Cayin N8ii Review

Nutubes

It’s no secret that I’m into tubes, but when it comes to Nutube, I’m no expert. The Korg tube inside the N8 and N8ii are Korg 6P1 tubes and they look nothing like a good old vacuum tube. Cayin isn’t the first brand to use such a tube and we’ve seen these successfully used before by companies such as Oriolus.

You can find out more about Korg’s new tube right here: https://korgnutube.com/en/

When you switch on the tube circuit in the N8ii, it takes the Cayin 5 seconds to preheat he tube. That might seem slow but that’s fast as you after only 5 seconds get an optimal performance. I really like the fact that Cayin decided to make the Nutube visible in the design, even though it’s only cool to look at in the beginning. When the Nutube is active you’ll see 4 little green-ish bars light up, it’s a cool feature but most important is of course the sound it delivers. More on that later!

Different with the original N8is is that the new version uses double Nutubes, and that means you now get to use the tube output with the balanced output.

Accessories

We expect a full and complete package at this price point, and Cayin almost fully delivers. Inside the pretty 2-layered box (see pics) you find:

• The N8ii
• A leather Case
• A 4.4mm to 2.5mm Adapter
• A 3.5mm to 2.5mm Adapter
• A USB-C Cable
• A tempered glass screen protector
• A user manual
• Two Hi-Res Stickers

The N8ii’s SPDIF is done via the USB-C socket, and as such you will need a conversion cable. This convertor isn’t included with the N8ii though, take that into account. Same goes for the I²S cable, which is not included either.

User Interface / Usability / Controls

The Android 9 based operating system combined with a 5” Amoled (1280×720) touch screen make this player very easy to work with. If you’ve ever worked with a DAP or with an Android phone you will have no issues to perfectly control this DAP within minutes.

The touch screen makes it very simple to operate the N8ii but even in the dark it’s easy to use the buttons on the side. The only down-side perhaps is the size (77.5 mm [W] x 147 mm [H] x 25 mm [D]) and the weight (442g). This DAP is huge – like most TOTL DAPs – and as such it’s more of a transportable unit than it is a portable one. It’s not the kind of DAP you can put in your jean’s pocket when you’re going for a walk. But it is the kind of unit that gives you desktop quality on the go.

That said, the Cayin N8ii does everything it can to make you enjoy the experience. With its 4.4mm balanced headphone output/LO, 3.5mm headphone output and 3.5mm LO you have all you need really. The N8ii also delivers Digitally, with USB-C, I²S and coaxial connections. And then there’s Bluetooth v5.0, as well as Wifi 2.4G & 5G. It’s extremely easy to stream music using the N8ii, and I must admit I have streamed more music than I have used the Cayin music app for the local files. At the same time, the Cayin music app is well-known by now, so if you prefer using local files, that won’t be any issue at all. The Cayin Music app basically is s slimmed down version of the famous HiBy app we all know.

Next to the CLASS A/AB and Nutube options, the Cayin N8ii also offers a higher output power in P+ mode (7V to 10V). It increases the output and handling power with a more saturated sound signature (single ended 720mW @16Ohm. Balanced 1200mW@16Ohm). It’s a lovely feature when using harder to drive full-sized headphones, such as the DCA Expanse.

Since FW 1.4, the Cayin N8ii also allows you to run MQA from Tidal. For some this is an important feature. Finally, I feel it’s important to mention the multi-color home button, which serves as a sampling rate indicator as well (with the usual colour codes). I quite like this feature when using the local storage, to see if my library needs upgrading. It could be completely useless for you though.

Versatility

There’s really nothing to complain here as the Cayin N8ii runs on Android 9. That means it next to the Cayin Music app can run basically any app you want. Think Tidal, Spotify and others.

The N8ii also has HiByLink and a bunch of Bluetooth options (transmit & receive: LDAC/AAC/UAT/UAT TWS/SBC), as well the OTG function. I really feel like the N8ii is part of my desktop system and the digital interfaces really are comprehensive with I2S, USB Audio, S/PDIF coaxial output and the USB DAC. I use it as a DAP on the go, but I also use the N8ii’s LO to one of my desktop DAPs. I also use it as a DAC with my laptop and ROON in my office and I have even used it as a transport with an external DAC, just for the fun of it. The Cayin Audio N8ii really does it all, just don’t forget that you need to buy the adaptor cables for the Coaxial/SPDIF conversion from the USB-C port.

As the N8ii runs on Android you can also install any non music app you want, and that’s always a bonus. I must admit I hardly ever use any of the Bluetooth functions, except when I am using my Final Z3000 IEMs, but I have no issue with the connectivity whatsoever.

To come back to HiByLink: this basically allows you to set up the N8ii as a client/server via Bluetooth and remotely operate another source with the HiBy Music app. I never tend to use it, but I know a lot of people really like this feature.

So yeah, the Cayin N8ii is a super versatile player, as a high end DAP should be.

Performance

Single-ended + P Mode: 64mW(150Ohm) & 420mW(16Ohm)

Single-ended + P+ Mode: 100mW(150Ohm) & 720mW(16Ohm)

Balanced + P Mode: 150mW(150Ohm) & 760mW(16Ohm)

Balanced + P+ Mode: 160mW(150Ohm) & 1.2W(16Ohm)

Do note that the P and P+ modes are only available in the CLASS AB mode.

N8 Sound

General

The N8ii is a high-end unit and as such it does come with a dead silent background, even with the tube mode. The N8ii is excellent when it comes to dynamics, and it mixes that with a very musical delivery.

Of course, the N8ii comes with a high level of precision and no matter what mode you’re using it in, the level of detail retrieval is very high. The ROHM chips are doing well in this implementation. The N8ii has a high level of technicalities and a good sound stage width and depth. The delivery is natural but nicely layered, airy and spacious.

It’s reasonably easy to describe the N8ii’s sound in a very simple way, by dividing the possible sound signatures in 4 categories. Before going into that I quickly want to touch the P+ power mode, which is only available in the CLASS AB setting. If you’re familiar with how your harder to drive full-sized headphone is supposed to sound, you will notice right away that you need to turn on the Power Mode for it to sound its best. With P+ mode engaged you logically get more power, but that translates in getting the best out of your harder to drive unit. It’s not so much what the P+ mode does, it’s more what the P mode doesn’t do with less efficient gear. It will make your ear/headphone sound flatter, less refined and less lively. Flick the switch to P+ and you’ll get that high level of technicalities again with great dynamics and a musical delivery. It’s rather obvious when to use it.

Also, if you’re familiar with the SP2000T (see later), you will see that a Hybrid Mode is missing here. Who knows, that could perhaps be something we’ll see in the N8iii?

The part on sound continues on the next page. Click here or use the jumps below

Page 1: Cayin, N8ii Intro, N8ii A Closer Look  Pt. 1

Page 2: N8ii A closer Look Pt. 2, N8ii Sound Pt. 1

Page 3: N8ii Sound Pt. 2, Comparisons, Synergy Pt. 1

Page 4: Synergy Pt. 2, Conclusion

Page 5: Technical Specifications