Cayin N8ii: Mobile HiRes player
The Chinese tube specialist is well-known for its high-quality amplifiers. However, he has also gained considerable knowledge in the field of high-resolution mobile players. The Cayin N8ii is the next hoax to emerge from this region. With the double ii, a mobile HiRes player is behind the moniker, but it appears to be far too good for exclusive mobile use.
The special features of the Cayin N8ii
The N8ii is built on the best tube technology, as one would expect from Cayin. To be more specific: The HiRes machine incorporates a tube output stage (executed by the incredibly tiny 6P1 Nutube tubes from musical instrument manufacturer Korg), which accounts for the exceptionally good sound. The tubes have become entangled in a dampened chamber. The circuit board is properly separated, so vibrations or hits have no effect on the music.
ROHM BD34301EKV chipsets regulate the tubes. Whatever that entails: Cayin highlights that the chips in the N8ii are a world premiere, at least in a portable high-end device. In this case, the chips are set to work in mono mode. Two low-pass antialiasing filters (PCM mode) and three DSD filters round out the sound's fine-tuning.
The sound character can be subtly altered. The user can select either Class A or Class B mode. Cayin, as we now know, defines the discrepancies as follows: "The sound is silky smooth, warm, and rich in Class A mode." Ideal for songs with a high level of detail, mellowness, and difficult macro-dynamics. The Class B mode, on the other hand, is distinguished by greater efficiency and dynamics. This means that the N8ii is more durable, cleaner, and tighter." It is an excellent choice for songs with a wide dynamic range.
The ambitious chipset supports PCM 768 and DSD512 data speeds. The digital data is delivered via USB-C or Mini HDMI (I2S). Bluetooth streaming at up to 192 kilohertz/24 bit is also available. The Cayin HiRes specialist's home button illuminates in multiple colors to indicate the current data rate. The N8ii is also a high-quality analog source for powered speakers and portable/desktop amps.
The N8ii has an internal storage capacity of 128 gigabytes for your music collection, but the side slots (with the help of optionally available TF cards) allow for expansion of up to 1 TB. Music from online music services such as Tidal, Qobuz, or Spotify can also be streamed through the mobile player, which can be incorporated into the home WLAN. However, it can also play music from linked USB mass storage devices.
The Cayin sports a 5-inch AMOLED touch screen that not only displays information (such as cover art, battery status, volume, and the current data rate), but also allows for operation (play, pause, skip, and fast forward).
Accessories
The Cayin N8ii comes with two jack adapters: a 4.4mm to 2.5mm adapter and a 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter, in addition to a high-quality USB-C cable. A genuine leather case is also included to protect the N8ii from scratches and fingerprints while on the go. New firmware versions can be downloaded for free at https://cayin.com/downloads/.
The (permanently integrated) battery guarantees up to 11 hours of uneven audio playback and up to 10 hours of balanced music playback (balanced).
