Who NEEDS The May Dac When We Can Have THIS?!
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- čas přidán 1. 08. 2024
- Cyan 2: bit.ly/3QecAvo
Who NEEDS The May Dac When We Can Have THIS?! The Budget Audiophile's Dream DAC!
Time Stamps:
00:00 Start
01:29 Covering Basics
02:56 Prepare for Battle
04:04 Listening Impressions
09:36 Sound Clips
12:48 Final Thoughts
Welcome back to New Record Day! Today, we're diving into the Cyan 2, a DAC that might just redefine what you expect from your audio setup without breaking the bank.
In this review, we'll explore how the Cyan 2 stacks up against its more expensive counterpart, the May DAC, and whether it's worth your hard-earned cash.
Join us as we dissect the Cyan 2's performance, build quality, and listening impressions to determine if it's truly a game-changer in the world of affordable audio gear.
If you're tired of compromising on sound quality due to budget constraints, the Cyan 2 might just be the answer you've been looking for.
Don't forget to hit that like button, subscribe to our channel for more in-depth reviews, and share your thoughts in the comments below. Let's dive in and discover if the Cyan 2 deserves a spot in your setup!
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SVS Prime Pinnacle: amzn.to/2MMYt2J
Elac Debut 2.0: amzn.to/3ruZRX7
Elac Unifi 2.0 UF52: amzn.to/3uXJa8P
Elac UF5: amzn.to/3e9ri4F
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First time I ever ear a good, clear distinction with a comparison on CZcams.. keep this recording setup, it’s a great one! Bravo 👍🏻
I can't wait for Ron to get his hands on that Daniel Hertz gear. I love how he explains the audio he hears. Hes been spot on with most gear I have in common with him hearing.
Great video. I don't have the best gear, but when you mentioned the more "relaxed" presentation of the May Dac in the final thoughts portion of the video I immediately knew what you were talking about. I also agree with one of the other commenters that the CYAN2 didn't separate the drums as well in the last track, though that is less obvious to me and I doubt I would've been able to pick up on it had it not been pointed out. I'm looking forward to the next review!
Been waiting like 2/3 months for this review since you mentioned it on the Live.. TY brother! Very astute as usual
Time Stamps:
00:00 Start
01:29 Covering Basics
02:56 Prepare for Battle
04:04 Listening Impressions
09:36 Sound Clips
12:48 Final Thoughts
hello Ron, may i ask what speakers are behind you in this video?
Excellent review (as always)! Thanks for posting!
My pleasure!
Best sound clips on CZcams. Fantastic.
Wow, thanks!
Ron,
Excellent review as always. Ordered the Cyan 2 today to replace my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+
Still one of my favorite reviewers!
Thanks Ron!
Awe thanks! Appreciate that!
Ron you have been doing some amazing presentations lately. Hats off
Ah! So kind! Thank you!
I'm normally of the mindset that DACs make only subtle differences but the difference in dynamics between the DACs was quite noticeable with headphones on. The Cyan sounded almost hazy by comparison.
Glad to hear how the “old” May stacks up to newer gear. Usually, after the initial hype, we tend not to hear of gear that was great 2-3 years ago. Thanks for bringing the ‘ol May out against it’s newer little brother.
Very nice comparison, thanks!
About the clips... the MAY sounded like it was distorting on the first clip, some problems with the recording setup maybe there? On the second clip I liked the CYAN better. However, on the rest of the clips the dynamics of the MAY were unbeatable! I can't believe that the differences are so pronounced on a recording of music being played back from a system, good job recording this!
I agree, the Cyan 2 has more sizzle on the top end. I can definitely easily hear the difference. What we can't hear, and this is no fault to you, is the soundstage imaging and presentation of a real "in-the-room" experience in how the music develops in the listening environment. The only way to experience it is to buy it and experience it yourself. Thank you for the honest review. I will definitely look into this DAC.
Love This guy haven't missed one video in 6 years !! Thanks Ron ' R@R 😆
Love ya buddy
Great review and the sound clips really express the differencies in air and "S-emphasis" in the Cyan 2. To me the Cyan sounds a bit cleaner but at the cost of lost texture and body in the midrange. But at 1/4 of the price it's a steal!
Totally agree
ordered mine a month ago, cant wait to get it!
I have to agree. I was expecting the differences to be more subtle, especially since they're going through my own stuff as well.
But, not one word mentioned of the Spring. That's the real question.
Sounds like a very good dac!! Thanks Ron!
