[Andykong]

I'll try to take advantage of the opportunity
What about HIFIMAN HE-400S? They are not highly sensitive, but any degradation of sound quality (hissing) would not be welcome. I am considering to make them balanced, but a decent cable is pretty pricy (~$90 at eBay).
Would it worth a try in your opinion?

HE-400S is a planar, I wouldn't worry about hissing with N5 at all with planar headphone, you can certainly go for it if hissing is the only worry that's bothering you.

 

[Jethrosang]

HE-400S is a planar, I wouldn't worry about hissing with N5 at all with planar headphone, you can certainly go for it if hissing is the only worry that's bothering you.

Any news on hissing problems with Noble's iem?

 

[Andykong]

Thanks for the reply. I am using Noble PR, couldn't find the rated sensitivity. I appreciate your help a lot

I tried to check out the detail of this IEM, apparently Noble has removed the product page already, and I couldn't any published specification on this IEM other that P configuration impedance > 240 ohms and R configuration impedance > 30 ohms.

The P configuration is definitely not a problem to hissing, with this high impedance rating, you probably should worry about the handling power of the DAP instead of hissing problem.

For the R configuration, I literally read all the reviews in the Noble PR Australian Tour Thread, plus a few that I could find on Internet, the ONLY related reference that I can pick up are as follow:

The “R” configuration is also not far behind the 4S – it’s a touch thinner and brighter, but the difference is small. Clarity is similar and detail resolution is extremely impressive all around. The balance of the “R” is a little more focused on the midrange, but arguably more level overall, while the 4S is more full-bodied. The 4S is also more sensitive than the “R”, and of course the “P”.

http://theheadphonelist.com/brief-impressions-noble-fr-pr-perfect-seal-sportbud-silver-minerva-mi-performer-pro-mi-artist-pro/

I would "speculate" the R configuration as "unlikely maybe". it is rated at > 30 ohm, which is actually pretty safe for hissing problem already, so unless its sensitivity is really high, which is not the case base on published reviews. it shouldn't have hissing problem with N5.

To put the hissing problem of balanced mode of N5 in context, the two IEMs that frequently quoted as having hissing problem with N5 are theSE 846 and the AK Angie. For your reference, the SE846 is rated at 114 db SPL/mW and nominal impedance is 9 Ω. The Angie is rated at 117dB @ 1mW, nominal impedance is 17 ohm.

I hope someone who is familiar in Noble IEMs can contribute on this case, as I am only speculating base on limited information. I tried my best but I am not 100% sure, I can't be to be honest.

 

[Andykong]

Helo guys,

I listened dx80 recently and i really love the sound. I didn't have chance to listen to n5 and in my place, n5 is almost $100 cheaper than dx80. I'm torn between these two as i read that n5 is in the same league with dx80. N5 has more powerful amp than dx80. Any helps?

There is a DAP comparison review mentioned in page 106 and the reviewer has included both N5 and DX80, maybe you can check it out and see if they can provide some insight to your DAP searching.

http://inearspace.com/2016/03/01/looking-at-the-state-of-mid-tier-daps-in-2016/

 

[Andykong]

On russian player.ru forum gained popularity customised firmware with truncated bootup and shutdown animations. This allowed to reduce a bit startup and shutdown time. After CH23 expressed his scepticism in Fiio X7's topic, I've decided to make a measurements. Unfortunately, my internet is really ^%&&tty now, so I can't upload video, but I think this result can be easily re-checked by anyone.

So, I've tried stock firmware, made 5 measurements, using stopwatch in my Pebble. Average boot time is 13.95 seconds from the initial press of On button, and shutdown is 7.06 seconds. With animations cut, bootup is 9.87 seconds, shutdown is 3.34 seconds. Actually, it's not "night and day", but a kind of improvement.

FW is here: http://d.pr/f/UpcS besides truncated animations it has some improvements in russian font and localisation, but i doubt it will be interesting for anybody here

Very interesting, We always run into problem on the multi-language interface of our DAP. We have recruited a translation consultant firm to handle the UI translation but we are not capable of cross check their deliverable. Maybe we can learn something about the Russian UI from your firmware, can we adopt the UI wording you used in your firmware into our forthcoming firmware? Or better still, if you have any comment on the UI description of our N5 and N6, please feel free to PM and I'll channel the issue to the Software team and ask them to rectify the problem as soon as possible.

In fact, this apply to every other language appeared on the DAP languages selection. We have limited language competence other then the English and Chinese language, so if you can volunteer to improve our UI description, please feel free to PM me and I'll keep in touch with you when we are working on new DAP firmware down the road.

 

[Andykong]

There us a Astel and kern 2.5 to 3.5 on Amazon for around $25 that works with the Cayin N5.

Can you provide the link for reference? There are some 2.5mm TRRS to 3.5mm TRRS adapter that are wired to convert Hifiman 3.5mm balanced headphone to N5 2.5 balanced connection, so please check with the seller specifically before you go for these adapters.

