Cayin RU7 Dongle: Spectacular Sounding!

[@nonchalantd]

Your reviews are such a pleasure.

[@JtwasLuck]

This is hands down the best dongle on the market and beats most DAC/amps in the sub-Mojo 2 price point, this kind of tech is quite incredible being the only portable 1-bit DAC on the market. It strikes an incredible balance between R2R smoothness and detail retrieval you get from traditional delta-sigma DACs. In DSD64, it produces such an organic sound that is both musical as well as balanced. It made me realize how wrong I was chasing after measurements. So I got rid of my RME and got a Gustard R26 because of this little thing. I can now say without a doubt that I am incredibly pleased with the way my system sounds now. It puts a smile on my face and while this dongle is expensive, you can't put a price on that!

[@Jamy4ya]

Glad to hear you came out of that panther pink thing...😊

[@Crashboomwallop]

Hi @JtwasLuck and ​ @amplifyaudioreviews I acquired a Senns HD660s2. Usually drive on M1 Mac laptop or a android phone. and use Apple's lossless music streaming service. I don't need a separate AMP right if I get RU7 to drive my cans? I want to avoid any desktop set-up. Have a DC03 Pro, which is great for my IEMs, but just about manages with 660S2 - and I can feel the need for more power to make the headphones sing as they say. Would RU7 do that? And when you mention about the battery, let's say I have it connected to the USB of my laptop, which is also connected to power, there is going to be no drain at all right. THe 5 hours factor that you mention comes only when connected to phone. Most important question is this: Will it work like a proper amp and make my HD660s sing with its sound signature? (I feel since 660S2 are organic natural referency sound, this could gel well) Please do reply when free. Too many choices, in particular DC04pro, or even Hify B6, and am a touch confused!

[@morespinach9832]

No it’s not. Far from “hands down”. The iFI Go Bar is immediately and audibly better.

[@JtwasLuck]

@@morespinach9832 Sorry but a dongle that has hissing with IEMs is not "audibly better", on top of that if you don't want hiss, you have to deal with a change in the FR of your IEM. The RU7 is miles ahead and its not even close. Remember most of this stuff is subjective, its very likely you are just used to the artificial sound that lower end delta-sigmas have.

[@JtwasLuck]

@@Crashboomwallop Sorry I just saw this, the RU7 will be more than sufficient for the 660S2. You will most likely want to run it on DSD128 or DSD256. As for drain, its not a problem esp. if your laptop is already connected. Hell even on battery mode, the battery drain from a laptop is not much. I would only worry about battery drain if you are running straight from your phone. In that regard I would stick to the lower DSD settings to maximize battery life.

[@sumanthduggirala1887]

your reviews are awesome

[@amplifyaudioreviews]

I appreciate that!

[@fazzxides8429]

Thanks, been waiting for review of the RU7 and have to say, you sound super impressed which says something. PS. Synergy with Sennheisers (600 or 900), would be interested to know how that worked.

[@Gaurav18nov]

I have same question, how it responds to IE 900 ?

[@JtwasLuck]

These will make vocals sound incredible with the sennheisers, its a very good pairing!

[@Hijynx87]

@@JtwasLuckhow about the ie200? Lol that’s the only Senny I’ve got other than pc38x.

[@Ricer-b4n]

Get rid of your ie200 and go get a set of AKG N5005 from Garmin for only $159. It used to be $1000 IEM. The AKG superior sound over the IE200 is more noticeable than blowing $300 on a dongle over a cheap dongle like a Fiio Ka13. In fact, the AKG sounds even cleaner and more spacious than the more expensive IE900. You can thank me later!!! Lol

[@sharmanihal]

Thanks. Was waiting for this review. Great review bhai 😊

[@TheVeganVicar]

I doubt that he is familiar with Hindi. :D

[@sharmanihal]

@@TheVeganVicarhe knows hindi very very well 😅

[@TheVeganVicar]

@@sharmanihal, he doesn't look or sound Bharatiya, but I'll take your word for it.

[@rkatsanes]

Good review, I too am very happy with my RU7! One thing I wanted to mention, I have no issues with my iPhone 13 Pro Max stuttering on DSD 256. I use Apple Music, 24/192 recordings where possible.

[@jsuno23]

how are you connecting the RU7 to your iphone? I'm using the camera adapter and the RU7 won't even turn on unless I also use the power connector on the camera adapter too.

[@rkatsanes]

@@jsuno23 Hi, I use a USB-C to Lightning cable. I mostly use one from DDHifi, but most any should do. I often place my phone onto an Apple charging puck unless I'm mobile.

