Cayin CS-100DAC - massive new DAC with selectable tube output stage

[project86]

I really like the Cayin and the Yggy (haven't heard the MIB yet but the OG and LIM are both excellent). The iDSD is an enjoyable DAC as well but imho not quite in the same league as the other two.

The Cayin will get you a more tweakable sound, if that might appeal to you. Digital filter adjustments give the usual tiny changes that can be tough to notice at first, but the tube vs SS output is more tangible. And beyond that you can swap opamps as well as roll the 6922 tubes for a pretty drastic change in character if you want.

Meanwhile the Yggy does give you selectable NOS mode which can be interesting in and of itself, depending on your preferences and the rest of your setup. Tough decision between them, I really enjoy both devices.

 

[Trickness]

It’s a little weird that Cayin didn’t really seem to promote this product at all and now there’s a new generation of DAC that they are promoting. But then again, they do seem to consistently bring new stuff to the marketplace.

 

[project86]

My impression is that Cayin is very focused on promoting their "personal audio" gear, which includes their DAPs and their desktop gear including the tube headphone amps.

Meanwhile the CS100-DAC is part of their "home audio" line, and from that line I have mainly seen marketing/reviews for the tube amps or tube integrated devices. The big source gear like the very nice looking M-50CD or CS100-DAC don't seem to get as much love. Same with the huge M-845i integrated - it has tubes as well but they aren't out front like the other designs, and for whatever reason I have heard/seen very little about that device. It may not even come in voltages other than 220V so that might be part of the problem but even so, I am unsure why some things get marketing and some don't seem to get much/any.

 

[thecrow]

Debating between these three:

Cayin CS-100
Schiit YGGY MIB
IFI IDSD Signature

Ifi Idsd is losing because I am thinking I am paying extra for features I wont use.

Any comments? Any other DACS under 3K to consider?

Hi grizzlybeast. Long time no hear. Hope all is well.

One dac that has been making some waves under 3k is the laiv harmony dac. Maybe worth having a look at that as well.

And if looking for a stremer/dac there’s the eversolo dmp a8 where i have read a couple of reviews say tge dac is comparable with a $2k dac.

I haven’t heard either

 

[project86]

I have the Eversolo DMP-A8 here along side the Cayin CS-100DAC. Both are very impressive in their own ways.

The Eversolo is extremely competent for an all-in-one streamer/DAC with tons of connectivity and a highly polished user experience. It's everything I love about the DMP-A6 with additional connectivity, a notably better DAC section, and a true preamp as well. It honestly feels like it should have a higher price tag based on the totality of what it offers.

The Cayin sounds better as a traditional DAC - it hits harder, digs deeper into the music, and presents a more spacious, open performance with superior layering. But again, it's mostly "just" a DAC, as the preamp part is not really my favorite.

I wish I could combine the streamer and preamp parts of the DMP-A8 into the Cayin, that would be the ideal device.

 

[thecrow]

I have the Eversolo DMP-A8 here along side the Cayin CS-100DAC. Both are very impressive in their own ways.

The Eversolo is extremely competent for an all-in-one streamer/DAC with tons of connectivity and a highly polished user experience. It's everything I love about the DMP-A6 with additional connectivity, a notably better DAC section, and a true preamp as well. It honestly feels like it should have a higher price tag based on the totality of what it offers.

The Cayin sounds better as a traditional DAC - it hits harder, digs deeper into the music, and presents a more spacious, open performance with superior layering. But again, it's mostly "just" a DAC, as the preamp part is not really my favorite.

I wish I could combine the streamer and preamp parts of the DMP-A8 into the Cayin, that would be the ideal device.

How do you rate the dmp a8 as streamer only?

I’m looking at adding an “affordable” streamer to my setup that has the holo may, after having had to sell my aries g2.1 last year.
Currently simply using my ipad or laptop.

 

[project86]

How do you rate the dmp a8 as streamer only?

I’m looking at adding an “affordable” streamer to my setup that has the holo may, after having had to sell my aries g2.1 last year.
Currently simply using my ipad or laptop.

It's an excellent streamer, and I feel it does offer a notable sonic improvement over the DMP-A6, even when used just as a transport. However it also feels kind of wasteful to use just a single feature of such a multi-faceted device.

