Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC

A Little Giant with Serious High-End Ambitions

The Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC brings the sophisticated digital-to-analogue conversion philosophy of HoloAudio to a compact, beautifully engineered component designed for demanding music lovers.

Rather than relying on a conventional off-the-shelf delta-sigma DAC chip, Cyan 2 employs a true balanced, fully discrete resistor-based conversion architecture developed by HoloAudio.

This second-generation design incorporates engineering ideas developed for the company’s larger and more ambitious converters, making advanced R2R technology available in a more accessible package.

Cyan 2 supports both PCM and DSD through dedicated discrete conversion networks, bringing exceptional flexibility to contemporary digital audio playback.

High-resolution USB and I²S inputs, balanced XLR outputs, RCA connections and an elegant no-nonsense operating philosophy make this an outstanding DAC for carefully assembled high-fidelity systems.

True Balanced Discrete R2R Architecture

The Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC uses a fully discrete resistor ladder conversion architecture rather than an integrated conversion chip.

Resistor ladder DAC technology converts digital information into an analogue electrical signal through carefully controlled networks of precision resistive elements.

The exact relationship between individual resistors and their switching behaviour is critical to converter accuracy.

Cyan 2 applies HoloAudio’s specialised engineering approach to these discrete networks, supporting a true balanced signal architecture and separate analogue outputs.

The result is a technically ambitious converter that occupies a compact footprint while retaining an extensive set of digital input options.

Two Dedicated Discrete Conversion Networks

A defining characteristic of Cyan 2 is its use of two different discrete resistor network architectures:

• R2R ladder network for PCM: dedicated primary digital-to-analogue conversion for PCM audio streams.
• Vector step resistor network for DSD: a separate conversion architecture specifically developed for DSD playback.

This arrangement allows the two digital audio formats to be handled by conversion networks suited to their respective signal structures.

The manufacturer describes this as an advancement over the original Cyan, combining the characteristics of high-quality PCM resistor ladder conversion with a separate native DSD conversion topology.

Pure NOS: Non-Oversampling Digital Conversion

The Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC is designed around a Non-Oversampling, or NOS, digital conversion philosophy.

In a NOS architecture, incoming PCM samples are converted without the conventional internal digital oversampling process associated with many modern DAC architectures.

For listeners who prefer to choose their own digital filtering or upsampling strategy, this creates the opportunity to manage playback processing at the software source rather than relying on a conventional built-in digital oversampling stage.

NOS operation has its own technical characteristics, including images above the audio band and a frequency-response relationship influenced by the conversion process. The preferred result depends on the system, source material and playback configuration.

Cyan 2’s NOS design is especially appealing to listeners interested in experimenting with high-resolution digital playback and external software processing.

New-Generation De-Glitch Technology

HoloAudio incorporates an updated de-glitch approach into the Cyan 2’s discrete conversion system.

The manufacturer describes this technology as providing full-amplitude de-glitch behaviour without the unwanted increase in noise floor that can accompany less carefully controlled implementations.

According to the published specifications, the Cyan 2 achieves approximately -106 dB THD+N and a dynamic range of 127 dB in its specified PCM test condition.

These values demonstrate the technically demanding character of the company’s new-generation converter design.

High-Performance Galvanically Isolated USB Input

Cyan 2 includes a galvanically isolated USB audio input, allowing connection to compatible computers, servers, streamers and digital audio transports.

Galvanic isolation is intended to interrupt direct electrical conduction across the relevant isolation barrier, helping manage unwanted ground-related electrical interactions between connected devices.

The USB interface uses proprietary HoloAudio firmware developed for reliable data transmission and carefully controlled signal integrity.

The manufacturer reports improved USB eye-pattern measurement performance relative to its reference firmware implementation. This is an engineering measurement claim rather than a claim that subjective sound quality increases by a corresponding numerical factor.

PCM up to 1536 kHz

The USB input supports compatible PCM streams from 44.1 kHz up to 1536 kHz at a maximum stated word length of 32 bits.

Native DSD up to DSD1024

The USB interface supports native DSD64 through DSD1024 in appropriate operating system and playback software configurations.

DSD over PCM (DoP) is also supported through DSD512, subject to source software and configuration.

These are maximum supported interface formats, not a guarantee that every music source or software platform can deliver those rates.

Digital Inputs Explained

USB-B: High-Resolution Computer Audio

The galvanically isolated USB-B input provides the highest-resolution USB playback capability of Cyan 2, including native DSD1024 and PCM up to 1536 kHz in compatible configurations.

I²S via HDMI

The I²S input can receive compatible high-resolution PCM and DSD signals from dedicated digital transports or DDCs.

The HDMI-style connector carries I²S digital audio rather than conventional HDMI audio/video. Pinout compatibility must be verified before connecting equipment.

I²S connections should be made with both devices powered off, following the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

AES/EBU Balanced Digital Input

The AES/EBU connection allows compatibility with high-quality digital transports featuring an appropriate balanced digital output.

Coaxial S/PDIF

The RCA coaxial input supports compatible digital sources up to PCM 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD64 via DoP.

Optical Toslink

The optical digital input offers a convenient electrically isolated connection for compatible digital transports and audio devices, within its supported format limits.

True Balanced XLR and RCA Analogue Outputs

Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC includes both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA analogue outputs.

The manufacturer specifies a PCM NOS output level of 5.0 Vrms through XLR and 2.5 Vrms through RCA in the documented measurement condition.

