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Comparisons
Though there is enough competition in the pre-amplifier market, I am afraid I can only compare the Serene KTE to what I have. And that is the PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC, which I have owned for three years or so. I used the PS Audio DAC/Amp as pre-amp only, bypassing its internal D/A conversion. My Hugo TT2 just delivered a much nicer result in that regard.
The PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC delivers a thicker, warmer presentation, especially noticeable in the lower frequencies and lower midrange. It has a weightier, more full-bodied sound with a distinct emphasis on warmth and smoothness. In contrast, the HoloAudio Serene KTE offers a more open and neutral sound, with an emphasis on clarity and precision rather than warmth.
The Serene KTE stands out with its higher resolution and more textured bass. Its low-end is snappier and tighter, providing a more refined and defined response, whereas the PS Audio’s bass is smoother, rounder, and heavier, delivering a larger sense of body and impact. The HoloAudio excels at delivering nuanced details in the bass, while the PS Audio emphasizes weight and richness.
The lower midrange sounds a tad darker and denser on the PS Audio than on the HoloAudio. The Serene KTE produces a masterfully tactile and precise midrange, that is loaded with transparency and resolution. The PS Audio is warmer and more organically rich. It heats up the mids more compared to the Serene.
The Serene KTE creates a wider, more expansive soundstage, offering greater depth and more refined layering. It delivers a clearer, sharper image, and excels in separating instruments within the soundscape. The Serene’s transparency contributes to a more lifelike, holographic experience, while the PS Audio’s soundstage is somewhat more closed and its imaging softer, with a warmer, more blended presentation.
The treble on the HoloAudio is neutral, clean, and airy, with excellent extension and a revealing nature. It brings out details with ease, allowing for a pristine upper-end response. In contrast, the PS Audio’s treble is leaner and softer, less extended, and does not showcase the same level of microdetail. While smoother, the Gain Cell DAC’s highs lack the sparkle and air that the Serene KTE so effortlessly delivers.
HoloAudio’s Serene KTE prioritizes transparency, precision, and a neutral tonal balance with a focus on detail retrieval and soundstage clarity. The PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC, on the other hand, emphasizes warmth, smoothness, and a more relaxed presentation, making it appealing to listeners who prefer a richer, more organic sound.
Conclusion
HoloAudio made the Serene specifically to be best matched with the May DAC. Serene KTE is here to get you all the information of your music and present it to you with honesty. Though most of the time this is associated with a clinical and lifeless sound, it is not what the Serene KTE is.
Serene KTE sounds super neutral with excellent levels of transparency, layering, staging and imaging. It presents music with the cleanest view possible, but at the same time does it with a natural and organic approach.
In the end, it is all about your needs. If you want a pre-amp that reveals every little detail and add as little coloration as possible, the HoloAudio is your best bet. If warmth and an analogue sound is what you are after, you might want to look elsewhere.
I couldn’t ask for anything better in a pre-amplifier myself. This is my first ever HoloAudio review, and they have already won me over as a fan. I’m happy to say that there’s more to come. Just keep your eyes peeled on Headfonia. The Serene KTE gets our Recommended Buy Award and is now featured on our Best Buy List.
Summary
Pros:
Superb transparency
Neutrality without sounding boring
Hard to beat dynamic range
Multiple Inputs (2 XLR, 5 RCA)
Three outputs (2 XLR, 1 RCA)
Build Quality
Beautiful design
Cons:
Lack of power button on remote
Cycling through all inputs when switching
