Cayin iDAP-8 streamer and iDAC-8 DAC

[Andykong]

The Cayin iDAP-8 is a standalone Android 9.0-based music streamer with Google Play pre-installed. It does not include any DAC or analog audio circuit.

The Cain iDAC-8 is a dual timbre DAC with two AK4499EN in mono mode. It can also function as a preamplifier.

Features and Design Considerations of iDAP-8 Network Streamer

1. Features a 5-inch Full HD (1920x1080) TFT display with touch control and landscape orientation.
2. Offers 6 different digital output interfaces:
   • USB Audio (USB Type A) x2
   • I²S (HDMI Type A)
   • AES/EBU (XLR3)
   • SPDIF Coaxial-BNC (BNC)
   • SPDIF Coaxial-RCA (RCA)
   • SPDIF Optical (Toslink)
3. Supports a 2.4G/5G WLAN (WiFi) wireless network.
4. Supports a 1000M/100M/10M LAN wired network.
5. Equipped with 2 USB 3.0 type A female connectors (one on the front panel and one on the back panel), supporting playback of music files from common USB storage devices such as thumb drives, portable hard drives, and card readers. Both USB interfaces support USB Audio output.
6. Features one SD card slot, supporting up to 1TB SD/TF cards for music playback and firmware upgrades.
7. Features one USB 3.0 type B female connector for connecting to a computer for file management.
8. Supports LAN sharing, browsing, and remote playback.
9. Supports WiFi music transmission.
10. Supports global touch control via the HibyCast app.
11. Supports HiBy Link for remote control via smartphone (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection).
12. Supports BLE Bluetooth remote control.
13. Supports various high-definition Bluetooth audio decoding formats.
14. L-shaped aluminum cover plate, precision extrusion molding, CNC precision machining, fine sandblasting, and anodized surface treatment.
15. The left and right side panels feature large-area grooved heat sinks to improve heat dissipation efficiency.

Features and Design Considerations of iDAC-8 DAC/Preamplifier

1. Features a 3.3-inch 256*64 pix white OLED dot matrix display for a clear and intuitive display
2. Offers 5 different digital output interfaces:
   • USB Audio (USB Type A)
   • I²S (HDMI Type A)
   • AES/EBU (XLR3)
   • SPDIF Coaxial-BNC (BNC)
   • SPDIF Coaxial-RCA (RCA)
3. Equipped with RCA single-ended and XLR3 balanced analog audio outputs. Both output terminals support line (LINE)/preamp (PRE) output modes, and the output mode can be selected directly through buttons.
   Line and preamp output modes can be used with integrated amplifiers and pure power amplifiers. The output level of the line output is not adjustable, and the system volume needs to be adjusted by the rear-end amplifier. The output volume of the preamp output is adjustable, and it can be directly connected to a pure power amplifier.
4. The digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) uses the latest flagship AKM AK4191+AK4499EX chipset. Two AK4499EX chips are used, operating in MONO mode, with each chip responsible for one channel, and with a fully balanced architecture.
5. The volume control in the preamp mode uses a high-performance Hi-Fi-grade four-channel volume IC NJW1195AV, which accurately and synchronously controls the volume of the two channels through four channels, achieving good channel consistency.
6. Dual Timber circuit for both RCA Single-ended and XLR Balanced analog output.
7. The tube timber circuit is composed of Russian 6H16Б-B dual-triode miniature tubes.
8. Large capacity and ultra-low noise power supply system. Utilizes a high-performance toroidal power transformer designed and manufactured in-house, with a rated power of up to 45W. The main filter capacitors use six 3300uF and two 4700uF Nichicon aluminum electrolytic capacitors.
9. L-shaped aluminum cover plate, precision extrusion molding, CNC precision machining, fine sandblasting, and anodized surface treatment.
10. The left and right side panels feature large-area grooved heat sinks to improve heat dissipation efficiency.

The iDAP-8 and iDAC-8 share the same footprint as our iHA-8 solid-state headphone amplifier and HA-2A vacuum tube headphone amplifier, which means you can stack them up as a compact and yet sophisticated Desk-Fi system that occupies less than an A4 sheet.

The iDAP-8 and iDAC-8 will debut at the 2023 China Guangzhou International Headphone Expo (16-17 December 2023). We shall provide more information about the iHA-8 after the Guangzhou event.

 

[Andykong]

Reserve for FAQ and reviews

 

[Andykong]

 

[WDitters]

Wow .... I’d love to do a review on that set (IDAP-8 IDAC-8 and IHA-8)

 

[Louisiana]

Will the devices also be available in black?

