Cayin C201 Module (For N6III)

By precisely aligning the phase of all DACs, Cayin has achieved a significant improvement in the C201's sonic performance.

This is an analog output performance that matches the precision of its digital decode, with their operation in balanced differential mode counting on common-mode rejection to cancel out distortion and noise.

The larger PCB size that N6III affords means that C201 is able to count on 30 per cent larger board space to keep overbuilding its circuits. This robust nature is typified by the NJU72315 volume controls – these analog attenuators are unbuffered in their basic IC form, leaving the choice of subsequent driver stage to Cayin and allowing N6III to be its quiet best, achieving 130dB of signal-to-noise ratio.

This high quality is preserved into your transducers as C201 loads in four Texas Instruments OPA1622s as N6III's output stage. These powerful, precise op-amps supply abundant current and mean N6III promises high damping factor while maintaining low distortion into low impedances typical of IEMs, Focals and Fostexs achieving up to 700mW on its 4.4mm output.

Still the closed-loop internal gain remaining after the application of negative feedback around N6III/C201's op-amp IC analog circuit remains high. So where she really shines could be in swinging voltage, opening up the sound of any high-impedance Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and ZMF Headphones while barely breaking sweat.

Its fine small-signal component also sees it serve as a line source into Cayin's other hot 2024 release, C9II, allowing you to add tubes and a Class A discrete analog circuit down the line to scale up further.

C201 is a fine start to life for N6III and your journey with Cayin's latest mid-range overachiever. As you await the launch of their next audio motherboard, check out the sister E203 for N6III here, the rest of Cayin's gear here, or view our other music players here.