Musician Taurus and I mean but barely and only in a couple areas would be the Dave Chord, and just barely, sound stage on Taurus, bigger more expansive than Chord, detail everso slightly better on Chord,, I mean just barely, But the Chord is 2.5 times the price, $3800 compared to $10k..... The one dac I can say is truly in a realm of it's own is the DCS Lena, but now your getting into $12k and $16k with the clock. Coming back out of the clouds, audition the Musician Taurus, with your speakers, it will be a synergistic match made in heaven. You can thank me later. ha ha, seriously you will love it.

@JoseSantos-uc8cl 3 месяца назад

Can you create a video with the mics placed at the listening point rather than pointed at the speakers? Thanks for sharing.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I don't put the mics in the sweet spot for few reasons. Microphones are not just our ears. The closer the mics that less impact of the room is audible and the soundstage differences get harder to grasp. I chose the spot as is by listening live to the speakers with the recorder and Sure 215 in ear monitors that I use here and tried to make it sound on the headphones the closest to what I hear sitting in the sweet spot. I will do a video with such recording when I'll do a behind a scenes video from the studio ;) This video was recorded in such a way and the mics were moving with the camera ;) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yTmcNPaAqks.htmlsi=51EVKygeaYK4-fdS

2 месяца назад

DAC B just sounds so "musical" and engaging for lack of better terms. A is more "hifi", but I like the darker, slightly mid-forward sound of B better on most examples. Thanks for this video! Great comparisons.

@rokodrago 2 месяца назад

Hi Buddy, your videos have become a must, your music selection is AMAZING .... How would you ? : T+A DAC 200 vs LAMPI Baltic 4

@VirtualHiFi 2 месяца назад

Well since I sold the Lampi Baltic 4 and now Enjoy the T+A here and don't plan to change at all. But plans always can change. I'd be more than happy to test the Lampi Horizon or new Poseidon here, but now I am testing Mola Mola Tabaqui and I am not going to switch to it from T+A it's just different than T+A ;)

@johnshepherd708 2 месяца назад

You are going to go crazy chasing the last 2%. I have gone that road in the past and it leads to unreasonable anxiety. It is like going from city to city, venue to venue, to hear the same musical act and trying to determine which hall they sounded best at. That scenario sounds a bit extreme, does it not. I suggest that you enjoy your music more and stop trying to squeeze the last drop out of your system. Remember, the reference track that you rely upon are recorded in a studio or live where you have no known reference. Add to that the recording has been engineered, modified and mastered with changes on top of that. You are chasing an elusive target with an unknown endpoint. It is your money but in the end, you will most benefit by just investing in a great library of recordings, get rid of the inferior streaming and get off of the equipment treadmill. You will find peace in this approach.

@valvaholic6800 3 месяца назад

Please review the Ferrum Wandla next if possible 🙏🙏

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I'll try to arrange it ;)

@topkho 3 месяца назад

You can also upsample from DSD64 to DSD512 with the Auralic Sirius (no need for a computer)

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Interesting. I'll definitely have a look at that ;)

@topkho 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi yes I have one Sirius in my setup, you can do PCM upsampling up to 392K as well as up to DSD512. It’s very good sound quality, because it’s both a DDC and an upsampler, and works with Lightning Link HDMI connection

@userhwoarang 3 месяца назад

Funny, I have made the same test, DAC200 vs. May. In my system the May was way more natural, organic, laid back on PCM. Haven‘t testet DSD. Made a couple of blindtests with some friends. On your RU-vid video I was not able to hear the same big difference as in my stereo. It depends always on the whole system and room.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing. Yes the Holo is definitely more laid back for sure. What T+A adds with Nos filters it adds so much depth and richness to lower midrange and make everything more interesting and less flat sounding that it's truly special

@frontarts Месяц назад

How is the comparison of dsd part, thanks.

@ericstefko4852 3 месяца назад

I haven't heard this but people who I respect say that the best DAC they ever heard was the playback designs mpd-8. I hope you get a chance to try it out

@MrBonger88 3 месяца назад

I totally agree with them it really is awesome but also more expensive

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

You are very very nasty and want to ruin my listening experinece since it's definitely out of my budget ;) Anf what if it's really the Best DAC on plant Earth 😜

@MrBonger88 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi there is also the MPD-6 which is cheaper but I haven’t heard it. The 6 is closer to my budget while I would love the 8 I don’t think I would spend that much on a dac

@Yvescantraine-lf4mn 2 месяца назад

Auralic Sirius can upsample to dsd512, without pc... Just an idea

@crackerbuzz 3 месяца назад

Hi Greg, You havent mentioned which DAC is A & B!

