HoloAudio Serene KTE Review

HoloAudio Serene KTE

In this review we will check out the HoloAudio Serene KTE pre-amplifier selling for € 3,499/$ 3,098 USD.

 

Disclaimer: Magna HiFi, HoloAudio’s European distributor supplied the Serene KTE for this review. Neither Magna HiFi, nor HoloAudio are related to Headfonia in any way. I bought the Serene KTE.

HoloAudio

HoloAudio is a bit of a mysterious brand. Not a lot can be found online regarding information about their history. The earliest bit I found was from 2016 about their Spring DAC. Nothing on who is part of HoloAudio, aside from what Magna HiFi has on their website. Jeff Zhu is apparently the man behind the brand, who designs all their DACs and amplifiers.

HoloAudio manufactures several different Digital to Analogue Converters, headphone amplifiers, network bridges and pre-amplifiers. Their product range goes from the most affordable Red streamer (999€/798$) all the way to the May DAC KTE (6,349€/5,598$). They have dedicated themselves to designing excellent discrete DACs and amplifiers.

HoloAudio DACs are based on R2R technology, which is different to most other DACs on the market today. They use a network of resistors to convert digital signals to analogue, providing a more natural and organic sound with less digital harshness. Resistor ladder DACs are harder to design though, and it takes a lot of custom engineered resistors and circuits to achieve high precision.

In today’s feature we will look at their Serene KTE pre-amplifier.

HoloAudio Serene KTE

Serene KTE

The HoloAudio Serene KTE is a fully balanced, resistor-ladder pre-amplifier. It is designed to pair best with high end DACs. The Serene KTE was specifically designed to bring the best out of the May DAC, which tells you the level the Serene works at.

In each of the eight amplifier modules – four for left and right signal path – HoloAudio has implemented 50 transistors. This is said to bring superior linearity. HoloAudio uses a separate module for the buffering and amplification stage.

The Serene is available in two versions. The regular Serene and the Serene KTE (Kitsune Tuned Edition). There are minor changes in the internal design of the KTE version. It includes a flat wire O-type transformer instead of a 7N copper round wire one. The KTE also includes four pieces of 5uF/350 non-polar AudioNote Kaisei capacitors instead of standard capacitors. It also uses a higher grade Red nano fuse instead of the Schurter Gold fuse. The KTE version also comes with the Kitsune logo on top of the unit.

The Serene KTE has three single ended RCA inputs as well as two balanced XLR line level inputs. Giving you a total of five analogue inputs for your external gear. That’s more than enough for most HiFi setups I came across.

HoloAudio Serene KTE

In outputs the Serene offers two sets of balanced XLRs. XLR1 has a lower output impedance (3 Ohms) and could potentially be used to drive headphones directly, or to be used with amplifiers that have a lower input impedance. I got myself an adapter (from Forza Audio Works) that converts the male XLR1 output to a female 4.4mm headphone output, enabling me to listen with my headphones.

The XLR2 output has an output impedance of 40 Ohms, which is standard. Use this one to connect to your power amplifiers.

On top of the two balanced pre-outputs there is also a single ended RCA output, which could be connected to a power amplifier or a subwoofer if you have the XLR outs going to your amplifier.

The Serene KTE measures 40 x 30 x 5.5 cm (WDH) and puts 9 kg on the scale. That translates to 16.93 x 11.81 x 2.17 inches and 19.84 lbs.

You can buy the Serene KTE from HoloAudio’s regional dealers. I got mine from Magna HiFi in the Netherlands. It sells for 3,499€/3,098$. The non KTE versions retail for 3,169€/2,698$.

Package

The Serene KTE came in a large box that held the pre-amp nicely secure. Together with the amplifier you will get a user’s manual and a nice CNC’d aluminum remote control (batteries included) as well as a power cord.

To connect the Serne to your power amplifier you will need cabling. I can honestly suggest the Black Beauty cables from AudioQuest. These are superb analogue interconnects that opened up the sound significantly for me.

The review continues on page two!

4.4/5 - (89 votes)
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Been into music and sound since he was a little brat, but spent his profession in a more binary field making things do what they were supposed to do. Ultimately just another dude on the internet with an opinion, into which you shouldn't put too much thought.

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