No problem thefunkygibbon!

I use A-C, D-F, etc. at the top level. Some prefer Genre first but not me.

After that it's Artist -> Year - Album -> Song.

Example: T-V / Van Halen / 1984 - 1984 / songs

Throwing Year in there makes sure your albums are always sorted by their year of release or remaster instead of just alphabetical. Including Year is very important to me but others might not care.

nmatheis said:

 

andykong said:

Yes, I have used microUSB 2.0 to charge N5, I can post some photo and explanation for reference later on this issue.

Click to expand...

@Andykong: Thanks for confirming, Andy. Pics would be great. I'm sure I'm not the only one who didn't know this was possible. I'll edit my review to reflect this and link to your pic.

...

Click to expand...

 

 
 
Your typical micro-usb connector is the portion with pins 1-5, while pins 6-10 are the addon of USB3.0 connector.  The 'original' portion of the connector is fully backward compatible with usb2.0, and you can see it from the pinout description as well.  Also, keep in mind, power is still on Pin 1, though in USB2.0 max "computer" spec is 0.5A while in USB3.0 your computer can source 0.8A.  New connector has additional data Tx/Rx pins to support 10x faster max speed offered by USB3.0 vs USB2.0.
 
So when it comes to charging, a standard usb2.0 micro-usb connector like you use with your smartphone or table (android, that is) is fully backward compatible and you can safely use 2A chargers with it.
 
BUT, the recessed usb3.0 connector in N5 makes it harder for some shorter micro-usb connector to latch in.  For sure, usb3.0 connector with that additional part is sturdier.  I have a few micro-usb cables with a longer connector and typically use those for charging of N5.  Also, make sure you keep your eyes on charging LED next to the scrolling wheel - this is a good indicator when your power cable makes a solid connection.

Thanks twister6!

Total USB 3.0 newbie here, lol :rolleyes:

nmatheis said:

Thanks @twister6!

Total USB 3.0 newbie here, lol

Click to expand...

 
A typical answer from Apple user   You have to keep up with this stuff when you are dealing with android phones and tablets.
 
Don't forget, they just announced a new USB3.1 standard (double of usb3.0 transfer speed, up to 10Mpbs), and new USB-C connector type which you can connect flipped either way.  USB-C is a new standard used in the latest macbooks and some chromebooks which I believe is a replacement for their power connectors as well (it can carry up to 100W of power).
 
I wasn't paying too much attention either, until just got the latest Anker powerbank review sample and it comes with usb-c cable, had to scratch my head about it...

thefunkygibbon said:

Hey there,

Thanks very much for the reply, and of course you are right, good folder organisation is a must.

I am now doing just that.

Cayin have said they are working on the library issue, which is good news, so hopefully in the next firmware update.

Once again thanks for the reply

Click to expand...

People are so used to the iPod they often don't realize there is a better, more efficient way of navigating a massive library of music. Folder browsing is much less showy, therefore folk think it's somehow antiquated. When in fact it is the pinnacle of function.

nmatheis said:

Hey Andykong, can you use a micro USB to charge the N5? Some people suggested this in the comments of my review. If so, I want to clean up my review. Thanks for your help!

Click to expand...

First of all, micro USB 2.0 has explicit pin definition and electrical characteristic of the pins, but the physical dimension are not as straight and exhibit a fairly large tolerant scale, especially on the length of the plug-in surface of the connector. To illustrate my point, I have grabbed 5 microUSB cables at home and took the following pictures (photo by mobile phone only, please pardon the below average photo quality):




As you can see the "length" of the micro USB 2.0 are indeed varied quite a bit. The white/red and blue cable are on the long side, and the white and black cables are on the short side. I have tried my best to align these cable from long to short order.

On top of the length issue, there are two "hooks" on the plug-in surface, these are the security pin that lock the cable into the USB port. If you compare the "hook" of the two black cables, it is obvious that one is slightly more high profile then the other, meaning the locking capability of these cables will vary.