 

[REXNFX]

The Cayin iDAP-8 is a standalone Android 9.0-based music streamer with Google Play pre-installed. It does not include any DAC or analog audio circuit.

The Cain iDAC-8 is a dual timbre DAC with two AK4499EN in mono mode. It can also function as a preamplifier.

Features and Design Considerations of iDAP-8 Network Streamer

1. Features a 5-inch Full HD (1920x1080) TFT display with touch control and landscape orientation.
2. Offers 6 different digital output interfaces:
   • USB Audio (USB Type A) x2
   • I²S (HDMI Type A)
   • AES/EBU (XLR3)
   • SPDIF Coaxial-BNC (BNC)
   • SPDIF Coaxial-RCA (RCA)
   • SPDIF Optical (Toslink)
3. Supports a 2.4G/5G WLAN (WiFi) wireless network.
4. Supports a 1000M/100M/10M LAN wired network.
5. Equipped with 2 USB 3.0 type A female connectors (one on the front panel and one on the back panel), supporting playback of music files from common USB storage devices such as thumb drives, portable hard drives, and card readers. Both USB interfaces support USB Audio output.
6. Features one SD card slot, supporting up to 1TB SD/TF cards for music playback and firmware upgrades.
7. Features one USB 3.0 type B female connector for connecting to a computer for file management.
8. Supports LAN sharing, browsing, and remote playback.
9. Supports WiFi music transmission.
10. Supports global touch control via the HibyCast app.
11. Supports HiBy Link for remote control via smartphone (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection).
12. Supports BLE Bluetooth remote control.
13. Supports various high-definition Bluetooth audio decoding formats.
14. L-shaped aluminum cover plate, precision extrusion molding, CNC precision machining, fine sandblasting, and anodized surface treatment.
15. The left and right side panels feature large-area grooved heat sinks to improve heat dissipation efficiency.

Features and Design Considerations of iDAC-8 DAC/Preamplifier

1. Features a 3.3-inch 256*64 pix white OLED dot matrix display for a clear and intuitive display
2. Offers 5 different digital output interfaces:
   • USB Audio (USB Type A)
   • I²S (HDMI Type A)
   • AES/EBU (XLR3)
   • SPDIF Coaxial-BNC (BNC)
   • SPDIF Coaxial-RCA (RCA)
3. Equipped with RCA single-ended and XLR3 balanced analog audio outputs. Both output terminals support line (LINE)/preamp (PRE) output modes, and the output mode can be selected directly through buttons.
   Line and preamp output modes can be used with integrated amplifiers and pure power amplifiers. The output level of the line output is not adjustable, and the system volume needs to be adjusted by the rear-end amplifier. The output volume of the preamp output is adjustable, and it can be directly connected to a pure power amplifier.
4. The digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) uses the latest flagship AKM AK4191+AK4499EX chipset. Two AK4499EX chips are used, operating in MONO mode, with each chip responsible for one channel, and with a fully balanced architecture.
5. The volume control in the preamp mode uses a high-performance Hi-Fi-grade four-channel volume IC NJW1195AV, which accurately and synchronously controls the volume of the two channels through four channels, achieving good channel consistency.
6. Dual Timber circuit for both RCA Single-ended and XLR Balanced analog output.
7. The tube timber circuit is composed of Russian 6H6b-B dual-triode miniature tubes.
8. Large capacity and ultra-low noise power supply system. Utilizes a high-performance toroidal power transformer designed and manufactured in-house, with a rated power of up to 45W. The main filter capacitors use six 3300uF and two 4700uF Nichicon aluminum electrolytic capacitors.
9. L-shaped aluminum cover plate, precision extrusion molding, CNC precision machining, fine sandblasting, and anodized surface treatment.
10. The left and right side panels feature large-area grooved heat sinks to improve heat dissipation efficiency.

The iDAP-8 and iDAC-8 share the same footprint as our iHA-8 solid-state headphone amplifier and HA-2A vacuum tube headphone amplifier, which means you can stack them up as a compact and yet sophisticated Desk-Fi system that occupies less than an A4 sheet.

The iDAP-8 and iDAC-8 will debut at the 2023 China Guangzhou International Headphone Expo (16-17 December 2023). We shall provide more information about the iHA-8 after the Guangzhou event.

Would be interested to know why you went for a two box solution over a one box solution?

 

[leylandi]

 

[WDitters]

I‘d take a Multi-Box solution any day if it looks like this …

 

[zoidbb]

I can’t find /any/ info on the tubes used in the IDAC-8. Very surprised you’re not using nutubes, which you’ve deployed three extremely successful devices with already. Can we get more info on what these tubes are, and what alternatives there may be for tube rolling?

