Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC

[pataburd]

what version is that exact stand? https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805299197007.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

Nice-looking and rigid, for sure.
However, I would like to see the "vibration-absorbing grooves" on the underside(s) of the shelves.
It seems like, in addition to rigidity, the shelving design would need to incorporate more effective mass for optimal vibration damping/isolation.

 

[npatrix]

Bought mine from Magna Hifi (rsp: 1389€) with free shipping from Holland to Portugal, I guess it depends on the commercial strategy of the retailer/ Distributor.

 

[pataburd]

Shipping is never free. Especially international express parcels from overseas. Denafrips just includes the shipping cost in the unit price in that case. Kitsune could also just make it cost 1328$ instead of the 1198$ and call it free shipping. And maybe they should think about doing that in the future to prevent the regular complaints about the high shipping costs.

I guess "$699, FedEx shipping included", would have been the better descriptor in my original post [and "$1328, shipping included" a more direct/honest tact for Holo's U.S. distributor].

That said, how do I square @rids57 £10 [$12.73 USD] UK shipping with $130 [£102.09] U.S. shipping [excepting comparative size(s) of land mass(s)]?

 

[pataburd]

Pssst . . .

{In the interests of full disclosure, I almost checked out my cart with the Cyan 2 [for about the 6th time(!) in the past two weeks] yesterday--until thwarted [for about the 6th time] by the $130 Flat Rate Shipping charge.}

 

[dericchan1]

Pssst . . .

{In the interests of full disclosure, I almost checked out my cart with the Cyan 2 [for about the 6th time(!) in the past two weeks] yesterday--until thwarted [for about the 6th time] by the $130 Flat Rate Shipping charge.}

In the interests of full disclosure, I ordered the Cyan 2 when it first launched and took advantage of the early bird special with Wildism audio @ 10% off the listed price + free worldwide shipping…

But honestly, should the $130 shipping cost really be a deciding factor for the purchase decision on a dac? I mean, Denafrips can pay me $130 and ship the Enyo to me and I would have said no thanks, not the right dac for me… at least based on my experience with the original Enyo

 

[pataburd]

@dericchan1

What, specifically, contributes/d to your decided preference for the Cyan 2 over the original ENYO?

FWIW, the ENYO 15th looks and specs exactly like the Ares 12th.

 

[dericchan1]

@dericchan1

What, specifically, contributes/d to your decided preference for the Cyan 2 over the original ENYO?

The ENYO 15th looks and specs exactly like the Ares 12th.

And I have had the Ares ii as well, moved up to the Pontus ii, then to the Venus ii before I moved on to the cyan 2 and never look back. Not suggesting denafrips are inferior but they are just not the sound I am after.

Cyan 2 is a lot more neutral, natural, organic sounding dac in comparison. Denafrips dacs can sound pleasing and flowery to the ears initially but they almost all sound artificial compared to the cyan 2

 

[pataburd]

Thank you(!), @dericchan1.

Will/can you please be (more) specific about the Denafrips' perceived artificiality/ies vis-à-vis the Holo? The OP for the original Ares II discussion thread promptly sold his Holo Spring and acquired the Ares II. He does not specify why he did so beyond a general (but decided) liking for the latter. Perhaps it's more of a qualitative/holistic preference.

Might sell some extraneous gear (it's piling up again) and get the Cyan 2 to compare with the ENYO 15th.

Have owned/enjoyed Wavelength and Ultra-Fi NOS DACs, had a brief aural repast with the audio-gd R2R R1 and currently employ the Mojo Audio Mystique R2R chip DAC, but the ENYO 15th has been the first of these unconventional (read: non D/S) units to really grab my attention.

 

[dericchan1]

Thank you(!), @dericchan1.

Will/can you please be (more) specific about the Denafrips' perceived artificiality/ies vis-à-vis the Holo? The OP for the original Ares II discussion thread promptly sold his Holo Spring and acquired the Ares II. He does not specify why he did so beyond a general (but decided) liking for the latter. Perhaps it's more of a qualitative/holistic preference.

Might sell some extraneous gear (it's piling up again) and get the Cyan 2 to compare with the ENYO 15th.

Have owned/enjoyed Wavelength and Ultra-Fi NOS DACs, had a brief aural repast with the audio-gd R2R R1 and currently employ the Mojo Audio Mystique R2R chip DAC, but the ENYO 15th has been the first of these unconventional (read: non D/S) units to really grab my attention.

Well where's all the fun if I tell you about my perceived differences and you are going to AB them eventually? hahaha. Fact is I am not good at describing sound quality differences. And I am not discouraging you to try them, AB them.

