Cayin i5 Lossless Android DAP with AKM4490 DAC supporting 32/384 PCM + 64/128 DSD

[twister6]

 

  I feel that N5 v N6 are a bit in a different categories.  Unlike other manufacturers who start off with an entry level or mid-fi model and then scale it up to a flagship level, Cayin started with a bang! by introducing its flagship which also happened to be their first portable audio player.  N5 was supposed to be a mid-fi model, a level below, but it really felt like a step back and another step sideways to add and to improve on some features and ergonomics, as well as other differences related to sound quality.  I'm taking a wild guess that i5 could be positioned somewhere in between in terms of a sound, though in terms of its features and design it's already ahead of N6.  Looks like Cayin doesn't follow a linear path, but always have a step back or forward followed by a few big side-step surprises

 
If/when I get a chance to review i5, I will definitely make sure to compare it to both N5 and N6, though I think it's shaping up to be a better comparison to see where it stands relative to N5 and X7.

twister u like n5 or n6 better?

 
I prefer sound sig of N5, but also the factor of ergonomics and easier to carry/operate/navigate/control plays a big part of it

 

[nmatheis]

Good discussion, Alex. I remember having N6 and C5 in house at the same time, C5 being my N5 surrogate for this discussion because I feel they share sonic characteristics. Anyhow, while N6 was technically better, I really preferred listening to the less technical but more organic and musical. At the time, I remember pleading with Cayin to make a DAP with C5 sound. Low and behold, the N5 (lots of light and a trumpet blast). Not that I influenced development of the N5 in any way, mind you. I was just really happy to see it come out.

The point of this rambling post is that for me, technicality isn't the deciding factor - especially with DAPs. It's a combination on technicality + musicality + ergonomics + GUI + features + stability. Nothing clear cut. I just let the experience guide me, and what I love you might not. That's why reviews are hard.

Just my two cents...

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

If this thing can install Spotify I'm probably going to dive in for one. Very impressed with Cayin products that I've been able to use.

To me the X7's sound quality is only entry-level..

 

[Andykong]

If this thing can install Spotify I'm probably going to dive in for one. Very impressed with Cayin products that I've been able to use.


To me the X7's sound quality is only entry-level..

Well, lets's check this out:

Spotify:







By the way, one of the most popular music player just announced its Android version, I have a test run on that immediately:








I didn't know the Volume control page can overlap on the playback screen like this, cool！

 

[ezekiel77]

Impressive!

 

[nmatheis]

Andykong, will i5 be "dual boot" similar to FiiO X7 which has Android boot and Pure Music boot? I'm really hoping the i5's music app makes more sense than the X7's music app. Can't use that X7 music app without getting seriously frustrated with the wonky GUI...

 

[Andykong]

It must be wishful thinking on my part that it just could be better in some ways....

since it's been almost 18 months since the N6 came on stream...that the trickle down effect for technology would 

work here.

I feel that N5 v N6 are a bit in a different categories.  Unlike other manufacturers who start off with an entry level or mid-fi model and then scale it up to a flagship level, Cayin started with a bang! by introducing its flagship which also happened to be their first portable audio player.  N5 was supposed to be a mid-fi model, a level below, but it really felt like a step back and another step sideways to add and to improve on some features and ergonomics, as well as other differences related to sound quality.  I'm taking a wild guess that i5 could be positioned somewhere in between in terms of a sound, though in terms of its features and design it's already ahead of N6.  Looks like Cayin doesn't follow a linear path, but always have a step back or forward followed by a few big side-step surprises

If/when I get a chance to review i5, I will definitely make sure to compare it to both N5 and N6, though I think it's shaping up to be a better comparison to see where it stands relative to N5 and X7.

