Cayin N5ii Android based Master Quality Digital Audio Player

[seanwee]

May be 10-12 times playback was interrupted, Iam switching it to new track (on different card) - nothing.

What do you mean by interrupted? I take it didn't freeze but playback was interrupted?

Or do you mean it that you paused the music several times?

 

[Reverber]

What do you mean by interrupted?

Nothing wrong with interrupted) I mean I just stopping playback of one playlist several times. And switch to different (or just another single track or album etc.)

 

[jeffhawke]

Interesting review! Maybe a little too focused on the software but well written. One of the problems with these types of devices is that everyone seems to want them to duplicate a lot of the functions of their smart phones when the primary purpose of them is to be a high quality music source. Even my smart phone is pretty far from perfect. And if Samsung and Google with all their resources still put out devices and software with fairly major bugs, maybe we could cut Cayin a little more slack.

If the N5ii wasn't an android player with streaming capabilities, bluetooth etc, it would still be well worth it's asking price on based sound quality alone.

I can totally understand how software bugs could ruin your experience with it if you need all the additional bells and whistles and hopefully they can get the firmware sorted out to perfection within the next couple of revisions.

People just judging it based on what they read from this thread are possibly getting an unfair impression.

For my use as a basic high quality music player it has been nearly perfect aside from a very few minor glitches.

I received the N5ii from Cayin as the first reviewer of the European review tour, and, having read about the many, different issues experienced my many fellow head-fiers I was kind of wary about it when I first opened the box. Well folks, I'm more than pleased to report that I've experienced only very minor bugs that only lasted a couple of seconds, about four times over two weeks, which to me is physiological for any sophisticated electronic device. Other than that, saying that I'm happy with my experience with the N5ii would be a gross understatement, and I am NOT looking forward to sending it on to the next lucky skunk tomorrow! So obviously Cayin listened to all the complaints and did something effective about it, which is the way it should be but is not with everyone. I would be hard pressed to find a better player in the <$500 price range.

 

[seanwee]

I received the N5ii from Cayin as the first reviewer of the European review tour, and, having read about the many, different issues experienced my many fellow head-fiers I was kind of wary about it when I first opened the box. Well folks, I'm more than pleased to report that I've experienced only very minor bugs that only lasted a couple of seconds, about four times over two weeks, which to me is physiological for any sophisticated electronic device. Other than that, saying that I'm happy with my experience with the N5ii would be a gross understatement, and I am NOT looking forward to sending it on to the next lucky skunk tomorrow! So obviously Cayin listened to all the complaints and did something effective about it, which is the way it should be but is not with everyone. I would be hard pressed to find a better player in the <$500 price range.

I'm still looking forward to your comparison between the DX150 and the N5ii

 

[jeffhawke]

I'm still looking forward to your comparison between the DX150 and the N5ii

You'll have to bear with me my friend, I have a very busy week ahead so I'm not sure when I'll be able to post the comparison. For the moment, you'll have to make do with this:

 

[seanwee]

You'll have to bear with me my friend, I have a very busy week ahead so I'm not sure when I'll be able to post the comparison. For the moment, you'll have to make do with this:

Hopefully you can find the time to do it. A quick comparison will do.

A few favourite songs with your favorite pair of headphones/IEM's should do the trick.

I don't know about you but I have a folder made specifically for the purpose of comparing different gear consisting of songs which are very picky about the headphones and the source. Makes it easier to compare aspects like soundstage, micro detail, instrument separation, clarity and so on.

 

[jeffhawke]

Hopefully you can find the time to do it. A quick comparison will do.

A few favourite songs with your favorite pair of headphones/IEM's should do the trick.

I don't know about you but I have a folder made specifically for the purpose of comparing different gear consisting of songs which are very picky about the headphones and the source. Makes it easier to compare aspects like soundstage, micro detail, instrument separation, clarity and so on.

I already laid down all the groundwork and, yes, I do have a test track playlist which I have used also in this case. Also, to compare DAPs I only use one reference full-size headphone and one iem (even though I'm really a headphone person), not to put too many variables in place. Having said that, I still need time to review my notes and put them together in a coherent and readable fashion...

