Cayin BTC-2 Bluetooth DAC Headphone Amplifier

The Cayin BTC-2 is a compact desktop Bluetooth DAC and headphone amplifier. It receives LDAC and aptX HD from your phone through a Qualcomm QCC5125, decodes with an ESS ES9018K2M in a four-channel balanced circuit, and drives headphones with up to 280mW per channel from its 4.4mm balanced output. With S/PDIF and analogue inputs and outputs, an ALPS volume knob, an OLED display and a remote control, it also upgrades a TV, set-top box or hi-fi system. Choose black or silver.

Hi-res Bluetooth 5.1

The Qualcomm QCC5125 high-fidelity Bluetooth chip with Bluetooth 5.1 supports high-resolution codecs: LDAC, which carries up to 96kHz/24-bit, and aptX HD, as well as aptX Low Latency, aptX, AAC and SBC. The result is wireless convenience with a stable connection and sound quality to match. A long press of the play button disconnects Bluetooth.

A balanced circuit, even over Bluetooth

Using Bluetooth doesn’t mean Cayin compromised on the circuit. The BTC-2 has a dual-chip, four-channel balanced design that keeps the positive and negative signals separate through both decoding and amplification, significantly reducing noise and distortion for clearer, more accurate sound. The ES9018K2M, a low-power DAC designed for stereo systems, gives precise reproduction whether the music arrives by Bluetooth or S/PDIF, and an OPA1652 audiophile op-amp, with strong current drive, a fast transient response and a low noise floor, and two RT6863 amplifiers do the driving: 280mW + 280mW balanced and 190mW + 190mW single-ended.

Three inputs, four outputs

Press SOURCE to switch between Bluetooth, S/PDIF digital and line in. Each input can drive your headphones or feed the line output to an integrated amplifier or active speakers:

• Bluetooth: from a phone, tablet, music player, laptop or TV, decoded by the BTC-2, which can also pass the signal on from its S/PDIF output to an AV receiver or another DAC.
• S/PDIF coaxial in: up to 192kHz/24-bit from a set-top box, TV, CD transport or DVD player, or a games console, decoded by the BTC-2.
• Line in: an analogue source bypasses the internal DAC and goes straight to the amplifier circuit, so the BTC-2 works as a headphone amplifier for a phone, music player, set-top box, TV or CD player.

Quality parts and three filters

Nichicon coupling capacitors from Japan keep the sound clear and transparent with minimal distortion and noise, and the volume knob turns a precise Japanese ALPS potentiometer, with a superior feel and low distortion and noise. A long press of SOURCE, or the FUN1 key on the remote, opens the filter menu, where you choose between fast roll-off, slow roll-off and minimum phase digital filters.

Designed for the desk

The finely engineered all-metal chassis shields the circuits from outside electromagnetic fields, and its 6mm-thick aluminium front panel has a brushed, anodised finish. An OLED dot-matrix display shows the input and sample rate at a glance, and the included infrared remote controls the main functions from across the room. The high-gain rubber antenna detaches when you don’t use Bluetooth, saving space. Power comes in through USB-C, at only 5V 1A, so the included cable works with a wide range of USB chargers and even a power bank.

Good to know

• Headphones with 3.5mm plugs need a 6.35mm adapter, and 2.5mm balanced plugs need a 4.4mm adapter (not included).
• There is no power adapter in the box: use the USB cable with any USB charger that gives 5V 1A, or a power bank.
• In the box: BTC-2, USB cable, remote control and user manual.