Cayin RU7: 1-Bit Resistor Network Dongle DAC /Amp

[Jimmy34]

If I'm going to be carrying my phone anyway I much rather buy a great portable DAC than a DAP that would most likely cost twice the price of my phone and DAC for maybe 10% more at the most better sound? That money go to into better IEMS/headphones in my opinion.
Seeing some people with $2k+ DAPs but using $300-500 IEMS seems a little strange to me but I shouldn't judge.
Anyway looking forward to more comparisons and impressions of the RU7 as I'm hoping it will be my go to portable DAC.

 

[Polky74]

Jimmy is absolutely right... much better a 250 euro dongle with 5000 euro iems than a 5000 euro dap with 250 euro iems.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Unboxing video from Currawong
Comparison to RU6 and W4 will follow.
Some initial impression against W4 here.

 

[Currawong]

I forgot to post the pic here.

I ran the RU7 for a few days playing music. For a while it sounded too soft, to the point it was blunting instruments, but now it is clearer. The N7 DAP has the same issue. The result is very easy to listen to music with. I don't want to use the word "smooth", as that might imply something unintended, but it feels like the opposite of typical edgy ESS-based dongles or DAPs. Maybe saying it has a "classy sound" might be a better way to describe it.

So, my advice for new owners is: Play music through it for at least a couple of days first.

It's still has a bit of what I'd call a "bloomy" sound, which I've narrowed down to the DSD up-sampling chip (I tried HQPlayer instead with which it mostly goes away).

The W4 is more super-analytical -- it sounds like someone paralleled 4 phone DACs. Better in some ways, but not as enjoyable as others.

The RU6 sounds more like someone stuck a tube amp in there and is "richer" or "more musical" or whatever way you want to put it. I've seen a couple of comments from people who prefer that kind of sound over a more detailed one from something like the Mojo 2.

I need to try a bunch of earphones and headphones with the RU7 yet. Then I'll shoot a review. The headphone drive is pretty impressive though. But, iPhone 12 Pro Max + DSD256 setting + headphones = drop-outs (depending on battery level).

 

[daijobudes]

The W4 is more super-analytical -- it sounds like someone paralleled 4 phone DACs.

Which they did

 

[daijobudes]

That’s the whole reason for me - I don’t want anything super analytical- I have dx320x for that and it’s outperforming most of the daps right now.
This little gem of a dongle is just a breath of fresh air in ocean of Cirrus ESS dongles/daps.

 

[Currawong]

With all these unique-topology dongles coming out, I was suddenly reminded of the immoral world of university (college) hook-ups, and a friend of mine at that time, during discussion of said things, saying, with a look of glee on his face, "VA-RI-E-TYYYYYYYYYY!".

 

[ClieOS]

My RU7 should arrive in a day or two.

 

[gloomy jw]

I like both!
Cayin, good job.

 

[daijobudes]

I like both!
Cayin, good job.

Looks like RU7 has thicker gold plating on usbC

 

[gloomy jw]

Looks like RU7 has thicker gold plating on usbC

Really 4.4mm terminals and type C jacks are also harder than ru6.

 

[inscythe]

Just ordered RU7 based on a few trusted friends who tried it. Question for other owners, how is the power consumption of RU7 so far?

 

[alota]

I like both!
Cayin, good job.

Porn dongles

 

[Andykong]

Does it work with consoles (PS5) ?
I’m guessing not because I don’t see any mention of UAC 1.0 in the specifications.
@Andykong Could you please confirm if the RU7 supports UAC 1.0 or is it only UAC 2.0 ?

Unfortunately, RU7 only supports UAC 2.0

 

[nioh]

Unfortunately, RU7 only supports UAC 2.0

Thank you for the clarification !