It was pretty fantastic out of the box to be honest. Maybe in the first 20 hours, I found staging a bit narrow and the sound a tad 'raw', but it all opened and eased up after like 50 hours at most? Absolutely awesome DAC this is!
Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC
- Thread starter JerseyD
- Start date
I just finished installing mine and even after a few minutes I'm blown away and I haven't even tried upsampling yet. Coming from a 9038 pro powered SMSL SU9 the soundstage, imaging and timbre are all at another level - well worth the four week wait. Just letting it warm up now as I'll no doubt have a major listening session tonight.
BShaw
500+ Head-Fier
Same here, it was only about 15 minutes in when I clearly heard what was going on. Can’t wait to put some more time on it!It was pretty fantastic out of the box to be honest. Maybe in the first 20 hours, I found staging a bit narrow and the sound a tad 'raw', but it all opened and eased up after like 50 hours at most? Absolutely awesome DAC this is!
muhammedcakin
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2013
- Posts
- 26
- Likes
- 29
I believe kitsune is one of their distributors
I used to own a number of good DACs, but the Cyan 2 is easily my favourite so far.
RME-ADI2
The Cyan 2 is just a lot more natural, being an R2R design. More alive, more organic with more depth and three dimensionality. No competition for me personally.
Soekris 2541
My first R2R DAC. Nice timbre compared to d/s DACs with lovely mids, but a bit soft and flat for my taste with bass roll off.
Chord Qutest
Lovely Chord speed, precision, clarity. Depth is excellent for a d/s (FPGA) DAC. A little thin and still not quite as natural, 'fleshy' as R2R.
Chord Hugo TT2
Technicalities are better on the TT2: more detail, more refinement. Yet I find the Cyan 2 more exciting, more engaging, thicker, more lifelike. I see why some folks would prefer the ultimate balance and clarity of the TT2, but I personally enjoy the well-defined and more dynamic/impactful R2R sound of Holo.
Musician Pegasus
My second R2R DAC. The Cyan 2 destroys it. Pegasus has nice lifelike tone and timbre with large soundstage but can't compete with the precision and dynamics of the Cyan 2.
At this point I would only be interested in higher-end R2R DACs like the May (which I auditioned), Rockna, perhaps Taurus or Terminator, but all of those are out of budget, so I stay extremely happy with my Cyan 2.
I quite look forward to hearing your impressions when you decide to take the plunge into HQPlayer with the Cyan 2I used to own a number of good DACs, but the Cyan 2 is easily my favourite so far.
RME-ADI2
The Cyan 2 is just a lot more natural, being an R2R design. More alive, more organic with more depth and three dimensionality. No competition for me personally.
Soekris 2541
My first R2R DAC. Nice timbre compared to d/s DACs with lovely mids, but a bit soft and flat for my taste with bass roll off.
Chord Qutest
Lovely Chord speed, precision, clarity. Depth is excellent for a d/s (FPGA) DAC. A little thin and still not quite as natural, 'fleshy' as R2R.
Chord Hugo TT2
Technicalities are better on the TT2: more detail, more refinement. Yet I find the Cyan 2 more exciting, more engaging, thicker, more lifelike. I see why some folks would prefer the ultimate balance and clarity of the TT2, but I personally enjoy the well-defined and more dynamic/impactful R2R sound of Holo.
Musician Pegasus
My second R2R DAC. The Cyan 2 destroys it. Pegasus has nice lifelike tone and timbre with large soundstage but can't compete with the precision and dynamics of the Cyan 2.
At this point I would only be interested in higher-end R2R DACs like the May (which I auditioned), Rockna, perhaps Taurus or Terminator, but all of those are out of budget, so I stay extremely happy with my Cyan 2.
There have been a few revisions for the Cyan 2 which seemed to indicated in the past that there were different build options. I think I am reading that the current versions are including PCM and DSD as standard?
jcn3
1000+ Head-Fier
the cyan 2 was released just seven months ago -- your info about different build options isn't correct.
https://www.kitsunehifi.com/product/holo-audio-cyan-2-dac/
Last edited:
Sound Dragon
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2017
- Posts
- 17
- Likes
- 33
I believe that was the original Cyan. The Cyan 2 is what we are talking about here. It is a completely new model.
Terr0rSandmannLuxx
New Head-Fier
After few weeks with my new Cyan 2, I will share my review here as well I hope it will help the one or other
Foreword
After being happy with a Topping D90SE for quite a long time, but reading so many good things about Holo Audio everywhere and the manufacturer having now launched an affordable DAC with the Cyan 2, my curiosity was naturally aroused.