When I insert the longer red/white or blue cable into N5, this is what happened:





The length of the pin has build up a small gap between the cable and the N5 USB3.0 port. The N5 is charging (I took 10 photos consecutively in order to capture the blinking LED, so the image are kind of blurred slightly) and the connection is tight and secured.

When I insert the white and black cable beside the blue cable into N5, this is what happened:






The cable is now closely pushed into the N5 USB3.0 port. The N5 is charging and the connection is tight and secured.

When I plug the last cable into N5, I failed to get a secured connection, the cable can't hold in the USB3.0 port, and the N5 is getting charged for a few seconds and then drop off from charging. I am not sure whether this is because the plug in surface is slightly shorter (by a very small margin only), or the security pin is slightly recessed when compare to other cables.

So the fact is, N5 might have a problem to work with some micro USB2.0 cable, and I suggest you take a closer look at the length of the plug-in area and the condition of the security pin when you bought your next cable.

thefunkygibbon said:

Hey guys,

First time poster and great thread to post in.

I have just received mine and it is great, super build quality great user interface and a really good. I also own the FIIO X5 2nd gen and the jog wheel on the N5 is much better it searches for music far quicker and they, to me anyway, have a very similar sound signature.

However, I noticed someone else posted about this and I haven't see a response is the 5800 song limit, does anyone know if they will change this. 

Click to expand...

Yes,we are aware of the problem and is currently working on a solution to increase the title limit in our system significantly. Hopefully this will be available in our next firmware, please stay tuned and be assure that the problem will be rectified promptly.

twister6 said:

Your typical micro-usb connector is the portion with pins 1-5, while pins 6-10 are the addon of USB3.0 connector.  The 'original' portion of the connector is fully backward compatible with usb2.0, and you can see it from the pinout description as well.  Also, keep in mind, power is still on Pin 1, though in USB2.0 max "computer" spec is 0.5A while in USB3.0 your computer can source 0.8A.  New connector has additional data Tx/Rx pins to support 10x faster max speed offered by USB3.0 vs USB2.0.

So when it comes to charging, a standard usb2.0 micro-usb connector like you use with your smartphone or table (android, that is) is fully backward compatible and you can safely use 2A chargers with it.

BUT, the recessed usb3.0 connector in N5 makes it harder for some shorter micro-usb connector to latch in.  For sure, usb3.0 connector with that additional part is sturdier.  I have a few micro-usb cables with a longer connector and typically use those for charging of N5.  Also, make sure you keep your eyes on charging LED next to the scrolling wheel - this is a good indicator when your power cable makes a solid connection.

Click to expand...

twister6 said:

A typical answer from Apple user   You have to keep up with this stuff when you are dealing with android phones and tablets.

Don't forget, they just announced a new USB3.1 standard (double of usb3.0 transfer speed, up to 10Mpbs), and new USB-C connector type which you can connect flipped either way.  USB-C is a new standard used in the latest macbooks and some chromebooks which I believe is a replacement for their power connectors as well (it can carry up to 100W of power).

I wasn't paying too much attention either, until just got the latest Anker powerbank review sample and it comes with usb-c cable, had to scratch my head about it...

Click to expand...

Very informative and precised.

We have checked out the USB-C and you probably will find this connection port in subsequent products ... No, I am not giving away anything, we bound to have "subsequently products somehow, someday.

pinkypowers said:

People are so used to the iPod they often don't realize there is a better, more efficient way of navigating a massive library of music. Folder browsing is much less showy, therefore folk think it's somehow antiquated. When in fact it is the pinnacle of function.

Click to expand...

PinkyPowers: Yup. I'm a dedicated folder browser guy. Works well but you gotta work a bit more to get it all organized. Some people just aren't able / willing to go that little bit farther.

Andykong & twister6: Thanks for the excellent explanations complete with pictures. Above & beyond!


