What we liked
- The compact, luxurious format of
- devices Dynamic, natural, warm reproduction
- Minute nuances throughout the spectrum
We would have liked
- A more advanced control application for the streamer
- A larger touch screen for the streamer
- Analog inputs for the streamer preamplifier
Our expert’s opinion
With the new i-8 series, the Asian manufacturer demonstrates that the best hi-fi components don't have to be the biggest. These small devices offer top-flight performance in an easy-to-install format.
The Cayin IDAC-8 DAC shines in its ability to process signals with remarkable naturalness and precision. If its performance is already worthy of the greatest in transistor mode, it's with tube pre-amplification that it reveals all its charms, bringing a rare richness and naturalness to music.
The headphones Cayin IHA-8 amplifier proves just as seductive, perfectly combining dynamics, power and control to power the most demanding headphones and the most sensitive earbuds with an iron fist.
The Cayin IDAP-8 network player is just as musical, but suffers from a few teething problems, starting with the regrettable absence of a real control application. While it's pleasant for fingertip control when placed on the desktop, remote control quickly becomes restrictive.
The Cayin IDAP-8 network player, Cayin IDAC-8 DAC and Cayin IHA-8 headphone amplifier compact hi-fi trio forms a comprehensive solution for enjoying music with headphones (up to 9,500 mW in pure class A) or on the living room hi-fi system. It provides access to streaming services and digital files (DLNA and USB playback), and makes the most of all your sources thanks to its DAC with tube or transistor pre-amplification. Priced at €3,290, this set seems to cover all the needs of a modern hi-fi installation.
Introducing the i-8 series
Launched at the beginning of the year, Cayin’s i-8 series offers high-performance electronics in a compact format, ideal for desktop installations or discreet integration on a piece of furniture. It complements the i-6 series, whose Cayin IHA-6 headphone amp and Cayin IDAC-6 MK2 DAC are still in the brand’s catalog. This new range consists of the Cayin IDAP-8 network player combined with the Cayin IDAC-8 DAC and the Cayin IHA-8 headphone amplifier. These three elements can be purchased and used separately or combined, with a significant discount of almost 25% on the price for the whole set.
The different devices in this Cayin range adopt the same compact format, with a width of 27cm, a height of 7cm and a depth of 21cm. This makes them easy to place alongside your computer or TV. And they add a real touch of luxury thanks to their premium design, which makes a very strong impression. Their chassis is made entirely of thick aluminum, with large extruded heat sinks covering the entire side panels. On the front, each device features a physical control interface, plus a 5″ display for the streamer and DAC. The latter make it easy to adjust settings and display a wealth of essential information on the tracks being played.
Cayin IDAP-8 network player
Designed to work alongside an amp/DAC, an AV receiver or a USB DAC (ideally the Cayin IDAC-8), the Cayin IDAP-8 network player adopts an entirely digital architecture, with no internal DAC. The aim of this approach is to eliminate any possible interference in order to optimize the operation of both the streamer and the associated DAC. To achieve this, it uses a 45W toroidal transformer that is custom-made using pure copper. This provides a clean, stable current to the various components. Music playback is controlled by an eight-core processor that limits latency and optimizes data buffering. Two Femto oscillators of 49.152MHz and 45.158MHz ensure accurate conversion. They effectively reduce jitter and phase noise, ensuring an extremely precise and transparent sound.
The Cayin IDAP-8 network player uses a version of Android optimized for bit-perfect music transmission, without system modification or filtering. Thanks to the integration of the Google Play Store, it is possible to install numerous streaming apps such as Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer and Spotify, as well as web radio and podcast services.
This Cayin network transport can also play your entire music library, whether it’s shared via DLNA on the local network, stored on an external hard drive connected via USB, or hosted internally (128GB of memory expandable to 4TB via a dedicated 2.5″ rack). It supports most audio formats, including WAV, AIFF, WMA, APE, ALAC, AAC, OGG and FLAC up to 32-bit/768kHz. Playback of DSF, DFF and DSD files (up to DSD 22.1 MHz) is also possible, with support for ISO SACDs.