I use the Cyan 2 with a Burson Soloist 3X GT. I only used the DCA Expanse and ZMF Caldera as headphones. All cables (power cable, USB and XLR) are from Supra. The power strip is also from Supra, an MD-03 MK3.
It should also be said that the descriptions of the sound in the review naturally sound more drastic than they are audible in practice.
I then wrote briefly to Magna about purchasing the device and then decided to buy it. The customer service is great and transparent, I even received answers on the weekend. Definitely a top place to go for great hi-fi equipment.
Technical data
In addition to the fact that its fully discrete design can process DSD with a range of 64 - 1024X (native) and PCM from 44.1 - 1,536M (32 bit), it has an astonishingly good dynamic range of up to DNR-127db for an R2R DAC. Many R2R DACs have rather average measured values in this area, purely on paper - not so with the Cyan 2. We will look later at whether and how this affects the sound.
Inside, the picture is quite tidy and easy to differentiate.
1) Power supply:
A large part of this is taken up by the decent O-core transformer (which can deliver 50VA or 54V - there seem to be 2 versions), which forms the basis for the internal, linear power supply. The interior is designed in such a way that you can switch between 110/115V and 220/230V using a switch.
2) USB:
An Altera Max II processor is the core unit on the USB Class 2 input board, which is then responsible for PCM and DSD processing, where the input signals via USB have to go through 2 galvanic isolators.
3) I2S/AES3:
Here 2 parts are installed on one board... But just like with the USB input, a section is used for galvanic isolation. The difference is that this happens upstream of the processor (a Cortex M microprocessor from ARM is used here). For the AES3 inputs (on the Cyan 2 these are SPDIF, Toslink and AES/EBU) an AKM AK4118AEQ is installed as a receiver chip, and then an Altera Max II processor is used downstream, which is responsible for further signal processing.
4) R2R Ladder:
All input boards then pass the signal on to the ladder converter board, which is the heart of the Cyan 2. The special thing is that no upsampling is carried out here - it is therefore a pure NOS DAC.
Unboxing & scope of delivery
The device is quite heavy for its size, which is immediately noticeable when you take it out of the packaging. The "unboxing experience" is, however, rather average. I have to say that I always use Apple as a reference here - they do it extremely well. In the end, however, it is more of a "gimmick".
The scope of delivery as such is spartan, similar to the device itself. If you check for some special accessory, you will not find it. You won't find XLR or RCA cables / adapters, and a remote either (the remote with the copper-colored buttons that Holo often includes is unfortunately not included). Only a standard power cable and an USB cable are included in the delivery and a quick start guide, which is nicely packaged but doesn't offer much in terms of content.
Design & workmanship
The appearance can be briefly described as "special". Why? It is unusual for a device to have no display or buttons. Only LED indicators. And the orange or the typical Holo copper color is also "special", which brings us back to the word that best describes the device visually. I think the minimalistic design is good per se, because I'm not a fan of having 100 setting options, there should always be few, but they should be well implemented. Otherwise, the
device is completely of high quality and you won't find any plastic here. It's probably brushed aluminum or something similar. Feels very high quality. The color on the side, however, has the disadvantage that it is very difficult to combine the Cyan 2 with devices from other manufacturers to make it look good. Even in the Holo Audio lineup itself, there is no headphone amplifier that looks good - a real shame.
Front
As mentioned in the previous chapter, there are no buttons on the front of the Cyan 2. This means that it looks nice and "clear" - there are only 4 columns of LED indicators and the manufacturer's name. The first column shows which input the signal is coming from, because the Cyan 2 does this automatically, since there are no settings for the input selection on the device.
The 2nd and 3rd columns show the bit rate for PCM and the 4th is for DSD. For use at the desk or generally at short distances, this solution is pragmatic and effective. It is different if you use the DAC in a speaker setup. I strongly suspect that you will then no longer be able to see the LEDs very well, since both the LED itself and the label are quite small.
Rear
In addition to high-quality analogue RCA and XLR inputs, the DAC offers the digital inputs mentioned above. It is a little inconvenient that the power switch is on the back of the device and, as you noticed in the previous chapter, there is no power button on the front of the device. Again, this is not such a big problem when using it on a desk or something, but I imagine it would be a real disadvantage in a speaker setup. The only thing worth mentioning is that, as you can see, there is no Bluetooth antenna, so the device relies on a wired connection.
Features
Yes, is the omission of features a feature? The pure NOS DAC offers no features or options for the user to intervene. Personally, I actually like that, as I can't do much with these gimmicks. For me, the device has to be pragmatic and well constructed, and that's exactly what the Cyan 2 does.
