For sure yes it would be an improvement over the element ii. Very large step dac wise, noticable upgrade amp wise but imo not as big as the dac (and something worth adding a higher end amp to later on). But yes easily a noticable upgrade from the element ii overall
The Holo Cyan for many I would say is damn near end game DAC wise with the review. A different amp is only going to further capitalize on the investment and allow for greater synergy with different headphones/amps in the futureā¦ or in the case maybe making sure 1 super excellent dac -> amp -> headphone synergy you will be endlessly happy with (which mind you, Bifrost 2 -> RNHP -> LCD X and Bifrost 2 -> GS X Mini -> Abyss Diana Phi are pretty close to perfect for me personally).
What do you guys think of the RNHP and Bifrost 2 as a pairing with this headphone? Gives me something solid state that I could stack and put on my deskā¦ Not trying to choose looks over performance, just trying to be realistic.
Bass will be clear, little lacking on slam but honestly for gaming youāll hear bass and wonāt be distracted by it while still performing amazing. If you ever watch a video of Rupert Neve talking analog designā¦ youāll want an RNHP because if they ever stop selling them after he diesā¦ you have a budget item that will be a standard for sound in the future.
With that said, if you find a good power supply that is clean and higher amperage, the slam issue is less. Full disclosure, M0N has not had the same experience with changing power supplies so either I got lucky or itās just in my head and M0N is right about no difference/makes the RNHP worse.
The nice part about the RNHP, for the size and simplicity nothing else sounds better IMO paired with the Bifrost 2 for the price. To praise the RNHP, itās one of the few pieces of gear many of us on the forum have and when upgrading pause for a moment or reverse the decision to sell the RNHP. Itās THAT GOOD. Up side, Iāve tried it with the Eikons and it pairs REALLY well.
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This feels like it could be an excellent non-tube option. What do you think about this idea @M0N? I like the idea of finding this setup pre-owned. Theoretically save some cash compared to the tube amp and I donāt have to worry about it being under a monitor. I also think these could potentially stack pretty well?
Thanks for talking through this guysā¦
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If you want to know what M0N thinks about RNHPā¦ I bought one due to his recommendation and searching to find out if he got commissionā¦ this sums it up. What did you buy today?
Just in case heās actually sleeping and you need immediate feedback that is.
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Donāt need immediate feedback, these Auteurās are going to take a minute to build Iām sure. That being said, I appreciate the link and advice. This feels like it might be the right way to go. Just waiting on a few other people to chime in hear and am curious to hear Zachās advice overall.
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Generally speaking, Zach usually advises against using zero impedance amps with his headphones. Heās actually mentioned the RNHP when heās discussed this:
Iāve been really happy with the RNHP, but Iāve only used it with low impedance headphones. Iām sure some models may work well as some have stated here. I havenāt tried any myself.
Iām happy enough with the RNHP that I decided not to sell the one I had listed any longer. I may re-list when I pick up a Phonitor if Iām compelled to, but Iāll be keeping on for sure. Itās just a great little amp.
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I think it would be a great non tube alternative imo, and would fit what you are after if you donāt have to have all the impact in the world. It does sound pretty solid with the zmf but Iāve only tried an eikon on an rnhp (but the eikon and auteur respond similarly to amps). Generally I might also mentioned the liquid platinum as a good choice (itās a hybrid so not full tube lol) and it does stack well with the bifrost 2, and would give you plenty of impact and slam, with a slight bit more coloration and relaxed spacious sound
How wide an eikon is to something like 1990 and also an auteur? and where the aeon 2 closed or open sits between those in width?
hmm also imaging wise all of these are similar or better than 1990?
The 1990 has a bit exaggerated width, itās fairly wide, the auteur is medium width but imo makes up for it in depth, much deeper soundstage than the 1990 (depending on the signal chain). The eikon is a bit less wide than the auteur (it also depends on the pads for the zmf as some can change perceived width). The aeon 2 closed would be the least wide imo, just decent spatial recreation imo.
In terms of imaging I think the zmf have the best imaging, followed by the 1990, and then the aeon 2 close probably has the weakest imaging in comparison
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thanks 
Yep i was waiting for someone to say it. Otherwise i would have Said it.
