Holo audio Cyan DAC+Headamp Impressions thread

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Damnit I haven’t even been invoiced yet for mine. Oh well, it’s the DSD version so I guess I have to wait...

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Okay guys, DSD version first impression out of the box playing some of my reference tracks.

 

SERIOUS WINNER!

 

First impressions, off the cuff going by memory alone: wider soundstage, instruments image deeper/larger with more space between them, increase in micro-detail, better harmonic structure. Sibilance is gone.

 

Changing DSD rates does cause popping.

 

DSD512 works through Roon  + HQPlayer with no problem at all using the signed drivers on the Holo website on the Cyan product page. Thank God.

 

Is NOT detected by my PPA USB v3 which is annoying because I have to feed it from a lesser motherboard USB port. But that happens a lot so I need to troubleshoot it.

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It's a crime against humanity that such a good high-value DAC isn't getting more exposure here. The Cyan DSD is probably the best, most value I ever got out of a sub-$1,000 purchase yet. More detailed review to follow.

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Can confirm 48k rates don't work.

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On 2/7/2018 at 6:10 PM, zorntel said:

Does anyone know if the Cyan requires power through the USB cable in order to connect to the computer?

 

It appears to be a normal XMOS implementation in that regard -- yes it does appear so. Evidence: unless my PPA is being powered the Cyan will just show dashes on the LCD which means its not connected.

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I’ll note that the SRC in the Cyan DSD is very good. There isn’t a large difference between playing PCM or using HQPlayer to upsample to DSD 512.