Sound
Yes, DAC sound is always a tricky thing. Coming from an extremely well-measured Topping D90SE, and having briefly owned an Audio-GD R28, I have 2 extremes here that compare well with the Cyan 2. No surprise, the D90SE is simply very detailed and high-resolution, with headphones that aren't too analytical, it's great. For some people, depending on the headphones of course, the D90SE might even be a bit too analytical. The D90SE also lacks a bit of soul and spatial representation, everything was somehow smaller and only well staggered in terms of width. The R28, on the other hand, was completely the opposite - the holographic way of playing music was clearly its strength here, it had something magical about it, but everything seemed a bit "blurred" and warmer/cozier. Compared to the D90SE, it lacked razor-sharp resolution, but also clearly lacked speed and control. That was also my experience with an EF400 from Hifiman, but it was even more extreme, it sounded quite bloated and even uncontrolled, but it had a good amount of warmth, which can be an advantage with a HE1000V2 or something like that. But that made me realize that R2R DACs are not for me. I was always a big fan of the D90SE and also the X18 from Gustard. And now the Cyan 2 comes into play, which actually fits perfectly in the middle of the D90SE and R28, but without having the disadvantages of both sides. That's not to say that it comes 1:1 with the resolution of the D90SE and can also display the music holographically like an R28, but it comes close to both without having the disadvantages of the latter. So it's a perfect trade-off. Everything seems controlled, tidy, realistically placed in width and depth and with good resolution and detail reproduction.
With the Cyan 2 it is now even easier to simply enjoy all genres. The previous DACs definitely had their strengths in one genre or another, the Cyan 2 can do everything at least well, if not very well. I listen through the playlist and never have the feeling that something is missing in terms of magic, control or detail - great all-rounder.
If you have brighter/analytical headphones and a delta-sigma DAC in the chain and then feel that it's a bit too strenuous here and there, you can definitely keep an eye on the Cyan 2. Because I think that the DAC fits very well here.
There are tracks that were recorded extremely high quality, but with the wrong headphones, headphone amplifier or DAC they can be too much to listen to. An example from my playlist is Jacob's Dream by Alison Krauss. With the Cyan 2, it just gives you goosebumps at high volume, without you feeling the need to turn it down when the harsh voice starts at around 1:30. With the D90SE on the ifi Pro iCan Signature, it was too much of a good thing for me personally at high volume.
tidal.com
Also like the Cyan 2, together with the Soloist 3X GT, which reproduces the bass and the dancing sounds in some songs, is simply breathtaking. For example, with Still Waters Run Deep by Carolin No, you get the feeling that the headphones are actually moving and you can really feel the bass.
tidal.com
Want to start bobbing along? It's definitely not the most audiophile song, but when Addict by Kosheen really kicks in at 0:29, my head starts to shake and I get goosebumps, even though it's not a song that gives you goosebumps.
tidal.com
Advantages / Disadvantages
+ Pragmatic design decision
+ Perfect sound in all areas (details, resolution, stage and general sounding)
+ Workmanship
+ Size and form factor
+ "Simplicity"
o Design (a matter of taste, but the typical Holo Audio design makes stacking with other devices visually very complicated)
o Automatic signal inputs (I often read that users have problems with the device when they have multiple sources connected)
- The lack of buttons
- No remote
Conclusion
Yes, the device is not perfect, but for what I am looking for, it is the DAC that is closest to "perfect" so far. I listen to more music than ever before, enjoy every genre, and can listen both comfortably and in a focused and analytical way. I think that if a DAC (or audio equipment in general) can do that, you have found the device for you. So if, like me, you are looking for a DAC that you can just put down, connect and enjoy, you will probably find it here. Because what it does, it does fantastically.
Without having heard the larger DACs from Holo Audio, I think that you get very close in terms of sound, but you have to live with the disadvantages (lack of buttons, settings and a remote control). Since I don't need any of this, I'm happy with a DAC that is still affordable and simply offers the best sound experience I've had with a DAC so far. If you really need this and are already impressed by the sound of the Cyan 2, you'll find devices in the Holo Audio lineup that sound at least as good, but without the disadvantages. But you'll have to dig deeper into your pockets here.
In conclusion, I've now found my perfect headphone chain with a DCA Expanse and Burson Soloist 3X GT and the Cyan 2 als source. Journey over.
Once again, a big compliment to Magna for the communication and the great handling. You can purchase the device at the following link: https://magnahifi.com/de/holoaudio-cyan-2-dac-nos-r2r-dsd1024/
Rating
Processing/Haptics: 5 out of 5
Appearance: 3 out of 5
Accessories: 2 out of 5
Features: 2 out of 5
Sound: 5 out of 5
Price/performance: 5 out of 5
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Correction history:
- Changed the part about the accessories: USB cable is included. I increased the accessory-rating to 2 out of 5.
