since there are a number of other reviews describing this dap, its layout, ui, etc, i will confine myself to some observations about sq and relative value.
 
my main points of comparison are the ibasso dx90- the first dap i got, and the questyle qp1r- the last dap i got.  the n6 was in between in every sense:
 
1. bass - it was only after i listened to the n6 that i realized that the dx90 bass was somewhat loose and bloated.  the n6 has a tightly controlled bass with rich tone and deep extension.
 
2. mids- solid mids, in no way recessed, with rich tone.
 
3. treble- i am a little dissatisfied with the n6's treble.  it has good extension but is thin and lacks much texture.  this was made clear to me when i got the qp1r, which has a richer treble.
 
4. soundstage- i agree with those who describe the n6's soundstage as very wide but not very deep.
 
5. imaging- the n6 provides terrific placement of each source.  there is a sense of air around each instrument, as if there is a space surrounding each instrument as a kind of frame.  this is in contrast with both the dx90 and the qp1r.  the dx90 sounds a bit congested when a/b'd with the n6.  the qp1r doesn't have that air framing each source.  it is not congested, but it is as if the sound exactly fills the space.
 
6. value- the dx90 is solid value at $400.  at times the n6 is available for $500 - see the price graph at camelcamelcamel dot com.  if you want the n6 at that price you can set a price alarm there.  that's how i bought mine, and i think that for $500 the n6 is an even greater value than the dx90.  this assumes you don't mind the bigger form factor, the heavier weight, and the ability to swap batteries.  the qp1r has the best sq, but costs $900.  there are people in the qp1 thread saying that they perceive the qp1r as having better sq than than the ak240.  but if you're shopping in the high end realms of the 901s, the ak240, and the lotoo paw gold, then you're probably not even reading this review, but if you are you should consider the qp1r.  if, otoh, you are comparing daps in the dx90 price range relative to the n6 at $500, remember that the n6 gives you terrific sound with enormous bang for the buck.   if you are comparing the dx90 @400 to the n6 at the $600 it usually sells for, then it's more a value judgement.  the n6 definitely has the better sq but is 50% more expensive.  

 
     
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
Around 6 months ago on Head-fi forums I was greeted by a Cayin representative after enquiring about touring their recently popular Cayin N6 audiophile player. The guys from Cayin are some of the friendliest, helpful people active on Head-fi forums I’ve come across and agreed to send the Cayin for our Australian tour.
 
Cayin N6 features dual PCM1792A DAC chips, compatible with both PSM and DSD operation. It uses a Texas Instrument PGA231 volume chip to cater for all situations. When I first saw Cayin N6 on Head-fi I think many people took a step back at its unique yet a little ‘freaky’ looking design.
 
 
Pricing: $600 USD (roughly)
 
Available on Amazon.com and selected retailers.
 
 
 
 
 
Specifications:
 
 

Headphone Out​
Maximum Output Power​	​	220mW +220 mW @ 32 Ω Load
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)​	​	≤ 0.005%
Dynamic Range​	​	110dB
Signal-to-Noise Ration (SNR)​	​	109dB
Output Impedance​	​	0.26 Ω
Line Out​
Maximum Output Power​	​	1.7V @ 10 kΩ Load
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)​	​	0.004%
Dynamic Range​	​	110dB
Signal-to-Noise Ration (SNR)​	​	109dB
​	​
Coaxial​
Rated Power Output​	​	0.5V @ 75 Ω Load (1V No Load)
Output Impedance ​	​	75ohms
​	​
Other Specs​
Maximum Sampling Rate​	​	24Bit/192KHz
Format Support​	​	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV (24Bit 192kHz), FLAC (24Bit 192kHz), CUE (Need to combine WAV, FLAC and APE whole track files)
Battery​	​	5600mAh 3.7V Li-Po
Weight​	​	225g

 
 
Packaging:
 
The product arrives in a nicely dressed 'flip top' box, with a professional presentation, that feeling you really get satisfaction, opening something of great value and prestige. Excellent presentation of delivery and appearence for your money.
 