Thanks man!
You were not kidding; I've had the Cyan 2 in house for over 6 weeks now and it's a stunning DAC sonically. I really don't like the implementation of the "automatic source selection" that doesn't select anything automatically until all the other sources are actually shut down, but musically WOW. Resolution, dynamics and timbral accuracy I've never heard at that price and honestly, not even in DACs costing a lot more. This is a little gem.
Kinda why i went with the Spring 3 Kitsune version. Left room for future improvements
Love the Cyan 2! All in all, great sounding dac and after a couple of weeks your brain get used to the sound. Compared to the May it's financially logical to go for the Cyan, anyway in my opinion. Keep up the good work!
Sorry, so if this is relatively close to the May, where does that leave the Spring level 3?
Thanks for the video, Ron. I must have read your mind. Ordered mine a month ago, March 22
received mine the other day, well worth the wait. music just sounds way more natural than my aries II, which isn't a slouch in that department 🙂
when i listen from another room, the music still sounds real ... very addictive so, yeah, 2 thumbs up
Ron, I would pay to have the blessed opportunity to have an extended listening session in the shed. I would venture to guess that I'm not the only one. I'm sure that it would result in dedicated listening space envy. Thank you for all you do. We are the beneficiaries.
Come on down. I’ll cook up some ribs.
Thanks, now I need to save up the money for the May Dac - I wish you had compared it to another DAC :D
Great job recording dac audio battle! Let the r2r dac WAR BEGIN 🎼🥋🥋
Ron has the musicians ear. I think he has some of the best commentary on Audio gear or maybe it’s just my taste are very similar to his.
I also own an electrocompaniet and just ordered the cyan two a month ago.
My only complaint about Ron is that he doesn’t do more videos . he has the best insight. I’m sure it makes a few waves in the industry.
Appreciate that!
May all the way ! Just has that haunting analog sound that i adore ...
Agree. Sound tracks are great ……felt like I was at Axpona hearing demos. I have the May Dac and before that a Spring 3 KTE. These Holo Audio dacs have a fantastic price to performance quotient. May Dac sounds fuller and more resolved ……but your assessment is correct. They have another winner.
Thanks for your Review, I don's have the money for a may dac but I found what i was looking for in the Cyan 2.
I have connected the Cyan 2 with a valve pre amp and the NAD class D eigentakt Purify. The sound in my setup was much more convincing compared to the eversolo dmp A8 which I decided to return because of the different I2s layout. If you connect the eversolo to the cyan 2 the backin vocals change L/R direction in the soundstage. But even then, the high glass instruments for example were more natural and ''living' on the R2R compared to the AKM.
I've changed my setup frequently and ultimately found what i was looking for in the Matrix Element S streamer over I2S. The matrix has galvanic isolated I2s with quality femto clocks. For the first time I had a complete silent 'no noise' connection between the pre amp and the NAD. I have started to believe resolution / freq is beautiful for the ears, but in the end it is the 'timing' that goes to the brain and what brings the emotion back to the body.
just ordered the holo cyan2 dac and cancelled schiit dac, saved 500 usd
Wow! What a great recording! Thank you for this! I can hear the differences between the two DACs... from a CZcams video! >.< I loved both DACs recordings but the May is of course much more engaging, alive, instrument placement and resolution kicks up a notch. The differences are subtle but for the ears that can get this differences, might be well worth the upgrade to the May. I wonder how the Cyan 2 compares to other DACs like the new Ferrum Wandla.
May was incredible, I loved it
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for another great video.
Would like to listen to some of your test tracks in full. What were they?
With your reference Kitsune May DAC, I heard more space without losing focus and even faster transients and decay. The Cyan 2's sound felt a bit congealed by comparison. That said, the 4:1 May/Cyan price ratio proves that Kitsune offers excellent value.
What's funny is that the clips seemed very different at low volume through headphones while looking at the pictures... but then I increased the volume, put my phone aside and closed my eyes, and the differences were far more subtle! I wonder if the pictures somehow contribute to bias while listening to the clips.
Thanks for the excellent presentation and your valued opinion. Lately I was in a dilemma, which one DAC to buy for EUR 1,200 - and now I'm not.
Definitely heard the difference in dynamics.
I got my Cyan 2 hooked up to a Innuos Pulse and it's phenomenal.
Awesome!