I hope it will help the one or other Foreword
After being happy with a Topping D90SE for quite a long time, but reading so many good things about Holo Audio everywhere and the manufacturer having now launched an affordable DAC with the Cyan 2, my curiosity was naturally aroused.
I use the Cyan 2 with a Burson Soloist 3X GT. I only used the DCA Expanse and ZMF Caldera as headphones. All cables (power cable, USB and XLR) are from Supra. The power strip is also from Supra, an MD-03 MK3.
It should also be said that the descriptions of the sound in the review naturally sound more drastic than they are audible in practice.
I then wrote briefly to Magna about purchasing the device and then decided to buy it. The customer service is great and transparent, I even received answers on the weekend. Definitely a top place to go for great hi-fi equipment.
Technical data
In addition to the fact that its fully discrete design can process DSD with a range of 64 - 1024X (native) and PCM from 44.1 - 1,536M (32 bit), it has an astonishingly good dynamic range of up to DNR-127db for an R2R DAC. Many R2R DACs have rather average measured values in this area, purely on paper - not so with the Cyan 2. We will look later at whether and how this affects the sound.
Inside, the picture is quite tidy and easy to differentiate.
1) Power supply:
A large part of this is taken up by the decent O-core transformer (which can deliver 50VA or 54V - there seem to be 2 versions), which forms the basis for the internal, linear power supply. The interior is designed in such a way that you can switch between 110/115V and 220/230V using a switch.
2) USB:
An Altera Max II processor is the core unit on the USB Class 2 input board, which is then responsible for PCM and DSD processing, where the input signals via USB have to go through 2 galvanic isolators.
3) I2S/AES3:
Here 2 parts are installed on one board... But just like with the USB input, a section is used for galvanic isolation. The difference is that this happens upstream of the processor (a Cortex M microprocessor from ARM is used here). For the AES3 inputs (on the Cyan 2 these are SPDIF, Toslink and AES/EBU) an AKM AK4118AEQ is installed as a receiver chip, and then an Altera Max II processor is used downstream, which is responsible for further signal processing.
4) R2R Ladder:
All input boards then pass the signal on to the ladder converter board, which is the heart of the Cyan 2. The special thing is that no upsampling is carried out here - it is therefore a pure NOS DAC.
Unboxing & scope of delivery
The device is quite heavy for its size, which is immediately noticeable when you take it out of the packaging. The "unboxing experience" is, however, rather average. I have to say that I always use Apple as a reference here - they do it extremely well. In the end, however, it is more of a "gimmick".
The scope of delivery as such is spartan, similar to the device itself. If you check for some special accessory, you will not find it. You won't find XLR or RCA cables / adapters, and a remote either (the remote with the copper-colored buttons that Holo often includes is unfortunately not included). Only a standard power cable and an USB cable are included in the delivery and a quick start guide, which is nicely packaged but doesn't offer much in terms of content.
Design & workmanship
The appearance can be briefly described as "special". Why? It is unusual for a device to have no display or buttons. Only LED indicators. And the orange or the typical Holo copper color is also "special", which brings us back to the word that best describes the device visually. I think the minimalistic design is good per se, because I'm not a fan of having 100 setting options, there should always be few, but they should be well implemented. Otherwise, the
device is completely of high quality and you won't find any plastic here. It's probably brushed aluminum or something similar. Feels very high quality. The color on the side, however, has the disadvantage that it is very difficult to combine the Cyan 2 with devices from other manufacturers to make it look good. Even in the Holo Audio lineup itself, there is no headphone amplifier that looks good - a real shame.
Front
As mentioned in the previous chapter, there are no buttons on the front of the Cyan 2. This means that it looks nice and "clear" - there are only 4 columns of LED indicators and the manufacturer's name. The first column shows which input the signal is coming from, because the Cyan 2 does this automatically, since there are no settings for the input selection on the device.
The 2nd and 3rd columns show the bit rate for PCM and the 4th is for DSD. For use at the desk or generally at short distances, this solution is pragmatic and effective. It is different if you use the DAC in a speaker setup. I strongly suspect that you will then no longer be able to see the LEDs very well, since both the LED itself and the label are quite small.
Rear
In addition to high-quality analogue RCA and XLR inputs, the DAC offers the digital inputs mentioned above. It is a little inconvenient that the power switch is on the back of the device and, as you noticed in the previous chapter, there is no power button on the front of the device. Again, this is not such a big problem when using it on a desk or something, but I imagine it would be a real disadvantage in a speaker setup. The only thing worth mentioning is that, as you can see, there is no Bluetooth antenna, so the device relies on a wired connection.
