I'm starting to compare R6 Pro 2 (
r6p2) and Cayin N6 II R01 / Titanium (
n6ii) and try to answer the question: "is there a point in r-2r" to unlock the potential of multi-driver BAs or is only delta sigma "at the top of the list"?
IEM: Snowy Prism, TRI Clarion / Baroque, Litz + Van der hul hybrid cable, balanced 4.4 output.
Hiby R6 Pro 2: Class A gain mode, High gain, Low dispersion short delay filter.
Cayin N6 ii Titanium: High gain, Slow roll off filter.
Low frequencies
The r6p2 has pumped up bass frequencies. The output is enveloping with good resolution. And the slower the music, the better the control and body. The faster the music, the less control and body. This feature is especially audible in Steve Roach's "Trance Spirits" album, where the music consists of fast and rhythmic drum beats.
In the n6ii, the bass is superb without compromise. Where you need lushness there is lushness, where you need whiplash there is whiplash. The attack is unprecedented in its speed, to my taste. More corporeal than fc6 multibit, more technical than e1da. The attacks are very fast, the hits are tangible and full-bodied. Although I am a fan of the soft low frequencies of the r6p2, I find the low frequencies of the n6ii very "tasty".
Midrange
In r6p2 the midrange is transparent and detailed, playing close, no deafness. Vocals and instruments are perceived as they should be, maturely, in large images.
In n6ii the midrange is even more transparent and detailed, but it is smoother and smoother. And at the same time they are pushed to the background, which gives the effect of "scaled down images". Unusual, but it's a matter of taste.
High midrange frequencies
The r6p2 features Hiby's signature "trick" - a smoothed range of sibilants, whistles and other "digital dirt". Both on the fc6 and on the r6p2. Comfort without sacrificing clarity of sound. The result is quite comfortable and buzzworthy over long listening distances.
In n6ii the Cayin's trademark "trick" is traced - a slight emphasis on the range of sibilants. But, if in ru6 it was noticeable for me, in n6ii this slight accent does not give even a hint of sawing and dirt, but does what is necessary - improves the overall clarity of sound. The sound becomes more energetic and emotional than in r6p2, without compromising the health of sensitive audiophile ears.
High frequencies
In the r6p2 the treble is big, detailed and I would even say refined. Whatever you want to call it, that's what the r6p2 is all about. You get an audiophile story for classical and any other complex instrumental music. My honor.
The n6ii has less treble, it's smoother and quieter. And while the n6ii's specialty is super credible bass, treble is no longer the n6ii's specialty. High frequencies are detailed, but there is no airiness of filigree, which is present in r6p2.
Scene
In n6p2 the scene is medium in depth and outstanding in width. I'll also note the good separation of the plans. Scene designed for scale and wow effect. Sound source positioning is excellent.
In the n6ii the stage digs deep and doesn't really stretch wide. The multibit feature of dividing (or rather NOT dividing) the scene into near and far has not gone anywhere and everything plays not so halogrophically, but more cohesively. There is no wow effect, it's just as if "that's the way it should be". At the same time the separation of sound sources is excellent, all instruments / voices / special effects are in their place.
Resolution
Everything is great on the r6p2, especially the treble. I got high in the first days of listening, and I'm getting high now. The only thing is that pumping up the low frequencies in the mid-bass area without additional percussion somewhat limits the list of genres where the r6p2 can show the highest class. For example, fast drum beats can be blurred.
The n6ii is another matter. In n6ii the resolution at mid frequencies and even more so at low frequencies is higher than in r6p2. But at high frequencies there is not the same pleasure as in r6p2.
General impressions
I still prefer the combination of Snowy Prism multi-driver IEMs and n6ii, because I once had "manna from heaven" with a Cayin ru6 multibit. I stupidly like the concept of multibit feed (especially Cayin's), which is very coolly delivered even by BA iem multidrivers. In this bundle, the "soulless BA" comes alive, flutters and pulsates. That's all.
And the r6p2 sounds more correct, more audiophile at midrange and treble. It comes out musical in the bass and in the scene + audiophilic in the mids, treble and plan separation. Versatile is a cool sound to me.
Thanks for your attention!
