Cayin N6ii All Audio Motherboards Review

The T01

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This is the more technically advanced Motherboard compared to the A01, and you get a different signature, one which is more neutral but technically superior.

The sound stage is wider and deeper, the separation better, the level of precision and detail higher. You get a “higher end kind” of sound with better technicalities, especially in balanced mode. The presentation is spacious, airy and open and gone is that more intimate approach. The T01 and N6ii combo extends better in the lows and highs but it does no longer have the same thickness and full bodied presentation of the A01 module. The delivery still is musical but it is lighter and more neutral.

Bass is tight and fast and has a really nice kick but it doesn’t have the bigger body compared to the original Motherboard. The depth and layering is good, especially in balanced mode. It’s the more neutral kind of bass presentation, but one with way better layering and detailing. The sub bass on the A01 might be better though.

The mids share the same characteristics as the bass and it is fast, precise and energetic. Cayin was smart to mix it up with the right amount smoothness, resulting in a technically higher, yet still musical approach. The mids are spacious, dynamic and have great detail retrieval.

The treble section fits in perfectly with the bass and mids and it is more clear, extends better and has more detail with the T01. It’s energetic, more spacious and delivers more detail. Out of the first two Motherboards, this is the one I personally like most as it’s technically the strongest while remaining musical.

Cayin T01 Motherboard

The E01

With the E01 in Class A mode, you get a warmer presentation but it’s a fairly linear/balanced from top to bottom. The E01/A doesn’t boost any frequencies and it body-wise has a neutral tuning, this goes for bass, mids and treble. The delivery is very clear and the separation and detail retrieval is excellent.

The bass is tight, fast and has a nice kick like with the T01 motherboard. It’s sparkling, clean, fast and and tight. The mids are nicely spacious and have good separation, the mids are the widest sounding in this “mode”, while the treble is energetic and lively. Treble doesn’t extend very far though. The technicalities of the E01/A board are good and I quite like this presentation, where the bass is tight and the mids are lush.

With the Class AB mode, the N6ii & E01 shifts up a gear. It delivers more overall body, a wider sound stage, better dynamics, extension and decay. The overall layering and timbre also becomes better and this simply is a technical very strong “mode”. At the same time the delivery is always very clean and tight but musical. So what’s not to like? The biggest difference is probably in the treble section which becomes more energetic and lively, while extending further on top of all that. The vocals like in Class A mode or maybe a bit more forward but it doesn’t disturb me in any way, as it helps with the liveliness and energy factor. With this Audio Motherboard, the E01 with Class AB amplification sound best.

Cayin E01 Motherboard

The E02

The effect of the dual ES9038EQ mobile DAC chips and a the class AB discrete amplifier is immediately audible. This is the cleanest, widest and most airy sounding Motherboard, with lovely extension, impressive layering, natural spaciousness, great detail retrieval/clarity and an addictive timbre.

The E02 sounds powerful, energetic and lively, but it also has a slightly smooth delivery in the mids and treble, resulting in a high level musical sound with lovely extension. The depth and layering from bass to treble is impressive and exemplary.

Bass reaches low and has good detail, layering and impact. It body-wise also is very nice: slightly more than neutral but never too much, the way most people like their bass.

The natural timbre mids are really good: spacious and airy with excellent separation. The presentation is airy and extended, with awesome decay. The depth and layering are also really good. Body-wise the mids connect perfectly to the bass and with the slightly forward vocals the N6ii / E02 sounds engaging, musical and addictive.

The treble section is lively and energetic enough to contrast the nicely bodied bass and mids. Treble extends nicely, shows great layering and is spacious but it isn’t the most energetic treble at the same time. For me it could be a bit hotter, but that’s personal preference.

Cayin E02 Motherboard

Conclusion

Four different Audio Motherboards, with no less than five different sound signatures. Who expected that when Cayin released their N6ii DAP. In the beginning we weren’t sure what Cayin’s plans with the N6ii were in regards to customization, but they clearly weren’t kidding when they said a whole series of boards would follow.

I hope to see a couple more being released over the next few months and hopefully years, but for now my absolute favorite is the newest E02 Audio Motherboard, as it makes the Cayin N6ii perform on an even higher level than before.