all999
1000+ Head-Fier
MQA files only, not MQA/Tidal support. Or am I missing something?
Cayin N3Pro DAP: Dual AK4493 and MQA with Vacuum Tube
- Thread starter Andykong
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MQA files only, not MQA/Tidal support. Or am I missing something?
captblaze
Headphoneus Supremus
MQA file format is now recognized by the N3 Pro
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True, but what I'm wondering and can't confirm because I don't have Tidal subscription, can you use N3Pro as DAC/amp with a phone or a laptop streaming Tidal and get full decoding since N3Pro is MQA certified? Look at thumbstick dacs like Dragonfly with MQA support, they add MQA unfolding to hosts that don't support it. If N3Pro is MQA certified, in theory it should work the same way.
Can anybody confirm?
monsieurfromag3
1000+ Head-Fier
With my phone transmitting 8x MQA thanks to UAPP’s $4 subscription, the N3Pro’s USB DAC says it’s decoding 24/88.2 content. I don’t get full MQA since it’s transmitted by my phone. Perhaps with an LG phone you get full MQA.
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kmmbd
500+ Head-Fier
It seems to work on my laptop. The N3 Pro is apparently capable of decoding on the hardware side as well since software decoding is disabled (2nd pic).
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DaYooper
Headphoneus Supremus
By the way, I have my N3Pro listed in the market https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cayin-n3pro.950096/
all999
1000+ Head-Fier
Not on my PC. I'm getting 24/48 and led indicator is flashing red cause it's charging every time it's connected to USB.
What info are You getting on your dap's screen while playing Masters?
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kmmbd
500+ Head-Fier
It's the same as yours. However, given software unfolding is disabled, it shouldn't work without a suitable hardware. Offline MQA files are supported (I've already tested that). I'd speculate that the N3 Pro supports upto "MQA Renderer" level when used as a DAC with the PC (details here: https://www.mqa.co.uk/how-it-works). Thus we see the reduced bit rate/sampling rate.
Received mine about a week ago and absolutely loving it! Great built device with snappy UI, amazing sound and addictive "gimmick" with tube flavour.
@Andykong 2 things that could be added/fixed in future updates could be:
-currently there is no option to select folder from folder view and have it play all the content inside. For example if there is a folder structure like ARTIST/ALBUM, it's impossible to select artist and play all albums at once (same if you're browsing by tags)
-when you long press folder in folder view, it gives you the option to add its contents to a playlist, but once you do, nothing is added.
Those were the only issues i found with OS so far (and one is just a functionality i would like to have
). I enjoy using it as it's more responsive and fluid compared to my DX160.
@Andykong 2 things that could be added/fixed in future updates could be:
-currently there is no option to select folder from folder view and have it play all the content inside. For example if there is a folder structure like ARTIST/ALBUM, it's impossible to select artist and play all albums at once (same if you're browsing by tags)
-when you long press folder in folder view, it gives you the option to add its contents to a playlist, but once you do, nothing is added.
Those were the only issues i found with OS so far (and one is just a functionality i would like to have
). I enjoy using it as it's more responsive and fluid compared to my DX160.
Lokiiami
100+ Head-Fier
I'm just curious, are there any noticeable quality difference if a DAP plays track from native app such as Tidal vs playing from the phone via Bluetooth assuming the phone supports LDAC.?
I don’t think this DAP supports any online streaming. But I guess you can connect via cable and use it as a DAC in that case it may support some higher bitrate then what LDAC(24/96)supports. Also wired is best method of connection but sometime we need LDAC for wireless convenience. BT connection does have some caveat. For eg. Spotify has OGG Vorbis which will need to be decoded by the phone and then encoded into another algorithm (LDAC) before being transmitted to DAP. So that’s that for BT. Now how much of audible difference it’s gonna make is something no one can answer for you unless you hear it on your device itself.
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Just wanted to post my first impressions on the N3Pro Cayin sent out to me on loan.
Overall from my short impression on it so far, I feel pretty pleased on it. The immediate thing I noticed about this is how well extended the N3pro is in the bass. It does give a good sense of rumble, dynamics and layering. There is also some good extension in the treble when trying the solid state mode and tube ultra linear mode. The tube triode mode sounds a bit more subdued in the treble. I also noticed a decent bit of a sound stage difference when comparing tube triode, and tube ultra linear mode. The ultra linear mode seems to be more spacious sounding by a decent bit and the triode is more intimate.
So far I do love how much lighter and smaller this is compared the the N6ii I tried and the build quality seems up to par in my books. The device is also very cool in comparison and feels slightly warm at worst whether in tube or solid state mode. I can not really say much to complain right now, although I will need to do further testing for the full review.
Overall from my short impression on it so far, I feel pretty pleased on it. The immediate thing I noticed about this is how well extended the N3pro is in the bass. It does give a good sense of rumble, dynamics and layering. There is also some good extension in the treble when trying the solid state mode and tube ultra linear mode. The tube triode mode sounds a bit more subdued in the treble. I also noticed a decent bit of a sound stage difference when comparing tube triode, and tube ultra linear mode. The ultra linear mode seems to be more spacious sounding by a decent bit and the triode is more intimate.
So far I do love how much lighter and smaller this is compared the the N6ii I tried and the build quality seems up to par in my books. The device is also very cool in comparison and feels slightly warm at worst whether in tube or solid state mode. I can not really say much to complain right now, although I will need to do further testing for the full review.
magicalmouse
500+ Head-Fier
I asked several pages ago if you could play all an artists tracks randomly and have had no response (official or other)
d
It’s a great sounding DAP, hampered by its UI; hopefully Cayin can address it with firmware updates, if possible.
curiouspeter
New Head-Fier
I am thinking of getting one as a dedicated (bus-powered) desktop dac/amp. Am I crazy? I want something compact as I work out of a dining table now. I also want something fun, like tube/SS modes.
I have not decided which headphone to get yet. Probably a Sennheiser HD 650, HifiMan Sundara or Audeze LCD-1. (I have been resistant to using headphones thus far but I want to give it another try.)
Is the N3Pro pretty reliable?
Also, have you guys figured out if it is an MQA decoder or renderer when used as a USB DAC?
I have not decided which headphone to get yet. Probably a Sennheiser HD 650, HifiMan Sundara or Audeze LCD-1. (I have been resistant to using headphones thus far but I want to give it another try.)
Is the N3Pro pretty reliable?
Also, have you guys figured out if it is an MQA decoder or renderer when used as a USB DAC?
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