The Cayin N6iii was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the Cayin N6iii is $1299 and you can buy it from here or here if you are based in EU.
Cayin
Cayin is a company with great expertise in designing audio equipment, from CD players and DACs to amplifiers and speakers. The company was founded back in 1993 specializing in tube audio gear while they ventured into personal audio in 2013 by launching a series of Digital Audio Players (DAP) and desktop audio products. Their DAPs, from the entry level N3Ultra to their flagship N8ii, are considered as benchmarks and rank among the best in their respective categories.
Cayin N6iii
Among the various Cayin DAPs of a special mention is the N6 model because it is the only one to feature user-replaceable audio motherboards. A concept that allows you to swap both the DAC and the amp stages at once and not only the amp as it happens in similar competitive products.
Cayin has now launched the third generation of the N6 DAP, the N6iii which integrates audio technologies learned from their higher-end models (N7, N8ii, N30LE) and accumulative audio motherboard knowledge from the N6ii.
With the N6iii, every time you buy a new motherboard it is like buying a brand new DAP and not just changing the sound flavor of the same DAP. This feature opens endless possibilities for the life cycle of the N6iii as long as Cayin keeps designing new motherboards.
The Gen2 Audio Motherboard
The Cayin N6iii features a second generation audio motherboard which is bigger than its predecessor by 31%. This extra PCB space allows the engineers to design more advanced audio circuitry, opening endless possibilities.
Another innovative feature of the new motherboard is that it has a quick release, tool-free mechanical latch. The only thing you have to do in order to release the motherboard is to simultaneously press the two small buttons at the sides and pull it out of the DAP. Then carefully insert another motherboard and gently push it back to snap at place. The fit is secure and the motherboard doesn’t move or wiggle.
The C201 Audio Motherboard
At the time of writing this review there are two motherboards available for the Cayin N6iii. The E203, which features one ES9039SPRO DAC chip with a hybrid amplification circuit and the C201. This review is specific for the C201 audio motherboard and a separate one will follow for the E203. You can buy the N6iii with the motherboard of your choice or both.
The C201 audio motherboard features a parallel, full differential matrix DAC that consists of eight CS43198 DAC chips. The FPGA in the N6iii main unit feeds each DAC with I²S signals individually and all DACs work in mono mode. Four pieces of CS43198 are grouped into one stereo channel and their outputs are paralleled to create a full-differential output. The power supply and peripheral circuitry for each DAC chip are fully discrete and symmetric.
Four passive NJU72315 volume chips are connected into a high-precision cascade volume control system. The amp stage is configured with four OPA1622 high quality op-amps in parallel amplification that are combined with the buffer circuits to increase the output current capability and lower the output impedance. The C201 motherboard has separate, 3.5mm line and headphone outputs as well as one 4.4mm that is a shared balanced line and headphone output.
The main unit of the Cayin N6iii
The main unit of the Cayin N6iii is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM, expandable up to 2TB through a micro SD card. The system runs a customized Android 12 OS which supports direct audio transport (DTA) for bit-perfect, lossless output.
Cayin decided to fit the N6iii with a 5” HD screen, a size that perfectly balances ease of use with compact dimensions for the device. The screen is protected with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 outer surface and supports multi touch, gesture controls and double tap to wake. The screen is easy to read, bright with vibrant colors and responds exceptionally well to all user actions.
Connectivity
Except for the analog outputs of the C201 motherboard, the Cayin N6iii also supports USB audio input and output interfaces through the USB type-C port. A SPDIF digital output is also embedded in the USB port but it needs a special adapter that is not included.
A 2.4Ghz/5Ghz WiFi module and bidirectional Bluetooth 5.0 (compatible with the UAT, LDAC, AAC and SBC protocols) are also included for wireless connectivity. Both the WiFi and Bluetooth have stable performance and a good working distance inside the house.
Interface and user experience
The Cayin N6iii is just like a regular Android smartphone and supports Google play store out of the box so you can download all your favorite applications. You can download popular streaming services and various music players or use the Cayin and HiBy music players that are already embedded in the OS. The classic drop down menu is user-configurable and includes shortcuts to all frequently used audio and generic functions.
The DAP is fast and responsive, all applications run smoothly and lag free, you can watch YouTube videos and do multitasking without any issues. The Cayin N6iii offers a premium user experience similar to many flagship Android phones.
The audio configuration menu includes various customizations, like gain and DAC filter settings, user configurable PEQ, set the line output as fixed or variable and others.
The embedded EQ application has a system-wide effect so you can equalize your music even when using streaming applications. Strangely enough, the available DAC filters don’t include the NOS option which is the most unique feature of the CS43198 DAC chip.
