Marcus evaluations the Cayin R202, a brand new motherboard for the N6iii DAP utilizing a discrete twin 1-bit and R-2R DAC with 550mW of balanced output energy. It’s at the moment priced at $559.00.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks. I thank Cayin for his or her assist.
You possibly can click on right here to study extra about Cayin merchandise I’ve beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
Cayin R202 assessment
Abstract
The Cayin R202 is maybe the best motherboard the corporate has launched so far. It is a intelligent mixture of two legendary DAC sorts, permitting the person to modify between clean and euphonic, or analog and pure sounding.
Execs
Wonderful staging potential in 1-bit mode.
Joyful or emotive R-2R presentation.
Wonderful battery life.
Cons
No S/PDIF or lineout.
Not appropriate for extra demanding headphones.
The Cayin R202 is the third launch within the firm’s newest N6iii-compatible sequence of motherboards and fairly probably their greatest but.
Combining two of the group’s most fascinating or romanticized DAC configurations, R-2R and 1-Bit, with some respectable output energy, the R202 might very properly be the “God Tier” motherboard that elevates the N6iii into or past the N7 class bracket.
Sure, at $559, you might be paying a premium, however one might argue you might be paying for 2 motherboards wrapped up into one chassis.
Now we have had twin timbre modes and a number of operation modes in Cayin DAPs and moveable amps, such because the RU9. I’ve beforehand reviewed R-2R motherboards for the N6ii (R01). Nonetheless, that is the primary time I’ve examined a twin discrete-engineered DAC implementation of this sort.
Is it definitely worth the cash and the whole lot you hoped it could be when in comparison with the present E203/C201 motherboard lineup? Is the R202/N6iii combo on the identical degree because the N7? I came upon in my full assessment under.
Options
The Cayin R020 is a discrete, engineered twin DAC and totally balanced headphone amplifier, all wrapped right into a single motherboard chassis designed to neatly slot into the N6iii DAP.
Nonetheless, this isn’t a typical twin DAC design, whereby the producer often slots in two of the identical chipsets. The R202 makes use of a twin circuit implementation with two completely different DACs, permitting you to decide on which one you favor to hearken to instantly from the N6iii’s software program UI.
The primary DAC is an R-2R PCM DAC, constructed with 192 items of 0.1% high-precision thin-film resistors in a balanced 24-bit DAC configuration. It primarily handles digital PCM streams and helps native PCM decoding as much as 384kHz.
The second is a discrete 1-bit DSD DAC constructed with 128 items of 0.1% high-precision thin-film resistors in a balanced 1-bit DAC structure, supporting as much as native DSD256 decoding.
You possibly can select each manually, or you possibly can go for an auto mode, which is able to decide what DAC to make use of primarily based on the digital sign enter.
Upsampling and conversion will happen for those who go for one format utilizing a DAC that excels within the different format. For instance, if you choose 1-bit mode, it would convert the PCM stream into DSD after which decode it utilizing the 1-bit structure.
On the amplification facet, the R202 makes use of a quad dual-channel INA1620 op-amp structure for a totally balanced output. Nonetheless, just like the E203, there isn’t a lineout or SPDIF functionality.
It is a pure fastened operational mode headphone amplifier with a most of 550mW right into a 32Ω load, balanced, dropping right down to 250mW single-ended into the identical load.
Each outputs are sub-ohm, which means the R202 must be a motherboard of selection for IEMs and headphones with average impedance and SPL masses.
I/O
Just like the E203, the R202 retains it easy for inputs and outputs with a single-ended 3.5mm TRS and a 4.4mm balanced equal.
There is no such thing as a twin SPDIF or lineout functionality, which some may argue is a missed alternative, given the N7’s lineout and PRE capabilities are wonderful.
Maybe this is without doubt one of the principal differentiators between the 2 platforms; get the N7 for those who plan on utilizing the 1-BIT for system integration, or get the N6iii/R202 for pure headphone/IEM use.
One small oblique I/O is the amount controller contained in the R202, which is a JRC NJW1195 full-balanced quantity management chip. Through the primary N6iii quantity wheel, you have got entry to 100 steps of quantity management and three ranges of acquire (low, medium, and excessive).
The R202 has no hyper mode, which not directly advantages the superlative battery efficiency at a most of 15 hours in Auto mode, 16 hours in R-2R mode, and 14 hours utilizing the 1-Bit mode.