Features
Yes, is the omission of features a feature? The pure NOS DAC offers no features or options for the user to intervene. Personally, I actually like that, as I can't do much with these gimmicks. For me, the device has to be pragmatic and well constructed, and that's exactly what the Cyan 2 does.
Sound
Yes, DAC sound is always a tricky thing. Coming from an extremely well-measured Topping D90SE, and having briefly owned an Audio-GD R28, I have 2 extremes here that compare well with the Cyan 2. No surprise, the D90SE is simply very detailed and high-resolution, with headphones that aren't too analytical, it's great. For some people, depending on the headphones of course, the D90SE might even be a bit too analytical. The D90SE also lacks a bit of soul and spatial representation, everything was somehow smaller and only well staggered in terms of width. The R28, on the other hand, was completely the opposite - the holographic way of playing music was clearly its strength here, it had something magical about it, but everything seemed a bit "blurred" and warmer/cozier. Compared to the D90SE, it lacked razor-sharp resolution, but also clearly lacked speed and control. That was also my experience with an EF400 from Hifiman, but it was even more extreme, it sounded quite bloated and even uncontrolled, but it had a good amount of warmth, which can be an advantage with a HE1000V2 or something like that. But that made me realize that R2R DACs are not for me. I was always a big fan of the D90SE and also the X18 from Gustard. And now the Cyan 2 comes into play, which actually fits perfectly in the middle of the D90SE and R28, but without having the disadvantages of both sides. That's not to say that it comes 1:1 with the resolution of the D90SE and can also display the music holographically like an R28, but it comes close to both without having the disadvantages of the latter. So it's a perfect trade-off. Everything seems controlled, tidy, realistically placed in width and depth and with good resolution and detail reproduction.
With the Cyan 2 it is now even easier to simply enjoy all genres. The previous DACs definitely had their strengths in one genre or another, the Cyan 2 can do everything at least well, if not very well. I listen through the playlist and never have the feeling that something is missing in terms of magic, control or detail - great all-rounder.
If you have brighter/analytical headphones and a delta-sigma DAC in the chain and then feel that it's a bit too strenuous here and there, you can definitely keep an eye on the Cyan 2. Because I think that the DAC fits very well here.
There are tracks that were recorded extremely high quality, but with the wrong headphones, headphone amplifier or DAC they can be too much to listen to. An example from my playlist is Jacob's Dream by Alison Krauss. With the Cyan 2, it just gives you goosebumps at high volume, without you feeling the need to turn it down when the harsh voice starts at around 1:30. With the D90SE on the ifi Pro iCan Signature, it was too much of a good thing for me personally at high volume.
Alison Krauss - Jacob's Dream
Listen to Jacob's Dream on TIDALAlso like the Cyan 2, together with the Soloist 3X GT, which reproduces the bass and the dancing sounds in some songs, is simply breathtaking. For example, with Still Waters Run Deep by Carolin No, you get the feeling that the headphones are actually moving and you can really feel the bass.
Carolin No - Still Waters Run Deep
Listen to Still Waters Run Deep on TIDALWant to start bobbing along? It's definitely not the most audiophile song, but when Addict by Kosheen really kicks in at 0:29, my head starts to shake and I get goosebumps, even though it's not a song that gives you goosebumps.
Kosheen - Addict
Listen to Addict on TIDALAdvantages / Disadvantages
+ Pragmatic design decision
+ Perfect sound in all areas (details, resolution, stage and general sounding)
+ Workmanship
+ Size and form factor
+ "Simplicity"
o Design (a matter of taste, but the typical Holo Audio design makes stacking with other devices visually very complicated)
o Automatic signal inputs (I often read that users have problems with the device when they have multiple sources connected)
- The lack of buttons
- No remote
Conclusion
Yes, the device is not perfect, but for what I am looking for, it is the DAC that is closest to "perfect" so far. I listen to more music than ever before, enjoy every genre, and can listen both comfortably and in a focused and analytical way. I think that if a DAC (or audio equipment in general) can do that, you have found the device for you. So if, like me, you are looking for a DAC that you can just put down, connect and enjoy, you will probably find it here. Because what it does, it does fantastically.
Without having heard the larger DACs from Holo Audio, I think that you get very close in terms of sound, but you have to live with the disadvantages (lack of buttons, settings and a remote control). Since I don't need any of this, I'm happy with a DAC that is still affordable and simply offers the best sound experience I've had with a DAC so far. If you really need this and are already impressed by the sound of the Cyan 2, you'll find devices in the Holo Audio lineup that sound at least as good, but without the disadvantages. But you'll have to dig deeper into your pockets here.
