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Cayin N5 DAP - Product Info (Post #2), Resources (Post #3) and Discussion
Feb 26, 2016 at 6:40 AM Post #1,576 of 2,546
andykong said:
The particular format that don't work with N5 is DST encoding, and this included both DST-encoded SACD-ISO and DST encoded DFF files.

From what I understanding, this is a specific encoding format primarily set for multichannel applications in DSD domain, but it is NOT limited to multichannel in terms of formatting. Because of the compression features in DST encoding, some user will employ this to stereo DSD material, this might help to trim down the storage requirement, but lead to a much larger processing requirement at playback, as you need to decompress while you play the file. This is kind of OK to desktop device or CAS, but a nightmare to DAP.

If you checked the file extracted, it is likely that the DFF file is no longer DST-encoded. DSF is uncompressed format and therefore will not have the DST encoded issue at all.
Click to expand...

 
you are right... the decoded files became DSD64.. thanks for the confirmation Andy !
 
Feb 27, 2016 at 8:42 PM Post #1,577 of 2,546
saw a discussion on erji.net on whether the N5 uses a PGA2311
 
the PGA2311U is on the right (and bigger than) of the AKM4490 dac chip
 
some serious discussion on the pros and cons on the use of such a chip.. it gets to a point it's too technical for my understanding
confused_face.gif

 
it's weird that official website states that there is no PGA2311
 
can @Andykong comment on this
biggrin.gif

 

 

 
 
this should be that of the X7
 

 
 
all sourced from erji.net
 
i see much more post showing the internal guts of different players for comparison.. will post more when i get home !
 
Feb 27, 2016 at 9:11 PM Post #1,578 of 2,546
N5 uses PGA2311, there is nothing wrong with that. A few daps use PGA2311, QA360, X5ii, and L5Pro (uses cirrus version), and I'm sure there are a few other dap's I've missed. All forms of volume control have their pros and cons, digital volume has loss of bits, analog volume has imbalances and introduces sonic qualities of the pot etc, and these analog volume chips are also similarly introducing their own character into the audio as well as needing extended circuitry. On a technical level I think the analog volume chips are better than most small pots, but I think I prefer the sound that is produced from a pot volume control even though it is less detailed than that of the analog volume chip, it sounds more natural imo, although that is strictly subjective, others may very well find the analog volume chip to sound more natural. There really is no best choice out of the different volume control methods imo.
 
Feb 28, 2016 at 1:34 AM Post #1,579 of 2,546
Hi, I'm still using hidizs ap100 and struggling to upgrade to n5, is n5 a really worth upgrade from ap100? Thanks.
 
Feb 28, 2016 at 2:43 PM Post #1,580 of 2,546
With apologies if already answered as this thread has grown quite long, 2 questions:
 
1) Does the N5 have a USC DAC function for PC?
2) Do the card slots work with the newer 200 GB MicroDSDXC?
 
Thanks very much for the info.
 
Feb 28, 2016 at 7:55 PM Post #1,581 of 2,546
lorywiv said:
  With apologies if already answered as this thread has grown quite long, 2 questions:
 
1) Does the N5 have a USC DAC function for PC?
2) Do the card slots work with the newer 200 GB MicroDSDXC?
 
Thanks very much for the info.
Click to expand...

 
#1 = YES
 
#2 = MOST LIKELY
 
Feb 29, 2016 at 1:36 AM Post #1,582 of 2,546
lorywiv said:
  With apologies if already answered as this thread has grown quite long, 2 questions:
 
1) Does the N5 have a USC DAC function for PC?
2) Do the card slots work with the newer 200 GB MicroDSDXC?
 
Thanks very much for the info.
 
Click to expand...

 
Quote:
nmatheis said:
   
#1 = YES
 
#2 = MOST LIKELY
Click to expand...

 
Thanks nmatheis!
 
Mar 3, 2016 at 4:30 AM Post #1,585 of 2,546
regit said:
Another comparison article that may be of interest:
http://inearspace.com/2016/03/01/looking-at-the-state-of-mid-tier-daps-in-2016/
Click to expand...


Thanks for the link. I was fully occupied by some translation and writing work recently (the smell of new product :D) and forgot to direct the link to this discussion thread.

We were completely surprised when Sonny Trigg (Owner and Editor of www.inearspace.com) email me saying the N5 has received their Great Value award.

The report is very detail and thoughtful, please check it out and join me to applause for their hard work.:beerchug:
 
Cayin Stay updated on Cayin at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
http://en.cayin.cn/
Mar 3, 2016 at 4:45 AM Post #1,586 of 2,546
cleg said:
My slightly different opinion on N5: http://www.head-fi.org/products/cayin-n5-dsd-lossless-music-player/reviews/15391
Click to expand...


Cleg, thanks for your N5 review, precise and up to the point. Your diligent and hardwork is most appreciated. :beerchug:
 
Cayin Stay updated on Cayin at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
http://en.cayin.cn/
Mar 3, 2016 at 4:57 AM Post #1,587 of 2,546
buihia said:
saw a discussion on erji.net on whether the N5 uses a PGA2311

the PGA2311U is on the right (and bigger than) of the AKM4490 dac chip

some serious discussion on the pros and cons on the use of such a chip.. it gets to a point it's too technical for my understanding :confused_face:

it's weird that official website states that there is no PGA2311

can @Andykong
comment on this :D








this should be that of the X7





all sourced from erji.net

i see much more post showing the internal guts of different players for comparison.. will post more when i get home !
Click to expand...



t.r.a.n.c.e. said:
N5 uses PGA2311, there is nothing wrong with that. A few daps use PGA2311, QA360, X5ii, and L5Pro (uses cirrus version), and I'm sure there are a few other dap's I've missed. All forms of volume control have their pros and cons, digital volume has loss of bits, analog volume has imbalances and introduces sonic qualities of the pot etc, and these analog volume chips are also similarly introducing their own character into the audio as well as needing extended circuitry. On a technical level I think the analog volume chips are better than most small pots, but I think I prefer the sound that is produced from a pot volume control even though it is less detailed than that of the analog volume chip, it sounds more natural imo, although that is strictly subjective, others may very well find the analog volume chip to sound more natural. There really is no best choice out of the different volume control methods imo.
Click to expand...


I can confirm again that N5 has employed PGA2311 as the volume control device. We were surprised by the speculation in erji and we had clarified the case with the readers immediately.

There are two perspective that we have to consider regarding the PGA2311. From functional point of view, the PGA2311 acts as a digitally controlled analogue volume pot. This is the best we can accommodate in a DAP environment from functional perspective. The PGA2311 does carry is sound signature as a components, but from a total system point of view, the implication is not as significant as other analogue components and power supply design in the player and Cayin certainly has "tame" the PGA2311 into the player from from design level, and have achieved the kind of tonal characteristic that we have planned for.
 
Cayin Stay updated on Cayin at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
http://en.cayin.cn/
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