Cayin - RU6

Portable R-2R DAC & Amp

Sale price₹ 12,999 Regular priceMRP: ₹ 24,999
Discontinued
This product is permanently discontinued by the manufacturer and continues to live on in Headphone Zone's Museum.

Unfortunately, even if we desire to, we won't be able to resurrect this product. The Museum is where we pay our respects to end-of-life, old, archived, but not forgotten products. This page was made with a lot of love and will live on for posterity. What to say, we're sentimental people. 😔

While this product is gone forever, here are others we recommend

Why Cayin is Special

🇨🇳

Designed in China

🎖️ Established & Reputed

Trust us, our reputation speaks for itself 🏆!


We believe that when a brand has decades of proven excellence, you can invest with confidence knowing your purchase is backed by years of audio engineering expertise. These products come from manufacturers with extensive histories of innovation and unwavering commitment to sonic excellence. Think of them like luxury watch brands their reputation has been earned through decades of consistent quality and innovation.


With their extensive history of innovation and countless satisfied customers worldwide, you can be confident your investment is backed by proven audio engineering expertise and industry leadership 📈.


When you see "🎖️ Established & Reputed" products, expect time tested excellence from manufacturers who've consistently demonstrated mastery in audio engineering for generations.

🙌🏻 Revered by Audiophiles

Audiophiles can be really picky 😤, and if the audiophile community says something sounds good, you can bet it's exceptional! We believe that earning audiophile reverence is like getting a standing ovation from music critics it doesn't happen unless you've truly achieved something special. This audio gear has earned widespread acclaim from audiophiles worldwide, a community renowned for exacting standards and unwavering commitment to high fidelity reproduction.


These discerning enthusiasts particularly value its extraordinary precision in sound reproduction and remarkable capability to create thoroughly immersive listening experiences. The audiophile community's endorsement carries significant weight because of their extensive experience with high end equipment 🏆.


When you see "🙌🏻 Revered by Audiophiles" products, expect audiophile grade excellence that satisfies even the most demanding listeners and consistently exceeds the highest standards.

🐣

Born in 1993

Why we love this DAC/Amp

💎 Premium Economy

Sensible spending meets sophisticated quality in perfect harmony 💫.


We tend to describe premium economy products as finding that sweet spot where exceptional value meets refined performance. Think of it like business class comfort at economy prices you're getting significantly more than what you paid for. These headphones deliver a refined listening experience that rivals more expensive alternatives, making them an intelligent choice for discerning listeners who appreciate both value and excellence.


This thoughtfully curated selection demonstrates our commitment to bringing you outstanding sound quality and robust construction without requiring a significant financial investment. Each product has been meticulously evaluated to ensure it delivers performance characteristics typically associated with higher price brackets.


When you see "💎 Premium Economy" products, expect refined audio experiences that bridge the gap between entry level and high end offerings, delivering impressive clarity and features at accessible price points.


🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only

For those who have ventured deep into high fidelity audio 🎯, the pursuit of sonic excellence becomes an endless journey of discovery and refinement. We believe that serious audiophiles demand equipment that can satisfy the most exacting standards and deliver performance that pushes boundaries. These products represent the pinnacle of acoustic engineering, incorporating advanced technologies and meticulous craftsmanship that enable them to reproduce music with utmost fidelity.


Each product has undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure it delivers exceptional performance that discerning listeners demand, from precise frequency response to impeccable detail retrieval and sophisticated sound staging. These devices incorporate premium components and engineering excellence that justify their position at the apex of audio performance.


When you encounter "🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only" products, expect uncompromising performance that satisfies the most demanding requirements and elevates critical listening to new heights.

🥇 Incredibly Popular

Some things deserve all the attention ⭐!


We've found that when something becomes incredibly popular in the audio world, it's usually for very good reasons. This exceptional audio gear has earned widespread popularity by consistently delivering outstanding performance that resonates with listeners across diverse preferences and experiences. Think of it like that blockbuster movie that everyone loves sometimes, universal appeal indicates genuine quality rather than just marketing hype.


The widespread acclaim isn't just about trend or marketing it's a testament to genuine quality and performance that has been consistently demonstrated through real world usage. This popularity has been earned through merit, delivering reliable satisfaction to countless users 📈.