That’s the highest imply score of any of the N6iii motherboards, with the C201 peaking at 14 hours, the E203 at 11 hours, dropping as little as 6.5 hours when utilizing Hyper Mode.
Keep in mind these are benchmarked battery numbers with a medium acquire setting, 44.1k PCM, and DSD64 with the display screen and wi-fi turned off. You possibly can anticipate just a few hours shaved off for those who hold the display screen and wi-fi on or use a lot increased decision information.
Putting in & Updating
The bodily set up of the R202 into the N6iii is now quite simple, courtesy of the next-generation motherboard’s twin latch launch mechanism versus the first-generation card’s screws.
All it’s a must to do is slide the cardboard in, and the latches on both facet will lock it into place. Must you want to take the motherboard out, you press on all sides to launch the lock and slide it out.
One essential notice when putting in and utilizing the R202 is the firmware. It’s good to replace it to the most recent model (through OTA System updates) earlier than it acknowledges the R202 and presents you with the DAC mode choices.
If you don’t, the N6iii will revert to seeing it because the inventory C201 motherboard with none DAC mode selections.
Software program Controls
The person management layer for the R202 options is software-based, with entry to the DAC mode selections positioned within the audio settings menu.
One small critique right here is the dearth of drop-down quick-switching choices for the 2 DAC modes upon preliminary firmware replace. You’ll have to use the drop-down edit function to entry the DAC icon and transfer it up into the primary icon entry menu.
You too can entry the DAC modes through the audio setting menu, in addition to acquire ranges, a HiBY-design PEQ system, channel balancing, and MQA decoding, which I might advocate turning off for those who don’t have a stack of native MQA information.
Packaging & Equipment
I didn’t point out the brand new motherboard packaging for the E203 because it was a part of the primary N6iii assessment.
What I can say is that the brand new bins are usually not as huge or as fiddly because the older, flatter 1st-gen sequence boards. In addition they come with out screwdrivers and spare screws because of the new quick-release latch system.
Which means you get a reasonably easy however sturdy compact field with protecting layers on the within, a person information, and the motherboard, which has a small rubber sleeve over the connector for extra safety.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the Cayin R202 had been accomplished utilizing a mixture of the PMG Audio Apx, FIR Audio’s Radon 6, the Noble Audio Ronin, and Imaginative and prescient Ear’s VE10. All had been examined in balanced output mode.
R-2R
The R-2R mode is more likely to impress the listener extra on the outset. It’s the extra ‘flamboyant’ or colourful of the 2 sound signatures, making a fuller low-end, enhanced upper-bass and lower-mids bloom, and a extra ahead, sweeter sounding vocal timbre from my examined IEMs.
When you have a reasonably balanced monitor, such because the Radon 6 or a mid-centric vocal specialist IEM, then the R-2R sound goes to enchantment.
Vocals are nearer and ‘greater’ sounding. Backed by a barely heavier sounding notice high quality from the mid-bass to the lower-mids that injects a wholesome degree of PraT and ‘drive’ into performances.
I additionally discovered ‘massive sounding’ displays such because the PMG Audio Apx to lap up the immersive and interesting sound signature and profit from the extra liquid presentation of the highs.
Regardless of the ‘liquid’ descriptor, the R202’s R-2R harmonic stability shouldn’t be as lush or as comfortable because the RU6’s R-2R implementation, however it’s positively to the euphonic, hotter facet.
The place Cayin has considerably progressed is the improved definition in instrumental notice high quality over the R202’s R-2R mode. It additionally has much better dynamic vary and determination to associate with it.
The ensuing sound is extra ‘joyful’ and exuberant than studied and reserved. Nonetheless, if you would like the best possible readability and separation, I might direct you to the 1-bit efficiency, particularly for those who crave a stronger degree of sub-bass to mids separation.
1-Bit
The 1-bit efficiency is the grower. Initially, it sounded a bit flat in comparison with the ‘busier’ sounding R-2R mode, and there’s a slight quantity distinction, which additionally added to that originally muted response.
Nonetheless, push up the amount perhaps 1-2 dB and pair it with a soundstage king just like the Apx or with a hotter monitor such because the VE10, the place you want some bass management, and also you begin to recognize the 1-bit’s stronger grip on element and imaging capabilities.
Essentially the most noticeable distinction throughout all of my examined gear was the extra impartial weight and positioning of the vocals in comparison with the extra upfront and intimate R-2R supply.
