Cayin iDAC-1 USB DAC / Integrated Headphone Amp

Filed under: Home Audio > DAC - Digital to Analog Converters



Cayin Audio has released a new integrated headphone amplifier with a built in DAC called the iDAC-1, priced at $795. Like Cayin's HA-1A integrated headphone amp, the iDAC-1 is tube powered, though it uses two 6N1 tubes rather than the HA-1A's two EL-34s, 12AX7 and 12AU7. The iDAC-1 is rather unique in that it uses two different DAC chips, a TDA1543 for the first set of analog outputs, and a PCM2706 for the second set which can be controlled by the volume buttons, allowing the iDAC-1 to act as a preamp.

The iDAC-1 also includes a remote control, a front panel USB input, mini-jack headphone output, optical and coaxial digital outputs. Personally, I think Cayin might want to take that window down a notch. The massive chrome ring especially is a bit garish. Something like the window adorning Vincent Audio's SP-T100 monoblocks would be a big improvement.