On the front panel, the Cayin IDAP-8 streamer features a 5″ Full HD touchscreen for a bright, high-contrast display. It is angled at almost 60° to optimize viewing comfort and limit glare. During playback, it can display a wide range of additional information, such as the track currently playing, the resolution or the album cover. This screen is also one of the streamer’s main control tools. It is used to access settings, navigate through apps and select tracks. It’s intuitive to use, although fluidity and responsiveness are still a long way from that of models like the EverSolo DMP-A8. What’s more, the screen could do with being a bit bigger, to make typing more comfortable. For remote control, Cayin relies on the HiByCast app, which mirrors the streamer. It copies the IDAP-8’s display, providing access to the same functions, but with a slight latency and even less responsiveness. Fortunately, it is still possible to connect a remote control (universal model not included) via Bluetooth LE to quickly adjust the volume or change tracks.
Regarding outputs, the Cayin IDAP-8 streamer features two coaxial ports (one RCA and one BNC), one AES/ABU port, one optical port, one HDMI i2s port, as well as a USB-A output. The latter is reversible, allowing connection of a USB stick or hard drive. A practical USB-B port is also included for use with a computer. Thanks to these connectors, the Cayin IDAP-8 network player can be easily combined with any amplifier with digital inputs, audio DAC or AV receiver, although it promises the best performance with the Cayin IDAC-8 DAC.
Cayin IDAC-8 DAC
Acting as both a DAC and a preamplifier (for digital sources only), the Cayin IDAC-8 is unique in that it lets you choose between a tube or transistor output. The latter uses Texas Instruments modules, with dedicated stages for balanced and unbalanced outputs to limit interference. The tube pre-amplification uses two 6H6b-B tubes per channel in a balanced configuration. The operating mode is easily selected from the touch screen. You can switch between the transistor and tube modes in just a few seconds using a dedicated control, allowing you to easily adapt the sound signature to the music you’re listening to, or to your personal preferences. With the tubes, you benefit from increased warmth, smoothness and richness, while transistor pre-amplification is more dynamic and neutral. Note, however, that the device heats up considerably in tube mode, and should therefore be placed in a well-ventilated space.
Both pre-amplification modes of the Cayin IDAC-8 can be used on the RCA and XLR outputs. These outputs can also be set to a fixed level, bypassing any pre-amplification and allowing the DAC to be used as a simple source. As for inputs, there are two coaxial inputs (one BNC and one RCA), an HDMI i2s connector, and a USB-B port compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. This means you can connect the device to a wide range of digital sources, such as a CD/SACD player, network player, computer or TV.
To decode the signals from these different sources, the Cayin IDAC-8 integrates two AK4499EX DACs, each paired with its own Delta Sigma AK4191 modulator. These latest-generation AKM chips are mounted in a fully balanced circuit to limit interference, ensuring a better signal-to-noise ratio. This characteristic is also due to the use of a toroidal power supply transformer combined with filter capacitors to ensure a clean, stable current. As a result, the Cayin IDAC-8 DAC can ensure optimum conversion of Hi-Res tracks to up to 32-bits/768kHz for PCM streams (Flac, WMA, WAV, etc.). It can also decode DSD files up to DSD512.
Cayin IHA-8 headphone amplifier
The Cayin IHA-8 headphone amp is the ideal complement to Cayin’s i-8 series, allowing you to create a complete headphone system. Designed to efficiently power any pair of headphones or in-ear monitors, it adopts a balanced architecture capable of delivering a colossal 9,500 mW of pure class A power. This performance is made possible by a large 70W toroidal transformer. This ultra-low-noise model is combined with high-power capacitors for a current capacity of over 50,000 μF. This power reserve, which many hi-fi amplifiers may envy, enables a dynamic reproduction, responding with balance and precision to the demands of every Hi-Res track.