@TheKeldman 3 месяца назад

50:57

@crackerbuzz 3 месяца назад

@@TheKeldman Thanks, missed that bit! :)

@angelsanchez4109 3 месяца назад

Aqua la scala, audio note 4.1, lampizator Pacific, sw1x ... if you do a review you can not miss those as well...

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I'll do a la Scala comparison soon ;)

@Nefty_ 3 месяца назад

It’s crazy you now prefer the sound back to the laptop! You think it sounds better with hq player than the Aries G2.2 without up sampling?? To me the difference of sound between a laptop and a streamer of that level is night and day. And even if you upsample it will not transform a pc to an Aries

@RyanChoo 3 месяца назад

Good point made. Dedicated streamers are stripped down computers that handle music streaming purely. They are made expensive largely due to the sophisticated isolated power supply section as we must know by now make all the difference besides solid engineering and design of the electronics.

@Nefty_ 3 месяца назад

@@RyanChoo Exactly, and the Aries g2.2 is a serious one. He even said in the last video it brought even more than going from Holo Spring to May. And now going back to laptop I really don't understand

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Hi guys. Yes there are 2 things happening here. I used MacBook with Roon and it never was as good as with the Auralic g2.2 and it's still what I hear. However if I run the HQ player in the middle and run the upsampling to PCM 705.6 on Auralic and HQ player, the difference isn't as big but still I'd get the Auralic for less digital sound. But the Auralic can't up sample any files to DSD and MacBook with HQ player can. And after upsampling to DSD 256 the signal is processed by a different 1 bit DAC in both Holon and T+A, and I can't say if it's the DAC that does the job or the DSD files, but combined MacBook + dsd256 + DSD Dac sound better to me than the Auralic PCM705.6 + PCM DAC

@Nefty_ 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi Thank you for the reply. I understand better now, still it is insane the dsd out of the laptop sounds that good, since that source is so noisy and jittery. But anyway it's probably well managed inside the dac's. By the way @VirtualHiFi I ordered my two Fosi ZA3 + Sparkos and really looking forward to hear what it's going to bring to my system =)

@RyanChoo 3 месяца назад

@@Nefty_ I believe you will enjoy the ZA3s in mono configuration greatly as much as I do albeit with MUSES02 op amps. Rolling op amps is fun and you can really decide which are the ones that best suit your system and music taste.

@SpaceEncounter 3 месяца назад

The problem with the T+A is the SW update process, which is a joke and the missing I2S input. However even I could clearly hear the difference in some songs, I could live with both DACs.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing your comment ;)

@touretto3982 3 месяца назад

Try to upsample pcm in hqplayer (keep May in NOS) to 768 with LNS15 and the Filters sinc-L or sinc-Mx and compare then to native NOS.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the hint ;)

@bdmcn 2 месяца назад

Audio Mirror’s Tubadour V would give these DACs a run for their money, I bet.

@REX4340 3 месяца назад

DSD sounds best but the last thing I want in my listening room is a computer.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

That is why I'm using MACbook, and people use MAC mini for their HQ Player build since there is no noise at all ;)

@billarmstrong5568 3 месяца назад

Just buy a CD player that does SACD. I have a Mark Levinson No.512 and I still haven't heard anything that beats it🎶

@valvaholic6800 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFiHow much RAM is best for hqplayer in the MacBook when upsampling to 1024 DSD?

@RyanChoo 3 месяца назад

Thank you for putting up such a compelling comparison! I would really like to listen to the Qualio... Possible in Singapore? 😁 I am also looking forward to your HQPlayer video soon as I am contemplating about its power to upsample as raved by many users. I did not know that we can upsample to DSD which in my opinion is a huge improvement over PCM in most use cases (apart from the passages in music where it is low in level). The last question is which Staccato op amp are you using for the ZA3? I'm using MUSES02 for it's beautiful midrange and wondering whether the Staccato op amps are able to improve what the ZA3s are already doing. Currently, I am using a pair of ATC SCM19s from the UK. Thanks again for all the hard work and please keep the reviews going. You can change DACs often too! 😅

@jakbenardete7707 3 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi There are a few high end streamers such as the Aqua LinQ, Pink Faun and Antipodes that have the HQ player built in. The MAC mini is obviously the most budget friendly among those.

