Cayin i5 Lossless Android DAP with AKM4490 DAC supporting 32/384 PCM + 64/128 DSD
Dec 3, 2016 at 2:54 PM Post #2,192 of 3,742
  All I wanted to check if any other person in this Cayin i5 thread is using Tidal on a routine basis as I would like to compare notes. 

I couldn't use due to a faulty unit that wouldn't stream Tidal or any Radio apps, also had a very poor streaming on home network, but that has been replaced with a new sealed unit.  Not sure whether to open and try or sell as a new unit.
 
Dec 3, 2016 at 3:19 PM Post #2,194 of 3,742
I would keep the Cayin, it is a good unit. Unless you are looking for a lot of more onboard memory

I love the sound from the Cayin(better than X7 and DP-X1 imo) but also want the streaming abilites to work not just for tidal but for radio and network use.  
 
Dec 3, 2016 at 5:53 PM Post #2,195 of 3,742
I also had hiss with Heaven V (16 Ohm, 112db SPL). But I feel like his has reduced significantly since latest FW update.
Anyhow, now using F4100 (42 Ohm, 109db SPL) so no issues anymore

@linux4ever

Noted you used Vibrolabs IEM. How does that pair? AM curious about Vibrolabs products but from descriptions their new SERA might sound too warm and
thick with the i5. That's why I ditched the Heaven V... 


The pairing was good. It might sound warm for some. I'm not a bass head but the levels of warmness in this pair up didn't bother me much. It was a fun sounding signature with good detail retrieval. Separation was average. Could not test the USB audio out as that functionality isn't fully implemented yet. Something like a mojo can improve the separation a lot.
 
Dec 3, 2016 at 6:51 PM Post #2,196 of 3,742
How is the i5 paired with Campfire Audio Andromeda or Vega? Has anyone try it out yet? If yes, how was it? If haven't try yet, would you think the i5 had sufficient juice to power up the CA lines? Thanks!
 
Dec 3, 2016 at 7:09 PM Post #2,197 of 3,742
How is the i5 paired with Campfire Audio Andromeda or Vega? Has anyone try it out yet? If yes, how was it? If haven't try yet, would you think the i5 had sufficient juice to power up the CA lines? Thanks!


The i5 powered my Solars and U12.

There really isn't a DAP on the market today that can't drive an IEM.
 
Dec 3, 2016 at 9:03 PM Post #2,198 of 3,742
  If haven't try yet, would you think the i5 had sufficient juice to power up the CA lines? 

 
Seriously? My old Sony A17 had more than sufficient juice to do that. And it delivered only 15mW while the i5 officially delivers
190mW (other measurements say even up to 400mW).
 
Agree to @PinkyPowers : Every DAP kann drive the CA sufficiently. Additionally the CAs are supersensitive also and probably some of the easiest to drive IEMs at all.
 
Dec 3, 2016 at 9:38 PM Post #2,199 of 3,742
  How is the i5 paired with Campfire Audio Andromeda or Vega? Has anyone try it out yet? If yes, how was it? If haven't try yet, would you think the i5 had sufficient juice to power up the CA lines? Thanks!

 
 

 
 
Just watch the first :30 seconds or so and the answer looks like a yes. That takes a lot of power.
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 3:36 AM Post #2,200 of 3,742
Hi i must buy a DAP with Bluetooth connection.

I can buy, at about the same price, the following ones:
- Pioneer XDP 100-R
- Cayin I5
- AK Jr (50$ less)

Or, saving few money, Sony NW-A25 in a special offer.

Considering overall quality and expecially the quality of sound (via bluetooth too) which one is the best solution in your experience?

thank you


If Bluetooth is important to you, go for a DAP that supports aptX. Unfortunately i5 didn't support aptX and I believe Pioneer XDP-100R supports that in their Bluetooth specification, I am not sure about AK Jr so you have to check this out.
 
Cayin Stay updated on Cayin at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
http://en.cayin.cn/
Dec 5, 2016 at 4:18 AM Post #2,201 of 3,742
hello guys, noob question here. is it okay to use Cayin i5 as DAC mode and then use the headphone out of the player? will the player still use the amp in the DAP? 


Assuming you have connected the i5 to a computer via USB type C, setting i5 USB to DAC mode, and connected a headphone to the Phone out of i5, you are indeed using the DAC chipset and the amplification circuit of i5 for your headphone. :beerchug:
 
Cayin Stay updated on Cayin at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
http://en.cayin.cn/
Dec 5, 2016 at 3:50 PM Post #2,202 of 3,742
Hello everyone. Just wanted to report that I got this player and it's excellent. Everything is simply outstanding. (battery life, sound quality, UI, design, controls.) The only problem I've had so far is the way this player sorts albums. The order seems completely random, which is kind of weird when you have a compilation album with CD1, CD2, etc... Sometimes I get the CD6 in the first place for no reason. Apart from that this player is pure perfection for any audiophile. Hope you all keep talking about its capacities.
Hails!
 
Dec 5, 2016 at 10:30 PM Post #2,203 of 3,742
 
Yes, you are right. I do have a M1, however, M1 is not able to stream music from my NAS and wireless drives. I have zero desire to listen to M1 alone, it is too thin. It is loud but thin. Connecting it to E12 makes it sound several times better (comparable to i5 but of a little inferior to i5) makes me wonder why I would need an i5.
 
I like "bit perfect" sound(just kidding) and I want to listen to music with my T1 when I am away from my desk. I only have a Mojo that is capable of driving T1 without my desktop gears.
 
I did a little experiment by connecting i5 lineout to Fiio E12 and it opens up the sound stage a lot, even with my low end sony ear plug! That is a surprise to me. Every note seems to go further, deeper and with a lot of body and depth. The only problem is E12 is only barely able to drive T1.


I wouldn't go that far to describe M1's sound signature thin. Soft maybe, bright perhaps. While the i5 has copious and tight bass, the default sound profile does not encourage prolonged listening. Changing it to the 3rd option (long delay I think) helps.
 
I used to be particular with details too but the M1 changed my perception for what constitutes good music. On the surface, it may sound thin But on careful listening it displays great talent in musicality and it is this one DAP (I don't own many Chinese made ones. Otherwise, I do own, throughout the years, from portable CD players to MD to full range of Creative products to Sandisk's Sansa) that also changed my mindset about drums. Drums are drums right? Not with M1, I actually hear very different drums in different songs and often more than one drum type in some songs and they are clearly defined and articulated! It's definitely not as detailed and powerful as the i5 but it is now my go-to player all day.
 
I won't go further talking about the M1 since this is the i5 forum. But the number 1 deal breaker with the i5 is that Spotify won't launch since day one and able to play Spotify is the reason I'd go for a Android based DAP. Of course who would want to just play lossy Spotiy on a fine player lie the i5? Yes it plays music from the server too but the weak wifi causes frequent drop-offs and that is seriously off putting.
 
Cayin tries really hard with this player and I really want to like it. Perhaps I'll pick it up again once the Spotify crashing issue is resolved.
 
Dec 6, 2016 at 1:03 AM Post #2,204 of 3,742

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