[@omoveja8185]

Great review as always man ! I would love to hear your opinion on sets like the Aur Audio Neon Pro and the Soundrhyme SR8, two of which are being compared to sets twice the price on Head-fi. The hype is real on those two.... Would love to hear your opinion on how they compare to something like the Mest MKII and other sub $1500 IEMs, even U12T (considering used prices), the SR8 is a 14BA set that's seems highly technicall and still very musical and engaging and has 4 switches to adjust the bass and the treble.

[@amplifyaudioreviews]

Will try to get my hands on them!

[@omoveja8185]

@@amplifyaudioreviews please do, I think only Akros on KZbin already reviewed both. And even compared the Neon Pro to the Anole VX (which personally I tend to find it a bit of a stretch, but, stil...) 😅

[@wahid-lg1kk]

You can't just plug it into a tablet and expect to get the most out of the device. You need to play music on an app that supports USB Exclusive mode. Or you are only getting g maybe 70% of what it's capable of, if that. That's why you can hear a difference in the source, you are not using it right.

[@jamesbush2720]

Awesome review!!! Would you prefer this over the IFI Go/Gold Bar?

[@amplifyaudioreviews]

Over the Go, yes! Haven’t heard the Gold Bar!

[@jamesbush2720]

@@amplifyaudioreviews Thanks!!! I'll assume the Gold Bar too. That is because although the Gold Bar sounds better its a marginal improvement. Probably a 10% improvement. Noticeable, but doesn't sound like a totally "differen"t device..

[@nirajktm]

I am using ifi micro idsd signature with EditionXS headphones, might give these a try

[@bash3245]

Sajid Bhai !! Awesome review will you recommend Questyle M15 over RU7. Thanks

[@amplifyaudioreviews]

Thanks bro! Let me A/B these two and get back to you!

[@Ricer-b4n]

​@@amplifyaudioreviews So what's your conclusion?

[@dixter1652]

this mated to a Cayin C9 makes the Hifiman HE1000v2 sound amazing...

[@Reeeepicheep]

Tried out 2 RU-7s, both had noise issues. Snap, crackle, pop, hiss for days using supplied usb C cable into my iPad. Tried other cables and sources as well. Different headphones, IEMs. Don’t think quality control on these dongles is very good.

[@joey7285]

Did you ever try to pair RU7 with SA6 MKII. I have SA6 MKII and plan to buy RU7 did they work well together??

[@Hijynx87]

It should work with fiio otg lightening cables, right? I’ve got the braided one that came with the btr7 combo pack and the black one they sell separately (must be older than the btr7 one?) if it doesn’t play well with my iPhone 11 Pro I’ll just use it on my shanling m3 ultra.

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

The stuttering on my iPhone makes me stay away from these dongles, no matter how good they sound, and they drain the battery like crazy... but how does it compare to the Questyle M15 ?

[@Nuwanv01]

That's what I am also interested about

[@rkatsanes]

I have no stuttering on my iPhone 13 Pro Max with the RU7. I mentioned it above just now, but I was surprised to hear that issue in this video...

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

@@rkatsanes It only happens to IEMs with a lot of drivers, on balanced, at high volume. I guess the dongle reaches the current limit of the lightning port.

[@rkatsanes]

@@ROCKSTAR3291 Thanks, makes sense I suppose. My HP and IEMs are both planar magnetic, and I seem to have no issues with those at least.

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

@@rkatsanes i don't know, the Lightning port restricts the power drawn from your phone, so the dongle might not be operating at full potential. Better to use it with your Macbook or Ipad.

[@Hijynx87]

I’m debating on getting this now….this or fc6. I already have a btr7, so a questyle m15 would be kinda pointless. Also m15 is lower power.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

in short m15s is more pleasing to hear straight wo amp

[@GarethHailes]

Love the ru7 with the mest mk 2, my favourite pairing

[@Fahad1999win]

Awesome! Can you recommend something like this in budget under $80 for soundstage/high frequencies?

[@hartgemini007]

Just ordered one -how does it compare to the Ifi Go Bar which I currently have- seriously good sound compared to Audioquest Cobalt I had before

[@AndrewUKLondon]

Nice review. How does it compare to the ru6? (Using sennheiser ie600 IEM and HiFiMan XS headphones).

[@sobhan704]

I wanna know your current setup with IE600, buddy 😅. I drove them off of dongle dac on my Samsung phone and it is no fun. I have Salnotes Zero and I see very small difference between these two. I am lowkey regretting spending money on IE 600 now 💀

[@morespinach9832]

If this is “spectacular” the iFI Go Bar will blow your mind 😂

[@sobhan704]

How does it pair with Sennheiser IE 600? I recently got my IE 600 and I am driving it off of my S21 and man I am disappointed with my IE 600. People say that we gotta drive them off of Balanced and with some juice so I am wondering if this DAC can make my experience better. (I have experience with Hifiman Edition XS and SMSL SU 6 and SH 6)

[@Jamy4ya]

Good review. Note :- But this ain't an R2R ladder DAC, but 1 bit Resistor network technology.

