Cayin RU6: R-2R USB Dongle DAC with Head-Amp

[quawn0418]

Hey guys, i just purchased the RU6 to use on the go with my UM Mest OG and while I’m loving the sound and will be keeping it (the Shanling UA5 loses)…I’m surprised to see that people are using it with external amps even tho there’s no line out functionality, isn’t that unpractical? Or has cayin deemed it safe? I’m just a bit confused is all

 

[TYATYA]

Hey guys, i just purchased the RU6 to use on the go with my UM Mest OG and while I’m loving the sound and will be keeping it (the Shanling UA5 loses)…I’m surprised to see that people are using it with external amps even tho there’s no line out functionality, isn’t that unpractical? Or has cayin deemed it safe? I’m just a bit confused is all

It works like a preamp for that case.
Also if connect an SP2000 to a hp amp it also double amping, isn't it?

 

[quawn0418]

It works like a preamp for that case.
Also if connect an SP2000 to a hp amp it also double amping, isn't it?

Yea that’s what i mean, couldn’t think of the correct term, but double amping is what i meant.

 

[HiFlight]

Double-amping is not really an issue when using it as a source for your headphone amp as the amp input impedance is very high, typically about 50K ohms hence making an extremely easy load for the RU6.

 

[slex]

Hey guys, i just purchased the RU6 to use on the go with my UM Mest OG and while I’m loving the sound and will be keeping it (the Shanling UA5 loses)…I’m surprised to see that people are using it with external amps even tho there’s no line out functionality, isn’t that unpractical? Or has cayin deemed it safe? I’m just a bit confused is all

Nothing wrong to attach ext.amp to RU6, i just set volume at 99 from RU6. Abit cumbersome if you bringing it outdoor for the setup.

 

[Andykong]

Hey guys, i just purchased the RU6 to use on the go with my UM Mest OG and while I’m loving the sound and will be keeping it (the Shanling UA5 loses)…I’m surprised to see that people are using it with external amps even tho there’s no line out functionality, isn’t that unpractical? Or has cayin deemed it safe? I’m just a bit confused is all

Nothing wrong to attach ext.amp to RU6, i just set volume at 99 from RU6. Abit cumbersome if you bringing it outdoor for the setup.

Double amping is safe, especially with low output devices such as Dongle DAC. it might introduce audible distortion with some combination, but it is unlikely that it will blow anything up unless you abuse your equipment.

For Dongle DAC that uses the digital volume of the delta-sigma DAC chipset, we normally set it to full output so that you can get full output from the DAC chipset.

For Dongle DAC that uses dedicated analog volume such as RU6, since the DAC circuit always outputs at full power and you are controlling the volume in the analog domain, there is no need to go for full output when double amping. I suggest you start with 70 and then gradually move up to 85 and find the sweet spot for your setup. This sweet spot is a variable that depends on the matching with your amplifier in the second half of the chain. This is what we did on desktop systems when we want to add a preamp to an integrated amp., we never push the preamp to full output when we do that.

 

[yaps66]

Double amping is safe, especially with low output devices such as Dongle DAC. it might introduce audible distortion with some combination, but it is unlikely that it will blow anything up unless you abuse your equipment.

For Dongle DAC that uses the digital volume of the delta-sigma DAC chipset, we normally set it to full output so that you can get full output from the DAC chipset.

For Dongle DAC that uses dedicated analog volume such as RU6, since the DAC circuit always outputs at full power and you are controlling the volume in the analog domain, there is no need to go for full output when double amping. I suggest you start with 70 and then gradually move up to 85 and find the sweet spot for your setup. This sweet spot is a variable that depends on the matching with your amplifier in the second half of the chain. This is what we did on desktop systems when we want to add a preamp to an integrated amp., we never push the preamp to full output when we do that.

That's very useful. Thanks Andy!

 

[antdroid]

I've been using RU6, NOS, Low Gain at 75 to the iBasso P5 Amp last few days and enjoy having a proper volume knob on my desk at work. Also gives me a little more power to use with my Hifimans at work.

 

[TYATYA]

Long time plugging hd800s (directly) into ru6 again.
This cans very sensitive with input signal and it is so clear below things:
1. L gain sounds better than H
H gain sounds dry and has a tiny echoing effect to hd800s.
2. NOS has more base and boomming mid, more musical. Hd800s love this mode.
OS has more brightness on treble and thinning mid. More "clarity" and sharpness

 

[DBaldock9]

For the last month, I've had my RU6 connected as one of the USB DACs on my Linux PC at home - really enjoy how it sounds.
Until I get my Balanced Passive Attenuator / Switch Box assembled, the RU6 is the only Balanced output DAC I can connect directly (4.4mm <-> 4.4mm) to my KAEI TAP-1S amp.
Otherwise, my Topping D70 DAC is connected directly (XLR <> XLR) to my Loxjie P20 amp.
Once the Switch Box, and all the adapter cables, are finished - any Balanced output can be switched to any input (it also attenuates / switches single-ended signals).
It's also going to have a "Master Mute" switch - to allow for quick "commercial killing" when watching TV (I still have to design/assemble the individual channel mute boards).

 

[Stuff Jones]

For Dongle DAC that uses dedicated analog volume such as RU6, since the DAC circuit always outputs at full power and you are controlling the volume in the analog domain, there is no need to go for full output when double amping. I suggest you start with 70 and then gradually move up to 85 and find the sweet spot for your setup. This sweet spot is a variable that depends on the matching with your amplifier in the second half of the chain. This is what we did on desktop systems when we want to add a preamp to an integrated amp., we never push the preamp to full output when we do that.

Thanks for this tip - I was wearing out my volume buttons going between my IEM listening level of 30ish and my amp input volume level of 100. Why do you recommend the 70 to 85 range?

 

[Brain Damage]

I've been listening to the RU6 in NOS mode LdB with my Tin HiFi T4s using a Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16 core silver plated 4.4mm balanced cable. Honestly, this is the closest to endgame I've been. I can't imagine any improvement. Simply a delight.

 

[426563]

Does it worth to upgrade from the RU6 to the Fiio 15 or the Sony WM1A?

 

[Stuff Jones]

Does it worth to upgrade from the RU6 to the Fiio 15 or the Sony WM1A?

Once you go R2R you can't go back.

 

[chemosapien]

Does it worth to upgrade from the RU6 to the Fiio 15 or the Sony WM1A?

I have a Sony Xperia pro I, and I can confirm that the dsee ultimate oversampling is nice but just doesn't hold water compared to the ru6