Hi Ron. May Dac might be slightly more in a analogue sense of hearing, less edgy and softer… and yeah it gives us a sound impression of refinement. Thanks for the review
Weird, I thought the first clip was a clear win for the May but couldn't even hear a difference in the rest. The inside is gorgeous!
Have mercy. But Ron, compare that to the BiFrost 2/64 or the Yggy.
Thanks, you said the s word. Most are scared to address it :) - Compare with RME Pro?
Do you think the Cyan 2 would benefit by using a DDC to convert USB input to to I2S? I've been using the very inexpensive Douk Audio U2 PRO XMOS XU208 Digital Interface to convert USB output from DAP to I2S input to my DAC and it seems to enhance the tone and timbre.
Any chance for Gustard R26 review? Would be great fight R26 vs Cyan 2.
This. This and this again.
This!
This?
This!
This?
Hardware will always have it's limits. Live live does not equate studio recording.
Please continue to highlight artists and performances that you find to be leaders in acoustic presentation. The artistic and creatives are our water we drink to survive..
I have found many of your subtly referenced artists to produce outstanding recordings and live performances.
Set yourself apart form HW reviewers.
I hear the Cyan as having a more vivid lead instrument, but at the expense of the remainder being slightly obscured, causing slight listening fatigue. It may not bother some people, but for me, I would have to go with the more pleasurable DAC with the least listening fatigue.
Tim told me it’s essentially a Spring 3 on the inside.
part of that is true but the spring 3 has more DSD ladder resistors. However the PCM ladder is the same as the Cyan 2
sounds like i need to sell my spring 3
Cyan vs Frerot?
Ron you’re on thin ground. I have the May and from here on in all I require is confirmation bias. Thank You
You got it!
@@Newrecordday2013 😂 Thanks Bud.
Seriously, the May is amazing, the imaging can be astonishing. I definitely think it’s a piece that benefited from break in as those ‘wow’ moments took a little while. But you never know how much of that is the listener. Cheers
Hi. How does the Merason Frerot + POW1 compare to Holo Audio Cyan 2? Many thanks.
The recordings were incredible - differences in staging were quite obvious (although sighted).
How would you compare it to bifrost or denafrips dacs?
In the last comparison the CYAN2 couldn't keep the drums separated. They were all muddled together. All in all the May wins out,definitely. There were other differences but that's the one that stood out as the video comparison closed out
Of course! 4k price difference!
@@beslemeto fair enough but he is comparing two different things at two different price points and saying they're "almost" as good as each other..... and remember I also said the May wins out.....ccaallmm ddoowwnn
@@00penguin Price difference will not justify the performance difference in my opinion!After few days it wont even matter,because you will get used to the sound and eventually you will want to hear something else again.
....Ok
....Ok
That it can even be compared to the May says a lot about it. Personally, I think this makes the jump from DS to R2R a lot easier for people in the $1k market.
Absolutely agree
Yep for sure. I assume it’s NOS is “correct” as the Spring and May?
To my ears there is quite a big gap between the two. The crystal clear, beautiful, colourful, detailed presentation of the May Dac becomes constrained, muddled and cold with the Cyan 2. Especially in the clips with strings and percussions. The Cyan 2 almost resulted fatiguing in those 2 clips. It would have been wonderful to get something very close at a fraction of the cost but from what I hear that is not the case.
Thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts!
You do know you’re listening to a compressed CZcams video.
How does it compare to the Spring 3 ?
Nice! I've been waiting for your review. Been enjoying my personal Cyan 2. I suggest giving HQPlayer DSD256 with the Sinc-MGa filter a try!
Hello Ron. Thanks for review! Do you plan review RED DDC/streamer too? I'd love to know your opinion...
Eventually
phenomenal dac for my system and wallet
This is going to drive me nuts lol I have a cyan 1 dac and I’ve been thinking of getting a May in the future but I keep hearing this sentiment about the Cyan 2 being scary close to the higher end models. But do I buy the cyan 2 for $1200 or this PS Audio Directstream for sale at my local used dealer for $1800 🤔🙃
Seing it doesn't have a remote or any buttons on the front, it could at least have trigger in/out. I don't think it would be difficult or expensive to implement. A LOT of units from different brands need this.