N5 and N6 are in the same product line, we can generally classified this as DAP that is targeted to audiophile market. Audio performance is number one concern within certain practical constraints and we tune the sound signature to fit into different target customer group. The i5 belongs to the new i series, alongside with the iDAC-6 and iHA-6. We put user experience into a priority position in these products, and we being able to listen to your favorite music anywhere, anytime has been an important objective in the i5 product concept, so we had make the following decision/achievement during the i5 development process:

(1) UI and control that users are familiar with -> Touch screen Android based DAP
(2) Highly portable, pocket friendly -> 14mm, the slimiest among the Cayin DAPs (N6 is 19.7mm, N5 is 16.4mm)
(3) Long playback duration -> 4800 mAH battery (vs 4200 mAH in N5), offer 11 hours of continuous playback on local music.
(4) Online Music -> WiFi, BT, DLNA, Cloud server, ....

Indeed Alex has explained the Cayin DAP models into a very logical manner, in fact the product code has tell a lot in the way we have planned our products. On top of using TWO flagship DAC chips, the analogue section of N6 is a "beast" in DAP market as it is a dual mono (BTL) amplification design. There isn't much technology breakthrough in the analogue sector in past two years, space and battery are the biggest limitation, so unless we can accept a jumbo size i5 with a much shorter battery time, the i5 will hardly be able to compete with N6 on audio performance. Our goal is to have i5 remain at the same level of audio performance as N5, I think we are very close to that.

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

Spoiler: Spotify and...is that Tidal??

Well, lets's check this out:

Spotify:







By the way, one of the most popular music player just announced its Android version, I have a test run on that immediately:








I didn't know the Volume control page can overlap on the playback screen like this, cool！

 

 

 
 
Well then, it looks like my new player is indeed the i5! Thanks for tailored response Andy, really looking forward to it.

 

[Kundi]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but will this dap support streaming? Spotify etc?

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 

[nmatheis]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but will this dap support streaming? Spotify etc?

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 
YES!

 

[nmatheis]

N5 and N6 are in the same product line, we can generally classified this as DAP that is targeted to audiophile market. Audio performance is number one concern within certain practical constraints and we tune the sound signature to fit into different target customer group. The i5 belongs to the new i series, alongside with the iDAC-6 and iHA-6. We put user experience into a priority position in these products, and we being able to listen to your favorite music anywhere, anytime has been an important objective in the i5 product concept, so we had make the following decision/achievement during the i5 development process:

(1) UI and control that users are familiar with -> Touch screen Android based DAP
(2) Highly portable, pocket friendly -> 14mm, the slimiest among the Cayin DAPs (N6 is 19.7mm, N5 is 16.4mm)
(3) Long playback duration -> 4800 mAH battery (vs 4200 mAH in N5), offer 11 hours of continuous playback on local music.
(4) Online Music -> WiFi, BT, DLNA, Cloud server, ....

Indeed Alex has explained the Cayin DAP models into a very logical manner, in fact the product code has tell a lot in the way we have planned our products. On top of using TWO flagship DAC chips, the analogue section of N6 is a "beast" in DAP market as it is a dual mono (BTL) amplification design. There isn't much technology breakthrough in the analogue sector in past two years, space and battery are the biggest limitation, so unless we can accept a jumbo size i5 with a much shorter battery time, the i5 will hardly be able to compete with N6 on audio performance. Our goal is to have i5 remain at the same level of audio performance as N5, I think we are very close to that.

 
If i5 retains N5's sonic character I'm going to be a very happy camper!

 

[x RELIC x]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but will this dap support streaming? Spotify etc?

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Literally the post above yours and then four above that. LOL!

 

[x RELIC x]

If i5 retains N5's sonic character I'm going to be a very happy camper!

It does look interesting for sure!!

 

[NPWS]

hmm..
very interesting dap, might considering this dap to be my second dap

 

[nmatheis]

It does look interesting for sure!!

 
You and I diverge on N5, though. I love it, whereas I'm not overly fond of N6. I think you're in the opposite camp, aren't you, Craig? I think you felt N5 was too bright. Another guy I PM with felt N5 was too dark. For me it's just right. Just goes to show how we all perceive things differently!