Any Niimbus owner who used both, Metrum and HoloAudio and can share how they compare? Anyone use a Cyan 2 with their Niimbus? From their size, they should stack up perfectly…
Went from the metrum hex to the holo may kte.
The hex was the dac below the pavane.
Different musical presentation from the two. Hex was definitely more “analogue” in nature. Softer, rounder. I really enjoyed it, particularly with my woo wa2 amp
I thought the hex had good separation until i heard the may. The may is better in that regard. May comes across more detailed and lively. Does not have the roundness of sound the hex has.
I used to use an audioquest diamond usb cable with the hex at times but with the may it was too energetic/bright so sold that one off.
holo may is more expensive than what the hex was. Sold the hex for about $1400 usd. I’m think it used to sell for about 3.5k or so but that is about 6 or so years ago.
I don’t think i get a lot of soundstage depth using the may, or at least when it was new and i used to “look” for it i did not hear it. It does not bother me though nor does it stand out to me in listening.
Maybe the hex does that when i talk about roundness in sound. Maybe i’m talking about reverb or resonance or softness. I’m not sure how to describe it. I’m thinking of the drum intro to 50 ways to leave your lover.
The hex sound is like an old comfortable used jumper one could have and wear and wrap oneself in to keep warm.
When i read or hear some people say that the may has an anaolgue sound i disagree. I can’t help but think they may be referring to the level 2 that does not have the silver wiring changes the kte has. I have spoken to a couple of other kte owners and they agree.
The hex, and i can guess from what i have read the metrum sound (and sonnet morpheus) definitely does have that. Not sure about the higher sonnet audio dac.
Hope that helps a bit.
Edit: if this also helps, loosely speaking a bit, based on some dacs my local audio store has that i sometimes use, the hex is like a somewhat softer hugo tt2 and the may kte is getting closer to the chord dave in its sound nature. A little less clinical than the dave if someone was to describe the dave as clinical.