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.
Enjoyed your review! It’s worth mentioning (especially with you already being familiar with his products) that IanCanada now has a SC-Pure clock upgrade kit available for the Ares II / Ares 12th / Ares 12-1. He compared the clock upgrade to his own Spring 3 and the upgraded Ares 12th ended up besting the Holo across many of his noted sonic metrics (a subjective chart is posted on his website). I was tempted to get the Cyan 2 prior to reading this, but since I already owned an Ares 12th I decided to take the plunge and send him my DAC to perform the upgrade. I won’t go in depth here, but I definitely concur with his detailed findings (nearfield 2-channel system, fed via i2s from the Denafrips Arce to a Musical Fidelity M5si playing LS50 Meta + sub). So if you still have your Ares II it would definitely be worth a look! Not to mention a comparison post-upgrade with the Cyan 2 would be cool, too!
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.
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.
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.
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.
@@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.
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.
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
RU-vid 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 convince you that you need to sound super excited at all times. That's why a lot of RU-vidrs sound so excited that it makes you want to jump out the nearest window. @reynolds8532
@@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.
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.
@@corrrect I almost got Gs2 but cancelled for cyan2. I have non MB Gungnir MB/Unison USB on order, waiting for notice to send in, seems like a good deal for upgrade. But Gungnir 2 could be amazing, wonder if Gungnir 2 will be available when GS2 is sold out? Waiting for new product and info/reviews/user experience is torture. What info do ou have about Gungnir 2 release ? thank you.
@calwest2207 The last i heard, the gungnir 2 was supposed to be released at the end of summer. I'm keeping an eye on the schiit happens thread on headfi for updates. Should be releasing soon.
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 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
@@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.
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?
@@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
@@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.
I’m looking at the same combo of your Ian Canada I2S streamer and holo cyan dac, you mentioned about the Ian Canada I2S not being configurable what do you mean? It works fine with the holo cyan dac right?
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.
I started w the Ares 2 , great until I read reviews for the Pontus 2 which was better but in my system no synergy , now I have the Gustard R26 which I really like ...just ordered the Cyan 2 , will do trials in 7 wks or so when the Holo is delivered , looking forward to that thanks for your review , I have subscribed will watch out for more
I received the cyan 2 last week, shipped from hk to lax to sfo and delivered to me in 2 days. Compared to my schiit gungnir multibit dac, cyan 2 is more resolving, neutral and clear in presenting details and is supurb in vocals. The gungnir is warmer and fuller bodied. That said, the cyan 2 is unforgiving on poor recordings, showing high treble and glare. The cyan 2 makes me notice the details. My setup is supernait 2, dynaudio super 40 speakers, bel canto cd transport, cambridge mx10 streamer and qobuz streaming. good listening.
@@calwest2207 good to hear your experience, it does sound challenging, my experience w the Pontus 2 was tiring…but in my 50 years plus of hifi, I know that synergy with your other gear is a real thing , will you cut the Cyan2 loose ?
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 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
