Cayin N6ii, Unlimited Possibilities: a fully modularized smart DAP

[Andykong]

Hmm, looks like Cayin has changed their policy...
In April, I asked for a firmware release to fix the Apple Music "rooted device" issue, and received the following response:

The new firmware is welcome, but for me it's toooooooooooooooooo late now.

We can't offer an update at that time because we need to keep MQA support, we promised MQA support when we market N6ii, and we cannot take that away to provide a remedial to the new "anti-root policy" of Apple Music. You can call us inflexible, but that's how we stand by our promise to our customers.

We can only offer this firmware when Tidal gives up MQA completely, and that's only a fortnight ago.

 

[Lu88]

We can't offer an update at that time because we need to keep MQA support, we promised MQA support when we market N6ii, and we cannot take that away to provide a remedial to the new "anti-root policy" of Apple Music. You can call us inflexible, but that's how we stand by our promise to our customers.

We can only offer this firmware when Tidal gives up MQA completely, and that's only a fortnight ago.

After reading your replies (post #8,176 & #8,184), I understand Cayin does not provide any FW updates for discontinued products, and that's a Cayin's support policy. So I gave up expecting a new FW for N6ii.

Now can I say Cayin will keep providing FW updates also for discontinued products as possible? Or is this N6ii FW update release just an exception? That will be important to me in deciding whether to purchase Cayin products in the future.

One more question:
Regarding the unsolvable MQA issue, is it specific to N6ii only? (Or same on other Cayin DAPs like N30LE, N8ii and N7?)

Other manufacturers like HiBy, iBasso, Shanling, etc. have also released FW updates to fix Apple Music compatibility issues, but I don't think they mentioned the MQA issue on their DAPs. (Cayin also doesn't mention it officially though.)

 

[Omshanti]

HI Andykong. Thanks a lot for the firmware. Much appreciated. I have updated the N6ii. Even now the Apple Music is playing up, when I log in through the usual Apple ID, it insists on buying a plan, even though I am already in an active plan. I have uninstalled/reinstalled etc but the issue is persisting. Anyone else who has faced the same issue ? Anything I'm missing ? Anyone who's properly playing Apple Music? TIA
Regards

 

[Andykong]

After reading your replies (post #8,176 & #8,184), I understand Cayin does not provide any FW updates for discontinued products, and that's a Cayin's support policy. So I gave up expecting a new FW for N6ii.

Now can I say Cayin will keep providing FW updates also for discontinued products as possible? Or is this N6ii FW update release just an exception? That will be important to me in deciding whether to purchase Cayin products in the future.

One more question:
Regarding the unsolvable MQA issue, is it specific to N6ii only? (Or same on other Cayin DAPs like N30LE, N8ii and N7?)

Other manufacturers like HiBy, iBasso, Shanling, etc. have also released FW updates to fix Apple Music compatibility issues, but I don't think they mentioned the MQA issue on their DAPs. (Cayin also doesn't mention it officially though.)

How about HERE?

The conflict only happens with the Snapdragon 425 platform, it doesn't affect DAP with the 6 series Snapdragon MCU, so the DAP you mentioned is not affected.

Your question is tricky, I can only respond with "no comment". Otherwise, someone will quote my response 10 years later saying it is Cayin's policy to provide new firmware to discontinued products, .....

 

[Andykong]

HI Andykong. Thanks a lot for the firmware. Much appreciated. I have updated the N6ii. Even now the Apple Music is playing up, when I log in through the usual Apple ID, it insists on buying a plan, even though I am already in an active plan. I have uninstalled/reinstalled etc but the issue is persisting. Anyone else who has faced the same issue ? Anything I'm missing ? Anyone who's properly playing Apple Music? TIA
Regards

Can other Apple Music users chime in? I am not an Apple Music subscriber, so I can't test my N6ii on this problem.

 

[Omshanti]

Can other Apple Music users chime in? I am not an Apple Music subscriber, so I can't test my N6ii on this problem.

