Cayin iDAC-8 Tube DAC

Cayin iDAC-8 Tube DAC

After the Cayin flagship music player N30LE, which was equipped with AKM AK4499EQs converter and a tube output stage and received rave reviews, now comes the new tube DAC/preamplifier iDAC-8. The iDAC-8 stands for a unique sound experience with a tandem of AK4191EQ - AK4499EXEQ converter chips and a 6H6b-B tube circuit.

Two triode tubes per channel are responsible for the current amplification and the control of the positive and negative phase of a channel and ensure excellent music reproduction.

One output stage of the iDAC-8 consists of two triodes working in parallel in the 6H6b-B tube as a cathode follower. This increases the current carrying capacity and reduces noise. A fast-switching MOSFET from Vishay with low on-resistance is connected in series as a voltage follower for the second output stage.

This allows the iDAC-8 to be operated as a tube preamplifier or alternatively as a solid-state preamplifier. Regardless of how well the 64-bit digital filters and the volume control of the AK4191EQ work, Cayin has also opted for an analogue volume control. By using the JRC NJW1195A chip, digital losses are avoided and the resolution of the iDAC-8 at any attenuation level is fully preserved.

Sophisticated, open and airy - in addition to its neutral transparency and excellent sound, the iDAC-8 also offers technically and visually suitable combination options. It not only forms a complete, harmonised system with the new iHA-8 headphone amplifier and the iDAP-8 audio player, but can also be used as an external converter for the Mini-CD MK2. Its I2S and AES/EBU inputs make it a wonderful intermediary for digital-to-analogue conversion.

Or you can combine the iDAC-8 with the newly released Cayin HA-2A tube headphone amplifier.