In conclusion, I've now found my perfect headphone chain with a DCA Expanse and Burson Soloist 3X GT and the Cyan 2 als source. Journey over.
Once again, a big compliment to Magna for the communication and the great handling. You can purchase the device at the following link: https://magnahifi.com/de/holoaudio-cyan-2-dac-nos-r2r-dsd1024/
Rating
Processing/Haptics: 5 out of 5
Appearance: 3 out of 5
Accessories: 2 out of 5
Features: 2 out of 5
Sound: 5 out of 5
Price/performance: 5 out of 5
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Correction history:
- Changed the part about the accessories: USB cable is included. I increased the accessory-rating to 2 out of 5.
Last edited:
Wow, @Terr0rSandmannLuxx, appreciate this well-written and insightful review very much. I currently use a Matrix DAC with an ES9038 similar to Topping D90SE but unlike your solid state Burson I output to a tube amp. What are your thoughts as to whether R2R DAC combined with a tube amp. may be 'too much of a good thing" moving the sound character even farther from analytical / resolving to "foot tapping" when the holy grail is the sweet spot balancing those 2 attributes?After few weeks with my new Cyan 2, I will share my review here as well
Foreword
After being happy with a Topping D90SE for quite a long time, but reading so many good things about Holo Audio everywhere and the manufacturer having now launched an affordable DAC with the Cyan 2, my curiosity was naturally aroused. I
use the Cyan 2 with a Burson Soloist 3X GT. I only used the DCA Expanse and ZMF Caldera as headphones. All cables (power cable, USB and XLR) are from Supra. The power strip is also from Supra, an MD-03 MK3.
It should also be said that the descriptions of the sound in the review naturally sound more drastic than they are audible in practice.
I then wrote briefly to Magna about purchasing the device and then decided to buy it. The customer service is great and transparent, I even received answers on the weekend. Definitely a top place to go for great hi-fi equipment.
Technical data
In addition to the fact that its fully discrete design can process DSD with a range of 64 - 1024X (native) and PCM from 44.1 - 1,536M (32 bit), it has an astonishingly good dynamic range of up to DNR-127db for an R2R DAC. Many R2R DACs have rather average measured values in this area, purely on paper - not so with the Cyan 2. We will look later at whether and how this affects the sound.
Inside, the picture is quite tidy and easy to differentiate.
1) Power supply:
A large part of this is taken up by the decent O-core transformer (which can deliver 50VA or 54V - there seem to be 2 versions), which forms the basis for the internal, linear power supply. The interior is designed in such a way that you can switch between 110/115V and 220/230V using a switch.
2) USB:
An Altera Max II processor is the core unit on the USB Class 2 input board, which is then responsible for PCM and DSD processing, where the input signals via USB have to go through 2 galvanic isolators.
3) I2S/AES3:
Here 2 parts are installed on one board... But just like with the USB input, a section is used for galvanic isolation. The difference is that this happens upstream of the processor (a Cortex M microprocessor from ARM is used here). For the AES3 inputs (on the Cyan 2 these are SPDIF, Toslink and AES/EBU) an AKM AK4118AEQ is installed as a receiver chip, and then an Altera Max II processor is used downstream, which is responsible for further signal processing.
4) R2R Ladder:
All input boards then pass the signal on to the ladder converter board, which is the heart of the Cyan 2. The special thing is that no upsampling is carried out here - it is therefore a pure NOS DAC.
Unboxing & scope of delivery
The device is quite heavy for its size, which is immediately noticeable when you take it out of the packaging. The "unboxing experience" is, however, rather average. I have to say that I always use Apple as a reference here - they do it extremely well. In the end, however, it is more of a "gimmick".
The scope of delivery as such is spartan, similar to the device itself. There is neither a USB cable nor analog cables (RCA or XLR) included. You won't find a remote either (the remote with the copper-colored buttons that Holo often includes is unfortunately not included). Only a standard power cable is included in the delivery and a quick start guide, which is nicely packaged but doesn't offer much in terms of content.
Appearance & workmanship
The appearance can be briefly described as "special". Why? It is unusual for a device to have no display or buttons. Only LED indicators. And the orange or the typical Holo copper color is also "special", which brings us back to the word that best describes the device visually. I think the minimalistic design is good per se, because I'm not a fan of having 100 setting options, there should always be few, but they should be well implemented. Otherwise, the
device is completely of high quality and you won't find any plastic here. It's probably brushed aluminum or something similar. Feels very high quality. The color on the side, however, has the disadvantage that it is very difficult to combine the Cyan 2 with devices from other manufacturers to make it look good. Even in the Holo Audio lineup itself, there is no headphone amplifier that looks good - a real shame.