Hardware controls
The device has three playback control buttons at its right side together with the volume control wheel that is adorned with a LED light ring that changes colors according to the input sampling rate.
A dedicated power on/off button is located at the left side of the chassis and might surprise people who are used to multifunction wheels. The volume control wheel is a little small and not that practical for users with larger fingers, especially when using the protective case.
Design and build quality
The Cayin N6iii has a classic, rectangularly shaped chassis with curved lines that add a minimalistic yet modern and classy looking appearance. The corners and the edges are rounded and smoothly finished making the device palm friendly. The chassis is crafted from solid, CNC machined aluminium alloy and features a glass covered back panel. The N6iii is exceptionally well made, it is a durable and premium looking DAP that has nothing to envy from much more expensive models.
The unit measures 77.8x126x23mm so it is compact sized enough to fit at your hand and suitable for portable use but much thicker than the average DAP. The weight with the C201 motherboard is 350g, not that much to feel like a brick but still heavier than other competitive DAPs. As an example, the 5” iBasso DX260 weighs 229g and the 5.5” FiiO M15S weighs 345g.
Battery duration
The N6iii is equipped with a huge 9000mAh capacity battery with low-loss protection circuitry and support for PD2.0 fast charging. Paired with the C201 motherboard, the battery gave about 11 hours of playback time from its balanced output, streaming Qobuz at high gain. Very satisfying duration given the advanced circuitry of the C201 motherboard.
Accessories
The N6iii comes together with a high quality protective case, a USB type-C cable and a film protector for the back panel. A screen protective film is pre-applied from the factory.
The beautiful looking, all black case comprises a synthetic leather main frame with a metallic grill at the back to help with heat dissipation. The fit of the case is tight and the N6iii doesn’t slip out of it.
Power output and noise
The power output of the device is 260mW/32Ω from its single ended output and 700mW/32Ω from the balanced. Plenty to drive a lot of full sized headphones but lower than the competition. As an example the iBasso DX260 can do 1015mW/32Ω from its balanced output.
When it comes to its internal noise, the Cayin N6iii is literally dead silent and pairs exceptionally well with sensitive earphones. The device generates a lot of heat and can get quite warm during use.
The N6iii matched diverse headphones, like the Meze Audio Empyrean II, the Sennheiser HD8XX and the Aune SR7000 while it also sounded exceptionally good with the LETSHUOER Cadenza 12.
The review was done with Lavricables pure silver cables.
Listening impressions
The Cayin N6iii is an exceptionally balanced and neutral sounding player that skillfully combines strong technicalities with plenty of musicality and surprisingly natural timbral characteristics.
The C201 motherboard is the second device, after the iBasso DX260, to utilize eight pieces of the CS43198 DAC chip in a fully differential matrix, an architecture that guarantees class leading fidelity, separation and transparency. The sound is crystal clear and well defined with outstanding resolution, fine detail retrieval and deep insight.
The C201 board has a revealing and rather unforgiving nature but it is not ruthlessly punishing to exclude listening to lesser quality recordings. However, some clever headphone matching is recommended if your playlist is composed of such material.
A really impressive achievement is that Cayin has managed to end up with a tuning that is devoid of sterility or any other clinical and analytical elements. The N6iii/C201 is a DAP where its advanced technical performance is used to serve the music by adding extra layers of realism rather than sounding technical for the sake of technical impression.
The overall tonal accuracy of the N6iii is perfect while the timbre is unusually natural and realistic. It might not be as organic and analog as found in the Cayin N8ii but it is still especially convincing. All instruments of the symphony orchestra and human voices alike are reproduced with their correct pitch and an unanimously lifelike quality to them, complete with their fundamentals and the most varied overtones. The N6iii is very musical and expressive, the music just flows and nothing seems to be standing between it and your ears.
More listening impressions
The bass is strong and dynamic but not emphasized. Punchy and impactful, fast and tight with great control and class leading layering. The textures are not that lean or dry but they do lack a little in elasticity and weight. The bass of the N6iii is more technical than visceral or full bodied, missing a touch of naturalness and excitement. It seems like the CS43198 DAC matrix would pair better with a discrete Class-A output stage or a tube buffer.
The mildly warm and melodic mid-range is tuned with excellent tonal balance and doesn’t induce any kind of audible sibilance or sharpness. The music is reproduced with precision but it is not lacking in harmonic richness and variety.
The treble is very refined and grain free, extended, fast and energetic with superb definition and ample luminosity but still smooth and controlled without any audible brightness. The higher frequencies are absent of digital glare or metallic artificiality even without the NOS filter that cannot be activated. The C201 board is surprisingly natural sounding despite its D/S architecture and it counts as one of the most successful CS43198 implementations in this regard.