Polarized in pure Class A, the Cayin IHA-8’s amplifier stage uses two Toshiba JFET transistors connected in parallel per channel. They are combined with an output stage composed of MOSFET transistors. This architecture makes it possible to precisely develop up to 9,500 mW into 16 ohms in balanced mode (4.4mm jack and XLR output) and 3,600 mW in unbalanced mode (6.35mm jack output). This means it can efficiently power any headphones or in-ear monitors, even the most demanding models. Two levels of adjustable gain make it easy to adjust power, while the ALPS knob ensures smooth, transparent volume adjustment, without introducing noise.
On the rear panel, the Cayin IHA-8 headphone amplifier features an unbalanced RCA input and a balanced XLR input. A switch allows you to set the level of the latter to line or high-level. As a result, the Cayin IHA-8 can be connected to a wide range of sources, or directly to a separate preamplifier, ideally the Cayin IDAC-8. In this case, only the MOSFET power stage is used. This configuration is particularly interesting when the Cayin IDAC-8 is used in tube mode, adding warmth and richness to the listening experience.
Listening conditions
While all i-8 series components can be used separately, the Cayin IDAP-8 network player needs to be paired with an amp that has digital inputs or a DAC for signal conversion. Naturally, we used the Cayin IDAC-8. The latter was connected via line level and then as a pre-amp to a Cayin CS-150A amplifier. It was also used with the Cayin IHA-8 headphone amplifier to make the trio complete. The IHA-8 was paired with Focal Clear MG, Meze Liric and Meze Empyrean II headphones.
Listening impressions
Cayin IDAP-8 + IDAC-8 (transistor mode)
The Cayin IDAC-8 DAC and Cayin IDAP-8 streamer formed an ideal pair to enjoy a natural and balanced music reproduction. With the transistor pre-amplification, this duo offered dynamic and detailed sound. Every timbre was reproduced with remarkable fidelity, with no added coloration or artifice. Bass was dense, lively and deep, while the midrange was distinguished by its clarity and the highs by their crystalline smoothness. The transparency was masterful, with complete silence between each note. The soundstage expanded majestically, bringing breadth to the music and creating an almost holographic effect when reproducing the instruments.
Cayin IDAP-8 + IDAC-8 (tube mode)
In tube mode, the Cayin IDAC-8 retained all its qualities, while adding warmth and softness. The sound became more refined, with the treble softening and becoming more delicate. The midrange was richer and more textured. Meanwhile, the bass acquired a pleasant roundness and smoothness, offering greater depth. On Adele’s Someone Like You, the softness of the tube mode made the singer’s voice richer and more moving. On classical music with The String Quartet No. 2 in E minor, Op. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich, the depth and texture of the strings in this piece were magnified.
Cayin IDAP-8 + IDAC-8 + IHA-8
The Cayin IHA-8 headphone amplifier was in keeping with the sonic characteristics of the range. It delivered a dynamic reproduction while maintaining warm, rich texture. This perfect balance between dynamism and smoothness makes it ideal for all musical genres, and ensures long, fatigue-free listening sessions. On David Gilmour’s latest album Luck and Strange, it demonstrated a wonderful ability to reveal the subtlest nuances of the guitarist’s unique technique, with an impressive magnifying effect on every plucked string. Percussion was reproduced with remarkable authority and depth. These instruments expressed themselves with great amplitude in a vast, well-defined soundstage. The Cayin IHA-8 exceled in highlighting the technicality of musicians without ever falling into an overly analytical approach. It preserved all the emotion and musicality of the track, giving each note an authentic, tangible dimension.
Who is this trio for?
Each component in Cayin’s i-8 series can be purchased individually. This allows any audiophile looking for a network player, an audio DAC and preamplifier or a high-quality headphone amp to put together a system tailored to their specific needs. When combined, these three elements form an excellent headphone system for the office or living room. This trio offers a multitude of streaming options, full connectivity for digital sources, and an impressive ability to handle even the most demanding headphones with remarkable skill.