For the price I would also consider more single-role dedicated streaming transports such as the Matrix Element S or the Stack Audio Link II with the matching Volt PSU. Those sound arguably better if you really dig deep and focus on your listening. But the DMP-A8 is not far behind, and has such an excellent UI/touchscreen/etc that it might be worth it anyway.

 

[grizzlybeast]

Hi grizzlybeast. Long time no hear. Hope all is well.

One dac that has been making some waves under 3k is the laiv harmony dac. Maybe worth having a look at that as well.

And if looking for a stremer/dac there’s the eversolo dmp a8 where i have read a couple of reviews say tge dac is comparable with a $2k dac.

I haven’t heard either

thanks for the recommendation!

 

[grizzlybeast]

I really like the Cayin and the Yggy (haven't heard the MIB yet but the OG and LIM are both excellent). The iDSD is an enjoyable DAC as well but imho not quite in the same league as the other two.

The Cayin will get you a more tweakable sound, if that might appeal to you. Digital filter adjustments give the usual tiny changes that can be tough to notice at first, but the tube vs SS output is more tangible. And beyond that you can swap opamps as well as roll the 6922 tubes for a pretty drastic change in character if you want.

Meanwhile the Yggy does give you selectable NOS mode which can be interesting in and of itself, depending on your preferences and the rest of your setup. Tough decision between them, I really enjoy both devices.

preciate it

 

[grizzlybeast]

When I first posted this, I was seeing them for sale on ZMF website. Other places. Now I cannot find them anywhere. Was there a recall? @Andykong can you explain?

 

[Andykong]

We didn't recall any product. If you have seen the DAC on sales with ZMF previously, maybe you can give them an email checking for the latest price and availability.

 

[grizzlybeast]

We didn't recall any product. If you have seen the DAC on sales with ZMF previously, maybe you can give them an email checking for the latest price and availability.

Thank you Andy, I am a fan of your products. I have ordered one. I have been out of the hobby for over 5 years, and after poking around, I have chosen this as my end game DAC. I like how it also has a preamp.

I was also looking at your amps, but ended up with the ampsandsound Mogwai SE 2 latest revision. Only because there was not much information on your tube amps and I am familiar with the Mogwai. Nowadays I don’t see as many reviews on products as I used to. I really only purchased the CS-DAC because I don’t like the name schiit, and like the preamp and Project86 recommended it. You ought to get these in some reviewers hands to compare to some more popular gear.

 

[project86]

Thank you Andy, I am a fan of your products. I have ordered one. I have been out of the hobby for over 5 years, and after poking around, I have chosen this as my end game DAC. I like how it also has a preamp.

I was also looking at your amps, but ended up with the ampsandsound Mogwai SE 2 latest revision. Only because there was not much information on your tube amps and I am familiar with the Mogwai. Nowadays I don’t see as many reviews on products as I used to. I really only purchased the CS-DAC because I don’t like the name schiit, and like the preamp and Project86 recommended it. You ought to get these in some reviewers hands to compare to some more popular gear.

Nice, let us know your thoughts once you get some time spent with it. I'm still really enjoying it and feel like it's completely underappreciated compared to many other popular DACs which I've tried but don't like as much.

And once you get a feel for the DAC in stock form, there's always tube rolling and opamp swapping to mix it up even more. I've had great results with tubes and am about to start trying opamps soon.

 

[grizzlybeast]

Nice, let us know your thoughts once you get some time spent with it. I'm still really enjoying it and feel like it's completely underappreciated compared to many other popular DACs which I've tried but don't like as much.

And once you get a feel for the DAC in stock form, there's always tube rolling and opamp swapping to mix it up even more. I've had great results with tubes and am about to start trying opamps soon.

I will try. Don’t have the same experience.

 

[thecrow]

It's an excellent streamer, and I feel it does offer a notable sonic improvement over the DMP-A6, even when used just as a transport. However it also feels kind of wasteful to use just a single feature of such a multi-faceted device.

For the price I would also consider more single-role dedicated streaming transports such as the Matrix Element S or the Stack Audio Link II with the matching Volt PSU. Those sound arguably better if you really dig deep and focus on your listening. But the DMP-A8 is not far behind, and has such an excellent UI/touchscreen/etc that it might be worth it anyway.

John, without going too far off thread, i had bought the matrix x sabre pro 2 a while ago but found the dac too sterile/clinical / not musical enough for me.

Does this matrix element s bring with it a character like that?

If so, it may not be what i am after in sound

let me know what you think the matrix streamer brings.

Thanks in advance
Peter