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

Apr 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM Post #3,091 of 3,110
Interesting observation. I perceive the opposite: IEMs like Anni 23, Storm and Duality and HPs like HD800S, which are relatively hard to drive, have a tickier note and narrower stage in lower gains and the higher the gain, the more balanced (also meaning less bass bloomy) and bigger the sound. Conversely, IEMs that are easy to drive can kind of lose themselves in such a size, so the lower the gain, the better they are.


I find that very instructive, I didn't know anything about it.
Don’t get me wrong I totally agree with you on the impedance of an IEM and the setting of the gain to get the sound hence I said it depends on the IEM. 😊
 
Apr 1, 2025 at 5:21 PM Post #3,092 of 3,110
I will just like Cayin to release a firmware update to fix intermittent issues with the player where sometimes it doesn't recognize the microSD card, when I put the same card in the N3Ultra it is recognized immediately. Also sometimes it makes a deep vibrating sound when you leave it on then try to resume playing. When you stop it and start playing or switch back and fort between music files then it starts playing normally again. None of these issues with the N3Ultra @Gold Fox
 
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Apr 1, 2025 at 8:51 PM Post #3,093 of 3,110
I will just like Cayin to release a firmware update to fix intermittent issues with the player where sometimes it doesn't recognize the microSD card, when I put the same card in the N3Ultra it is recognized immediately. Also sometimes it makes a deep vibrating sound when you leave it on then try to resume playing. When you stop it and start playing or switch back and fort between music files then it starts playing normally again. None of these issues with the N3Ultra @Gold Fox
aye captain 🫡

Will report to engineer team!
 
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Apr 16, 2025 at 6:09 AM Post #3,094 of 3,110
N6iii is now Roon Ready. Can't wait to for the N30LE to get the same treatment!!!
 
Apr 16, 2025 at 3:49 PM Post #3,096 of 3,110
N6iii is now Roon Ready. Can't wait to for the N30LE to get the same treatment!!!
Since RS8 is roon ready I find myself reaching for RS8 more often than for N30LE, even if I find N30LE the better dac for me than RS8. I was trying to suppress roon addiction, but seemingly futile.
 
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Apr 17, 2025 at 4:53 AM Post #3,097 of 3,110
Hi everyone,

Sorry to be the bearer of disappointing news, but I’ve just received the confirmation that, unfortunately, the N30LE will not be getting Roon Ready support in future updates.
 
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Apr 17, 2025 at 5:15 AM Post #3,098 of 3,110
This is incredibly disappointing and I can only presume it throws caution to the wind buying small qty ltd edition products as the investment won’t be forthcoming to ensure such a small community are looked after when the mainstream products will.
It certainly leaves a sour taste in the mouth that the expectations were it would be supported but would take time.
Can we have an understanding of why such a high value product is not being included and the business decision behind it?
 
Apr 17, 2025 at 6:03 AM Post #3,099 of 3,110
@Andykong @Gold Fox it is great that N6iii is now Roon Ready. However, N30LE (and N8ii, more than likely) getting left behind (as confirmed earlier) leaves a bad taste in one's mouth when a premium, anniversary edition device with the same Snapdragon chip and more RAM doesn't get Roon support.

This decision can hopefully be reconsidered- I don't think I will be buying any further Cayin products otherwise (and I am sure I won't be the only person to think this way);
Cheers!

@HeavenlyD I know how both of us are (were?) massive fans of the N30LE. This would have been my dream DAP otherwise. As for the business decision- N30LE ii is the simple answer. A "transformative milestone" that gets left behind in the dust.

Extremely disappointing.
 
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Apr 17, 2025 at 6:51 AM Post #3,100 of 3,110
Yes unless I know something is going to be Roon ready at some stage (I understand development timescales etc) I won’t be buying anymore.
I’m not happy paying an absolute premium for what is the most advanced dap on the planet to find its never going to function as I hoped.
I never thought I would sell this but I may be forced to if something comes out from a rival company that is Roon Ready and equal..
It’s a huge disappointment…
 
Apr 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM Post #3,101 of 3,110
Since RS8 is roon ready I find myself reaching for RS8 more often than for N30LE, even if I find N30LE the better dac for me than RS8. I was trying to suppress roon addiction, but seemingly futile.

