Discrete DACs
A discrete R-2R PCM DAC and a discrete 1-bit DSD DAC.
CAYINPLAYER MOTHERBOARDCustomer reviews (0)
Cayin R202 Next Gen Exchangeable Motherboard for N6iii Digital Audio Player
Discrete R-2R for your N6iii.
An exchangeable N6iii motherboard with discrete R-2R PCM and 1-bit DSD DACs and a fully balanced quad-channel headphone amp.
Regular price
£499.00
Unit price
Including VAT
Free next day UK delivery
Awaiting stock arrival date — order now to reserve one from the next delivery. Nothing to pay until it arrives.
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Cayin R202 Next Gen Exchangeable Motherboard for N6iii Digital Audio Player
A little extra. A better pairing.
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MEET THE R202
Discrete R-2R for your N6iii.
An exchangeable N6iii motherboard with discrete R-2R PCM and 1-bit DSD DACs and a fully balanced quad-channel headphone amp.
Precise volume control
An NJW1195 controller gives 256-step, 0.5dB analogue volume across four channels.
Clean, balanced power
A matrix power supply and four INA1620 chips for a true differential signal path.
Read the full description
The Cayin R202 is an exchangeable audio motherboard for the Cayin N6iii player. One-bit and multi-bit DACs sound different, and the R202 gives you both: a fully discrete R-2R ladder for PCM and a fully discrete 1-bit network for DSD, with a quad-channel fully balanced headphone amplifier. It slides into the N6iii in place of the C201 board, with no tools.
Two discrete DACs
The 24-bit R-2R DAC uses 192 thin-film resistors (48 × 4) with 0.1% tolerance and a temperature coefficient below 5ppm/°C, wired as a balanced network, and decodes PCM natively up to 384kHz. The 1-bit DAC uses 128 resistors (32 × 4) and decodes DSD natively up to DSD256 and PCM up to 768kHz. A powerful digital audio processor converts formats and sample rates, up to PCM 768kHz and DSD512. In Auto mode PCM goes to the R-2R DAC and DSD to the 1-bit DAC, or you can send everything to one of them and switch seamlessly between the two to find the sound you want.
Amplifier and power
Four OPA1612 and two OPA1662 op-amps form a true differential signal path, and four INA1620 dual op-amps with internal parallel drivers form the quad-channel fully balanced headphone amplifier. The fully balanced NJW1195 analogue volume controller sits in its own circuit and gives 256 steps of 0.5dB, so the amplifier can drive any suitable headphones from the 3.5mm or 4.4mm output. The amplifier has its own ultra-clean dual-polarity boost supply (LT8582), the DACs are fed by a TPS61087 and TPS61240 matrix with five ultra-low-noise LDOs, and the low-pass filter has two more.
| DACs | Discrete R-2R (192 × 0.1% resistors) · discrete 1-bit (128 × 0.1% resistors) |
|---|---|
| Modes | Auto · R-2R · 1-bit |
| Outputs | 3.5mm single-ended · 4.4mm balanced (headphone only) |
| Volume | NJW1195 analogue, 256 steps of 0.5dB |
| 3.5mm output, 1-bit DAC (DSD128) | 250mW @ 32Ω · 0.5Ω · THD+N 0.007% · dynamic range 115dB · SNR 117dB · crosstalk 78dB · 20Hz–20kHz (±0.2dB) |
| 3.5mm output, R-2R DAC (24-bit/192kHz) | 250mW @ 32Ω · 0.5Ω · THD+N 0.013% · dynamic range 90dB · SNR 115dB · crosstalk 78dB · 20Hz–20kHz (±0.1dB) |
| 4.4mm output, 1-bit DAC (DSD128) | 550mW @ 32Ω · 0.8Ω · THD+N 0.005% · dynamic range 115dB · SNR 117dB · crosstalk 110dB |
| 4.4mm output, R-2R DAC (24-bit/192kHz) | 550mW @ 32Ω · 0.8Ω · THD+N 0.013% · dynamic range 90dB · SNR 115dB · crosstalk 90dB |
| Weight and fit | 62g · Cayin N6iii |
Good to know
- The R202 has headphone outputs only, with no line output, which Cayin says keeps the signal path pure.
- It fits the N6iii only, not the older N6ii. The N6iii is also sold with this board fitted: Cayin N6iii R202.
In the box
- Cayin R202 Next Gen Exchangeable Motherboard for N6iii Digital Audio Player
THE FINER DETAILS
Built for
better listening.
Know what you’re choosing.
Find the right fit for your setup.
- Design
- Exchangeable audio motherboard for the Cayin N6iii
- DAC
- Discrete R-2R (PCM) + discrete 1-bit (DSD)
- Headphone outputs
- 3.5mm single-ended · 4.4mm balanced
- Compatibility
- Cayin N6iii
- Amplification
- 4 × OPA1612 + 2 × OPA1662 · 4 × INA1620 (fully balanced)
Specifications are based on manufacturer information and may change.
The press, on the R202
Independent ears.
Their verdict.
A different perspective on your next listen.
01 / Expert review
The Cayin R202 is perhaps the greatest motherboard the company has released to date
Marcus
Read reviewSelected excerpts from published reviews. Scores are each publication’s own. Follow the links for their full verdicts.
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How does free delivery work?
Every UK order has a free delivery option, and orders of £50 or more qualify for free next day delivery. Order by 12 noon, Monday to Friday, for next day delivery; orders placed after 12 noon, at the weekend or on a bank holiday are dispatched on the next working day. Stock availability and destination also affect arrival — check the options shown at checkout.
Pre-orders ship when stock arrives; the next day service starts after dispatch. Full delivery information
What if it’s not right for me?
Return within 14 days for any reason, or within 30 days if faulty, with free return postage. See our full Returns Policy for conditions and how to start a return.
Can you help me choose headphones?
Absolutely. Tell us what you listen to and the headphones you have — or the ones you’re considering — and we’ll help you find a suitable pairing. Chat with us
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Use the Price Beat option on this page to send us the competing offer. The team will review your request; it isn’t an automatic discount. How Price Beat works
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