Cayin N3Ultra: an Entry-level Portable DAP that Delivers a Complete Vacuum Tube Audio Experience

[clastorder]

Picked up one of these on secondhand recently for not a lot of money, partly because I was curious about portable tubes. Software is slow to respond, screen occasionally is nonresponsive, but holy geez the Modern Tube mode sounds like much more expensive gear. The other modes are nothing to write home about; good but within the price range.

As a dumb player, it's fine, but nowhere near the top tier of dumb portable (lotoo p6k). I enjoy it, but I think there are better options. All the same, Modern Tube mode is chef's kiss.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Picked up one of these on secondhand recently for not a lot of money, partly because I was curious about portable tubes. Software is slow to respond, screen occasionally is nonresponsive, but holy geez the Modern Tube mode sounds like much more expensive gear. The other modes are nothing to write home about; good but within the price range.

As a dumb player, it's fine, but nowhere near the top tier of dumb portable (lotoo p6k). I enjoy it, but I think there are better options. All the same, Modern Tube mode is chef's kiss.

I don't think there's better options, especially in the price range $200 up and $200 down. Mine has no glitchiness, the software is never slow to respond (I have way more issues with my Android players), and the sonic performance is creamy smooth, transparent, detailed, and balanced. Modern Tube mode is agreed upon. It is the vastly superior mode, and it sounds as good or better than the FiiO M11P, iBasso DX170, Sony NW-ZX707, Sony WM1A, Hiby R5 II, and the Bit Opus #3 (all the DAPs in that price range I've owned or own). The Cayin N3U is superior sonically to all of them (except the iBasso DX170 is sheer size of the soundstage. Nothing beats that stage beast. not even the DCE).

 

[HifiFrog]

I just want to give an update to my issue with the N3U having a high frequency noise when using IEMs:
In the meantime I was able to test another player and it didn't have the issue. Looks like the player of my friend really has a defect.

I ordered the DAP for myself the same day and it is also working very well without any noise.
Sound-wise it is truly awesome and I'm very happy with it.

(I also edited my original post for clarification)

 

[Gold Fox]

I just want to give an update to my issue with the N3U having a high frequency noise when using IEMs:
In the meantime I was able to test another player and it didn't have the issue. Looks like the player of my friend really has a defect.

I ordered the DAP for myself the same day and it is also working very well without any noise.
Sound-wise it is truly awesome and I'm very happy with it.

(I also edited my original post for clarification)

Glad to hear that!

By the way, since the N3Ultra was released around this time last year, your friend’s unit is probably still under warranty. It might be a good idea for him to reach out to the place of purchase and have it checked.

 

[Rockcoon]

As far as I understand, N3 works on Hiby OS, does it have MSEB?

 

[jotaerre]

As far as I understand, N3 works on Hiby OS, does it have MSEB?

It doesn't have one, but the EQ is great. Very, very good.

 

[Rockcoon]

It doesn't have one, but the EQ is great. Very, very good.

My friend bought this DAP, he is new to the hobby, he picked N3 just because was impressed that portable device has a small tubes inside Of course, then i learned the reviews and support his choice.
So I’ll have an opportunity to listen to N3 very soon.

 

[KOM66]

@Andykong Hello, the home button on my N3 Ultra has been flashing red since last night. I have not been able to turn the N3 on since it started flashing red. Do you have any recommendations on what to do ? Thanks in advance.

 

[VishnuKare]

@Andykong Hello, the home button on my N3 Ultra has been flashing red since last night. I have not been able to turn the N3 on since it started flashing red. Do you have any recommendations on what to do ? Thanks in advance.

Can you charge the DAP and see if it turns ON after a while? Mine usually drains the battery completely within few days even when powered off.

 

[Gold Fox]

@Andykong Hello, the home button on my N3 Ultra has been flashing red since last night. I have not been able to turn the N3 on since it started flashing red. Do you have any recommendations on what to do ? Thanks in advance.

A flashing red home button on the N3 Ultra usually indicates that the device is charging. Just to confirm, does the red light keep flashing even after you unplug the charger?

You may have a try of this: unplug the charger, then press and hold both the Power button and Volume + for about 20 seconds to see if it forces the device to boot up.

 

[Rockcoon]

@Gold Fox
Greetings. What micro SD card is recommended to use with N3? Sandisk ultra will be enough, or go for Extreme?

 

[Gold Fox]

@Gold Fox
Greetings. What micro SD card is recommended to use with N3? Sandisk ultra will be enough, or go for Extreme?

Hi there! To be honest, I don't have specific recommendation, I'll say just go with whatever fits your actual needs!

For CD-quality lossless files (44.1kHz / 16-bit / stereo), the data rate is only about 44.1k*16*2(channels)=1,411kbps, or roughly 0.18MB/s. Even real-dang-high-res files like 384kHz / 32-bit only require around 3MB/s of reading speed, which is way below the read speed the SanDisk Ultra you mentioned (which claims up to 150MB/s).

So I’d say the Sandisk Ultra is enough — and the biggest difference is that whether you’ll need the time for a cup of tea or a full meal when copying your music files.

 

[jotaerre]

Can you charge the DAP and see if it turns ON after a while? Mine usually drains the battery completely within few days even when powered off.

I charged mine to 100% three days ago without using it, and it was off. I'm just turning it on to reply here. I have a 99% charge.

@Gold Fox
Greetings. What micro SD card is recommended to use with N3? Sandisk ultra will be enough, or go for Extreme?

I bought the Extreme Pro on sale and obviously had no problems. The Amazon Basics is also perfect, and I use it on my R3 II.

 

[Rockcoon]

Got brief listening today before give N3 to his new owner. Solid State mode and slow roll off filter works well with my sonic preferences, so overall impressions is positive. More complex analysis, of course, needs more time, but during quick session I didn’t found a music genre or single track that i didn’t like with N3.

My friend as new to the hobby was simply impressed, as he said, he even can’t imagine the music can sounds this way. He likes jazz, so I choose modern tube mode and super slow roll of filter.

 

[garethofthedead]

Looking for new DAP and this is one on my short list, but wonder if someone could answer a few questions.
Is this a good pairing with dan clark audio noire x?
Is the battery life over 8 hours?
Is this player good for use while out in public?
and lastly, worse case, it falls out my pocket on the floor, would it been fine after?

Thanks for anyone who takes the time to read and reply, really appreciate it.