Front
As mentioned in the previous chapter, there are no buttons on the front of the Cyan 2. This means that it looks nice and "clear" - there are only 4 columns of LED indicators and the manufacturer's name. The first column shows which input the signal is coming from, because the Cyan 2 does this automatically, since there are no settings for the input selection on the device.
The 2nd and 3rd columns show the bit rate for PCM and the 4th is for DSD. For use at the desk or generally at short distances, this solution is pragmatic and effective. It is different if you use the DAC in a speaker setup. I strongly suspect that you will then no longer be able to see the LEDs very well, since both the LED itself and the label are quite small.
Standard fare on the back
. In addition to high-quality analogue RCA and XLR inputs, the DAC offers the digital inputs mentioned above. It is a little inconvenient that the power switch is on the back of the device and, as you noticed in the previous chapter, there is no power button on the front of the device. Again, this is not such a big problem when using it on a desk or something, but I imagine it would be a real disadvantage in a speaker setup. The only thing worth mentioning is that, as you can see, there is no Bluetooth antenna, so the device relies on a wired connection.
Features
Yes, is the omission of features a feature? The pure NOS DAC offers no features or options for the user to intervene. Personally, I actually like that, as I can't do much with these gimmicks. For me, the device has to be pragmatic and well constructed, and that's exactly what the Cyan 2 does.
Sound
Yes, DAC sound is always a tricky thing. Coming from an extremely well-measured Topping D90SE, and having briefly owned an Audio-GD R28, I have 2 extremes here that compare well with the Cyan 2. No surprise, the D90SE is simply very detailed and high-resolution, with headphones that aren't too analytical, it's great. For some people, depending on the headphones of course, the D90SE might even be a bit too analytical. The D90SE also lacks a bit of soul and spatial representation, everything was somehow smaller and only well staggered in terms of width. The R28, on the other hand, was completely the opposite - the holographic way of playing music was clearly its strength here, it had something magical about it, but everything seemed a bit "blurred" and warmer/cozier. Compared to the D90SE, it lacked razor-sharp resolution, but also clearly lacked speed and control. That was also my experience with an EF400 from Hifiman, but it was even more extreme, it sounded quite bloated and even uncontrolled, but it had a good amount of warmth, which can be an advantage with a HE1000V2 or something like that. But that made me realize that R2R DACs are not for me. I was always a big fan of the D90SE and also the X18 from Gustard. And now the Cyan 2 comes into play, which actually fits perfectly in the middle of the D90SE and R28, but without having the disadvantages of both sides. That's not to say that it comes 1:1 with the resolution of the D90SE and can also display the music holographically like an R28, but it comes close to both without having the disadvantages of the latter. So it's a perfect trade-off. Everything seems controlled, tidy, realistically placed in width and depth and with good resolution and detail reproduction.
With the Cyan 2 it is now even easier to simply enjoy all genres. The previous DACs definitely had their strengths in one genre or another, the Cyan 2 can do everything at least well, if not very well. I listen through the playlist and never have the feeling that something is missing in terms of magic, control or detail - great all-rounder.
If you have brighter/analytical headphones and a delta-sigma DAC in the chain and then feel that it's a bit too strenuous here and there, you can definitely keep an eye on the Cyan 2. Because I think that the DAC fits very well here.
There are tracks that were recorded extremely high quality, but with the wrong headphones, headphone amplifier or DAC they can be too much to listen to. An example from my playlist is Jacob's Dream by Alison Krauss. With the Cyan 2, it just gives you goosebumps at high volume, without you feeling the need to turn it down when the harsh voice starts at around 1:30. With the D90SE on the ifi Pro iCan Signature, it was too much of a good thing for me personally at high volume.
Alison Krauss - Jacob's Dream
Listen to Jacob's Dream on TIDAL
tidal.com
Also like the Cyan 2, together with the Soloist 3X GT, which reproduces the bass and the dancing sounds in some songs, is simply breathtaking. For example, with Still Waters Run Deep by Carolin No, you get the feeling that the headphones are actually moving and you can really feel the bass.
Carolin No - Still Waters Run Deep
Listen to Still Waters Run Deep on TIDAL
tidal.com
Want to start bobbing along? It's definitely not the most audiophile song, but when Addict by Kosheen really kicks in at 0:29, my head starts to shake and I get goosebumps, even though it's not a song that gives you goosebumps.
