Cayin N8iii Digital Audio Player The Cayin N8iii is a flagship reference digital audio player built for listeners who want a truly high-end portable source with Cayin’s signature blend of tube character, solid-state precision and modern Android streaming. Designed around Cayin’s “Honouring the Classic, Beyond the Classic” concept, the N8iii combines a 6th Generation KORG Nutube 6P1 vacuum tube circuit with a new flagship AKM DAC architecture, a fully discrete balanced headphone amplifier and a highly flexible output system. At its core, the N8iii uses a flagship AKM digital stage with dual AK4191EQ chips and four AK4499EXEQ DAC chips. This is paired with a fully balanced 4-channel discrete headphone amplifier, giving the player the control, resolution and dynamic performance expected from Cayin’s top-tier portable audio range. The N8iii offers three distinct timbre options: Tube Classic, Tube Modern and Solid-State. Tube Classic delivers a richer, more traditional valve-style presentation, Tube Modern offers a cleaner and quieter tube sound, while Solid-State provides a neutral, transparent and highly detailed sound signature. For further control, the N8iii includes three amplifier modes: Class A+, Class A and Class AB. It also features Standard Power, High Power and Hyper Mode, allowing users to match the player’s performance to different IEMs, headphones and listening preferences. Power output is impressive, with up to 900mW from the 3.5mm single-ended headphone output and up to 1285mW from the 4.4mm balanced output in Hyper Mode. This gives the N8iii the strength to drive a wide range of portable and full-size headphones. The N8iii is powered by a Snapdragon 665 processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. Its customised Android 12 audio system supports DTA SRC bypass for high-resolution playback from compatible apps, while Google Play support gives easy access to streaming services. A 6-inch FHD+ touchscreen, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, microSD card expansion up to 2TB and a large 13,500mAh battery make the N8iii a complete portable audio platform. It also supports 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone output, line out, pre-out, USB digital output, S/PDIF and I²S digital output for use in wider Hi-Fi systems. Built from 6063 aluminium alloy with a dedicated heat dissipation design, the N8iii is a serious flagship player for listeners who want reference-level portable performance with the unmistakable musical character of Cayin. Product Specifications CPU: Snapdragon 665 Operating system: Android 12 DAC architecture: AK4191EQ × 2 + AK4499EXEQ × 4 Vacuum tube: KORG Nutube 6P1 × 2 Display: 6-inch FHD+ multi-touch screen Display resolution: 1080 × 2160 RAM: 8GB Internal storage: 256GB External storage: microSD / TF card support up to 2TB Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz / 5GHz IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth codec support: LDAC / AAC / UAT Battery: 3.85V 13,500mAh / 52Wh Chassis: 6063 aluminium alloy Dimensions: 157 × 88 × 25mm Weight: Approx. 580g ± 10g Sound and Amplifier Modes Timbre modes: Tube Classic / Tube Modern / Solid-State Amplifier modes: Class A+ / Class A / Class AB Output modes: Standard Power / High Power Hyper Mode: Available for maximum output performance Volume control: Dual MUSES72320V electronic volume control Headphone amplifier: Fully discrete balanced 4-channel design Digital outputs: USB / S/PDIF / I²S Analogue outputs: 3.5mm single-ended / 4.4mm balanced Output functions: Headphone output / line out / pre-out Headphone Output 3.5mm Single-Ended Output Maximum output power: Up to 900mW Output power at 16Ω: 425mW standard / 900mW P+ / 900mW Hyper Output power at 32Ω: 245mW standard / 540mW P+ / 540mW Hyper Output power at 150Ω: 65mW standard / 120mW P+ / 120mW Hyper Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz / 5Hz–50kHz THD+N, solid-state: 0.0008% Dynamic range, solid-state: 120dB SNR, solid-state: 120dB Output impedance: 0.6Ω 4.4mm Balanced Output Maximum output power: Up to 1285mW Output power at 16Ω: 1000mW standard / 1285mW P+ / 1285mW Hyper Output power at 32Ω: 730mW standard / 880mW P+ / 880mW Hyper Output power at 150Ω: 210mW standard / 250mW P+ / 250mW Hyper Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz / 5Hz–50kHz THD+N, solid-state: 0.0005% Dynamic range, solid-state: 123dB SNR, solid-state: 123dB Output impedance: 1.2Ω Battery Life Battery capacity: 13,500mAh / 52Wh Playback time, headphone output, tube 4.4mm balanced Hyper: Approx. 8.5 hours Playback time, headphone output, solid-state 3.5mm single-ended Class AB: Approx. 12 hours Playback time, line out / pre-out, tube mode: Approx. 12.5 hours Playback time, line out / pre-out, solid-state mode: Approx. 13.5 hours Standard charging: Approx. 6.5 hours PD2.0 quick charging: Approx. 4.5 hours from 0–100%, approx. 3 hours from 20–80%
