savoy014

Introduction I recently spent a few quality days with the Holo Spring Level 3 DAC, courtesy of Sound Affairs, Singapore distributor for Holo. There is plenty of chatter in various audio forums on the Holo Spring DAC, especially on the high level of performance it delivers for it's price. Description The Holo Spring is a really nice looking DAC (I adore those copper side panels), and is solidly built. It probably has the largest display I've ever seen, and the dot matrix panel is fully legible even from my listening position.  The Spring DAC is a  R2R DAC design. What differentiates the Spring from the rest of it's competition is that fact that DSD is decoded using a R2R circuit too. This is achieved by having two separate R2R circuits - one for PCM and the other for DSD. The front panel has four buttons. The first button puts the DAC in standby mode, while the rest of the buttons control the display intensity, oversampling mode and source. There are four oversampling modes,...

Introduction Sound Affairs has expanded it's Plixir line to linclude high-end interconnects and power cables. You may want to have a look at my earlier post on the Plixir Elementa power cord. I took a look recently at the Signature Interconnect, which sits above the entry-level model, Elementa. Description The Plixir Signature Interconnect is finished in a pale blue jacket and is available in both RCA and XLR versions. The cable utilises Ohno Continuous Cast (OCC) copper conductors arranged in a star quad geometry, and is shielded. The cable is marked for signal direction. While I did not try to use the cable the "wrong" way around, the braided shield is tied at the source end only and should sound different hooked up both ways. The RCA version I had on hand was terminated with DH Labs RCA plugs. The cables are quite flexible and unable to suspend light components in the air, unlike some of it's competitors. The plugs lack jaws of death required to rip out your RCA s...

Introduction Sound Affairs recently launched their in-house Plixir Elementa Power Cable. This is almost certainly a sign of things to come - Mr. James Soh, principal of Sound Affairs, hinted that a number of other cables are expected under the Plixir label. Description The Elementa is a supple and flexible cable which should minimise routing headaches. James advised that the Elementa is designed for low current applications, e.g. source equipment. It is also available in a variety of lengths and termination options.  The review samples provided were terminated in Japanese Meikosha AC and Schurter IEC plugs. In use, they provided a firm and reassuring grip. Sound Quality The modest price tag is likely to appeal to audiophiles on starter systems, or with tight budget constraints. In comparison to a stock power cord, bass notes took on a tighter, deeper and more articulate quality. Midrange was a bit laidback with a smooth and warm tone. Some subtle detail was lost there, but as a tra...

Introduction Sound Affairs is a relatively new name in the local hi-fi scene, although it's principal, Mr. James Soh is a name familiar to many local audiophiles, especially for his previous work under the banner of Effective Audio Mod.  Sound Affairs marks his move into a full-time retail business, with both sales and distribution of a complete range of hi-fi equipment, while continuing with modification work. Sound Affairs offers a number of unique made-to-order products, including a DC power supply, and balanced AC power conditioner, which are the subject of this review. I took the opportunity to ask James some questions about his approach to design in coming up with these products. Design and Philosophy James explained that that the Plixir Balanced DC Power Supply takes a unique approach.  The custom wound transformer provides a balanced AC voltage supply (read on further for benefits of balanced AC power). Only two diodes are used for rectification instead of four. James ...