Kosheen - Addict
Listen to Addict on TIDAL
tidal.com
Advantages / Disadvantages
+ Pragmatic design decision
+ Perfect sound in all areas (details, resolution, stage and general sounding)
+ Workmanship
+ Size and form factor
+ "Simplicity"
o Design (a matter of taste, but the typical Holo Audio design makes stacking with other devices visually very complicated)
o Automatic signal inputs (I often read that users have problems with the device when they have multiple sources connected)
- The lack of buttons
- No remote
Conclusion
Yes, the device is not perfect, but for what I am looking for, it is the DAC that is closest to "perfect" so far. I listen to more music than ever before, enjoy every genre, and can listen both comfortably and in a focused and analytical way. I think that if a DAC (or audio equipment in general) can do that, you have found the device for you. So if, like me, you are looking for a DAC that you can just put down, connect and enjoy, you will probably find it here. Because what it does, it does fantastically.
Without having heard the larger DACs from Holo Audio, I think that you get very close in terms of sound, but you have to live with the disadvantages (lack of buttons, settings and a remote control). Since I don't need any of this, I'm happy with a DAC that is still affordable and simply offers the best sound experience I've had with a DAC so far. If you really need this and are already impressed by the sound of the Cyan 2, you'll find devices in the Holo Audio lineup that sound at least as good, but without the disadvantages. But you'll have to dig deeper into your pockets here.
In conclusion, I've now found my perfect headphone chain with a DCA Expanse and Burson Soloist 3X GT. Journey over. :hail:
Once again, a big compliment to Magna for the communication and the great handling. You can purchase the device at the following link: https://magnahifi.com/de/holoaudio-cyan-2-dac-nos-r2r-dsd1024/
Rating
Processing/Haptics: 5 out of 5
Appearance: 3 out of 5
Accessories: 0 out of 5
Features: 2 out of 5
Sound: 5 out of 5
Price/performance: 5 out of 5
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Also interested in whether your listening impressions were with PCM or DSD, as I almost always use the latter, utilizing HQ Player to convert FLAC to SDM and upsample. I ask in part because of prior post in this thread noting "Cyan 2 has separate PCM and DSD ladders and the PCM ladder is 16 steps vs 8 of the DSD ladder" and wondering if this diminishes quality of Cyan 2's DSD output compared to PCM output.
Thanks again!
BShaw
500+ Head-Fier
Not at all, regarding the tube thing. I ran a Schiit BF2, a GustardR26, and now the Holo with tube amps, and to me R2R and tubes are a match made in heaven. Tubes can be highly resolving or sometimes a bit rolled off, more neutral or more mid-warm, there are so many tube types and circuit designs. What tubes do for me as much as timbral and harmonic beauty is add an analogue, life like aura. They also tend to be more holographic I think due to subtle phase effects due to the analogue construction of tubes themselves. In no way do these two things negate or amplify anything “too much”. I’d say that might be the case for some with tube pre and power stages, but not for me and many others.
dericchan1
100+ Head-Fier
Echoing your comments re: tubes and the Cyan 2. I don’t know about other nos r2r dacs but the Cyan 2 is very transparent and detailed and matches very well with my Schiit Freya + preamp or in my bedroom setup with a Synthesis Soprano class A tube amp with quad set of EL84 nos tubes!!!!
Terr0rSandmannLuxx
New Head-Fier
As always: It depends. Since an Expanse is not made for tube amps, I prefer solid state amps with my headphone of choise.
But if you like the sound of the dynamic headphones like ZMF Verite, Utopia etc, I think it could work well since the Cyan 2 is not to warm / smooth. There are much warmer and smoother R2R DACs out there.
I used the Cyan 2 with 100% PCM files. I will try DSD somewhere next week. But I do not expect a change regarding my opinion on the Cyan 2.
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I'm also running my Cyan 2 in combination with tubes. Running a MP-701 MK3 tube pre going in my Soncoz SGP1 power amp and Cabasse Murano speakers and the sound is addicting to say the least. With the Fosi LC30 amp/speaker switcher I can also switch from this stack to my Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 - which I use for home cinema use - and the difference between those two chains is astounding. On the speaker side of the LC30 I've also connected a speaker to 4pin XLR cable to run my Mod House Tungsten DS and that combo also sounds very close to what I'm able to achieve with my dedicated headphone chain on the desk.
Overall I think at its price point Cyan 2 offers performance, that hasn't been matched by any other DAC. Assuming you can live with the barebone design approach. Since I'm only running USB with it, it's the perfect match for my use case and I couldn't be happier.
Overall I think at its price point Cyan 2 offers performance, that hasn't been matched by any other DAC. Assuming you can live with the barebone design approach. Since I'm only running USB with it, it's the perfect match for my use case and I couldn't be happier.
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