Holo Audio Cyan 2 - The Best DAC I've Heard So Far

I talk about the Holo Audio Cyan 2 Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) in this video and how it compares to the Schiit Bifrost 2/64 and Denafrips Ares 2.

[@brunohebert1351]

Man, what a nice find. It's quite out of my budget but I'll keep this brand in mind for when I can afford it. Thanks

[@philipw7058]

Yea yea I hear that about every new dac.

[@adamgilreath8583]

Have you had any issues with the X7 that Skunkie and others pointed out regarding the potential design & safety issue in the amp with a way too large power rating on the cathode resistor used on the KT88, causing it to red plate tubes and nothing inside the amp stops it? Also, where did you purchase yours? I've been really interested in the amp but nervous about potential issues.

[@RamisDad]

What a nice surprise! The fact that you are using the X7. I have a unit myself and absolutely love it. I've been using a Modi3 and kind of got a bug to upgrade my streamer and DAC after watching new record day review this unit. I ended up putting in an order for a socketed Geshelli labs J2 pro w a 2590 sparkos opamp since this DAC was a little more than I wanted to spend.

[@ThriftShopReviews]

Great job. The dac can make a huge improvement to your system thanks for the comment

[@carminedesanto6746]

I just picked up a new Denafrips Ares 12-1 DAC …and I’m good . I may pick up a DDC ….and send it all out in I2S …however, I recommend try before you buy..if possible.

[@ThriftShopReviews]

Thanks and the DDC is a good idea. I’m trying to get some in for review.

[@osezchanger1596]

Which DDC you think is nice for the ares 2 or the cyan 2

[@carminedesanto6746]

I’ve got an Ares …so it’s the Denafrips DDC with more than the one usb input .

[@Tardy13]

@@osezchanger1596 Don't need DDC for cyan 2

[@mattsev9134]

@@carminedesanto6746 There are no Denafrips DDC's with more than one USB input. The only Denafrips DDC that would make sense to pair with the Ares II would be the Iris. The Hermes or Gaia DDC's would be overkill for that DAC.

[@Reeeepicheep]

What are the sonic differences between this and OG Bifrost? Is your OG Bifrost an A1 or A2 (the latter having a B serial#) and which USB gen? I have a Unison upgraded A2 OG Bifrost as well as two OG Bifrost 2s. Would love to hear more in-depth comparison bw Cyan 2 and the Bifrost series. Wasn’t a fan of the 2/64 though, so don’t care about how that one compares lol bc it lost the warm thick analog r2r magic of the OG BF 2 in favor of a more digititus presentation.

[@Reeeepicheep]

My comment wasn't acknowledged :(

[@Rob-Davidson]

​@@Reeeepicheep Rip 😢

[@James-mb5jr]

Great review!! How did it sound partnering your favourite ss integrated M6si? Any sibilants? Too dynamic?

[@ThriftShopReviews]

It sounds amazing with musical fidelity

[@downnoutdubin]

I've been planning on ditching my R26 for this DAC. What you describe with the cymbals reminds me of what I got out of my Musician Pegasus I had previously. Seems like this will fit right inbetween with better components. The R26 just lacks some R2R sound and doesn't have the soundstage depth. Plus lots of features I'll never use. I thought I had an issue with the Musician, but it was just windows dropping the signal to the DAC coming out of "sleep" mode.

[@jos5067]

The new Harmony Laiv DAC is better than the several Holo DAC’s, according to other reviewers. It’s also brand new.

[@ThriftShopReviews]

Love to hear it side by side. Talk is cheap until compared directly.

[@jos5067]

@@ThriftShopReviews Indeed, but there are already some comparisons with Holo.

[@cliffd7164]

I too like the reviews of the Laiv DAC but it is $2700 versus $1200. Based on the rest of my system I may not benefit from the extra cost.

[@jos5067]

@@cliffd7164 In my experience a better DAC is always audible in an existing system . I have had 3 DAC’s and the last two were definitely an upgrade. But I will wait for high end München, because I suspect new Chord DAC’s are coming out.

[@lisar3944]

@@cliffd7164 my sentiments exactly. The Laiv sounds good in theory, but the price is way out of my budget. This one fits.

[@aeon7748]

If someone did not have any of this expensive equipment, and is looking to get one and done with a DAC, should I spend the extra money to get the Cyan 2 or do I save 500$ and get a Bifrost 2/64, I'm an international customer and shipping costs adds up(900$ vs 1400$ and that's without tax/duty), I'm mostly concerned with realistic timbre, timing and a wide soundstage, that's why I'm looking at these options, I don't want to buy something then feel that I missed out but also don't necessarily need the best thing on the block.

