Today, Marcus reviews the Cayin iDAC-8, a desktop DAC and pre-amp equipped with AK4191 + AK4499EX and dual solid-state and triode tube mode output. It is currently priced at $1199.00.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank Cayin for their support.
You can click here to learn more about Cayin products I have previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
The second review of Cayin’s new “888 i-Series” is the decoding heart of the stack, the iDAC-8. This is the only unit since the older 6 Series that got an interim update, with the original iDAC-6 replaced by the iDAC-6 MK2 in 2020.
Therefore, any comparison or reference in this review will refer to the MK2 version, not the original iDAC-6. Much of the iDAC-8’s development and feature set is inspired by the thinking behind the MK2.
That means the innovative dual solid-state and tube timbre mode, allowing the user to quickly switch from a clear, punchier tone to a more seductive, analog performance at the flick of a switch.
Owners of Cayin’s portable lineup, including the latest C9ii, the N6iii, and the now-discontinued flagship N8ii, will be very familiar with how this works.
At $1199, the iHA-8 is a bit more expensive than the older $999 iHA-6, but this includes an upgraded flagship AKM DAC, about 4-5 dB of improvement in the rated SNR specs of its analog outputs, and an altogether more expansive sound signature.
Enough of an upgrade to compete against the likes of the Chord Electronics Qutest and similarly priced recent R-2R models such as the Ladder Schumann? I found out in my full review below.
Features
The Cayin iDAC-8 is a primary DAC for headphone and HiFi audiophiles and can be purchased as a standalone unit for your existing system or as part of the Cayin 888 stack.
The iDAC-8 can deliver an analog line level or PRE output in single-ended or balanced mode for headphone or power amplifiers.
It can also act as a decoder for transport and streaming input, be it local storage devices such as DAPs, desktop units such as Cayin iDAP-8, or alternative 3rd party units.
At the heart of the iDAC-8 is AKM’s flagship balanced DAC implementation, an AK4191 digital processor, and a dual AK4499EX chipset operating in mono mode.
This provides for what I would describe in 2025 as standard decoding capability, including native DSD512 and PCM 32BIT/768kHz via I²S and Asynchronous USB 2.0, down to 24BIT/176.4kHz via optical. There is also provision for two coaxial inputs, one RCA and one BNC, and an additional AES/EBU port.
The iDAC-8 is equipped with a tube buffer to complement its op-amp-driven transistor mode, hence its user-controllable dual timbre mode.
Like the iDAC-6 MK2, this is an independent circuit design for the fixed line level output and the 4-channel NJE1195AV variable volume-controlled PRE, with 4 dual Triode 6H16b-B tubes, 2 for the single-ended and 2 for the balanced output.
The Vrms output difference is significant between both modes, so be careful when switching between them, as the dB increase will be substantial.
Via its fixed line level output, the iDAC-8 can deliver a standard 2.2Vrms single-ended and 4.2Vrms (4.1Vrms in Tube Mode) balanced. Switching to PRE gives you a substantial jump to 6Vrms SE and 12Vrms balanced, which is ideal for midrange power amps.
Design
Coming from my recent review of the iHA-8, the iDAC-8 is a familiar form factor. And it has to be with duplicate dimensions that allow it to neatly stack on top of the amplifier and just a few 100 grams lighter, courtesy of a slightly smaller 45W toroidal transformer inside.
The main chassis is solid, comes in two colors, black and silver, and is finished in a similar sandblasted and anodized coating on its aluminum frame as the iHA-8. It is a perfect visual match for the amp with equally striking head sink side panels and a clean, joint-free front facia.
The primary design difference from the iDAC-6 (and iHA-8 for that matter) is on the front panel, with a relatively large monotoned non-touch 3.12″ OLED dot matrix screen.
Coming from the iHA-6, I could argue this new screen lacks the eye-catching graphics and informative filter displays of the older model. On the plus side, the minimalistic larger display is much easier to read and understand from a distance.
On either side are the familiar array of i-Series mechanical control switches on the left and the multifunction volume control on the right.
One small observation from placing the iDAC-8 and iDAC-6 side by side is the slightly better finishing of the power on button and the surrounding LED power on ring. The ring glow seems brighter, and the button feels sturdier and further out from the main body on the iDAC-8.
I/O
There is no change in the available inputs and outputs from the iDAC-6 MK2. That means the iDAC-8 has options for balanced and SE analog outputs (line and PRE), with a decent array of digital inputs including USB, I²S, AES/EBU, optical, and 2 coaxial (1 BNC, 1 RCA).
I am on the fence about the options because although it is good, it’s not groundbreaking, and it’s the same setup since the MK2 in 2020.
I get that some of the inadvertent limitation comes from the iDAP-8 stealing what other manufacturers have integrated into their competing DACs, such as wireless and local storage. In a way, the IDAC-8 feature set has been cannibalized a little to achieve the triple stack setup.
Still, aesthetically, the iDAC-8’s larger dimensions mean the rear panel does not feel quite as cramped as the iDAC-6 version. That should help users who own thick cables or elaborate socket terminations.
I mainly use the USB and the I²S for multiple functions, including OTG to a DAP transport, or smartphone, a direct connection to my Windows PC or MacBook, and direct to the iDAP-8 for streaming (I²S).
With optical, AES/EBU, and two coaxial options, the iDAC-8 will provide connectivity for a total of up to 6 user-selectable input sources, which is pretty decent.
Controls
The controls on the iDAC-8 are fairly easy to understand and largely mimic the iDAC-6, save for the larger but more utilitarian screen display.
The volume control is a multifunction dial that gives you access to a deeper set of menu options with direct access to modes, timbre, and source on the left side via the small mechanical switches.
Unfortunately, there are a few letdowns on the control side. The first, a lack of remote control, might not endear the iDAC-8 to HiFi users who want it as part of their system setup.
The second is the lack of dwell time to access and study the menu settings, which include the filter and brightness options. If you do not operate the control for a few seconds, the iDAC-8 will immediately jump out of the menu back to the main screen.
That can be a frustrating experience, though, to be fair, the iDAC-6 MK2 has a similarly fast exit time, so it feels like a legacy option carried over.
The final critique is the Line/Pre out placement, which is in the same readily accessible location as the iDAC-6 MK2 placement, just below the timbre button.
I did not pick up on this in my iDAC-6 MK2 review in 2020 because the need for PRE was not there. However, with the iHA-8 now accepting a PRE input, you might find yourself reaching for the button more.
If you intend to hit the timbre mode and instead hit PRE, you are in for a huge decibel shock, which is why I think a remote control, or a safety countdown to PRE similar to when the tube mode is activated, would have been ideal.
Packaging & Accessories
Thankfully, Cayin is one of the new audio manufacturers that throws in some accessory cables to get you hooked up out of the box. I find it increasingly rare to see a USB cable come with a midrange DAC in 2025, something I took for granted 10 years ago.
Apart from that, you get the signature Cayin HiFi white gloves, which I have now seconded to my photography studio by the dozen (hello, fingerprint-free handling), a region-specific plug, a spare fuse, and the user manual.
All of this is neatly packed into a standard HiFi brown box with plenty of protective foam for the unit and accessories.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
