Cayin N30LE DAP: A Transformative Milestone (30th Anniv. Limited Edition)

[KelFab]

Wow seems a bit risky for the 4.4 port integrity

 

[Auricon]

Wow seems a bit risky for the 4.4 port integrity

Haha, ja. This isn't my regular 4.4 term set up.

I also have a set of Meze PCUHD premium upgrade cables in 4.4 term and needed to test the XLR that was included with Empy II.

 

[Steranko]

Yeah, I bought the AP version a week ago since I wanted the UM AP. Felt like it was pointless to get the IEM and not the dap that pairs with it.

For my ears, there is a really small difference if any between the two. The most noticeable thing for me was the case that came with the AP. It feels cheaper than the regular one. The AP feels like a piece of thin faux leather vs the suede on the regular.

I was thinking if someone can compare the AP IEM with AP DAP with Traillii Ti IEM with standard N30LE DAP.

 

[phiemon]

I don’t know if this helps or not, but I have both N30LE and Astell Kern SP3000. I use the N30 primarily for the tube experience with certain genres. But, if I don’t want to use tube for me hands down SP3K provides a better listening experience and vastly better sound stage. So if I had to have 1 it would be the SP3K

Can you explain how you think the soundstage of the SP3K is better? I've read the opposite everywhere else.

 

[RonaldS86]

I have N30 Amber pearl, but I also need an open back full size headphone to go with the N30.

-> What TOL headphone have you succesfully tested with great synergy with the N30

very sincerely

Closed: DCA Stealth
Open: Meze Elite

Beware though DCA Stealth is somehow a mixed back with any source from my experience as it's super transparent and very unforgiving, So it's either great or bad, rarely anything between Signature is transparent up top and punchy sub bass
Meze Elite is rather forgiving in comparison.
Punchy mid bass, less subbass

I vote for ZMF Caldera. I think it's sufficiently driven even though I need to dial the volume to 80 on High gain and Hyper mode
I want to buy Elite too initially, but I can't resist the limited Cocobolo wood

Can you explain how you think the soundstage of the SP3K is better? I've read the opposite everywhere else.

I think it's because SP3K is less colored so it feels more expansive maybe? I haven't try it yet myself

 

[zoidbb]

thanks for your suggestions.

I am also considering the Camerton Audio Binom-ER, the HE1000 Stealth, the Utopia 2022, the Erzetich Charybdis and... the D8000 Pro Limited (posibly with a DHC Chimara cable).

I can attest that the d8k pro le sounds phenomenal with the n30le

 

[zoidbb]

Is that empy 2??? How are you liking it?

 

[RonaldS86]

Is that empy 2??? How are you liking it?

Allow me to answer. Yes it's Empy 2

 

[NJoyzAudio]

Musicteck Sold Out of Pearl edition DAP! https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/cayin/products/cayin-n30le-amber-pearl-version-without-iem

Well
Looks like I did not get the last AP version at Musicteck, as of late last night, it shows "Low Stock" again meaning there is at least one more N30LE AP version available.

 

[bmichels]

I can attest that the d8k pro le sounds phenomenal with the n30le

Thanks for your comment. I will definitively give a good listening to the D8000 ProLE with my N30.

 

[UnknownOperator]

Hello all. As an engineer and producer for more years than I care to publicly document, I have learned to approach electronics with the thinking that “if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.” As such, I have been running FW 1.2 without incident (apart from a few inessential operational quirks). What am I missing by not updating to 1.3?

 

[mgsu]

Hello all. As an engineer and producer for more years than I care to publicly document, I have learned to approach electronics with the thinking that “if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.” As such, I have been running FW 1.2 without incident (apart from a few inessential operational quirks). What am I missing by not updating to 1.3?

1.2 is the best FW from a SQ perspective.

 

[RonaldS86]

I was thinking if someone can compare the AP IEM with AP DAP with Traillii Ti IEM with standard N30LE DAP.

This is a mission only you can do, because I don't know anyone else I know that have a Trailli Ti

 

[RonaldS86]

Double post

 

[ECKHUAAA]

I vote for ZMF Caldera. I think it's sufficiently driven even though I need to dial the volume to 80 on High gain and Hyper mode
I want to buy Elite too initially, but I can't resist the limited Cocobolo wood

I think it's because SP3K is less colored so it feels more expansive maybe? I haven't try it yet myself

Hifiman HE1000SE is great with N30LE and the N30LE AP, easily driven, I listen even in Hyper mode at 46 and it is extremely resolving rich and deep bass great revealing highs.