Although nonetheless very analog in tone, the vocals are a shade leaner and picture additional away from the listener’s place, which permits the background devices a bit extra presence and area to ship.
That, in flip, creates a stronger notion of area. Mix that with a much less bass bloom and a extra linear FR all through with my examined IEMs, and you’ll hear a intelligent mixture of that quintessential 1-bit analog timbre mixed with enhanced readability.
What some may miss from the R-2R mode is the sub-bass attain. The R-2R mode has a full-sounding low-end however doesn’t supply fairly the identical degree of management and separation under the mid-bass because the R202’s 1-bit equal.
I can hear the sub-bass extra when referred to as upon in 1-bit mode, which might make complicated recordings sound extra holographic and full.
Synergy
I might classify the R202’s output functionality as average for headphones and wonderful for IEMs. At a most of 550mW balanced, it’s not going to supply the identical driving energy because the E203 Hyper Mode’s 900mW balanced equal.
There shall be some headphones, such because the 22Ω 112 dB SPL/Vrms Austrian Audio Compose, which is able to drive simply superb and sound attractive with the R202.
Nonetheless, sterner sub-100 dB SPL planars or excessive impedance headphones will sound extra filled-out and dynamic when paired with the E203.
IEM Pairings
There may be numerous flexibility right here with the 2 sound signatures rolled into one motherboard.
I examined the R202 with 4 IEMs, and aside from the PMG Audio Apx, which sounded nice with each modes, the break up largely got here right down to heat or very mid-forward displays working greatest with 1-Bit and extra impartial with R2R.
For instance, the VE10 sounded extra managed utilizing 1-bit, with much less bloom and heat, however nonetheless fairly pure sounding. The one quibble with going all in with 1-bit is the vocal efficiency.
If you’re a vocal lover with the VE10, then the R-2R locations a bit extra emphasis there, whereas the 1-bit sound pulls it again a bit extra. Going R-2R with the VE10 works higher as long as the bass doesn’t get too busy the place the bloom can compete a bit.
1-Bit doesn’t have that very same concern with the bloom stripped out, and a extra spacious, detailed sound, however the vocal affect shouldn’t be as instant on the VE10.
The 64 Audio Volur can also be a reasonably thick and clean sound with a lot of bass weight. Once more, it is a 1-bit pairing for me to maintain a lid on the bass bloom and create some good area for the vocals to be heard clearly. The R-2R on this pairing felt too heat within the lows with this pairing.
The Noble Audio Ronin was an ideal R-2R pairing. It’s not so heavy on the lows with a hybrid BA and EST driver configuration and wishes a little bit of thickening and bloom, which the R-2R delivers.
Additionally, the R-2R’s richer, fuller sound and extra outstanding vocal imaging mix properly with Ronin’s extra mid-centric, ethereal sound and penchant for pace and element.
Headphone Pairings
I examined three headphones with the R202 of various impedance and SPL, together with the DCA NOIRE XO, the Austrian Audio Composer, and the ZMF Headphones BOKEH Closed.
This was as a lot about driving functionality because it was about tonal matching, and within the case of the BOKEH and the Composer, the end result ranged from good to wonderful, whereas the NOIRE XO was a poor match.
In reality, I’m not shocked. The 550mW (32Ω) output score ought to ship much more energy into the 22Ω Composer and simply over 200mW into the 80Ω BOKEH, whose dynamic driver usually has a most energy dealing with of about 250mW.
The Composer solely wanted a medium acquire setting and sounded wonderful with the R202. I had a slight bias to the R-2R mode for its extra boisterous and in-your-face heat and richer, extra ahead vocal presence.
The Composer is kind of impartial to barely vivid and revealing, so the smoother R-2R mode delivered a pleasant ‘counter’ coloration. The 1-bit sounded extra reserved with vocals dropping again, however layering, separation, and element bought a bump up, sounding fairly clean via the mids and highs.
The BOKEH did fairly properly, although I’ve heard its low-end sound extra authoritative from OTL desktop amplifiers, which is its pure house. The analog/natural tuning from the R202 modes fits the BOKEH treble tuning, which might sound glassy when pushed from a clear, delta-sigma DAC or amp.
The NOIRE XO sounded very flat and undercooked with the R202. Not a shock. The BOKEH XO sounds optimum with 1W or extra of energy from my testing, so be ready for a shallower low-end and diminished dynamic vary with this pairing.
