Cayin N3 Hi-Res DAP with AKM4490 DAC, apt-X Bluetooth, and Line, USB & Coax Out for $150
Jan 31, 2017 at 1:08 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 6,262

nmatheis

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Hi all. @Andykong recently hinted at a new Cayin DAP, and I'm excited to share it with you today. It'll be officially announced at CanJam New York, but here's a sneak peek...

The N3 is Cayin's new entry-level DAP. It's packed with an AKM4490 DAC, which is one of my favorite DACs right now. Compared to the N5 (which is one of my go-to DAPs), the N3 is 40% smaller and 50% lighter. It's rated for 12 hours continuous playback, so the N3 is set to make it through long days of listening to your favorite music. The N3 supports all common digital music formats up to 24Bits/192kHz, natively decodes DSD up to DSD256, and outputs PCM and DoP to external DACs through a unique dual digital output (Coaxial and USB-Audio via USB Type-C). With Bluetooth v4.0 and apt-X, the N3 can go wireless with latest Bluetooth speakers and headphones, making the most versatile Cayin N series DAP yet. In short, I think it's going to be quite the versatile piece of audio kit to have around!

I'll be getting one to try out after CanJam NY, so stay tuned for my thoughts on the new N3. If any of you get to try it out at CanJam NY, please join the thread and let us know what you think!


LINK to official announcement.


PRICE: $149.99


DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
Design
* Multi-color minimal design
* 2.4” TFT 400x300 IPS screen
* Capactive Touch Control
Portability
* Compact and lightweight
* 12 hours continuous playback
* Up to 256G TF card and OTG storage
Digital Audio Technologies
* AKM4490 Flagship DAC chipset
* Native DSD decoding up to DSD256
* Support Hi-Res PCM upto 24Bit/192kHz
* Supports all common audio file formats: DSD64/128/256, SACD-ISO, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, APE, AAC, MP3, WMA

Connectivity
* Bluetooth v4.0 + apt-X:
* USB-DAC
* Dual Digital Output


SPECIFICATIONS
DAC Chipset: AK4490EN x1
Power Rating: 130mW + 130mW @ 32ohm
Storage: TF (up to 256GB), USB OTG
Output: Shared 3.5mm Headphone + Line Out, Shared USB + Coaxial Out (optiona USB C to Coaxial cable needed for Coax Out)
Bluetooth: BT v4 + apt-X
Battery Duration: ~12 hours
Dimensions: 100mm x 54mm x 13mm (LxWxH)
Weight: ~100g


























And check out Jude's overview of what's coming to CanJam NY.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT5tuMJ-DRs#t=30m44s[/video]

What Cayin will be bringing starts at timecode 30:43.
 
Jan 31, 2017 at 12:49 PM Post #6 of 6,262
The design looks nice and simple.
What is the material used for the body?
Also, would like to know some details about the USB-C to Coaxial cable. What type of termination will it have on the Coaxial end?
 
Jan 31, 2017 at 12:57 PM Post #7 of 6,262
Not sure I like the idea of combining coax-out into USB-C port, but otherwise it seems to be a pretty solid design feature wise.
 
Jan 31, 2017 at 2:42 PM Post #8 of 6,262
  Not sure I like the idea of combining coax-out into USB-C port, but otherwise it seems to be a pretty solid design feature wise.

 
It's the same "mechanism" used in i5:
 
 
 
Jan 31, 2017 at 3:56 PM Post #9 of 6,262
The design looks nice and simple.

What is the material used for the body?

Also, would like to know some details about the USB-C to Coaxial cable. What type of termination will it have on the Coaxial end?


Aluminum front + plastic back

Also, N3 will have Low, Medium, and High Gain settings. I like that move.
 
Jan 31, 2017 at 4:39 PM Post #10 of 6,262
Aluminum front + plastic back

Also, N3 will have Low, Medium, and High Gain settings. I like that move.


So is it a true touch screen or is it buttons on the front ala sony a15 series?

Either way looks a good alternative to the nano's etc.
 
Jan 31, 2017 at 10:54 PM Post #13 of 6,262
Hello,
I had a doubt, please ignore if it's an invalid one.
Does Cayin N3 have both Digital out and digital in?
So if a source can transmit digital signal through spdif port, would Cayin N3 be able to receive it through its USB C digital in?
Thanks.
 
Jan 31, 2017 at 10:56 PM Post #14 of 6,262
If it is not have touchscreen, N5 is better, imho.


They're in different classes, though. Not sure if compare, since N5 will be approximately twice the price of N5...


Hello,
I had a doubt, please ignore if it's an invalid one.
Does Cayin N3 have both Digital out and digital in?
So if a source can transmit digital signal through spdif port, would Cayin N3 be able to receive it through its USB C digital in?
Thanks.


I haven't heard about digital in for N3. That's more common in upper tier DAPs.
 
Jan 31, 2017 at 10:58 PM Post #15 of 6,262
Only if it hand Android.
 

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