To me the differences were imidiatly apparent, the female vocals right on the first clips are delivered in quite the different way. I get what you said about more airy with the Cyan, it feels like one is further apart from the singer and there is more empty space around the voice. Which means not so intimate with her voice. This is was apparent in almost all the other clips, there's something more present and involving with the May, the Cyan is nice but lacks the extra % that makes magic. How was the burn in on the Cyan? These things take ages to burn in and they change quite a bit. Also wonder how it would be on a stack with the Holo Red as a DDC, that could bring it closer to the May. It's actually an upgrade I'm considering,
I recently purchased a Gustard Audalytics AH90 because I wanted a headphone amp, and streamer as well as a DAC for 600. If the LaiV defines the under 3000 market, I am wondering if you believe this Cyan 2 or the Gustard A26 is the better of the two. I think it is all going to come down to that.
Audio Mirror Tubadour V is said to rival Lampizator, maybe better. I don’t know about all of that, but I can say the AM T V is my last DAC. It’s flat out amazing.
Very nice sounding DAC at the price. I did think the bass was better on the May, but it could just be my speakers.
IINM, all of Ron’s sound clips are recorded on a binaural dummy head configuration, so most revealing listening would be on the best headphones you can muster. Even on Bluetooth from iPad, my Sennheiser HD440s have had no trouble delineating the differences. In this case, definitely a slight edge to the May DAC, but at a huge delta on the cost, so….
If you really want a demonstration of what recording technique can show, listen to his series on acoustic treatment of the Sound Shed. I’ve long been wary of open baffles as the only rooms I have available don’t suit their particular acoustic requirements and really wanted to love the CSS Typons, but damn if those Caladan’s aren’t a super example of what is possible in a relatively affordable OB.
Can I get an amen?
I wish you could pair the cyan with the bliss amp and give us a headphone review
is an amp necessary for this if I want to just connect to my desktop?
yo.
thanks for years and years of good advice.
no that’s it, that’s all
I have a doubt between audio - gd R28 NOS and Holo Cyan 2 dac.
Please, if anyone can help with advice.
Thank you
As the owner of the original Cyan DAC, I'm wondering how they compare 🤔. And while I'm at it to the Spring 3 ?
I wish the Cyan 2 kept the headphone input like its predecessor. Seems weird to remove features vs adding them on the next gen. Cyan 3 perhaps?
You should do video on Apple transport I know you know !! 🤣 Thanks Ron had a ruff week buddy ' getting old ' thanks for the video ' Food for thought theirs no best only the best for you 😊 Bet those bruts get busy !!
I went with the new Denafrips Ares 12-1 ..and Daum 😮
Ares is very nice also.
Thanks …it does give me a glimpse into a wider universe.
Love my Ares2 & Ares12th in different systems.
I'll get to the firmware upgrade to the A2 at some point. Thanks Alvin at Denafrips!
Nice to have the option right now.
The differences in soundstage presentation aren't subtle.
Would be a cool feature to be able to toggle between
🎵🎶😊🎶🎵
Hi. Just wondering how they differed in separation of different instruments in busy tracks. I don't think you described how they worked in that aspect.
This is the one.
I wonder how close the Cyan 2 can get to the May with HQPlayer
Are we going to see a ZA3 review from you?
For your taste does the CYAN 2 is a better choice than Ares 2 Dac ? I'm looking to choose one of the two.
Ares is a hype to me. Also try the FX Glass dac Teac NT505 and NewOntech dac before you buy 🤔
@@dennis3779 I love the Ares 2 , it sound well, but we always must pay and risk our money to try new think, so we must trust a little reviewer.
Talk about the rest of your system in the review, please. Cable selection matters and has huge outcomes on the results. But, I do love this DAC.. With AQ Diamond USB and AQ Colorado XLR's... better than any Delta-Sigma DAC, less the $10k+ converters, imo. DSD & PCM highest bit rates around!
Hmmm I liked the May better by a lot. Especially on the second music clip her S-sounds sounded really harsh on the Cyan. Really really audibly different. I always focus on vocals (in case it's not instrumental music) to determine differences and sound qualities and can only recommend to do the same. Here it's so obvious, much more noticable than with the orchestral music. There the differences are more subtle. But I take such an effortless vocal-presentation anytime before more "depth" or "width", which are quite subjective anyway. Great comparison, thanks for the examples!
No comparison May is an obvious choice! Maybe try a fair fight like the Aries two or Gustard 26! Still the cyan represents great value! Thanks!
I think the Cyan 2 is a great DAC for the money but I'll keep my May. 😉
how about the DSD part, I plan to buy a dac mainly works with DSD upsampled by HQPlayer. Thanks.
Is the Cyan 2 any faster at locking than the May?
How does it compare to the Merason Frerot dac?
