Cayin N6ii, Unlimited Possibilities: a fully modularized smart DAP

[Vitaly2017]

To my ears, the sound comparison only makes sense when it is relative to a specific IEM or pair of headphones. DAC/amp card doesn't have a sound. What we hear is a synergy between the source and the sound sig of a specific headphone/earphone relative to its design. It will all depend on a pair up, where perhaps class A/AB amp might drive and synergize better with some dynamic driver or planar magnetic drivers, while other amp might work better with multi-BA or hybrid iems.

I just did a quick A/B comparison of Fourte Noir w/1960 4wire between E02 and T01, and per your question of "Which of the 2 motherboard offer better airiness, sound stage and details retrieval with best layering and nuances? T01 or E02?" I find T01 to be better in this particular pair up

T01 won ??? dang poor E02 Thanks so much for such comparison and you where very fast When I heard T01 I felt the magic right away! You reconfirmed it thank you.


I would have another question not sure if you have the plenue L ? I know its a warm sounding dap to and no android. I wonder how n6iiT01 compares in the same department of comparison.
" airiness, sound stage and details retrieval with best layering and nuances "

Thank you @twister6

 

[qsk78]

Interesting, I ended up selling my T01 since A01 better pairs with my S-EM6 v2...LOL
So, A01 is the first and the best motherboad))

Seriously speaking, what is the difference in tonality between T01 and E02?
T01 to me has a bump in the subbass area and it is bright to some extend.
How about the E02 in that regard?

 

[Taz777]

Interesting, I ended up selling my T01 since A01 better pairs with my S-EM6 v2...LOL
So, A01 is the first and the best motherboad))

After several weeks of listening to the E01, I installed the A01 yesterday to remind myself what it sounded like. Honestly, I enjoyed the sound more. The E01 sounded more detailed and clear with my beyerdynamic Xelentos, but the A01 sounds more musical.

It’s all about synergy - your ears, cables, headphones, apps you use, music tracks that you play and the emotional reaction that your brain produces.

 

[thecrow]

Interesting, I ended up selling my T01 since A01 better pairs with my S-EM6 v2...LOL
So, A01 is the first and the best motherboad))

Seriously speaking, what is the difference in tonality between T01 and E02?
T01 to me has a bump in the subbass area and it is bright to some extend.
How about the E02 in that regard?

I recently demoed (review unit) the a01 and t01 and i preferred the a01. It was not a hard decision for me based on my personal preferences

review to come

 

[NYanakiev]

@Andykong any chance you guys can change this? Roon on n6ii is only using the default Android output at the moment...

Many thanks in advance!

Looking forward to your input @Andykong

I suppose it's also a general question about why use the capabilities of the player in a few select apps versus applying a system level setting.

 

[twister6]

After several weeks of listening to the E01, I installed the A01 yesterday to remind myself what it sounded like. Honestly, I enjoyed the sound more. The E01 sounded more detailed and clear with my beyerdynamic Xelentos, but the A01 sounds more musical.

It’s all about synergy - your ears, cables, headphones, apps you use, music tracks that you play and the emotional reaction that your brain produces.

EXACTLY!!! I personally don't see it as one card being better than the other, but I prefer pair up of one card better than the other with specific IEMs.

 

[qsk78]

Looking forward to your input @Andykong

I suppose it's also a general question about why use the capabilities of the player in a few select apps versus applying a system level setting.

Hey, I installed Roon Remote to the n6ii. It works as it should like any other phone on Android
Here is a screenshot - the source is my desktop Violectric DAC



Did you select the Zone? Right corner in the bottom on the front page.

 

[Currawong]

To me, the A01 is a touch smoother in general. The T01 a bit more musical, with notes extending out longer. The E01 and E02 are a bit "clearer" sounding. The E01 is a bit more dynamic in Class A/B mode, but loses a bit of precision to the sound.

I preferred the musicality of the T01 compared to the A01, but it sounded a bit less precise after listening with the E01 in Class A, or E02.

I think the modules do a very fine job of bringing out the best characteristics of each DAC. I'm going to try a few pairs of IEMs and headphones with each module, hopefully without getting listening fatigue. There's something to be said for finding good synergy.

 

[lumdicks]

https://www.headfonia.com/cayin-audio-motherboards-review/

A review of Headfonia on N6ii with all audio motherboards for your information. I own all boards except E01 and I agreed with every words of the review, and E02 is a choice of no brainer.

 

[NYanakiev]

Hey, I installed Roon Remote to the n6ii. It works as it should like any other phone on Android
Here is a screenshot - the source is my desktop Violectric DAC



Did you select the Zone? Right corner in the bottom on the front page.

I don't see the n6ii listed as a playback source when using Roon with another device.

Also, when playing music with the Cayin, I see a green light in the signal path, which indicates that the default Android audio driver is being utilised.

 

[immortalsoul]

Hi, if any of you guys have an A01 module that you don't need and want to sell for a good price shoot me a PM, I might be interested in buying one. I am located in US. Thank you!

 

[Sound Eq]

hi @Andykong what is the latest chinese firmware is there no update like the english version

 

[Mastermind]

My two cents) I've listened to E01 for couple of months and switched back to A01 to for the sake of comparison (single-ended output in A01 as well). A01 sounds a bit smoother, more musical and has more touch of warmth than E01, while the latter comes with wider and more holographic sound stage, better separation. A01 puts slight emphasis on midbass and E01bass response is more linear. In its turn, treble in E01 feel a bit more pronounced with faster attacks (in AB mode), although in general treble quality is high in both cases. Class A in E01 is awesome, however it does not suit all the genres equally. To conclude, I love both modules and they provide perfect synergy with my IEMs (Acoustune 1551, Periodic Be etc.), but E01 feels like a step forward in overall comparison as it keeps that great musical juicy sound of A01, while adding extra goodies.

 

[Taz777]

I think the A01 module is quite underrated. I'm really enjoying it again!

 

[glassmonkey]

Right now I'm listening to a fully burned in E02, and I love it. I've got the E02 outputting into a Unique Melody Mason V3, and it may be the best pairing with this particular IEM. The stage is big, the bass has excellent impact and texture. There is no hint of grain or veil anywhere, it's just crazy transparent. When I first hooked up the E02 the soundstage wasn't fully integrated, there was a bit of left/right/centre zone effect going on without the connective tissue bringing them together. Now it's all whole. Treating myself to some Daft Punk - Instant Crush. I really like the E02 with the AME Custom Gravitas too. There is a very nice openess to the centre of the soundstage with great instrument separation and articulation. Speed with my crackhead Billy Cobham - Quadrant 4 track keeps up nicely, showing everything the UM Mason V3 has to offer, but with a touch more impact on the percussion than I remember on the QP2R (will have to have this track in against QP2R for proper review). I listened to Generationals albums for hours on this combo and it just pops with texture all over the place. This is a big winner for me so far.

I think the main complaint I have at this point is a lack of volume control range on sensitive IEMs. I think Cayin should actually have the low gain set more like an ultra-low gain mode. On tracks from Perturbator, or other LOUD music, I have to drop the volume all the way down to the 30s. Almost all IEMs are well-covered by low gain. I haven't tested yet with the RHA CL1, I hope 4-pin mini XLR to 2.5mm TRRS adapter still works. The CL1 is harder to drive than many planars, so should be an interesting test. Sendy Aiva wasn't hard to drive with E02. Will test HD600 too.