I mean he liked the planar one the most but wants some Bass? How about a Audezeā¦ If only the Comfort would be greatā¦ I could have said Audeze 100%
But because of that i will say:
Arya used and a Monith Liquid Plat or some other AMP recommendations that M0N can give you for it.
I Always thought i was Treble sensitive and the Arya isnt fatiguing at all for me.
Big wide soundstage great Depth Treble mids. Bass weaker than Audeze but still good.
If i want nice Bass i Always Pick Up the LCD2C and EQ a little.
This is marketed towards gaming, but it has an even tonality from what Iām told:
Pretty efficient for a planar as well.
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I think for me it would be between Arya, LCD-X and Auteur based on the feedback from everyone here. I have to say, Iām leaning heavily towards Auteur due to ZMF bias, perceived build quality enhancements and overall aesthetic preferences. There is a part of me that wonders about the LCD-X thoughā¦
On the amp/DAC side it feels like if I go LCD-X I go RNHP and Bifrost 2.
With the Auteur I could consider Tuba/Bifrost, RNHP/Bifrost, Liquid Platinum/Bifrost or Lyr 3/Bifrost,
Looks like Iām buying a Bifrost no matter what. Haha. Any advice on the best all around amp for me to go with out of these options? I feel like the Tuba is the best sound but not nearly practical enough. I like the RNHP/Bifrost is more affordable and the reputation they have. Donāt know much about the others.
What about Schiit Modius/Magnius? Too low end for this setup?
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For the liquid plat you could grab an ares ii dac for a bit more excitement, but otherwise imo the bifrost 2 is a better pairing with the amps mentioned
Would prob agree imo, I donāt know if I would say best sound but most fitting of your preferences
The liquid plat would be a balance between something smoother and more relaxed, but still have great impact and slam, with solid detail retrieval, generally would be almost inbetween the tuba and rnhp with some differences, but I think it would be a good option
The lyr 3 is a brighter leaning amp, itās going to be more on the clean and technically proficient side of things, but still has very solid timbre and also impressive impact, but for your tastes might elevate treble a bit too much
Personally canāt say I enjoyed the magnius (felt like detail was lacking, a bit too smoothed over, and also in the last days of listening strangely forward in some cases, I much prefer the asgard 3) and the modius is decent but not really on the level I would want it to be for this setup
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The modius is impressive for the price and a good āstarter dacā, but it is outclassed by the Bifrost. I can say personally the Modius does not the like the RNHP as much as I would have liked, but it does play very nice with the Asgard 3 (which I recommend over the modius).
If you wanted to go Asgard 3/Modius to ahve a little money compared to the Bifrost 2 + RNHP, I wouldnāt blame you. I would only get the Magnius IF and only IF youāre dead set on getting a THX amp (which I would suggest avoiding despite owning a THX amp still). LCD X I know would be good with that setup, I think the Auteur would still synergize well with the Asgard 3/Modius. Bifrost 2 + Asgard 3 is very good in reviews.
When it comes to the Aryaā¦ just listen to M0N since they are brighter headphones which makes all the other amp/dac pairings a greater departure from the amps listed (RNHP or Asgard 3 specifically).
With an arya imo you might end up spending more on an amp than you would want to, generally I would suggest something like a violectric v280 or auralic taurus mk2 (or some other amps that can be found used around1k). In the same 500 ish range the liquid plat would be my pick as it can give the current the arya wants, more organic timbre, and also smooth out the treble a bit
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Honestly I think we can throw Arya out. For me itās LCD-X vs Auteur. My inclination has been ZMF the entire time and I prefer their aesthetic.
The LCD-X concerns me due to weight primarily, but intrigues me significantly because I know it has excellent performance after EQ and it also can save me a potentially significant amount of cash. Iāve see these for $800ish used a few times. That being said, money is clearly relevant here, but I want the best setup I can get that meets my preferences.
How would you say the LCD-X - RNHP - Bifrost 2 setup compares to the optimal Auteur setup for me? What about compared to an Auteur without the tuba and with either the RNHP or Asgard?
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