 

[zoidbb]

The tubes are likely the same 6H16B-B that are used in the IDAC-6, after doing more research. This is... alright I guess.

I might pick one up and try to socket it, get it working with other electrically-similar tubes.

 

[Andykong]

I just came back from Guangzhou after a busy and tiring trip, the traffic between Hong Kong and Shenzhen/Guangzhou was very crowded on Sunday evening, and I am glad that I can get a train ticket on time. Some of my media friends from Hong Kong need to stay for another night in Guangzhou to avoid the peak traffic.

I'll post a brief update to explain the timing and overall concept of the new "four-piece suit", and will follow up on each product gradually. Desktop products normally have a much longer shelf time when compared to portable products such as DAP or IEM, so I'll take it easy this round, and this will also reflected in our development timeline. Please be patient and stay tuned if you happen to look for mid-range products at this form factor. Cayin will always be transparent and detailed when we announce new products, we want to make sure our customers are well-informed before they commit to our product.

First of all, what are we up to at this point? What are the outstanding tasks before we can ship the products to our customers?

All four new products have completed the R&D process; the demo at the Guangzhou International Headphone Expo is our last attempt to collect user feedback before we move into production preparation. Glad to confirm that only a minor update is required with iHA-8, so we’ll move on as scheduled. Our Production Engineers will work out a list of modifications required to transfer the hand-made prototype into something that is “productionable”, the final BOM will then go to the supply chain for material preparation, and we shall work out a production plan to accommodate small-scale trial production and subsequent mass production. The supply chain will take 6-8 weeks so we are expecting the shipment of mass production by early March 2024.

We can’t accommodate all four products in the production line concurrently, the BOM of HA-2A is relatively simple when compared to the other streamer/DAC and solid-state headphone amp., so most likely HA-2A will be the first product available to the retail market. The sequence of the other three products, iDAP-8, iDAC-8, and iHA-8 will be determined by the response time of the supply chain.

We shall provide detailed product specifications after the small-scale trail production. We have a set of measurements based on the engineering sample, but we need a bigger sample before we can put down a reliable and accurate production specification. I’ll publish the data as soon as they are available, in their respective discussion thread, so please subscribe to the thread if you are interested in a particular product, you won’t miss anything

 

[Andykong]

Will the devices also be available in black?

We don't have any plans to offer a black finish at this point. we tried a couple of black finishings during the prototype stage, but we didn't like it so far. Maybe we'll revisit this option later but that's another chapter for another year.

 

[Andykong]

Would be interested to know why you went for a two box solution over a one box solution?

I‘d take a Multi-Box solution any day if it looks like this …

A single box will have the advantage of using one set of oscillators for clock sync, hence lower jitter. The multi-box approach will allow users to pair the iDAP-8 with different DACs, or upgrade their DAC anytime when they run into something that they like. For instance, pairing iDAP-8 with CS-100DAC is also a viable option.

The iDAP-8 and IDAC-8 (and CS-100DAC as well) are equipped with I2S digital connections, if you are using them as a pair, make sure you try the I2S option, it will reduce the jitter significantly when compared to USB Audio or regular S/PDIF interface.

 

[Andykong]

I can’t find /any/ info on the tubes used in the IDAC-8. Very surprised you’re not using nutubes, which you’ve deployed three extremely successful devices with already. Can we get more info on what these tubes are, and what alternatives there may be for tube rolling?

The miniature tubes in iDAP-8 are used as a buffer in the timbre circuit, it is a different circuit design when compared to Nutubes in our C9 portable amplifier or DAPs.

We have designed many DAC or CD players with tube output stages, they are well-received in the speaker-based audiophile community, but none of them are Nutube-based. Nutube is a good choice to serve as the first amplification stage of an amplified circuit, but there are other better choices when we want to add tube timbre in DAC and CD players.

 

[DrDen]

The iDAP-8 and IDAC-8 (and CS-100DAC as well) are equipped with I2S digital connections, if you are using them as a pair, make sure you try the I2S option, it will reduce the jitter significantly when compared to USB Audio or regular S/PDIF interface.

As an owner of iDAP-6 I’m really interested in what advantages your new device can give me. I use it for about 2,5 years as a source with some way more expensive DACs via I2S, and can confirm that it is the best way. Even no name old HDMI cable sounds better than branded coaxial one. PS Audio pinout is the most common—no need for custom cables. And HibyLink is very convenient.