Even on my soundbar there's a huge difference in vocal presentation audible. Not sure which flavor is better, though.
sounds like best value dac ever...
I was actually disappointed because I was expecting very subtle differences from your comments, but even from the first notes, May's sound had significantly more tonal density and authenticity, micro/macro dynamic life, and more engagement.
Arggg... no ARC input. That's the one thing that's preventing me from upgrading my DAC. I really want to get rid of my toslink connection from my TV. Shouldn't it be standard by now?
Even on an ipad pro i could hear the “airiness” of the second DAC
Since you are a Holo Audio fan will you be trying the RED streamer? I would love your input on the RED/Cyan 2 combo. I have the Eversolo A6 but think the RED I2S might be the better interface.
Getting close to pulling the trigger on this one - I know it's been a while since you reviewed the Merason Frerot (this is what I'm running currently), but any thoughts on it compared with the Cyan 2?
The Frerot is warmer and smoother. The Cyan 2 is more revealing and exciting. Pick your poison.
@@Newrecordday2013 appreciate it - hope to compare them soon myself, figure out which one stays
i am also interested in the Cyan vs Frerot comparison. I had the Spring 2 L2 for a while and while it sounded very smooth and analogue, it felt somehow boring. As if it was slow. Trade it for the Frerot with the matching power supply and have been super happy with it. In fact I will consider the Merason Dac 1 at some point:-)
Talking about Frerot.... If you have not tried the Pow1 (sep power supply) you have not heard the Frerot as its fullest potential, not even close.... The overall sound takes a huge leap much, much bigger than Ron said in his review, IMO...
@@martinlindberg1983 I have not yet tried the Pow1 as I've heard very mixed reports as to its significance (my past experiences lead me to anticipate I will find the difference to be towards the less significant side but that's just a guess).
The thing about the Cyan 2 that has me looking at it vs investing further into the Frerot is the Cyan's capabilities with HQPlayer. Something the Frerot does not really do a great deal with (whether that difference is worthwhile or not I'll have to sort out when I get a chance to compare the two)
Usually I'm unable to hear differences in A/B sound clips over CZcams. This time I could easily spot the difference. Maybe your productions values are the reason. Anyhow...
Should have thrown a well reviewed sub $1000 DAC in there to see if the Cyan was closer to the May or closer to the sub $1000 one. That would give me a better idea if I'm willing to sell my $720 DAC and order the Cyan.
Wait, what now?
If you wanted to display the differences between two dacs, why not simply feed them directly into your recording device???
Incredible.
Unbelievable.
🙄
Clearly different. How can it be possible that they sound different enough that my television speakers can resolve it?
Really good recording.
Very nice samples. Have to go with the May. Much more natural with more dimension and weight than the Cyan.
Fairly close but particularly with the last sample the May was way ahead.
Listening with gear (Bluetooth DAC and single dynamic driver earphones) that costs about as much as the volume knob on the May... I could hear a lot of difference! The Cyan was lacking in lower mids/upper bass, making voices and strings sound thinner. I also felt like the Cyan was just dropping the transients, while the May emphasized them more. Many of the examples played were driving and exciting... And the Cyan failed to excite me, I found it lacked the urgency of the May.
What's my conclusion then... I'm gutted, honestly! The May is way out of my league and I don't aspire to ever own one. But the Cyan was supposed to be their "Ares", if you will.... 😭
After reading through a few other comments, I have discovered that a lot of people have broadly similar thoughts on this comparison.
Now I'm really curious how this would compare with the Ares 12th! In fact I'm off on a fact finding mission...🧐
As you sayd the MAY is more bombastic. But this tighter, weaker bass & low low mids give the CYAN2 the possibility to show super refined mids
Would love to see a comparison between Holo Audio Cyan 2 vs Denafrips Ares 2 12th/ Denafrips Pontus II. I own Bliss use a Denafrips Pontus as my desk system and I have been seeing if the characteristics of Holo DAC will want me to make a change. Great Review though Thank you!
I agree now. Forget about the Ares. The Cyan 2 is of value in this price range. Now what about the cheaper FX Glass dac or as more expensive a Teac NT505 which has volume and streamer 🤔
I made the jump from a Pontus to this Cyan 2. I can honestly say that they are truly special. Don't know what Holo Audio is doing but it must be some kind of magic.
I heard more body and thickness with the May. Treble and air differences, not so much.
1200.00 !!!!!!! Compared to everything else that's out there - that is going
to be very hard to beat.