The corresponding nominal levels in the specified DSD128 condition are 2.5 Vrms for XLR and 1.25 Vrms for RCA.

Output voltage therefore depends on playback format and test conditions, which should be taken into consideration when matching the DAC to sensitive amplification.

Cyan 2 is a fixed-output DAC, without a conventional integrated variable-volume preamplifier or remote control.

A Serious Internal Power Supply

The internal photographs reveal a substantial toroidal transformer and a dedicated power supply section with multiple filtering capacitors.

This reflects the manufacturer’s decision to use an integrated mains power supply rather than rely on a small external power adapter.

Careful power supply design is an important part of maintaining stable operating conditions for precision digital and analogue circuitry.

The documented power consumption is approximately 20 watts.

Mains voltage is configured for the destination market. Always consult the rating label on the underside of the unit before connecting power.

The Musical Character of HoloAudio Cyan 2

Cyan 2 brings HoloAudio’s discrete conversion philosophy to a more accessible price and size category.

Listening impressions of NOS R2R DACs often emphasise natural musical flow, tonal density, instrumental textures and a coherent presentation.

These are subjective characteristics that can vary substantially with the digital source, recording, playback software, amplification and loudspeakers.

Natural Tonal Colours

Cyan 2 is designed for listeners who value the natural body of voices and acoustic instruments, together with the subtle harmonic information contained in well-recorded music.

Musical Flow and Coherence

The NOS design is a distinctive part of the Cyan 2 listening proposition, especially for enthusiasts who prefer to manage any digital filtering or upsampling at the source.

Transparency and Microdetail

The discrete converter architecture and carefully engineered analogue outputs aim to reproduce fine musical information without relying on an exaggerated tonal signature.

Soundstage and Dynamics

The overall listening result is influenced by the quality of the recording, the source interface and the downstream system. Cyan 2 provides a technically capable foundation for high-resolution stereo playback.

International Reviews & Recognition

HoloAudio Cyan 2 has attracted attention from independent specialist audio publications for its unusual combination of discrete R2R architecture, native DSD conversion and accessible high-end positioning.

HoloAudio Cyan 2 with HoloAudio RED

One particularly attractive combination is the Cyan 2 DAC with the HoloAudio RED DDC & Network Streamer.

RED can serve as a dedicated network streaming bridge or digital-to-digital converter, while Cyan 2 performs the actual digital-to-analogue conversion.

This creates a modular digital audio system in which streaming software, digital transport functions and analogue conversion are handled by separate components.

Before using I²S over HDMI, verify the output and input pin configurations. HoloAudio’s I²S connection is not conventional HDMI audio/video.

For the broadest straightforward compatibility, USB audio is often a practical connection to consider.

Cyan 2 vs HoloAudio Spring 3

The HoloAudio Spring 3 occupies a higher position in the manufacturer’s discrete DAC range and offers additional design features and configurations.

Cyan 2 is intended to make the essential qualities of HoloAudio’s dedicated PCM and DSD conversion architecture available in a smaller, more accessible DAC.

The best choice depends on system requirements, connectivity, desired features and budget.

Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC?

Cyan 2 is a true balanced discrete resistor ladder DAC featuring separate PCM R2R and DSD resistor network conversion architectures.

Does Cyan 2 use a conventional DAC chip?

No. Its primary conversion architecture is implemented with HoloAudio’s proprietary discrete resistor networks.

Is Cyan 2 a NOS DAC?

Yes. Cyan 2 follows HoloAudio’s Non-Oversampling conversion philosophy.

Does Cyan 2 support native DSD1024?

Yes, via compatible USB and I²S playback configurations.

What is the maximum PCM resolution?

The USB and I²S inputs support PCM up to 1536 kHz and 32-bit in compatible configurations.

Can it be connected to HoloAudio RED?

Yes. RED can provide network streaming or digital transport functionality, with Cyan 2 performing digital-to-analogue conversion.

Is Cyan 2 balanced?

Yes. It uses a true balanced conversion design and provides XLR analogue outputs as well as single-ended RCA outputs.

Does it have a volume control?

No. Cyan 2 is a fixed-level DAC designed to work with suitable downstream amplification or volume control.

Does it have a remote control?

No. Input selection is automatic and the front panel uses LED indicators.

Can I connect it directly to a power amplifier?

Only when the system includes a suitable and safely configured method of controlling volume. Do not assume that the fixed outputs can be connected directly to every power amplifier.

Can Cyan 2 stream music independently?

No. It is a DAC rather than a network streamer. Use a compatible computer, digital transport or streamer such as HoloAudio RED.

Can I use a standard HDMI video source with its I²S input?

No. I²S over HDMI is a specialist digital audio interface and is not compatible with conventional HDMI audio/video signals.

What are the dimensions and weight?

The chassis measures approximately 300 × 200 × 48 mm and weighs about 3.5 kg.

Can Cyan 2 be used in Europe?

Yes, with the correctly configured 220-230 V unit. Always check the power rating label on the chassis before connecting mains power.

Official HoloAudio Cyan 2 Documentation

For detailed product specifications, operating instructions and electrical information, consult the manufacturer’s documentation:

Download Holo Audio Cyan 2 User Guide (PDF)

Availability and International Orders

Contact Chameleon Audio for Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC availability, international shipping, digital source compatibility and personalised advice for matching Cyan 2 with your amplifier, streamer or digital transport.