@dennis3779 3 месяца назад

So now I know what B is i am very curious about comparison of it with the AA DAC and the Axxess Forte 1 all in one 🤔

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks - what is AA DAC - there are so many companies with two A in the name ;)

@dennis3779 2 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi AAdac ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P1Ffu5mLMCQ.htmlsi=9S54-9t2feMYEqT8

@bjchen728 3 месяца назад

Sorry I must have missed it but which is A and which is B? I preferred the B. The reason I think the lady mentioned in your video could listen at louder volumes is because you got the noise and distortion in your system down low so it doesn’t irritate her.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thank you for the comment. B is T+A ;)

@robrechtvanbambeke9135 3 месяца назад

I personally prefer B but thats my taste sounding a little warmer, take of some edge. this is the T&A?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Yup B is T+A

@NiclasMardfelt 3 месяца назад

If you like the DSD-sound you should get a high end DSD-based dac (have got huge advantages in the output stage), you should try Meitner Ma3 that is the one dac on the market that hade got a streamer (that do not need Rooney) a lossless volume controle and that can play DSD (DoP) over “all” inputs. Remember, DSD is best when analogue tape is transferred to DSD or it’s recordered in DSD. Transforming pcm to DSD is just a minor thing, not the huge DSD benefit

@johngian1961 3 месяца назад

Indeed these two dac's are something else..!!! Very dynamic , plenty of air and dynamics..!! I think they are in par in a lot of characteristics...!!!! B U T.................... ROCKNA Wavelight dac is a better dac in every way ....! I used to own Holo Audio May KTE , until i sell it in the next days when a l listen the ROCKNA Wavelight Pre/Dac....! Try it sometime and you will see what i mean.....

@marcinwasilewski5414 3 месяца назад

DAC A PCM 352.8kHz sounds the best, difference with DSD is smaller with DAC A and B but still I prefer DAC A. Anyway which is which?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

thanks for sharing DAC A is Holo May KTE

@D1N02 3 месяца назад

For pcm I preffered DAC B I don't hear a lot of difference between them for dsd

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing your comment

@JingoLoBa57 2 месяца назад

Big tonal difference with the A DAC more pushed up mids and B DAC more anchored in the you mid bass. Which do I like? Prob B as more realistic and better balanced overall.

@VirtualHiFi 2 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing and your comment ;)

@ericelmore887 3 месяца назад

See if you can get a hold of Aqua La Scala dac

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I have a friend who has one and I'll visit him soon :)

@crazyprayingmantis5596 2 месяца назад

Imo the SMSL D300 is still the best value dac, i bet most people couldn't pick out the more expensive dacs in a blind shootout.

@klepp19 3 месяца назад

I would be happy with either but with my cheap Sony headphones I prefer B which I thought had a touch more richness and fullness. That juiciest! I think B is T&A! Am I right?😊

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Yes you are right ;)

@renatomorais8136 2 месяца назад

Funny how things are and tastes differ. I consistently liked A (the May) better. They are very close (through mine not so good headphones) but the May has something extra, I felt slightly more involved. I could tell almost every time the T+A went live and it felt like I was less with the music and had to think and concentrate more on it. But I'm definitely more of an R2R guy. Didn't listen to DSD test though, it's not a format I use.

@VirtualHiFi 2 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing your feedback. Yes each of us likes something different and also plenty depends on the gear you listen the video to. But that's mostly to the bańce since soundstage and dynamics contrasts cna be audible quite easy ;)

@renatomorais8136 2 месяца назад

@@VirtualHiFi Very true. And dynamics, soundstage (especially depth), transience and things like that are probably what change more from DAC to Dac. At this price point all of them are super accurate. I could never really explain what grabs me more on a DAC, it's something almost physical but that bit can only be heard live. Great channel btw, congrats!

@JRadian 3 месяца назад

I think there are too many tracks. For future, maybe pick 3-4 good tracks with well-recorded vocals, piano, bass? Also, there a a number of audiophiles who subjectively prefer sound that is not upsampled, so maybe a good track compared among non-upsampled (44.1kHz), PCM upsampled, DSD upsampled, native PCM high res (>=96kHz), and native DSD?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try it for sure 😃

@WolfgangWimmer 3 месяца назад

Probably try a Chord dave aswell, anyway it seems that money grows on trees in Poznan. 🙂

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

thanks for the comment, oh yes the Dave is interesting as well but from the video comparisons on YT I preferred the Holo May so I'm not as excited for the Dave ;) and when it comes to money on trees - it's not like that at all. I will sell the May, Weiss and probably Auralic so that is why I'm keen on rotating Gear to get the best sound possible I know at the moment ;)

@RyanChoo 3 месяца назад

You are being wise and practical here and I like this approach. Please help us find out how we can justify the savings made by using Fosi Audio ZA3s even with upgraded op amps can be used to purchase really high quality sources such as DACs & streamers and perhaps the Qualios instead of spending a significant amount on amplification (which often runs hot, being heavy and takes up space).

