Cayin N6iii: Nothing is Impossible with Gen2 User-replaceable Audio Motherboard

[J808]

@Andykong What will be the expected cost for N6iii motherboard replacements?

 

[W00dEar]

It would great it can only be sold the main device only without forcing packing with c card. It’s not money friendly to buy other favourite cards in future and HAVE TO pay for the c card

 

[aaf evo]

It would great it can only be sold the main device only without forcing packing with c card. It’s not money friendly to buy other favourite cards in future and HAVE TO pay for the c card

Maybe they will do that when there are more cards but right now this DAP literally will not work without C02

 

[W00dEar]

Maybe they will do that when there are more cards but right now this DAP literally will not work without C02

That would be fantastic. Not sure though if they have done something similar to N6ii before?

 

[aaf evo]

That would be fantastic. Not sure though if they have done something similar to N6ii before?

I was trying to think if they did or not and I honestly can't remember lol.

 

[Andykong]

I was trying to think if they did or not and I honestly can't remember lol.

To recall, N6ii was available in four packages, you can buy N6ii with A01, T01, E01, and E02 directly, Whenever we roll out a new audio motherboard, we'll create a new N6ii Package. The last two audio motherboards A02 and R01 didn't have their own N6ii package because they were limited production for different reasons.

It would great it can only be sold the main device only without forcing packing with c card. It’s not money friendly to buy other favourite cards in future and HAVE TO pay for the c card

You need to buy at least one Audio Motherboard to start with, we don't sell barebone N6iii (or N6ii for reference purposes) as that is almost useless to our users. On the other hand, Cayin didn't select any one of the Audio Motherboards as the "default" motherboard, so when more Audio Motherboards are available, we let our users select their preferred Audio Motherboard and go for the package that they want directly, you don't have to pay for the C201 if you don't want it. However, you need to wait till there are more Audio Motherboard options available for selection.

 

[Andykong]

@Andykong What will be the expected cost for N6iii motherboard replacements?

We didn't work out the SRP for a standalone Audio Motherboard at this point, we don't see the feasibility of providing that option right now. We'll work out the retail packaging and market standalone Audio Motherboard when we launch our second Audio Motherboard E203 in Q1 2025.

 

[Andykong]

Is there a plan for a tube module?

We are working on the second Audio Motherboard E203 right now. We shall finalize the product definition of the third Audio Motherboard very soon. Unfortunately, these two forthcoming Audio Motherboards are not vacuum tube-based. We can't tell if there will be a tube-based Audio Motherboard down the road, we haven't planned that far. We need to evaluate the market response and potential production volume of the Audio Motherboards before we can proceed to the next steps.

 

[Andykong]

Have checked out the N6iii+C201 with my usual test tracks after running the new DAP for 2 days non-stop. I shall place the N6iii above the original N6ii but below N7, but N6iii (C201) and N7 come with fairly different sound signatures. Yes, there is no miracle here, if you are hoping that the N6iii can outperform the N7, you'll need to have a strong personal preference towards the C201 sound signature. On the other hand, I like N7 very much and have said many times that N7 is the most underrated DAP in the Cayin lineup so that paints my background for this simple subjective comment. I don't have any demanding IEM or headphones with me while I am traveling, both UM Mest2 and Sony IER-Z1R are pairing very well.

The responses from users are loud and clear, you want R202 more than anything. I'll pass the message back to the Cayin team ASAP.

I am quite sure both AKM and ESS will be included in the N6iii platform eventually, but the applications are subject to refinement from our R&D team. Fortunately, Thomas (MD of Cayin Audio) has stated that E203 will be available around the Chinese New Year, maybe first thing after our Chinese New Year vacation. Let's hope the R&D department won't surprise me with another delay.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

The responses from users are loud and clear, you want R202 more than anything. I'll pass the message back to the Cayin team ASAP.

Yes. Absolutely. Yes. Especially if they can make it 4 channels for true balanced. R01 revived the n6ii back in the day and pushed it to a whole nother level, it was the most love and anticipated module, it was also the first r2r android dap (I think).

My predictions for the best selling modules would be the r2r module and rohm module actually, I don't necessarily like rohm from my experience but it really seem that people like it, especially with n8ii having rohm, it would make that module appear like a mini n8ii.

 

[Andykong]

C201: High-precision Cascade Volume Control

Understanding Cascade Volume Control

In the field of electronic circuit design, "cascade control" refers to a design where multiple controllers are connected in series, with each stage adjusting the parameter (in this case, the volume of C201) step by step. This approach allows for finer and more stable control, reducing the risk of overloading a single component or causing audio distortion.

When we implement this concept into cascade volume control, each stage of the volume controller adjusts the volume partially and then passes the signal to the next stage for further adjustment. The advantage is that the control range for each stage is smaller and more precise, ensuring a smoother volume adjustment process. This also prevents a single component from handling the entire volume range, reducing non-linear distortion and noise.

Passive Volume Controller

Volume control in the C201 uses four Nisshinbo PASSIVE volume chips (NJU72315) forming a High-precision Cascade Volume Control System. The advantage is that the control range for each stage is smaller and more precise, ensuring a smoother volume adjustment process.

We selected Nisshinbo "passive" volume chips (NJU72315) when we looked for a compact, transparent, and low-power consumption solution for C201. The Nisshinbo NJU volume chip being a passive device, is very compact. Its low power consumption and low heat generation make it an ideal solution for DAP implementation. In addition, passive volume control offers transparency that can hardly be challenged by active volume control.

The problem is, that NJU72315 only offers limited volume control steps, so we need to connect two NJU volume controllers in series to control one channel. When the first stage volume chip adjusts the volume partially (in 2db steps), the audio signal will then go through the second volume controller for further adjustment. That explained why we needed to use four pieces of NJU volume in total and take advantage of the cascade volume control technique to offer a supreme solution for C201. This ensures the left and right channels maintain consistent signal levels across the entire volume range, delivering clearer, purer sound with impressive transparency.

To make sure the volume control system can sustain the enhanced signal of the Parallel Full-Differential Matrix DAC, a buffer circuit built with independent op-amps follows each volume stage, significantly improving load capacity and reducing distortion. Cayin engineers have done everything they could to remove the bottleneck in the Audio Motherboard circuitry.

 

[WDitters]

I wouldn’t object to an R2R module with dedicated pre-amp capabilities offering the same as or better driving quality than the N7 for C9 / C9ii type amplifiers …

 

[andersos]

I wouldn’t object to an R2R module with dedicated pre-amp capabilities offering the same as or better driving quality than the N7 for C9 / C9ii type amplifiers …

That would be ideal.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

I wouldn’t object to an R2R module with dedicated pre-amp capabilities offering the same as or better driving quality than the N7 for C9 / C9ii type amplifiers …

Absolutely no one would

I do wonder though if they'll go r2r or 1bit. They already have the tech nailed down, and it'll be easier to implement 4 channels that way compared to traditional r2r.

 

[UnknownOperator]

I just wanted an N7 class A with hyper mode and more output power.