When you encounter "🥇 Incredibly Popular" products, expect proven excellence validated by the collective experience of satisfied users who've made these their go to choice.

💙 Our Team's Favourite

Cause after all, we are audiophiles first 🎧!


In our experience, when our entire team gets excited about something, you know it's genuinely exceptional. This audio gear has captured the hearts and minds of our seasoned experts, distinguishing itself as a standout favourite among people who test hundreds of products every year. Think of it like getting a unanimous recommendation from a panel of audio critics, when everyone agrees, you pay attention.


These selections have not only met but exceeded our rigorous standards, earning enthusiastic endorsement from our audio specialists who've tested everything from budget options to flagship models. When you choose these products, you're selecting gear that has been thoroughly vetted and passionately embraced by genuine experts 🏆.


When you choose "💙 Our Team's Favourite" products, expect expertly vetted excellence backed by genuine enthusiasm from people who live and breathe audio every day.

📱 Works Great with Type-C

Don't have a 3.5mm headphone jack on your phone?


No need to worry 📞 We believe these products represent the future of seamless audio connectivity. Think of Type C as the universal language that all modern devices are learning to speak. It's like having a master key that works with your smartphone, laptop, tablet, and practically every new device you'll buy. These headphones connect directly to your Type C port, delivering pristine digital audio without any dongles or adapters cluttering your setup.


The direct Type C connection ensures both convenience and optimal audio performance, maintaining the integrity of your listening experience through a clean digital signal path. You'll enjoy plug and play functionality with universal compatibility, eliminating those frustrating moments of searching for the right adapter.


When you encounter "📱 Works Great with Type C" products, expect seamless connectivity with modern devices and future proof design that grows with your tech ecosystem.

🪖 Built like a Tank

Durability concerns? Rest assured 💪.


We tend to describe these products as audio equipment that's built to survive anything you can throw at them. These headphones incorporate high grade metal components and reinforced design elements that ensure they can handle demanding conditions while maintaining structural integrity. Think of them as the military grade vehicles of the audio world over engineered for reliability and built to last decades, not just years.


The metal construction provides exceptional strength and longevity while contributing to a premium feel that serious audio enthusiasts appreciate. Whether you're a professional who needs reliable daily use equipment or someone who values long term investment in audio gear 🏗️.


When you encounter "🪖 Built like a Tank" products, expect unmatched robustness and durability you can count on for years of intensive use.


Why it Sounds Amazing

⚙️ DAC Chip

We like to say the DAC chip is the heart of any audio device it’s the part that actually transforms digital files into music you can hear 🎧. Think of it like a chef decoding a recipe to create a delicious meal. The better the DAC chip, the more faithfully it translates your music. And in my experience, a great DAC can completely change how your headphones sound.


Now, here’s what’s actually happening: a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) takes digital signals (your MP3s, FLACs, or streams) and converts them into an analog waveform your ears can enjoy. Different DAC chips like those from ESS, AKM, or Cirrus Logic offer their own sound signatures, levels of clarity, and noise performance. A good DAC ensures accurate timing, minimal distortion, and exceptional resolution.


When you see '⚙️ DAC Chip' products, expect: clean, detailed audio and better synergy with high quality headphones perfect for anyone upgrading from average sound to audiophile quality.

🚀 Power Output

We like to think of power output in audio gear like engine horsepower, it determines how much muscle your setup really has 💪. Whether you’re trying to drive a pair of power hungry planar headphones or just want headroom for dynamic peaks, power output is the spec you want to check first.


Technically, it refers to the amount of electrical power (measured in mW or Watts) an amp or DAC/Amp combo can deliver to your headphones. More power means better control, improved dynamics, and the ability to handle demanding gear without distortion. But more isn’t always better, too much power with sensitive IEMs can introduce hiss or harshness.


When you see '🚀 Power Output' products, expect: strong driving capability, better dynamics, and optimal performance with headphones that need serious juice to shine.