The N6iii/C201 might not impress with its weighty and visceral textures but it has spectacular sonic coherency and texture consistency. The sound doesn’t become thinner or drier as the frequencies rise and the decay time remains constant.
The soundstage
The soundstage is really marvelous, expanded and spacious without any artificial stretching, it has excellent depth layering with class leading imaging and separation. The C201 is among the best options for listening to large scale works, groups and individual instruments are faithfully arranged within the soundstage and they can be easily pinpointed without feeling detached from the whole. You can also sense the natural ambiance of a live recording and while the soundstage of the N6iii might not be as holographic as if it had tubes in the signal path, it is still exceptionally immersive and grand sounding.
Headphones/earphones pairings with the C201
The Cayin N6iii with the C201 motherboard has become one of my main DAPs both for music listening and as a reviewing reference tool. In the past few weeks I have used it with many headphones and earphones with very diverse tunings and sound signatures. From the warmish Sennheiser HD660S2 and the FiiO FH19 to the neutral Empyrean II and the relatively bright Hifiman HE1000 Stealth, just to name a few.
The N6iii proved an ideal match with all of them and I didn’t find a combination that didn’t sound good or even ideal if you prefer. The C201 motherboard is transparent and neutral with just a hint of warmth and a natural timbre as described in the previous section. It doesn’t imbue any specific character of its own and will not make your transducers sound different than they do. Bright will still sound bright and warm will remain warm. If you like your headphones as they are, then the N6iii/C201 will do its best to make them sound great. But on the other hand, if you need a DAP to do some sound shaping, then look elsewhere or at least wait for another motherboard because the C201 will not do it.
Vs the iBasso DX260
The $949 iBasso DX260 is the first DAP ever made with an eight CS43198 DAC matrix array and a custom FIR filter that further enhances its transparency. The most obvious differences between the two players is that the DX260 doesn’t come with interchangeable amp modules (like the DX240 did) and the N6iii doesn’t feature a user-replaceable battery.
The iBasso DX260 is slightly more powerful but its battery lasts a little shorter than the N6iii. Both units have a 5” display but the DX260 is thinner and 121g less heavy than the N6iii. However the latter is equipped with the 665 Snapdragon SoC instead of the 660 and has 6GB RAM with 128GB of ROM versus 4GB and 32GB. The DX260 is fast and responsive but the N6iii runs smoother and offers a more premium user experience. The Cayin N6iii doesn’t have the FIR filter that further enhances transparency, not a NOS digital filter but it has a system-wide PEQ that is missing from the DX260.
The iBasso DX260 with the NOS filter enabled and the FIR filter disabled has the slightest edge when it comes to the clarity and the transparency of the sound, as well as the overall definition and the separation within the soundstage. In addition, the N6iii is slightly more laid back, smoother in the treble and punchier in the bass. The DX260 resolves better but doesn’t sound as lush as the N6iii. It is more precise and less forgiving than the N6iii which has marginally weightier and fuller textures. The iBasso DX260 is faster and a bit more aggressive than the N6iii but the latter has the most natural and organic timbre quality of the two players.
In the end
The first and most obvious advantage of the Cayin N6iii over the competition is that it is the only DAP that comes with an interchangeable motherboard system that integrates both the DAC and amp stages. This literally means that with every different motherboard is like buying a brand new player and not just another variety like if it had interchangeable AMP modules.
The Cayin N6iii is fast and responsive with all the must have features of a modern era DAP while it is compact sized and lightweight enough for everyday carry. Well made and premium looking, the Cayin N6iii will satisfy even the most demanding users and it rightfully deserves the price of admission.
The C201 audio motherboard might not be as powerful as the competition but it has outstanding technical performance and exceptional sound quality, while there will be further sonic paths to explore as more motherboards surface up.
Plain and simple, the Cayin N6iii is one of the best and most versatile DAPs you can buy and the only one that promises brand new sonic adventures for the whole lifecycle of the product.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Interchangeable audio motherboards
+ The motherboard integrates both DAC and amp stages
+ Tool-free motherboard ejection mechanism
+ C201 motherboard sound quality and technical performance
+ Completely silent and noise free
+ Powerful 665 SoC with 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM
+ Fast and responsive UI
+ Diverse connectivity options
+ Relatively compact and not that heavy
+ Great battery duration
+ Excellent build quality
+ Vibrant and colorful screen that supports double-tap to wake
+ High quality protective case
+ Accumulative value with each new motherboard
+ Rightfully priced for what it does
- Thicker and heavier than other DAPs
- Not as powerful as the competition (C201)
- The volume control wheel is too small
- The digital filters miss the NOS option (C201)
- The DAP gets pretty warm
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