[@ShravankumarCE]

Awesome review .How much battery duration while using with iPhone (4.4 mm balanced output of RU7)

[@MarcLie90]

Will it work well with fiio ft5 you think?

[@heeku_]

⁠ do u think it will run a diana v2 well? btw will u review the diana v2 & diana mr?

[@nikokomac3185]

hello...is also good for gaming and movies no delays?

[@yogiwp_]

Sound wise, how does it stack up against iFi Gryphon? (Ignore pricing)

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

Does this work with Tidal in exclusive mode?

[@kumarvikas629]

Which hits Bass deeper RU7 or BTR7? Deciding between two.

[@seanjoe1704]

Is this ideal with V16 divinity ?

[@antonristo1096]

Great review as usual! Could you compare the sound of the RU7 to that of the iFi Diablo? I currently own the Diablo, but have been concidering getting the RU7 to use at my workplace because of the smaller form factor.

[@morespinach9832]

Why diablo? Even the Go Bar which is similar size is much immediately and audibly better.

[@antonristo1096]

@@morespinach9832 I was asking for that comparison because I own a Diablo. I actually bought the RU7 and have been enjoying it very much! Do you mean that the Go Bar is better than the RU7? If so, what are the differences that make you say it's better than the RU7?

[@morespinach9832]

@@antonristo1096 quite simply the sound. The textured bass, the sound stage, and the slight warmth while being super transparent. The go bar has a delicious grunt. The Cayin RU7 is a step down from the pretty decent RU6 imho. The 7 is just very cold and clear. Lifeless.

[@antonristo1096]

@@morespinach9832 Okay, thanks for the response! I enjoy a smooth and neutral sound with a tight and punchy bass response, and I feel like the RU7 has that, but I will consider trying out the Go Bar in the future!

[@pinoyxbox]

@@morespinach9832the go bar is more musical than the ru7? I have the m15 and wanting to get an r2r dac. Choosing between fc6, ru6 or this ru7. For reference i came from a denafrips ares 2 so been missing that r2r sound. What would you suggest? Im only using og timeless tho.

[@TOM7952]

Thanks for the review. How do you think the RU7 would be vs something like a Modi Multibit 2 primarily for desktop use?

[@amplifyaudioreviews]

Yeah desktop or with android phones

[@zabiri]

In terms of sound, how does it compare with the questyle m15

[@Ricer-b4n]

Everybody seems scared to answer that question.

[@watchHalaziabyAteez]

Does this support MQA ?

[@danielmarcelo9779]

No. Igual mqa es una mala broma.

[@mickouzz]

Hi and thanks for the vid! So I bought myself my first pair of focal celestee, and I find the sound on my pc(windows) and phone(android) to be slightly thin in bass and dynamics, and a bit bright, analytical for me ( I heard Celestee is a sponge like headphone that can sound very different from a dac/amp to another) yet easy to drive. I wanted to know If you think this device can solve some of my problems maybe with the dsd mode? thanks again and have a good one!

[@sumanthduggirala1887]

if possible please do a review on ath r70x please compare it to hd 660s ,because some say r70x has best imaging

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

yes, best imaging for it's price. Sound is very similar to the HD600/650/6XX/660s family... but with better bass and imaging. Comfort is unmatched. I know because I own the R70x and HD6XX.

[@sumanthduggirala1887]

​@ROCKSTAR3291 thanks bro, between hd 660s and r70x which have better imaging and midrange, What about r70x Soundstage

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

@@sumanthduggirala1887 Soundstage on the R70x is not wide, but still wider than 660s. Midrange has a touch of warmth, while 660s is more neutral. It’s a matter of taste, personally i like a bit of warmth. The 660s is a darker sounding headphone, very little bass.

[@dbji88]

Questyle 15 or ru7

[@amplifyaudioreviews]

RU7

[@dbji88]

@@amplifyaudioreviews thank you 😊

[@Rsalmond83]

Yes

[@quadrannilator]

thanks

[@kyron42]

If only they made a bluetooth version of the RU6 and RU7.

[@ccromato]

please learn to speak clearly, non american people have difficulty understanding what you say

[@Jamy4ya]

I am non American and not even from any western countries, but I can clearly understand every single word he speaks. Maybe you need to learn to understand English..

[@doubledown4957]

I can clearly understand him. Im from Asia. You should improve yourself

[@sampathkumarnarayanan4101]

@ccromato turn on auto subtitles.. 😅