Cayin N3 Hi-Res DAP with AKM4490 DAC, apt-X Bluetooth, and Line, USB & Coax Out for $150

[docholliday]

  I'd personally want a feature like this for listening to podcasts. But I'm not expecting anything like this to be implemented in this specific DAP line.
 
 
Has anyone who currently owns this device tested it on a 256 GB card?  I'm not expecting you to have the card filled up, what I would like to know is how well does it perform when thousands of songs are in storage?

Again, podcast / ebook / low res stuff - works the same on a phone as a DAP. No upgrade in sound quality so might as well stick with a phone.
 
I have 2x 256GB cards, both filled. Works perfectly. ~8000 songs on the first, all FLAC 16/44 - 24/96. Mostly DSD64 on the second card, with some 24/96 FLAC. One is a Lexar and the other a Sandisk Ultra.
 
Also have 2x 200GB, both PNY. Finally have 1x 128GB Sandisk Extreme.

 

[docholliday]

There should be a formatting tool in the DAP itself. It's always best practice to format your card in the DAP to avoid any playback issues. I always use a card reader for the initial loading of files, then plug it in later as I add an a album or two at a time. I'm not familiar with MAC, so I can't offer any advice with that.

 
I've never formatted a card in a DAP (or a camera for that matter). Just format on the computer (either FAT32 or exFAT), copy files, plug in, and update library. The cards I use for DAPs are listed in the previous post of mine. 
 
As far as cameras, same goes for the 4x 256GB CF and 10x 128GB CF (Sandisk Extreme or Lexar 1066x) cards. 
 
Since the N3 isn't USB3.0 on the transfer (confirmed in a previous post), you'll reach a speed limit of around 16-18MB/s if you transfer via the N3. Use an external card reader and get full speed for your card when transferring (~80MB/s currently).

 

[JeffNYC]

   
Back in the first couple of posts in this thread (where the product specs were being shown), no internal storage was mentioned.
It says: "Storage: TF (up to 256GB), USB OTG"

Duh...this is why I can't see it when I plug it in..no card yet.  I thought I had 32GB internal to play with (seems like most players do?).  My fault, but still disappointed...

 

[docholliday]

  Duh...this is why I can't see it when I plug it in..no card yet.  I thought I had 32GB internal to play with (seems like most players do?).  My fault, but still disappointed...

Doh, I hate it when that happens...
 
I actually prefer to not have any built in memory (unless it's at least 1TB). Hell, 32GB would be like 10 albums. And, it's easier to maintain a library off one card than two. Plus, I'd rather have the ability to replace any bad "drives" without having to solder off a flash chip (not that it's hard, just a pain to have to disassemble a player to do so).

 

[nmatheis]

The N3 just arrived, haven't even unpacked it as I was playing with the Hidizs AP60. Shootout. Soon!

I have a strong feeling that N3 is going to win that battle!

:wink_face:

 

[WayTooCrazy]

Dang nabbit! I did get the wrong USB-C connectors when I ordered previously.  I guess I can still use them for USB-OTG then.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-24pin-5set-USB-3-1-Type-C-USB-C-Male-Plug-Connector-SMT-type-/131965615046?

 

[rad7]

ebay had a 1 day site-wide flash coupon of $15 which seems to have ended just now. And I ordered my N3 yesterday 

 Oh well....
 
Regarding the microSD card, I just ordered a Samsung EVO Select Micro SDHC Memory Card & not the Pro version. Would this be sufficient for a DAP like the N3? I heard that higher write speeds of the pro version are only useful if higher write speeds are needed, for example, while recording a 4K video. 

 

[dnullify]

Man, it seems like half the times I use Massdrop I'm not saving any more than $1-3 and waiting 2-3x longer than if i had just ordered on Amazon. My N3 shipped yesterday, FedEx is showing delivery date on the 5th! 9 Days shipping from PA to CA! So much for an exclusive drop!
 
Hopefully everyone's enjoying theirs so far. Can't wait for more impressions. I've been playing around with the DP-X1A i'm setting up for my dad right now, seeing the virtues of a hi-fi DAP over a plugin DAC on my laptop.

