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Cayin i5 Lossless Android DAP with AKM4490 DAC supporting 32/384 PCM + 64/128 DSD
Jan 14, 2017 at 6:20 AM Post #2,537 of 3,742
subguy812 said:
I haven't read any comments regarding the i5 and the HD650. I have spent a little time this evening with the pairing and it really kicks ass. Any comments?
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Yes, good tonal balance with i5 driving HD650 directly and quite pleasant for not-so-complicated music. I won't rave on the dynamic as HD650 can strive quite seriously when the amp is powerful enough, and the soundstage will also open up significantly.
 
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Jan 14, 2017 at 6:28 AM Post #2,538 of 3,742
pinkypowers said:
You must send me another review unit! My Meze's are here! :D

1600
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Oh dear, how could you miss the i5 and 99Classic pair, this is a match from heaven, the best of its class, and you couldn't possibly find anything better with i5 at this price range, and most important, they look gorgeous simply when placed together.

Now sir, how do you want to settle the invoice of i5? We accept major credit cards and PayPal.:D
 
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Jan 14, 2017 at 8:33 AM Post #2,539 of 3,742
andykong said:
The only thing that I don't like in your impression is your apology, take that away and this will become a perfect user sharing.
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Some initial feedback, but please do not take this as a arguments against your observations, you observations are all very valid, I simply tag on the issues to help reader understand the i5 better.

While we were finalizing the sound signature of Cayin i5, we have spend some time to check out the sub-US$1000 IEM markets, and we notice a trend: the recent IEMs tends to be very analytical, slightly cold in sound signature, and is not bass-heavy. Base pm this "assumption", we have fine tune the i5 as the current sound signature. We can't make the i5 as competence as our N6 in terms of audio performance and handling power given the budget, so we need to make a choice so that it can still perform satisfactory in "majority" operation.

We didn't stop there after we make a choice, for detail of fine tuning of i5, please check out one of our recent discussion:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/802382/cayin-i5-lossless-android-dap-with-akm4490-dac-supporting-32-384-pcm-64-128-dsd/2460#post_13140307

The delay of USB-DAC is the result of Asynchronous mode in USB-DAC, this is the industrial standard now because it will reduce the jitter of the digital connection significantly, and improve the smoothness and musicality of the USB DAC. Please check out previous discussion on this subject:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/802382/cayin-i5-lossless-android-dap-with-akm4490-dac-supporting-32-384-pcm-64-128-dsd/2445#post_13131245
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I do agree that it sounds detailed and high in resolution but the bass response was perhaps just too much for my preference with certain gear.
Perhaps if I tried the eq to lower the bass when using already bassy iems (Something i forgot to do, my bad), I would probably not have had any discomfort with it. :)
 
Jan 14, 2017 at 10:40 AM Post #2,540 of 3,742
andykong said:
Oh dear, how could you miss the i5 and 99Classic pair, this is a match from heaven, the best of its class, and you couldn't possibly find anything better with i5 at this price range, and most important, they look gorgeous simply when placed together.

Now sir, how do you want to settle the invoice of i5? We accept major credit cards and PayPal.:D
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I was thinking I could perform a sensual dance for you in payment. I've practiced some aggressive gyrations.

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The 99 Classics are quite similar in signature to the Rhapsodio Solar, which was my favorite pairing with the i5. So I guess I have some idea of the magic you speak of. :D
 
Jan 14, 2017 at 5:21 PM Post #2,541 of 3,742
andykong said:
The original ER4S? i5 cannot handle it satisfactory, will drive it loud enough but not fast and clean enough, which is the essence of ER4S. The Hd600 is also a tough load for i5, it will sound pleasant, but the soundstage will lack sense of openness. I suggest you either keep the ODAC/O2, or add a Cayin C5 to the chain. The i5+C5 stack will handle ER4S and Hd600 satisfactory.
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If it cannot handle the ER4S would it be able to handle the new ER4XR? 
 
Jan 14, 2017 at 5:24 PM Post #2,542 of 3,742
Has anyone tried any Empire Ear c/iems with the i5?  It sounds on paper like a good match, but was just curious about the sensitivity and noise.  Only have the lowly Supra's.
 
Jan 14, 2017 at 5:38 PM Post #2,544 of 3,742
robmoores1 said:
Thanks for the suggestion but, compared the the price of the Meze's they are rather expensive for me unfortunately.
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Yeah, they are in the insane category. :)

The Audio Technica ATH-IM03 is what I call the poor man's Solar. Much cheaper, and not far off in sound quality. The catch is they are currently discontinued. If you find a pair at a good price, I recommend you snatch them up. Well worth it. They are one of my favorites.
 
Jan 14, 2017 at 5:49 PM Post #2,545 of 3,742
pinkypowers said:
Yeah, they are in the insane category.
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The Audio Technica ATH-IM03 is what I call the poor man's Solar. Much cheaper, and not far off in sound quality. The catch is they are currently discontinued. If you find a pair at a good price, I recommend you snatch them up. Well worth it. They are one of my favorites.
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Ill look out for the although a quick look on the internet suggests they are difficult to find! If you can think of anything else please let me know. 
 
As you know the Meze 99 Classics synergy is superb - if I could find an IEM with a similar sound signature I would be a happy man!
 
Jan 14, 2017 at 8:11 PM Post #2,546 of 3,742
pinkypowers said:
Yeah, they are in the insane category. :)

The Audio Technica ATH-IM03 is what I call the poor man's Solar. Much cheaper, and not far off in sound quality. The catch is they are currently discontinued. If you find a pair at a good price, I recommend you snatch them up. Well worth it. They are one of my favorites.
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Srsly? I'll keep my eye out for IM03, then!
 
Jan 14, 2017 at 9:15 PM Post #2,547 of 3,742
nmatheis said:
Srsly? I'll keep my eye out for IM03, then!
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My set doesn't see much use these days, but I shall never sell. I like them too much.

Even built myself a special cable.

 
Jan 15, 2017 at 12:56 AM Post #2,549 of 3,742
miceblue said:
Are the front/back panels of the i5 made of tempered glass too? The plastic screen protector on the touring unit was pretty scuffed up, but that's to be expected for plastic. I know the Questyle QP1R uses Gorilla Glass on the front/back panels and it looks/feels good in the hand; just a quick wipe with a microfibre cloth and all fingerprints are gone!
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I am not sure about the front panel, but the rear panel is definitely not glass, let alone tempered glass. Qurstyle is a beautiful DAP, but we are at completely different price range. At our budget , we don't have a lot of option after we included all the necessary components. Maybe we can consider similar option when we develop DAP at thousand dollar range.
 
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Jan 15, 2017 at 1:08 AM Post #2,550 of 3,742
miceblue said:
I've tried the 1990 and I liked it very much (actually it's probably my favorite Beyerdynamic headphone as of late). I think the i5 would pair nicely with it.
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I agree.

I was thinking of getting a Headphone AMP between MacBook Pro and DT1990, but i5 is working fine as a USB DAC/AMP too.
 
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