Cayin N3Pro DAP: Dual AK4493 and MQA with Vacuum Tube

[Andykong]

Cayin has just announced N3Pro

• Dual AK4493 DAC
• Fully balanced design with 4.4mm and 3.5mm phone out
• Powerful 800mW@32Ω Balanced Headphone output
• Tube and Solid Dual Timbre (3.5mm single-ended only)
• Triode and Ultra-linear Mode (3.5mm Tube only)
• 2 line out, 2 digital out, USB DAC
• Hi-Res Wireless DAC

Price: US$479
Availability: Mid August (vary among countries)

Kind reminder:
The USB DAC function is implemented in Asynchronous transmission mode. we cannot provide real-time isochronous USB mode for USB DAC function. If lipsync is a deal breaker to you, we are sorry.

 

[Andykong]

N3Pro Explained

The Magic Behinds JAN6418 Vacuum Tubes
Digital and Analogue Audio Design
Specification

Reviews

Empeiros Audio

FAQ

How long can the JAN6418 last in N3pro?
What do you mean by using the vacuum tubes as an audio buffer? (and HERE)
Can we replace or roll vacuum tubes, or change it when it is broken? (and HERE)
Is that glow real tube glow or just lit by LED?
Will the vacuum tubes "hiss"badly with my sensitive IEMs?
Does it take a long time to warm up the vacuum tubes?
Can I install Tidal? How can I listen to streaming audio with N3Pro?
Can I play songs from Tidal after I HiByLink my n3pro with mobile phone?
What is UAT, how is it different from LDAC?
Can I use N3Pro with my full size headphones such as HD650?
Can I connect an external hard disk or SSD to N3Pro? (and HERE)
Does N3Pro supports USB3.0?
Can you show me the UI? is it easy to use? (and HERE)

 

[ilcanzese]

short info ................... wait 31 July

 

[Andykong]

Working hard on preparing the English material, please stay tuned.

 

[eaglesgift]

Ooh, this is interesting. I'm hoping for 4.4 mm balanced output, a little more power and no capacitive touch buttons

 

[Berserk87]

I guess it will be used CS43198 or ES9218 or AK4493 dap for new entry-level dap

 

[Rpyy]

Ooh, this is interesting. I'm hoping for 4.4 mm balanced output, a little more power and no capacitive touch buttons

+1 especially for 4.4mm balanced output!

 

[PopZeus]

Oh I dunno. I'd rather see the N3 Pro really make the single-ended out really great, instead of putting all the effort into the balanced circuit, while the SE is just an afterthought. But if Cayin can make both outs sound the same, with the only difference being a power increase, then a balanced N3 Pro would be cool. I want to say there's more of an expectation that the SE out should be the priority for entry-level devices, but that's just my preconception.

 

[jeejack]

Me 2.5 mm balanced

 

[eaglesgift]

Oh I dunno. I'd rather see the N3 Pro really make the single-ended out really great, instead of putting all the effort into the balanced circuit, while the SE is just an afterthought. But if Cayin can make both outs sound the same, with the only difference being a power increase, then a balanced N3 Pro would be cool. I want to say there's more of an expectation that the SE out should be the priority for entry-level devices, but that's just my preconception.

Well for me it's a selfish wish. I like the original N3 (apart from the buttons) and I have other DAPs I'm happy with too, but none of them have a balanced output. I want something with a balanced output to use with my Sennheiser 'phones. Without one, I'd have a hard time convincing myself to upgrade from the N3 (or would I?)

 

[PopZeus]

Well for me it's a selfish wish. I like the original N3 (apart from the buttons) and I have other DAPs I'm happy with too, but none of them have a balanced output. I want something with a balanced output to use with my Sennheiser 'phones. Without one, I'd have a hard time convincing myself to upgrade from the N3 (or would I?)

If you're talking about a Senn like the HD650, then I doubt even a balanced circuit at the N3's size will be sufficient, but I'd love to see Cayin prove me wrong! The 58X is far more likely be efficient enough to be driven by the N3 Pro, especially if it is balanced. Any of us would need a huge step up in power (and price) to really drive any of the 6XX series from a portable. Something like the N6ii would provide the right kind of amplification. I guess we'll see what they're planning soon. I just like to keep my expectations in check so that I'm positively surprised.

 

[Cat Music]

And why not take the module configuration from the N6ii to the N3 Pro? We could be talking about a mid-range dap with a unique feature, since more of the same would make the N3 Pro one more Dap in the catalog, of course, it would not have the same Dac chips that its older brother has incorporated, but many options would be opened (CS43198, ES9218P, AK 4493, among others), only my humble opinion

 

[eaglesgift]

If you're talking about a Senn like the HD650, then I doubt even a balanced circuit at the N3's size will be sufficient, but I'd love to see Cayin prove me wrong! The 58X is far more likely be efficient enough to be driven by the N3 Pro, especially if it is balanced. Any of us would need a huge step up in power (and price) to really drive any of the 6XX series from a portable. Something like the N6ii would provide the right kind of amplification. I guess we'll see what they're planning soon. I just like to keep my expectations in check so that I'm positively surprised.

Not the HD650, the HD660S so 150 Ω instead of 300 Ω (similar SPL). Should be doable shouldn't it?

 

[originalsnuffy]

Looks like two headphone jacks to me. Implies balanced and single ended.
If this is an Android unit, lets hope Cayin commits to full support this go round. What that would mean is that if a feature is promoted; it is delivered.
The i5 and N5II did not have that particular experience.

I suppose they could go with proprietary Linux and save android for all models up the line.

 

[kova4a]

So the rumors are $480 price tag and tube amplification