⚖️ Balanced Output

We often say balanced output is like using both hands to carry something heavy it distributes power evenly and keeps things stable. In audio gear, balanced output helps reduce unwanted noise and interference, especially over longer cables. Think of it as a cleaner, more efficient way to transmit your music, ideal for anyone using high end DACs, amps, or studio grade headphones 🎧. You’ll typically find it on gear with XLR or 4.4mm connectors, and it's a must have if you’re chasing that ultra clean signal path.


Here’s what’s actually happening: a balanced output uses two separate signals, one inverted, so when interference is picked up along the cable, it gets cancelled out when the signals are recombined. The result? Cleaner audio, better dynamic range, and more power output especially when paired with balanced headphones. The trade off? You’ll need gear that supports balanced connections on both ends to really enjoy the benefits.


When you see '⚖️ Balanced Output' products, expect: ultra low noise, more headroom, and better synergy with high impedance headphones or sensitive IEMs ideal for serious listening setups.

INNOVATIVE 24BIT DISCREET R-2R RESISTOR LADDER DAC CIRCUIT

The Cayin RU6 features a self-developed 24bit discrete R-2R resistor ladder circuit that can decode up to 384kHz PCM audio. The basic idea of the R-2R ladder is a matched pair of resistors, the first is “R” and the other is “2R'' which has twice the value of R. To achieve 24-bit decoding, RU6 equips 48 units of resistors (23 x R and 25 x 2R), and that’s for one channel. So for a stereo 24 Bit R-2R decoder, RU6 features 96 units of resistors for life-like audio reproduction. With the advent of the R-2R circuit, Cayin RU6 establishes itself as the master of the fully-discrete resistor DAC topology in portable audio.

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OFFERING OVERSAMPLING AND NON-OVERSAMPLING DA MODES

Cayin offers both Oversampling and Non-oversampling DA modes in RU6. For Oversampling mode, the Digital Audio Bridge will upsample the digital audio data to 384kHz through digital filters. This will enhance the resolution, reduce noise and improve the anti-aliasing of the digital signal. The Oversampling DA mode will offer a noticeable improvement in details and frequency extension. The playback is clean and sharp with a darker background. On the other hand, NOS DA mode maintains the sampling rate of the original bit-stream and playback will become very musical with a natural and organic presentation.

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EQUIPPED WITH FULLY ANALOGUE RESISTOR ARRAY VOLUME CONTROL

The majority of USB DAC/Amps rely on your phone's volume control to regulate the headphone output volume. Technically this was not a viable solution to Cayin RU6. Cayin created a fully analogue resistor array volume control circuit in response to this problem, offering 99 steps of volume adjustment via nine segments of resistors and switching relays. Resistor Array volume control features a very high-quality volume control design, extremely transparent when implemented correctly. This design is incorporated in a lot of high-end preamps and integrated amplifiers.

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FEATURES DUAL CIRCUIT BOARD LAYOUT FOR DSD AND PCM PLAYBACK

To minimise audio signal interference, Cayin has split the RU6's circuit into two 6-layers PCB, with digital and analogue circuits installed on separate boards. This safeguards the audio signal integrity and ensures the noise from the reference clock and DSP does not bleed into the amplification circuit. This architecture in turn delivers artefact-free audio every single time. This circuit design combined with the R-2R architecture enables the RU6 to support hi-resolution PCM and DSD audio formats with support for 384kHZ PCM and DSD 64/128/256 natively.

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INTUITIVE AND VERSATILE OPERATION WITH LOW POWER CONSUMPTION

Discrete R-2R circuitry is a low-power DAC circuit when compared to other highly integrated DAC chipsets. Because of this architecture, you can listen to music without worrying about your phone's battery draining out. USB-C connection offers compatibility with a wide range of phones, consumer electronics and computers. The hardware is intuitively designed, with the volume controls serving as menu selectors and the OLED screen displaying playback information. The Cayin RU6 also offers two gain settings to enhance performance with various IEMs and headphones. All this is wrapped in a 28g package.

