Cayin N5ii Android based Master Quality Digital Audio Player

[acroyear]

Dear Susan, did you put dual cards into the N5ii? If yes, this problem is a known issue and you can see our reply here:https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...tal-audio-player.862763/page-73#post-13991523
By the way, I understand your frustration but still appreciate your patience and kindness! We are still trying our best to work on our firmware. Hopefully the problems can be settled quickly. Finger crossed!

I haven't tried 2 cards yet because my library isn't large enough (yet)... Does the N5iiS version suffer from this problem or just the N5ii version?

 

[Metalomaniac]

When I'm in DAC mode, I get constant dropped audio, like three times a second. I have rhe Google Play issue, is that related?

Edit: nevermind, issue with the source, now fixed.

 

[rezaswandira]

A feature request, when disconnected from LO mode, can the software automatically switch to PO without manually selecting PO in the switch (a la AK)?

 

[NicholasS]

I'm really following all that user feedback in the thread, Cayin's answers about double SD issues (dated Jan 2018), their "appreciation" for being patient, all that answers just like "thank you for being patient and look at this topic" where it's been since Jan 2018 abt double SD cards, for example. Almost a year, folks. I truly/really wanna believe that the DAP becomes an amazing piece of thing. But. There are plenty/plenty of issues that are answered like it's never gonna be fixed of whatever. Come'****in'on! Picking a double-SD-card-DAP with bugs having 2 SDs is a miracle? No. Ok. Having a "so good sounding DAP as Pro's for this price" is ok? Okay. You can DO better. We all in this topi chose ya. But you are not takin' enough actions to make your customers happy. Don't tell me what it takes to fix a little software issue — I'm a ****in' developer with an exp o more than 18 years. This is not how things have to be in 2018-'19. You're an amazing company in terms of hardware and ppl already believe in ya, that's why I bought your DAP. But you're missing a point. I really want you become great again. You're cool. But. You suck in terms of UI/UX/performance. Just make your choice. We'll help ya.

 

[psychokiller]

More then 3 weeks that this issue with Google Play Services has been reported by users and no final solution? I have written to the Cayin email support directly and received instructions on how to downgrade Google Play Services to a versione that does not crash, but now almost no app work:

PocketCast -> Works
TuneIn -> Works
Stitcher -> Not Working: requires to upgrade Google Play Services on startup
AIMP-> Works
MediaMonkey -> Not Working: requires to upgrade Google Play Services on startup
HiFiCast-> Not Working: requires to upgrade Google Play Services on startup
BubblePNP -> Works
Foobar -> Works

Will Cayin ever address this issue?

Such a shame that a good audio player is half usable because of this Play Services problems!

Hope for the best soon.

 

[KuroKitsu]

@NicholasS
K you fix it then, obviously your software development skills are so good they can ignore hardware restraints and reality.

I'll just wait for Cayin to drop a non-android player.

 

[CayinSupport]

I haven't tried 2 cards yet because my library isn't large enough (yet)... Does the N5iiS version suffer from this problem or just the N5ii version?

Currently, I only received the feedback on N5ii and never have a similar feedback from N5iiS version

 

[CayinSupport]

A feature request, when disconnected from LO mode, can the software automatically switch to PO without manually selecting PO in the switch (a la AK)?

Sorry to tell you that we don't have a plan to add this feature currently but I will record it for the future products. Thank you for your suggestion!

 

[CayinSupport]

Announcement of Cayin N5ii Firmware v3.6en

http://en.cayin.cn/down1/show?id=13564&tdsourcetag=s_pctim_aiomsg

New Functions and System Optimization

1. Rectify the operation error due to recent update from Google Play Service in International version firmware.
2. Suspend background activities introduced by Google Service, enable the player to remain idle, resume idle shutdown feature and improve battery duration.
3. Other bug fixed and optimizations.

Firmware Upgrade Procedure

Cayin will release firmware update to enhance and optimize N5ii as deem required, the new firmware can be acquired through OTA or manual download, since the content of these firmware are identical, you can select whichever upgrade option that fit your needs.
Please make sure the device has sufficient battery power before you proceed. Please confirm the device has not less than 50% battery power; otherwise please charge up the player before you proceed to firmware upgrade.