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for your very positive feedback. Indeed Fosi/aiyima open the route for silly money great amps and open up the route for better source or speakers. Next week I should have Fosi V3 mono blocks for tests and I hope they will be a final answer for the amplification ;)

@torus186 3 месяца назад

Preferred DAC B, I'd say mid range more forward and greater body. Mind you preferred DAC A with piano.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing. Yes Dac B - T+A 200 is amazing

@aussie8114 3 месяца назад

Both sound the same to me.

@Cesare-rj6wk 3 месяца назад

Try with your wonderful system mola mola tambaqui

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I'm trying to arrange that ;)

@matytinman 3 месяца назад

For now only first track. DAC B is better to me, more analogue, enjoyable. DAC A sounds more contrived, not credible. Voice better too. Track 2. The same. More bass, body.. with DAC B. The difference is less than track 1 because there is no voice. Track 3. The same. As the 1. Voice is much better. 28:24 - That's How You Know That You're in Love - Loving Caliber DSD DAC B is the winner too. 31:24 - Monsoons - Johannes Bornlof DSD DAC B is the winner too. Very EASY test. 4K / AAC 192kbps. With my MODIFIED KEF Q100 5.25" coaxial, front bass-reflex closed, near-field. Magnat MA 900 (hybrid integrated, modified weeks ago). 👉I do not need headphones 😀

@matytinman 3 месяца назад

I just read the conclusions (I always do the test first). 🥳

@trun1979 5 дней назад

If used with pcm the two are not even close 😊

@2pramus 3 месяца назад

MSB should be the best dac

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

we will see ;)

@AdiMaco 3 месяца назад

Yes, DAC B was subjectively more open and with more presence but DAC A is not far behind.

@glenschneider5978 3 месяца назад

I heard it the other way 😮

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for your votes ;)

@csszabi8779 3 месяца назад

I don't really hear a difference in these recordings. Why don't you put the microphones in the sweet spot?

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks. Please try to listen with the headphones or even better earbuds or in ear monitors you will have an easy time to hear the differences. I don't put the mics in the sweet spot for few reasons. Microphones are not just our ears. The closer the mics that less impact of the room is audible and the soundstage differences get harder to grasp. I chose the spot as is by listening live to the speakers with the recorder and Sure 215 in ear monitors that I use here and tried to make it sound on the headphones the closest to what I hear sitting in the sweet spot.

@danielnicolaiciuc8288 3 месяца назад

You must try Rockna Wawedream Dac. Rockna make the Best Dacs and Sreamers.

@glenschneider5978 3 месяца назад

I had a wavelight. I prefer my current Sonnet Pasithea. Wavelight was smoother. Pasithea more dynamic.

@RyanChoo 3 месяца назад

I heard it and I can't deny that the Wavedream from Rockna is a beautiful DAC... We will have to wait and see whether we can witness a DAC shoit-out soon! 😁

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

I'll try to do my best ;)

@commane21 3 месяца назад

So close I couldn’t distinguish.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing. I always recommend using wired headphones for the listening samples

@dennis3779 3 месяца назад

I see. B sounds a bit less artificial and more analogue on my system (WF 1000 XM4) 🤔

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing

@pgparis487 3 месяца назад

The Holo May still betters with the Serene preamplifier (or any top notch preamplifier) whereas the T&A has a dedicated Pre built in which might explain the difference in presence and dynamics. Also with a dedicated streamer (not a noisy MacBook) I prefer the May with PLL OFF and I2S (synchronous), it gains a more lively presentation.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thanks for sharing your feedback. Yes the preamp might make the difference but the richness and vocals from t+a are stunning ;)

@markolivan224 3 месяца назад

Holo audio dacs are very masked and will impair your ability to judge gear in the future. The advanatge you hear is the psu but even that won't scale when you improve your chain.

@VirtualHiFi 3 месяца назад

Thank you for sharing your comment. When I compare it with my previous DAC it is more open with richer midrange, but the T+A is next level in my system ;)