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ViewingHeadphone-Zone-Cayin-RU6
Cayin - RU6 Sale price₹ 12,999 Regular price₹ 24,999
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iBasso - DC07PRO Sale price₹ 18,999 Regular price₹ 19,999
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Cayin - RU7 Sale priceFrom ₹ 19,999 Regular price₹ 28,999
ViewingHeadphone-Zone-Cayin-RU6
Cayin - RU6 Sale price₹ 12,999 Regular price₹ 24,999
#color_black
iBasso - DC07PRO Sale price₹ 18,999 Regular price₹ 19,999
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Cayin - RU7 Sale priceFrom ₹ 19,999 Regular price₹ 28,999
DAC Chip

R-2R Resistor Ladder

Quad Cirrus Logic CS43131

Discrete 1-Bit DSD

Headphone Output

3.5mm (Single-Ended)
4.4mm (Balanced)

3.5mm (Single-Ended)
4.4mm (Balanced)

3.5mm (Single-Ended)
4.4mm (Balanced)

Ideal For

🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only

🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only

🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only

Power Output

Upto 213mW @ 32 Ohms

Upto 430mW+430mW @ 32 Ohms

Upto 400mW @ 32 Ohms

Input

USB-C

USB Type-C

USB-C

What our Headphone Gurus Say

What we think about Cayin RU6

We don't call ourselves experts, but we actually listen to every piece of gear. So we think that we know what we're talking about.
HECTOR D'MELLO

Headphone Guru
HECTOR D'MELLO

A true stoic, a man of culture, a Harman tuning enthusiast, and a collector of mechanical watches - He is the backbone of our Headphone Gurus team. With his extensive knowledge of headphones and IEMs, he's always ready to answer your questions and engage in insightful conversations.

Talk to a Headphone Guru

Analog Warmth in a Dongle

Before the RU6, true R-2-R sound was stuck on desktops. Cayin changed the game by shrinking that organic, analog tech into a dongle. It does not chase perfect measurements or clinical detail. It chases musicality. If you want vocals that sound human and not digital, this is the benchmark

1 Year Warranty

Don't sweat it, this Cayin - RU6 comes with a 1 Year warranty from Cayin that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about Cayin's warranty in India.

Elevating Hi-Fi Experiences Since 1993

Founded in 1993, Zhuhai Spark Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd. has been dedicated to perfecting audio equipment under the brand name Cayin. With a commitment to delivering top-notch Hi-Fi products, Cayin embeds cultural richness into its audio range, catering to diverse budgets to make premium music experiences accessible. From tube amplifiers and CD players to speakers, Cayin maintains a consistent benchmark of quality, ensuring a compelling price-to-performance ratio across its offerings.

In 2013, Cayin expanded its horizons into personal audio, unveiling a line of Digital Audio Players (DAP) and desktop audio products. The brand further diversifies its portfolio with portable audio products, including amplifiers and in-ear monitors, empowering users with a broad spectrum of audio choices.

Explore Collection
Headfonia

"The RU6 is easy on the ears and it always has great clarity and a pitch black background. The volume control is one of the very best we have experienced with all of the dongles so far."

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DarkO Audio

"At the RU6's business end sit two headphone outputs: a 3.5mm single-ended socket and balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn socket. Switchable high/low gain assists with headphone/earphone matching."

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Headfonics

"The Cayin RU6 offers a different “analog” approach in the world of highly integrated delta-sigma chipset packages& DSP filters. Preserves a tube-like musical quality but with much finer volume control."

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Ecoustics

"If you are in the market for a very high-end Dongle DAC that delivers a lot more than most — the Cayin RU6 is the one you want. It offers all the features most need, great sound, and good power."

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Head Fi

"RU-6 is the 2021 dongle for me, a dongle that will make premium brands sweat. RU-6 value is its naturalism of replay and presenting the flavor of R2R w/o dropping technicalities."

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Prime-Audio

"The Cayin RU6 differentiates itself from other DACs not only with its R2R technology but also with its organic, analogue sound. If you’re someone who values character over absolute neutrality, this is the dongle for you."

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everydaylisteningblog

"Enthusiasts will be sure to enjoy the RU6’s wide stage and analogue-like note presentation that grant it one of the sweetest and most euphonic sounds I’ve encountered from a portable source yet."

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Have a question? Get in touch!

Check out the most common questions our customers ask. Still have questions? Talk to our Headphone Gurus.

Our customer support is available Monday to Friday: 11am-6pm.Average answer time: 2-3 Hours
TALK TO A GURU