 

[PinkyPowers]

I received the N5ii from Cayin as the first reviewer of the European review tour, and, having read about the many, different issues experienced my many fellow head-fiers I was kind of wary about it when I first opened the box. Well folks, I'm more than pleased to report that I've experienced only very minor bugs that only lasted a couple of seconds, about four times over two weeks, which to me is physiological for any sophisticated electronic device. Other than that, saying that I'm happy with my experience with the N5ii would be a gross understatement, and I am NOT looking forward to sending it on to the next lucky skunk tomorrow! So obviously Cayin listened to all the complaints and did something effective about it, which is the way it should be but is not with everyone. I would be hard pressed to find a better player in the <$500 price range.

Glad you liked it so much. It is currently my favorite mid-tier device. The sound is so exactly to my liking, and I absolutely love the form factor and build.

 

[Andykong]

That would be a quote fest lol

A new thread with a better title would be nice. Make it FiiO style.

Cayin 2nd gen || ESS 9018k2m || True Balanced Out || DSD || DXD || MQS || Android || Dual Card Slot || USB DAC

LOL

Unfortunately N5ii didn't support DXD and MQS.

 

[seanwee]

LOL

Unfortunately N5ii didn't support DXD and MQS.

Just an example but LOL I though the N5ii DID support MQS considering the title of this thread : "Master Quality digital audio player"

 

[Andykong]

Interesting review! Maybe a little too focused on the software but well written. One of the problems with these types of devices is that everyone seems to want them to duplicate a lot of the functions of their smart phones when the primary purpose of them is to be a high quality music source. Even my smart phone is pretty far from perfect. And if Samsung and Google with all their resources still put out devices and software with fairly major bugs, maybe we could cut Cayin a little more slack.

If the N5ii wasn't an android player with streaming capabilities, bluetooth etc, it would still be well worth it's asking price on based sound quality alone.

I can totally understand how software bugs could ruin your experience with it if you need all the additional bells and whistles and hopefully they can get the firmware sorted out to perfection within the next couple of revisions.

People just judging it based on what they read from this thread are possibly getting an unfair impression.

For my use as a basic high quality music player it has been nearly perfect aside from a very few minor glitches.

Very well put, thank you. I am so happy when someone can articulate the situation better than I can, and from a impartial position that make the argument more valid and relevant.

No matter what, Cayin will try our best to get rid of the glitches, and I believe we are getting there.

 

[Andykong]

Truth be told, my current favourite player is the Aune M1s, in terms of user experience. It's simple as it plays music and nothing more. That's what I actually look for - so I personally couldn't care less about the additional bells and whistles, if the player just works fine in reproducing music. Alas I found many bugs that prevent me from completely enjoying my experience. I've had enough of smartphones, tablets and smart devices in general - I prefer focusing just on music. If the Cayin N5ii managed and played music fine (no interruptions, no false matches in library, etc) then it would be almost perfect to me.

This is no apology nor going against what you say, anyway, just a bit of additional information on how I see things!

Cayin N3 is meant for the "plays music and nothing more" market.

Hiby R3 is another strong contestant in this segment, it is not available yet but soon, and certainly something worth looking forwards to.

 

[Andykong]

Glad you liked it so much. It is currently my favorite mid-tier device. The sound is so exactly to my liking, and I absolutely love the form factor and build.

Pinky, I am sure you have tried new IEMs and headphones that sounds good with N5ii after you published your review, maybe you can share some new impression like what you did to N5ii and Legend X. That would definitely helpful to fellow N5ii users as well as potential DAP buyers.

 

[Andykong]

From that photo, we can create a new (not being serious here) announcement....Sony is buying Cayin!

My take of the photo is quite different: Sony N series unvieled, starting with a the beautiful 5MK2 player.

 

[Andykong]

I am thinking that if the new firmware is really really good, that we could freeze this thread and start a new thread about the experience of this unit with solid firmware.

That would be good for all of us, but the firmware has to deliver. Just a thought.

Starting a new thread is unlikely to work, @seanwee has started a new technical support thread the people prefer to report bugs and pursue technical support in this main thread. User are attracted by the community and empathy when they raise their problem, IMHO.