Cayin N8iii: Release Date and Specs Revealed

Digital Audio Player (DAP) Cayin N8iii (Image: Cruiser 3rd/Weibo)

The Cayin N8iii has had its release date and part of its specifications revealed. The information is official and was provided by the manufacturer of the Digital Audio Player (DAP) itself. The N8iii introduces the sixth generation of Cayin’s technology for implementing the Korg Nutube 6P1 in DAPs. Below is everything known so far about the brand’s new TOTL (Top of the Line) portable music player.

N8iii brings the 6th generation of the Korg Nutube 6P1 circuit in DAPs

Cayin first implemented the Nutube 6P1 in 2018 with the first-generation N8 DAP. With the N8iii, the company has reached the sixth generation of the circuit developed to integrate the Nutube into Digital Audio Players and portable DAC/amps.

Korg 6P1 Nutubes glowing in the Cayin N8iii (Image: Cruiser 3rd/Weibo)

Selected Nutubes

To achieve the best possible performance in the N8iii, Cayin states that its team manually selected the Nutube 6P1 units. The goal was to obtain precise measurement matching between units. But what exactly are Nutubes?

Manual selection of Korg 6P1 Nutubes for the Cayin N8iii (Image: Cayin/Weibo)

What are Nutubes?

The Nutube 6P1 consists of a dual triode. A triode is composed of a cathode, an anode, and a control grid. Although this is the basic structure that forms vacuum tubes, Nutubes are not manufactured in the same way.

Korg 6P1 Nutube used in the Cayin N8iii (Image: diyaudiostore)

Nutubes are produced using single-pixel vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) technology. The triode plate (anode) is coated with phosphor and emits a bluish-white glow when current flows through it. Above it is the control grid, followed by a very thin filament (cathode) responsible for signal transmission.

Structure of a Korg 6P1 Nutube triode (Image: diyaudiostore)

Although this explains the structure of a Nutube, it is not sufficient to understand why they are a good alternative for use in DAPs.

Recommended reading: What Are Vacuum Tubes? What Types Are There? How to Choose?

Why use Nutubes in DAPs?

One of the main advantages of Nutubes is their low-voltage operation, which allows them to be powered by batteries. According to the DIY Audio Store website, “the filament is specified at 700 mV and plate supply voltages can be as low as 5 V.” With this in mind, Cayin decided to implement Nutubes in its DAPs, although this process was not without challenges.

What challenges did Cayin face with Nutubes across generations of DAPs?

A major issue with Nutube 6P1 devices is mechanical impact affecting the triode filament. The wire can vibrate at audible frequencies, introducing noise into the audio signal. To mitigate this, Cayin developed a shock-absorbing mounting system that has been refined with each generation of its DAPs.

Side and top view of the Cayin N8iii (Image: Earphone Aesthetics/Weibo)

With that in mind, the key features of the N8iii, beyond the Nutube 6P1, are outlined below.

Flagship AKM DAC in the N8iii

For digital-to-analog conversion, the N8iii features four AKM AK4499EXEQ DACs working in conjunction with two AKM AK4191EQ delta-sigma digital modulators. This is a fully balanced parallel architecture with differential current output.

Rear of the Cayin N8iii Digital Audio Player (DAP) (Image: Li Ling Jiaqi/Weibo)

Three timbre options

Using the same concept implemented with the T201 motherboard for the Cayin N6iii, the N8iii features a “controllable local load design,” allowing adjustments in how the connection with the tubes is configured. This results in perceptible differences in sound, including frequency response range, harmonic distortion, and dynamics.

Users can switch between three timbre modes:

Classic Mode: A warmer, fuller sound with rich harmonics and greater musicality.
Modern Mode: A cleaner, more balanced sound with improved control and lower distortion.
Solid-State Mode: A more neutral and precise sound, with high fidelity and excellent definition.

Analog and digital connections of the Cayin N8iii (Image: Earphone Aesthetics/Weibo)

Cayin N8iii: Specifications

General parameters

Chassis material: 6063 aluminum alloy
Chipset (SoC): Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
DAC: 4× AKM AK4499EXEQ
Dimensions: 15.7 cm × 8.8 cm × 2.5 cm
Display: 6″ TFT
Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) and 4.4 mm balanced
Internal storage (ROM): 256 GB
Leather case included in the box
RAM: 8 GB
Weight: 580 g

Battery parameters

Battery capacity: 13,500 mAh
Battery life: 12 hours
Supports PD 2.0 fast charging

Audio parameters

Triple amplifier modes (A+, A, and AB)
Triple timbre: Classic, Modern, and Solid-State modes

Maximum output power (headphone outputs)

3.5 mm single-ended (SE): 900 mW @ 32 ohms
4.4 mm balanced: 1285 mW @ 32 ohms

Release, pricing, and availability

The Cayin N8iii will be launched on April 8 in mainland China for 26,998 yuan (approximately USD 3,929). There is still no confirmed date for the international release, but it is already known that it will be priced at USD 3,999. Sales will be limited to 500 units for mainland China and 500 units for the international market, totaling 1,000 units.