[@ThriftShopReviews]

All depends on your use case. I prefer Bifrost 2/64 with headphones and easy use of many inputs. I like the cyan 2 with 2 channel stereo using i2s input. Either are great. Go with your gut

[@jayem1826]

Almost looks like z reviews

[@reynolds8532]

A bit hansey. Need to do your own thing there buddy.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

It's better than noses pressed up to the lens. As in, "Hey friend, take 2 steps back"

[@Rob-Davidson]

KZbin has a lot of things that try to teach small channels how to grow. They tell you to use your hands a lot when talking. This is why so many people go overkill with their hands. They also try to con​vince you that you need to sound super excited at all times. That's why a lot of KZbinrs sound so excited that it makes you want to jump out the nearest window. @reynolds8532

[@klausmil1783]

quite a good copy of the z style but with one definitive advantage: no headshakes and stable video, which makes viewing longer passages much easier 😊

[@VintageLuxmanStereoCollector]

Bery nice review! I just ordered a Cyan 2 yesterday. Question: what are connected to for the i2 squared? Cyan 2 to a preamp?

[@Scrufboy]

I have this CYAN II I love it!!! Had it about 2 weeks now. Very comparable to the new Geshelli AK4499. Using that with the latest Burson V7v. That DAC is better with Sparkos ss2590's

[@NosEL34]

So you feel the R2R Cyan II is similar in sound to the J2 with new Burson opamps?

[@Scrufboy]

@@NosEL34 No... Burson punches deep and for me personally is still too bright. It is less metallic bright than the V6V... But nonetheless, for me - bright. I am not treb-sensitive either... The Sparkos SS2590 dual pro /in balanced has to be the closest sound. I truly love what AKM was able to do wit this chip... And Geno did well. It.... But you gotta invest in it. The J2 needs galvanic isolation for some... A good LPS, etc... And in listening - TheJ2 is demonstrably quieter by about 5 to 6db through the balanced setup than the Cyan II. So yes, it is good... Damn Good! Much Better than the J2 - but like a few others have stated.... That Laiv DAC is just about as cream of the crop too. Best for what we're gonna see under 3K. So it is between these two. J2 is still solid... For a. D/S

[@CsTruth]

can this dac still sound good when paired with a budget amp like schiit magni?

[@corrrect]

No button for inputs is a deal killer, IMO.

[@calwest2207]

i ordered the cyan 2 saturday and on forst blush didn't like the auto input feature, but am ok with it, so long as the input can stay connected and off except for the input in use, in my case a streamer. i will strt off by disconnecting the laptop usb end of the cable to stop input.

[@frankd.b.9233]

Test the LOXJIE A40 Audio Power Amplifier and Ear Amplifier All-in-One Machine, MA5332MS Chip NJW194, Vinyl Phonograph Input, EQ Mode, 5 Filters Available, Bass Output, Bluetooth 5.1, with Remote Control thanks..

[@ThriftShopReviews]

Why would I do that? Can you send it to me?

[@frankd.b.9233]

@@ThriftShopReviews and I'm in Europe, but I'm considering buying this, [ I don't know where you live ] sry

[@ThriftShopReviews]

@@frankd.b.9233 I suggest finding someone who has reviewed it already and then make your decision

[@frankd.b.9233]

@@ThriftShopReviews too late just ordered it loll;l I will test it thoroughly myself, for the 300 Euro it costs, and apparently [according to the internet] very decent material, I will know tomorrow if everything goes well, maybe I'll blow up my 800s who knows lol;l

[@thehaakone]

Had a Loxjie d40 dac, sold it in a month. The treble was not natural

[@Maver1ck911]

LAIV Harmony entered the chat

[@iborrada]

Lol! I am also looking at any new DAC reviews through that lens.

[@Maver1ck911]

@@iborrada it's the OS vs NOS. I think this is an insane tool and TOTL money for value if you have the computing power and HQP license. But I use apple music and tidal which requires ROON as well. So basically 1400 in licenses to back end modest PCM OS. I have a brand new Lenovo i7 but no GPU for slaving, even with outboard thunderbolt my version is limited to choking a 3070 nevermind a 4070 or 4090 (bandwidth limited). So if you don't care about bit for bit (windows all to whatever rate) or use Qobuz, it's a hard sell. (I've had other NOS R2R and tonality took a hit with vocals when rolled off early at 44.1/48) I have an RME AKM (pre fire) now and mojo2. I got rid of an Ares OG and RU6 dongle. Didn't lose too much fortunately.

[@mitchellburns92]

How much computing power is required to run HQ player through Roon to get the maximum upscaling? Will a decent laptop work as a run core if I use the holo red as a NAS?

[@Maver1ck911]

@@mitchellburns92 if you're running 1mhz pcm lol you're gonna need a rtx 4070 or better and even then it loads at 50% you can have a 3090 or older if you're only running 192 with medium to long filters but if you go long filter you might only be able to listen to music while browsing the internet, don't expect to game and upsample concurrently

[@mikehuntington4440]

​​@@mitchellburns92that's a complex question. There are probably over 400 combinations of filters and modulators and sample rates that will give you different sounds. The most demanding filters or modulators, does not necessarily equal the best sound.... Same with over sample rates. I'd say a good computer as a start would be at least an 11th gen Intel i7 desktop cpu. You should be able to upsample to DSD 256.... And use some of the decent filters.