Cayin CS-100 DAC

Flagship tube DAC with ESS Sabre ES9038Pro, I²S & switchable output stage

Review (PDF)

“… outstanding value for money … and by far the best digital stereo source I’ve come across so far.”

Cayin’s flagship tube D/A converter uses high-grade ESS Sabre ES9038Pro conversion and supports native processing up to 32-bit / 768 kHz, as well as DSD512 and DoP256. Around the back you’ll find six different digital inputs: USB Audio, AES/EBU, BNC, RCA coax, Toslink, and I²S via Mini-HDMI.

A key highlight is the ability to switch the RCA and XLR outputs between a vacuum tube stage or a solid-state buffer, letting you tailor the CS-100DAC’s character to taste. The same goes for its multiple digital filter options.

Dual RCA and XLR outputs with both fixed level and variable (preamp) level significantly broaden the use cases: you can drive power amps or active speakers directly. A premium all-metal remote and the smart UI with a 3.95" AMOLED display make daily operation a pleasure.

German magazine AUDIO (issue 5/19) highlighted how neither “cold transistor sound” nor “overly warm tube sound” stereotypes apply here, praising a highly nuanced, balanced, and extremely resolving presentation across the various timbre and filter combinations.

Specifications