 

[docholliday]

  ebay had a 1 day site-wide flash coupon of $15 which seems to have ended just now. And I ordered my N3 yesterday 

 Oh well....
 
Regarding the microSD card, I just ordered a Samsung EVO Select Micro SDHC Memory Card & not the Pro version. Would this be sufficient for a DAP like the N3? I heard that higher write speeds of the pro version are only useful if higher write speeds are needed, for example, while recording a 4K video. 

The higher write speed is really nice when you have to transfer a lot of files back and forth off that card (changing albums often). But, only if you are using an external 3.0 card reader directly on the computer. In my case, it's the difference between writing ~18MB/s to about ~80MB/s.

 

[docholliday]

  Man, it seems like half the times I use Massdrop I'm not saving any more than $1-3 and waiting 2-3x longer than if i had just ordered on Amazon. My N3 shipped yesterday, FedEx is showing delivery date on the 5th! 9 Days shipping from PA to CA! So much for an exclusive drop!
 
Hopefully everyone's enjoying theirs so far. Can't wait for more impressions. I've been playing around with the DP-X1A i'm setting up for my dad right now, seeing the virtues of a hi-fi DAP over a plugin DAC on my laptop.

That's why I didn't do the Massdrop. I've found it be a joke most of the time. 

 

[Lost Cosmonaut]

  That's why I didn't do the Massdrop. I've found it be a joke most of the time. 

Yeah, I bought it from Massdrop, too... duped by the "Massdrop exclusive" claim  (⊃◜⌓◝⊂)

 

[dnullify]

  That's why I didn't do the Massdrop. I've found it be a joke most of the time. 

I usually skip it, but they've recently had genuinely "exclusive" products, so i took that seriously... otherwise my protocol is to look up the price online, then look up head-fi reviews.

 

[WayTooCrazy]

Man, it seems like half the times I use Massdrop I'm not saving any more than $1-3 and waiting 2-3x longer than if i had just ordered on Amazon. My N3 shipped yesterday, FedEx is showing delivery date on the 5th! 9 Days shipping from PA to CA! So much for an exclusive drop!

Hopefully everyone's enjoying theirs so far. Can't wait for more impressions. I've been playing around with the DP-X1A i'm setting up for my dad right now, seeing the virtues of a hi-fi DAP over a plugin DAC on my laptop.

Is the DP-X1A yours? How do you like it? I just ordered the AP60, but tempted to cancel before it ships for a full on DAP and just sell off the Mojo.

 

[fish1050]

  The higher write speed is really nice when you have to transfer a lot of files back and forth off that card (changing albums often). But, only if you are using an external 3.0 card reader directly on the computer. In my case, it's the difference between writing ~18MB/s to about ~80MB/s.

Yeah I can see using the card reader for the initial loading of tracks on the card.  But once you get the main library loaded I would simply leave the card in the DAP.  For the amount of songs I would add at any one time it would take me longer to do the extra steps of taking the card out to add songs vs just doing it from the DAP.  Not to mention it lessens the chance of damaging the card or the card slot on the DAP constantly switching the card in and out.   I prefer to handle the card as little as possible.

 

[docholliday]

  Yeah I can see using the card reader for the initial loading of tracks on the card.  But once you get the main library loaded I would simply leave the card in the DAP.  For the amount of songs I would add at any one time it would take me longer to do the extra steps of taking the card out to add songs vs just doing it from the DAP.  Not to mention it lessens the chance of damaging the card or the card slot on the DAP constantly switching the card in and out.   I prefer to handle the card as little as possible.

Those cards aren't as flimsy as people have made them out to be. I pull my card at least once or twice a day to change out a different version of an album (HDA vs DSD) or a different edition. Until they release a 512GB MicroSD, I'll be swapping quite often! And even then, I'll probably still be swapping as more room means more albums loaded!
 
But, it sounds like in your case, one agonizing day to load will be worth saving the extra cash!