R2R vs Delta Sigma DAC Battle - Holo Audio Spring vs Weiss DAC 204

R2R vs Delta Sigma DAC Battle - Holo Audio Spring vs Weiss DAC 204

About 6 months ago I bought the Weiss 204 DAC for my system. I enjoy this DAC very much its ultra dynamic, 3D with beautiful holography while still being rich and analog with overall neutral sound balance. I thought I'm going to use it for a long time, but a buddy of mine visited me with a Holo Spring DAC and it's well Awesome. Holo Audio Spring has the same character as the Weiss 204 but is even more dynamic and analogue at the same time. That is truly insane since more often than not the richness in the sound comes with muddiness and dynamics restrictions. The Holo Audio Spring is everything but that so ... well I'm very impressed.

SYSTEM IN THE VIDEO:

STREAMER: Auralic Aries G2.2
DAC: Holo Audio Spring L2 / Weiss DAC 204
CABLES: Audiomica Excellence USB, VirtualHiFi interconnects and speaker cables
FOOTERS: VirtualHiFi Vibron

00:00 - Holo Audio Spring vs Weiss DAC 204 - How it happened
03:33 - Chantal Chamerland - Besame Mucho
08:01 - Bob James - Rocket Man
12:50 - How do they Sound?

[VirusForPrez]

Weiss 204 dac has that little something that brings the music to a next level .Just more natural and enjoyable -at least to my ears .My computer is hooked up to Hegel dac . good day !

[SpaceEncounter]

Very, subtle differences between the two DACs and hard to distinguish via my headphones. Great review and looking forward to your May comparison!

[buckethead]

I believe I've noticed the differences in the bass, which is not surprising given that one is R2R and the other is DS. Not a huge difference but it was there. It's also difficult to tell how it would be to live with these dacs long term with quick switches between them, things come out in long-term ownership that you can't necessarily pick up with initial impressions, like how natural the vocals sound, does the detail become fatiguing after a while, is the time domain correct, etc. I find that with R2R NOS dacs my brain is able to relax and just listen to the music wher as DS dacs just throw detail at you and hit hard on the bass, the Wiess while DS likely doesn't have the same downsides of DS dacs with its proprietary filter. My issue with the Wiess is what you get for the money - the build quality in comparison to the Spring isn't even close, it's a basic metal box with a wall wart power supply (that you will end up replacing with a LPS), and ESS chip with a proprietary filter. If it wasn't made in Switzerland it would cost $300, you're just paying for the proprietary filter.

[cyphermote]

Both are excellent DACs. In the music only piece (2nd one?) they sounds almost identical. With the song (Besame Mucho) I could pick up a tiny bit of forwardness with the vocals in the Holo Audio ? (I could be wrong). That difference seemed to change the balance ever so slightly. Either way, these are both excellent sounding devices and this level of nit-picking is probably not a good thing. I settled on a Musical Fidelity DAC some years ago that has a design from 10 years ago. The level of detail is still astounding ( my system is matched to it ) but the main reason I like it is the musicality and full-bodied scale. Back to this comparison - this should not be a comparison because in real life listening you should settle quickly on one. It just gives you time to enjoy the music more knowing you are not always sampling.

[mcfIy]

Congrats and welcome to the Holo Audio Club!
I love my SPRING 3 and i will only ever consider upgrading it with the MAY.

Let me tell you, Holo DAC's need a lot of burn in to really open up to their full capabilities. I'm talking 300 - 500 hours.
Of course, it doesn't sound bad by any means while getting there. But you will appreciate it's strength's even more when it is full broken in.

Another thing: I have mine for almost 2.5 years and basically never turned it off since. That would be my recommendation for you.
Because even if you turn it off over night or for a weekend, it needs many hours to come back to it's true self. I also read that certain components inside don't like many on and off cycles.

Btw: I would love to hear you opinions and observations, if you are able to compare the SPRING and the MAY directly.
Yes, i know, there has been a few of those comparisons but, i would love to hear your opinions on that.

Enjoy your music in a new and improved way! Cheers

[januscastanedo]

I would love to hear a Tube Preamp (and your opinions) in your system! ;)

[matthewhoult]

Great video both DAC's sounded great not much between them looking forward to the Holo May DAC comparison

[ericelmore]

Usually I can hear difference in your comparisons of product, there is such a subtle difference you have to be in the room to notice difference. I am enjoying my Weiss 204 and will be getting a plixir power for it which will improve vocal clarity and make the background darker(quieter) which will enhance all the characteristics which make this dac great. Thanks for reviews

[iknownothing]

It's amazing how good perfect sound looks like.

[manzanaresantonio]

Why the Weiss 204 sounds more analog, as the Bass is thicker and The Holo Audio's sounds more rolled off and mild.
I thought the R2R suppose to sound more analog and more like Vinyl?!

[ramlord]

Yeah 😛 I was waiting for this comparison. Holo R2R vs. the Weiss DS, which is rather a 10k DAC if you purchase the standard version than this more reduced thus more affordable parcel size version. With this in mind the comparison is even more intriguing.
Now I am looking forward to watching your May review.
🔥🐹🔥

[midorihibiki]

Wow. This is really the right comparison that I want to see. I just bought Weiss 205 last month and this dac is amazing, beats my Schiit Gunnir Multitibit a lot.

[carlosgarcia]

I find Weiss faster and more precise, and piano is less incisive than with Holo. I prefer Weiss, but like colors, I understand that Holo may like better to other guys. Very nice video!

[rodm]

The Weiss sounded more true, the Holo had an overlap of L & R which brought the stage closer. For a gudgement can you try the Rod Rain Audio Bt940 using 10 OpAmps for a comparison of MidFi to TopFi.

[JRadian]

Holo Spring 3 DAC sound bothers me a bit because the upper midrange to treble seems less smooth and liquid compared to Weiss. Weiss also seems to have more technically extended very top range, the "air, reverb" range. I do like the Holo for its more forward, lively, richer presentation, but it is less neutral and I worry that its ingrained signature will become grating over time, especially with recordings that are less smooth and harder sounding.

[vekanoid]

Weiss all day. Much more natural and airy. Actually it is totally different what you said in video. Weiss sounds much more real, more analog, more pleasant.

[markc]

Both sound wonderful. The Weiss has slightly more tonal richness and density in its sound presentation. This is heard on the weight of the piano keys when they're struck. The Holo is more transparent, but a bit leaner sounding as a trade off. Both are excellent values, but I prefer a more tonal rich sound, especially in the mid range.

[rodrigoeliedsonify]

Holo L2 has a midrange boost that, here for me, sounds not balance. And this midrange bump makes do you think that it has more dynamics but it's only a bass lack. I do prefer the Weiss for sure!

[virgogreg]

Holo Audio is wider and bass dynamics and details revealed

[ericlo]

Great review! R2R DAC tends to be more analog and natural but I was still surprised that it beats the Weiss 204, which is basically a 502 without DSP. As for the Aiyima, I'm using their A-08pro and am soooo satisfied with the sound. But cannot say the same as their A07 Max, which the A08pro wins hands down! I'm glad that someone is treating the Aiyimas a seriosu contender like myself!