 
 
You’re given some nice accessories, one of which is a key chain and a nice looking card reader, a touch of 'class'
 
 
 
The accessories included are:
 

1. Micro USB Charge / Data Cable
2. Coax adapter
3. USB Stick (with drivers)
4. Screen protector
5. Manual and paperwork (including warranty card)
6. Metal keychain
7. Silicon Protection Case

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Cayin N6 is a bizarre looking player, I’ve read people describe it as a portable DVD player, a porthole to ‘outer space’ and several other strange terms. It has a solid weighty build that contains a carbon fiber back plate and aircraft grade aluminum casing which makes it quite a hefty unit, apparently the material is used to absorb some of the heat produced when Cayin’s in operation. (which can become warm)
 

 
 

 
The button layout is not common on any other audiophile players I’m aware of, you have your selection buttons on the front, a jog wheel on the side which you can use to scroll and select volume under certain circumstances, the jog wheel also presses ‘in’ so you can make a selection or entry.
 
On top of you the unit you have your headphone out, line out, coax out and power button, everything in place more in line with your everyday player. On the bottom there is a micro sd card slot (up to 128gb) and your micro USB port for charging and data transfer, finally on the right hand (top) side your volume up/down buttons. The screen with its round window also plays some tricks as the actual viewing screen inside is ‘square’ not round as the casing had you believe.
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
User Interface (UI):
 
The interface on Cayin N6 seems familiar, there are many options in the setting menu I’ve seen on FiiO players, especially some of the system settings and music settings. Due to button operation and ‘one click’ sequence its not the fasted player to move around and there can be a short delay when trying to move with hast. Overall the user experience is more than suitable and far above many a player I’ve used in the past. There’s something about using N6  with its appearance and entity you forgive the quirks around navigating and come to love the player in its full form.(most of the time)
 
When you switch the player on you’re greeted by a circular home screen which has quite a few options to choose from, the layout is unique compared to many players because you rotate a small record around and around to make your selection.
 
These selections are:
 

1. Playing now
2. Music Library
3. Music Category
4. System settings
5. Music settings

 
 
 

 
 
Battery Life:
 
With such a strong amp section inside Cayin something has to give and that’s the run times which are apparently around 7-8 hours, even though N6 uses a 5600mAh battery it needs to supply much of the juice to run its internals, this also lends towards the 225grams weight of the unit. I haven’t completed full battery tests but the unit will get you through most of the day and the battery level shows an accurate ‘percentage on screen’ kind of like you see on Android smartphones so you will know exactly what you’re looking at.
 
DAC Capabilities:
 
While I haven’t tried the DAC feature myself Cayin can connect to your laptop or PC and be used as an outboard soundcard, this seems to be a great selling feature on many players these days.  You change a setting in the menu and select your USB mode, either to ‘DAC’ or ‘USB’. Personally, I don’t listen at the computer, while the feature is welcome I really don’t require such things. For me, an audiophile  player is for portability, listening to music ‘on the go’.
 
Folder browsing / selecting music.
 
You can select your files two ways using N6, you can use the old school method (which I use) selecting single folders from the directory, or you can scan your card working on tag format, (artist, album, genre, songs, recently played songs,). For me, I really don’t use these features for tag browsing, but again it’s a big selling point for many players in 2015 and onwards so definitely welcome.
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Sound Quality:
 
 
Headphones / IEMs used:
 

1. Fidue A83
2. Tralucent 1Plus2
3. Etymotic ER4S
4. Grado 325e

 
Files used:
 

1. 16/44 FLAC

 
 
Time to put those dual PCM PCM1792A DAC chips to work. The sound of Cayin is well refined and quite detailed, its especially capable in resolution and creating a great level of dynamics. Areas like the black space behind the music are apparent and easily ‘felt’ as they’re heard. Many players will have some hissing with low impedance IEMs, though the Cayin is dead silent for me. Technically the player is overly confident in separation and layering around the soundstage. Its little things like these technical aspects which create the greatness you’ll find in N6’s sound performance.
 
