Cayin N5ii Android based Master Quality Digital Audio Player

[EvilJesus]

I have both. From a GUI standpoint the XDP100R is way better. Audio-wise it'll come down to the earphones used. I found it more difficult to pair the N5ii with my IEM collection. I like the smaller form-factor and volume cylinder on the Cayin. The XDP has been problem free although battery life is worsening over time. I use the Pioneer as my "everyday" dap on the go and at work since no-one in their right mind will steal it based on looks

Thanks. I think I'll pass on the Cayin and just keep saving for a Hiby R6.

 

[seanwee]

Thanks. I think I'll pass on the Cayin and just keep saving for a Hiby R6.

I'd say go for the DX150 and get the AMP 8 module. The R6 is only a small step up/side grade compared to the N5ii. The DX150 + AMP8 has a more noticeable improvement.

 

[Dobrescu George]

I'd say go for the DX150 and get the AMP 8 module. The R6 is only a small step up/side grade compared to the N5ii. The DX150 + AMP8 has a more noticeable improvement.

Also a bit pricier

Of course, with DX150 you can always change the AMP module, so it also has more opening and potential, but then again, starting with Cayin N5ii which is considerably less expensive and reaching DX150 + AMP8, it gets almost double the price, if one wanted something at N5ii's price, I think it is still a lovely DAP

 

[Andykong]

I'd say go for the DX150 and get the AMP 8 module. The R6 is only a small step up/side grade compared to the N5ii. The DX150 + AMP8 has a more noticeable improvement.

We must love this forum, this is so exciting. Our friends has always been very sincerely and diligent when dragging fellow HeadFier deep into the pit, this is like a war-zone! .

When someone said the $300 end-of-line discounted N5ii is "right in my budget range", the next thing I read he have moved on and "saving for a Hiby R6" ($569), and then we escalated to "the DX150 + AMP8 has a more noticeable improvement" ($499+$199) in no time.

These are all good products, I'll be happen to see @EvilJesus end up with any one of these DAP, but if you have lived with the Pioneer/Onyko DAPs for a while, I assume you have be spoiled by the smooth user experience and well-implemented UI already. From that perspective, R6 is indeed a very good choice.

 

[seanwee]

We must love this forum, this is so exciting. Our friends has always been very sincerely and diligent when dragging fellow HeadFier deep into the pit, this is like a war-zone! .

When someone said the $300 end-of-line discounted N5ii is "right in my budget range", the next thing I read he have moved on and "saving for a Hiby R6" ($569), and then we escalated to "the DX150 + AMP8 has a more noticeable improvement" ($499+$199) in no time.

These are all good products, I'll be happen to see @EvilJesus end up with any one of these DAP, but if you have lived with the Pioneer/Onyko DAPs for a while, I assume you have be spoiled by the smooth user experience and well-implemented UI already. From that perspective, R6 is indeed a very good choice.

Lol I didn't see it that way. I was simply suggesting that if he wants to save up for the R6, a more worthwhile choice would be the DX150. The R6 somewhat disappoints in sound considering its price. UI wise the DX150 with lurker's fw is almost as smooth as the R6.

 

[EvilJesus]

Also a bit pricier

Of course, with DX150 you can always change the AMP module, so it also has more opening and potential, but then again, starting with Cayin N5ii which is considerably less expensive and reaching DX150 + AMP8, it gets almost double the price, if one wanted something at N5ii's price, I think it is still a lovely DAP

Not only is it far more expensive, it's dealing with Ibasso's horrible UI. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Andykong]

Lol I didn't see it that way. I was simply suggesting that if he wants to save up for the R6, a more worthwhile choice would be the DX150. The R6 somewhat disappoints in sound considering its price. UI wise the DX150 with lurker's fw is almost as smooth as the R6.

I am waiting for the next suggestion: Questyle QPR2,

 

[Andykong]

Not only is it far more expensive, it's dealing with Ibasso's horrible UI. Thanks for the suggestion though.

UI and feature set are very much personal preference, if there is a shop within travel distance, you should check out the these DAP in person. The N5ii is a safe bet because you won't lose a lot when you decided to sell it out and move on for your next DAP. With the exception of USB DAC feature, the N5ii/N5iiS are fairly stable by now.

 

[Mayth]

Spotify offline mode is totally broken with the N5ii. EVERY TIME I power up, I have to relog through Facebook, even with offline mode set. And almost every time I loose all my songs stored on the external card.

What's the point of storage if I have to be connected on Wi-Fi

And now the app is frozen on a black screen after I clicked "connect" when it told me I was offline.

It seriously pisses me off, I can't have one week with no issues.

Starting to think about selling and saving for another dap...

 

[seanwee]

I am waiting for the next suggestion: Questyle QPR2,

I still have yet to try out the QP1R. It seems like my kind of Dap sound wise.

 

[Andykong]

Spotify offline mode is totally broken with the N5ii. EVERY TIME I power up, I have to relog through Facebook, even with offline mode set. And almost every time I loose all my songs stored on the external card.

What's the point of storage if I have to be connected on Wi-Fi

It seriously pisses me off, I can't have one week with no issues.

Starting to think about selling and saving for another dap...

Yes. the Spotify is a known problem, I hope you'll find a good DAP that will function stably in offline mode with Spotify.

But the way, did you registered your Spotify in other devices? Do you aware that Spotify only support three device under one user account, so when you log into the fourth device, it will kick you out and disable your offline playlist on one of the device. If you get log out everytime (or every week), you probably has run into the famous three-users-only limitation.

 

[Mayth]

My computer, my dap and almost never my galaxy s7.

So I shouldn't face this limitation :/

 

[Andykong]

My computer, my dap and almost never my galaxy s7.

So I shouldn't face this limitation :/

The 3 Devices limit is a hidden bomb, the App can run in the background without you aware of it. Search the Spotify community and read about the complaints regarding disappearing offline playlist, auto logout, device limit, download issue with TF card, .... etc, you’ll be surprised.

 

[CongoFather]

It has been a really long time. We have been waiting for a firmware for the USB DAC issue.. It should not have taken such a long time!..

I do not recommend N5ii/N5iis at all if using the player by usb connection as a transport is important for you.

UI and feature set are very much personal preference, if there is a shop within travel distance, you should check out the these DAP in person. The N5ii is a safe bet because you won't lose a lot when you decided to sell it out and move on for your next DAP. With the exception of USB DAC feature, the N5ii/N5iiS are fairly stable by now.

 

[MyPants]

Definitely seems like most of the problems people are having now are related to third-party app performance. As an all-local-file user, the player has really gotten quite stable for me.