I am currently ABCing between 3 dacs in my main setup as well - Signalyst Hqplayer DSC2 dac, IFI PRO IDSD, and the Cyan 2

 

[pataburd]

Well where's all the fun if I tell you about my perceived differences and you are going to AB them eventually? hahaha. Fact is I am not good at describing sound quality differences. And I am not discouraging you to try them, AB them.

I am currently ABCing between 3 dacs in my main setup as well - Signalyst Hqplayer DSC2 dac, IFI PRO IDSD, and the Cyan 2

Well, if your report of the perceived differences is compelling enough, it will save me the trouble (and $1328)!

As much as I am enjoying the ENYO 15th, in the initial (as-yet uncritical) phase of starry-eyed ownership, knowing how it compares with the Cyan 2 is developing into a crescendo all-too familiar to an OCD-imbued head-fier (like myself).

DO let us know how your A/B/C goes.

 

[dericchan1]

Well, if your report of the perceived differences is compelling enough, it will save me the trouble (and $1328)!

As much as I am enjoying the ENYO 15th, in the initial (as-yet uncritical) phase of starry-eyed ownership, knowing how it compares with the Cyan 2 is developing into a crescendo all-too familiar to an OCD-imbued head-fier (like myself).

DO let us know how your A/B/C goes.

In short,

Cyan 2 is a very neutral, natural, balanced and analog sounding dac. The best measured dac out of the three.

If the Cyan 2 is an analog sounding dac, then the dsc2 does not sound like a dac, it’s more like a turntable hidden inside a metal chassis. Its transformer based analog output is very linear between 50hz to about 18khz but heavily distorted below 50hz and above 18khz. Bass is slower and loose and relaxed and highs never sound harsh and has a holographic soundstage.

Ifi pro is the most musical, toe tapping of the three. It has the most grunt, hits the bass note hard, a thick texture to the mids with its mosfet buffered solid state analog output stage. I have the tubes upgraded to a pair of NOS WE396a which adds more color, distortion to the sound.

 

[betula]

Well, the poll has been up for 24 hours. I think, the proportions probably won't change much, based on my previous poll experience.
I just wanted to know, how many Cyan 2 owners on Head-Fi use HQ player.
It has turned out, almost every second person uses HQ player here: 42% versus the 58% of non-users. Out of the 58% of non-users, 21% seems to be alright as they are, but 37% is open to the possibility of experimenting with HQ player. I also belong to this latter group.

Conclusion: either way, the Cyan 2 is just a phenomenal DAC that is worth having with or without HQ player.

 

[BShaw]

Well, the poll has been up for 24 hours. I think, the proportions probably won't change much, based on my previous poll experience.
I just wanted to know, how many Cyan 2 owners on Head-Fi use HQ player.
It has turned out, almost every second person uses HQ player here: 42% versus the 58% of non-users. Out of the 58% of non-users, 21% seems to be alright as they are, but 37% is open to the possibility of experimenting with HQ player. I also belong to this latter group.

Conclusion: either way, the Cyan 2 is just a phenomenal DAC that is worth having with or without HQ player.

Yes indeed, but With HQP the synergy has really shocked me, it’s as if they are one thing. I think the x factor here is the DAC correction, after which the sound of my system entered a new dimension. I’m sure there are other DACs for which this is true, but I’m guessing it’s pretty variable. Nice job with the survey btw betula.

 

[grant0317]

I have that and find both very enjoyable. Can't say I've noticed much of a difference vs my old Gustard R26 + Bliss KTE combo though.

I currently have the e70 and was debating on replacing it with the r26 or the cyan 2. Since you have the exact combination of dacs that I am contemplating, I was wondering if you could give me comparisons between the dacs?

 

[sendler2112]

I currently have the e70 and was debating on replacing it with the r26 or the cyan 2. Since you have the exact combination of dacs that I am contemplating, I was wondering if you could give me comparisons between the dacs?

I have Burson Conductor Reference SE with Sparkos Pro op amps, VMV D2R, Gustard A26, Gustard R26, Running HQ Player processing, and my Cyan2 will arrive next week. I find the R26 HQP 768 LAN is the best right now. The A26 with HQP DSD LAN is also very good and better in some ways, but is too computer demanding for my new gaming laptop. I haven't added a clock yet, but will if I keep the R26.

Reports of the best sound from the Cyan2 come from HQP specific DAC correction program users. But you need a $2000 super gaming tower to run that in the favored DSD. I have decided to draw the line at my $1000 laptop and stick with PCM. But wanted to give the Holo Audio a try. I should have a good burn in and comparison by next weekend.