Hi everyone,

Sorry to be the bearer of disappointing news, but I’ve just received the confirmation that, unfortunately, the N30LE will not be getting Roon Ready support in future updates.
It is really a pity. It might leave 3-400 disappointed potent customers. What would have been a next Cayin purchase? A Soul 170HA? A next gen dap? Without long-term support? There are quick ways to destroy a long and hard-earned image.
 
Apr 17, 2025 at 4:55 PM Post #3,102 of 3,110
An obvious warning sign for people considering investing in Cayin products.

Perhaps the goal is for N30LE owners to buy a N6iii only to use the Roon function to connect their N30LE as a USB Dac? (Sarcasm)
 
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Apr 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM Post #3,103 of 3,110
I'm not interested in Roon personally, but I'm happy to share my opinion.

I also believe that Cayin's behavior in this matter has been anything but fair. What might help at least a little in understanding would be a (credible) official explanation of the reason. From a factual point of view, everything points to profit and that makes a very, very bad impression. This is particularly evident here in the thread due to the many negative comments. Actually, the company is losing a lot of its reputation and big fan base as a result of this behaviour. The question is to what extent it will be worthwhile for Cayin in the long term to have made such a decision.

@Andykong and @Gold Fox: Please allow me to give you some advice: think very carefully about what you are going to say next. I don't mean any offense, on the contrary: I'm a really big fan of Cayin and I think my N30 is simply fantastic, I'm absolutely thrilled. I would therefore be very pleased if - no, I wish the reaction will be positive.
 
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Apr 17, 2025 at 6:55 PM Post #3,104 of 3,110
Apr 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM Post #3,105 of 3,110
First, I want to offer a heartfelt apology.

I understand the frustration and disappointment many of you have expressed here, and it’s clear these sentiments stem from a place of deep appreciation and love for the N30LE. I think, as @phiemon pointed out, the disappointment does not come from indifference, but from appreciation. It’s because we love the N30LE that we hold it to such high regard; and with high regard comes high expectations—which, unfortunately, the Roon Ready expectation have now turned into frustration.

Please, allow me to clarify one, very important point.

At no point during the release or promotional phase of the N30LE did we officially state or promise Roon Ready support. It was never presented as a key selling point, nor was it guaranteed as a confirmed future feature. That said, we’ve heard your requests loud and clear, and we genuinely tried to explore the possibility.

For your reference, @Andykong had shared multiple updates throughout 2024.
We have submitted a firmware to a particular "body" for licenses approval 6 months ago, so far we have heard any feedback, thet dont even response to our email follow up.
Yes, Cayin is still looking forward to the response from ROON.
We are working with a UK digital audio lab to get one of our DAPs certified. The process has been ongoing for over a year. In our last exchange, we sent out a firmware update based on their comment, they acknowledged receiving the firmware. We have waited four months now, and there is no official feedback, last we heard, our unit is queueing up for testing.
We sent two rounds of firmware during this process—not because we had to, but because we valued your feedback and hoped we could eventually deliver Roon Ready to you. Even though it wasn’t an obligation, it mattered to us because it mattered to you.

However, unfortunately, it has now become clear that N30LE will not be Roon Ready.

This wasn’t an easy conclusion, and it wasn’t taken lightly. I know this outcome may leave many feeling let down, and for that, I sincerely apologize. But I also believe that it’s our responsibility to communicate clearly and honestly—we don’t want you to keep waiting for something that is no longer feasible, no matter how hard that truth may be.

As for the reasons behind this decision: I wish I could go into detail, but the reality is that it involves a mix of external and internal business considerations, many of which are subject to confidentiality. I understand this may not be a satisfying answer, but I hope it conveys that this wasn’t an arbitrary or dismissive choice.

Thank you again for listening to our explanation, sincerely.
 
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