PS. I didn't express myself correctly, I mean to say a lot of the 2.5mm TRRS to 3.5mm TRRS converter does not support 3.5mm balanced headphone from HiFiman, so please check with the seller specifically before you go for such an adapter.

 

[Andykong]

Thanks, I thought mine was defect LoL (ex ipod & fiio user)

Also I have some DFF DSD128 track, sometimes i hear some cracking and grainy noise, no prob with FLAC or else, I'm on 3.0 fw.

Is this problem occur in all your DSD128 track or only happen on selected DSD128 track? Is it possible to verify the encoding scheme of your DSD128 tracks? N5 do not support multi channel DSD or DST encoded DSD, You can check the Codec information of your music file in Foobar2000 or similar player software, they should tell you the required detail.

 

[Andykong]

I have an N5 coming soon, really interested trying it with my IEMs.

I've used Cayin N6 extensively in the past so I already have a taste for Cayin's products.

That's an exciting news to N5 community, Luke has been very helpful to the N6 community and his opinion and participation to N5 is certainly most welcomed.

I am looking forward to read your comment on the N5, please come back and keep us informed when you received your N5.

 

[H20Fidelity]

That's an exciting news to N5 community, Luke has been very helpful to the N6 community and his opinion and participation to N5 is certainly most welcomed.

I am looking forward to read your comment on the N5, please come back and keep us informed when you received your N5.

 
I'm coming to partay, Andy! 

 
 
I'm going to see how N5 fairs with some of my Tralucent IEMs and maybe compare to DX80. 
 
Sure will be back once N5 arrives! 

 

[x RELIC x]

Any news on hissing problems with Noble's iem?

I tried to check out the detail of this IEM, apparently Noble has removed the product page already, and I couldn't any published specification on this IEM other that P configuration impedance > 240 ohms and R configuration impedance > 30 ohms.

The P configuration is definitely not a problem to hissing, with this high impedance rating, you probably should worry about the handling power of the DAP instead of hissing problem.

For the R configuration, I literally read all the reviews in the Noble PR Australian Tour Thread, plus a few that I could find on Internet, the ONLY related reference that I can pick up are as follow:
http://theheadphonelist.com/brief-impressions-noble-fr-pr-perfect-seal-sportbud-silver-minerva-mi-performer-pro-mi-artist-pro/

I would "speculate" the R configuration as "unlikely maybe". it is rated at > 30 ohm, which is actually pretty safe for hissing problem already, so unless its sensitivity is really high, which is not the case base on published reviews. it shouldn't have hissing problem with N5.

To put the hissing problem of balanced mode of N5 in context, the two IEMs that frequently quoted as having hissing problem with N5 are theSE 846 and the AK Angie. For your reference, the SE846 is rated at 114 db SPL/mW and nominal impedance is 9 Ω. The Angie is rated at 117dB @ 1mW, nominal impedance is 17 ohm.

I hope someone who is familiar in Noble IEMs can contribute on this case, as I am only speculating base on limited information. I tried my best but I am not 100% sure, I can't be to be honest.

My Noble K10 are more sensitive than my JH Angie, even with the higher impedance, so unfortunately they will hiss with the balanced output on the N5. I can't speak for the other Noble offerings though. That said, the single ended output is very good so I wouldn't stress too much if your sensitive IEMs hiss with balanced out. Just use the single ended connection and enjoy!

 

[Raketen]

think the facelift versions have trickled through to the amazon US sellers yet?

 

[stargaz]

Can you provide the link for reference? There are some 2.5mm TRRS to 3.5mm TRRS adapter that are wired to convert Hifiman 3.5mm balanced headphone to N5 2.5 balanced connection, so please check with the seller specifically before you go for these adapters.

Here is what a got from Amazon Extreme Audio 2.5mm Stereo Balanced Out Audio Adapter (2.5mm Balanced Male to 3.5mm Stereo Female Audio Adapter) for Astell&Kern AK100II, AK120II, AK240, AK380, AK320, Lotoo Paw 5000, Cayin N5 .

 

[H20Fidelity]

  think the facelift versions have trickled through to the amazon US sellers yet?

 
What is different on the facelift versions? Sorry, I haven't been following.

 

[Raketen]

   
What is different on the facelift versions? Sorry, I haven't been following.

not too much I think, see these posts
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/771208/cayin-n5-dap-product-info-post-2-resources-post-3-and-discussion/1470#post_12321213
http://www.head-fi.org/t/771208/cayin-n5-dap-product-info-post-2-resources-post-3-and-discussion/1485#post_12330442
 
 
Actually kind of like the old dust cover idea, oh well...

 

[H20Fidelity]

  not too much I think, see these posts
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/771208/cayin-n5-dap-product-info-post-2-resources-post-3-and-discussion/1470#post_12321213
http://www.head-fi.org/t/771208/cayin-n5-dap-product-info-post-2-resources-post-3-and-discussion/1485#post_12330442
 
 
Actually kind of like the old dust cover idea, oh well...

 
Thank you for finding those posts.