Hi. It is working perfectly from today morning. One of those happy accidents I believe . Now fully sorted and thanks again for the effort on your part to breathe new life into that very capable DAP. Really appreciate .
Cheers

 

[claudy]

Announcement of Cayin N6ii firmware v2.6EN

New Functions and System Optimization

1. Resolved the issue preventing the latest version of Apple Music from functioning properly.
2. Added system-level PEQ functionality.
3. Other optimizations and modifications.

The new firmware is available HERE.
or if you are familiar with the local update procedure of N6ii, you can download the firmware package from our Google Drive HERE.

Firmware Upgrades Procedures

Cayin will release a firmware update to enhance and optimize N6ii as deemed required. Users can update v2.6 firmware through local updates (OTA is no longer available). To manually download the firmware, please visit the Personal Audio section of the Firmware/Driver Download page in the Support Center of the Cayin website.

Please make sure the device has sufficient battery power before you proceed. Please check the device has not less than 30% battery power, otherwise please charge up the player before you proceed to the firmware update.

Local Update Procedures

1. Download the latest firmware upgrade package from Cayin's official website, you should receive a compressed file as XXXX.zip that contains the N6ii firmware.​
2. Decompress the zip file and extract the N6ii firmware file.
3. Copy the firmware file into the root directory of N6ii internal memory or TF card, and insert the TF card into N6ii before you proceed to the next step.
4. Enter the Settings menu, then proceed to “System” -> “Wireless Update”.
5. Press the “┇” icon on the top right corner of the screen.
6. Select “Local updates” in the pull-down menu.
7. Proceed to the directory where the firmware file is located, then select the firmware file.
8. Press “INSTALL NOW”.
9. Press “OK” at the pop-up dialogue, and the system will start installing the new firmware.

If you are unfamiliar with the procedure, the firmware announcement page on the Cayin website has provided screen captures from Step (5) to Step (9) for your reference.

Since i am not a streamer but at least all I can say is xie xie cayin

 

[3388]

Hi , currently pairing Sony iem z1r with n6iit01, listen to orchestral music, looking for a iem replacement at USD 1000-1500 range,any suggestions please

 

[jprenaud78]

Z1R are good. You are disapointed ? Another signature?

 

[3388]

Z1R are good. You are disapointed ? Another signature?

yes absolutely, but the connection contact with cables starts malfunctioning due to age

 

[jprenaud78]

That s my terror
Here a link about à french handmade iem
https://www.alambic-ears.com/

https://www.alambic-ears.com/produits-et-services

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/alambic-ears-mentawai.26769/reviews

 

[Raketen]

yes absolutely, but the connection contact with cables starts malfunctioning due to age

tried deoxit?

 

[jprenaud78]

tried deoxit?

Did you try it with mmcx contact

 

[memlock]

Local Update Procedures

1. Download the latest firmware upgrade package from Cayin's official website, you should receive a compressed file as XXXX.zip that contains the N6ii firmware.​
2. Decompress the zip file and extract the N6ii firmware file.
3. Copy the firmware file into the root directory of N6ii internal memory or TF card, and insert the TF card into N6ii before you proceed to the next step.
4. Enter the Settings menu, then proceed to “System” -> “Wireless Update”.
5. Press the “┇” icon on the top right corner of the screen.
6. Select “Local updates” in the pull-down menu.
7. Proceed to the directory where the firmware file is located, then select the firmware file.
8. Press “INSTALL NOW”.
9. Press “OK” at the pop-up dialogue, and the system will start installing the new firmware.

If you are unfamiliar with the procedure, the firmware announcement page on the Cayin website has provided screen captures from Step (5) to Step (9) for your reference.

Thank you for the firmware update; it helped resolve the Apple Music issue.
The only remark is that there's an incorrect second step in your instructions in the post. It should state that you do not need to decompress the ZIP archive.

 

[Andykong]

The long-awaited N6iii is coming, if you'll attend the CanJam Socal 2024, make sure you drop by the MusicTeck booth to check out the engineering sample of N6ii with C201 Audio Motherboard.