 
The bass is tight (quite tight) and well textured, it especially makes my iBasso DX90’s bass sound loose and lacking control, I’ll say much of this comes down to the strong amp section inside Cayin N6, its especially holding that tight refinement and bass control.  Moving onto the mid-range the tonality is just a little bright (just a little) which creates a great sense of clarity yet the note weight is neither thick nore thin. Very good balance inside the mid-range weight in correspondence with bass / treble.
 
One of the main areas to mention about the Cayin is its classy timbre and presentation, the entire sound while uncoloured makes instruments sound very ‘professional’ or grown up, a mature mans portable bliss. Its this area which wins me over with the N6, playing some live Michel Jonasz tracks the entire atmosphere in combination with the timbre makes it sound extremely ‘classy’. I don’t hear this sound from all players, but a few products come to mind like Tralucent’s DacAmp One.
 
One area I don’t hear quite like others is the soundstage width, its reported by many to be very wide and expansive, while I hear a decent width stage its not the most expansive I’ve heard. Using an IEM like my hyrbid Tralucent 1Plus2 its staging is usually extremely wide with many of my players, yet with the Cayin I don’t hear the width its capable of. Its in no way a deal breaker, just something which doesn’t line up for me among all the impressions and reviews.
 
 
Conclusion:
 
I feel what Cayin have produced is a highly capable player in terms of sound quality (highly capable), they have one of the craziest designers I’ve ever come across and admire them for it. However, there are a few things which hold Cayin N6 back from being the portable player it could be. The weight is considerably heavy for true portability or being pocket-friendly and the user interface is becoming a little dated for 2015. There are many touch screen audiophile players on the market now surfacing almost weekly, with the likes of stiff competition I really hope Cayin can delve into the touch screen interface with their future products or they may get left behind. Maybe they like this approach which I totally understand though people are all about ease of use these days and its something like this which could be the deciding factor between choosing player A or B. With that said ,the Cayin N6 is a highly capable sounding unit well worth its cost in parts, materails and internals used, also sound quality. The individual will need to decide if its for them and their application.
 
 
I’d like to thank Cayin for allowing the Australian tour to go ahead.
They’re some of the nicest people I’ve come across on Head-fi and enjoy seeing them remain active here.
 
 
 

Firstly, I'd like to thank H20Fidelity for including me on this product tour of the Cayin N6. I've had a little over a week with the Cayin N6, which is nowhere near the time to fully evaluate gear of this calibre, but I'll do my best to give it justice. Please take everything I say with a grain of salt.

 

 

 

Introduction

I've audition a fair few different DAPs in the past year or so and mostly every player seems to bring something unique to the table. The Cayin N6 is no exception. First impressions are very important, and the N6 is really stunning from the get go. From the quality of the packaging materials, to the presentation and the build quality of the N6 itself, it is all very premium giving you a very satisfying unboxing experience. Unfortunately where player's downfall lies is the execution of the user interface and it's somewhat slouchy and slow nature. I don't know if it is the CPU or the optimisation of the operating system, it is one aspect that made my time with the N6 not so pleasant. Though not is all lost, as the N6 really steps up to the plate where it matters most. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A little about the Cayin N6

More info at http://penonaudio.com/Cayin-N6
 
 
 

 

Conclusion

The Cayin N6 is one of the best sounding DAPs that I have had the pleasure to audition. This should've been an experience to cherish, but instead I was constantly annoyed by the very slow user experience that I got instead. I do hope that the devs at Cayin fix this responsiveness issue, and if they do, they will surely solidify the N6 as one of the best out there in the category.
 
I'd like to add that the N6 will get a solid 4.5 stars if the devs sort out the lag issue.
 
Cheers!