Regarding USB-C: This looks like a more forward-looking solution to me, and I recommended Cayin look into that for future DAPs in my review and notes I passed on to Andykong. At least, I hope I include it in my notes. If not, I'm coming out here in favor of USB-C!

Hey nmatheis, to answer your question about the Cayin headphone amp. The amp I recently sold was the HA-1A. It is a pure tube desktop headphone amp and pre-amp in one unit. It is built like a tank and looks beautiful with beautiful, lush sound. A great amp. As I said previously, I also have the HA-2i solid state desktop amp and it is a little cracker with beautiful clean, revealing sound and a great bargain at the asking price. Looks great(red anodised case) and is very well built, looks a lot more expensive than it is and also has two headphone out jacks. I also have the venerable C5 portable amp with is also a cracker of a portable amp, very powerful and will drive any headphone I have in my stable up to 600 ohms and of course I have the N5, and you know my sentiment on that one! Love it! 
I look forward to more portable products from Cayin. These guys know what they're doing. A nice touch screen DAP with Android OS (like the FiiO X7) would be nice, at a competitive price.
I guess you could say I am a Cayin fanboy but really I just like good products at a fair price and I think that Cayin has got it right in that respect. Like FiiO (and unlike A&K!) they give the consumer great value for money and I hope they don't get on the A&K gravy train, like some others, and start charging prices that are plainly ridiculous. Just my 2c worth. Cheers.

swannie007 said:

A little off topic, but still Cayin related, I am currently listening to a Cayin desktop headphone amp the HA-2i fed by a Schiit Modi dac and the sound from this inexpensive desk set-up is amazing! I can't think of any other setup that would give this type of "bang for the buck" for a desk setup. Both units are VERY reasonably priced and have to be heard to be believed. Cayin has a great range of tube desktop amps and I just recently sold my favourite tube amp, a Cayin unit. So, from daps to portable headphone amps to desk top amps, Cayin know what they are doing and I am a definite fan. Check out the rest of their range if you are in the market for a desktop amp, wether solid state or tube.

Click to expand...

swannie007 said:

Hey nmatheis, to answer your question about the Cayin headphone amp. The amp I recently sold was the HA-1A. It is a pure tube desktop headphone amp and pre-amp in one unit. It is built like a tank and looks beautiful with beautiful, lush sound. A great amp. As I said previously, I also have the HA-2i solid state desktop amp and it is a little cracker with beautiful clean, revealing sound and a great bargain at the asking price. Looks great(red anodised case) and is very well built, looks a lot more expensive than it is and also has two headphone out jacks. I also have the venerable C5 portable amp with is also a cracker of a portable amp, very powerful and will drive any headphone I have in my stable up to 600 ohms and of course I have the N5, and you know my sentiment on that one! Love it! 
I look forward to more portable products from Cayin. These guys know what they're doing. A nice touch screen DAP with Android OS (like the FiiO X7) would be nice, at a competitive price.
I guess you could say I am a Cayin fanboy but really I just like good products at a fair price and I think that Cayin has got it right in that respect. Like FiiO (and unlike A&K!) they give the consumer great value for money and I hope they don't get on the A&K gravy train, like some others, and start charging prices that are plainly ridiculous. Just my 2c worth. Cheers.

Click to expand...

Exciting to see Cayin desktop users sharing their experience with our "traditional" products, basically you have said it all, so the only thing I want to "add" to your comment is the following photo:



Do I need to further elaborate on Cayin's continuous development and ongoing improvement tradition?

That is one striking, hansom amp. I WANT IT!!

pinkypowers said:

That is one striking, hansom amp. I WANT IT!!

Click to expand...

 
I agree with @PinkyPowers! That is gorgeous!!!
 
Does it sound as warm as it looks? 

nmatheis said:

Does it sound as warm as it looks? 

Click to expand...

With them tubes, I bet it does.

My HE400 is calling for it...