Option 1: Local Upgrade Procedures

Because the file size of the N5ii firmware is relative large (around 300+ MB), the most efficient option is to download the firmware package with wired network and perform the firmware upgrade manually as follow:

1. Download firmware upgrade package from Cayin website, you should receive a compressed document N5MK2-ota-XXXX.zip
2. Do not DECOMPRESSED the firmware upgrade package, copy the zip file to the root directory of internal storage or TF card of N5ii as-is.
3. Hold on the previous key of right side panel and then press Power On/Off button like below until the player go into recovery mode

4. Specify firmware file location with the Volume control or previous/next buttons,
a. select “apply update from internal storage” if the firmware file is stored on internal storage, Click Power button to confirm your selection.
b. select “apply update from external storage” if stored on TF card. Click Power button to confirm your selection.

5. You can move up and down to select xxxxx.zip via volume or previous/next buttons and press power button to activate the upgrade process.
6. N5i will automatically go back into recovery operation screen, select “reboot system now” and press power button to reboot into regular operation.

Option 2: OTA Upgrade Procedure

Please check your current firmware and make sure you are using firmware version 1.1 or above. If your N5ii is installed with v1.0 firmware, please use manual upgrade option to upgrade your N5ii to a newer version. OTA firmware upgrade is only available to N5ii with firmware v1.1 or subsequent versions.

When you connect your N5ii to an Internet ready WiFi connection, the DAP will detect a new firmware and alert you for firmware upgrade.

The download time might vary from 30 minutes to several hours, depends on the number of concurrent upgrade users on the server. To improve our server efficiency, OTA will not be available on the first day of firmware update release, and we’ll phase in the upgrade service by pushing the upgrade notification to selected N5ii units based on the last digit of the serial number over a course of 5 to 10 days. If you didn’t receive upgrade notification after we announced the new firmware, please wait patiently or opt for manual upgrade instead.

As long as you stay connected with WiFi, you can use your DAP as-is while downloading the firmware at background. At the end of the download process, you’ll be prompted to confirm the installation of new firmware.

At the end of the firmware installation, N5ii will turn off itself automatically and power on again. You will be advised to delete the firmware package in order to avoid repeated upgrade accidentally. Please verify that your N5ii is operating with the new firmware, you can find out the firmware information from the “About” option in Application Menu (swipe the screen from left “edge” to right).

Attention:

1. Do not operate the machine during firmware upgrade
2. Please delete/remove the firmware file from the internal storage/TF card after firmware upgrade
3. Please perform a complete Music Scan after firmware upgrade.
4. If you are using TF card to upgrade N5ii firmware, please make sure you only insert the TF card with firmware package into the DAP. Inserting two TF cards into the DAP during firmware upgrade might cause system failure because the system might not be able to identify the firmware package correctly.
5. If you feel the DAP is not performing satisfactory after firmware upgrade, please wipe cache partition (in recovery mode) and restart the system.
6. If the system freeze or cannot resume to regular operation after firmware upgrade, you can turn off the device by holding the Power on/off key for 12 seconds. The system will shut down in regardless of operation status. If problem persist, you can perform a Factory Reset (under Setting menu) or Wipe data/factory reset (in recovery mode) to resume the system.
7. Please insert TF card into N5ii before RECOVERY mode. If you insert TF card into N5ii after starting N5ii and RECOVERY mode it may cause system failure because the system might not be able to identify the firmware package correctly.

 

[acroyear]

PLEASE fix the N5iiS Google Play bug as well

 

[CayinSupport]

Announcement of Cayin N5iiS Firmware v 1.4en

http://en.cayin.cn/down1/show?id=13565&tdsourcetag=s_pctim_aiomsg

New Functions and System Optimization

1. Rectify the operation error due to recent update from Google Play Service in International version firmware.
2. Suspend background activities introduced by Google Service, enable the player to remain idle, resume idle shutdown feature and improve battery duration.
3. Other bug fixed and optimizations.

Firmware Upgrade Procedure

Cayin will release firmware update to enhance and optimize N5iiS as deem required, the new firmware can be acquired through OTA or manual download, since the content of these firmware are identical, you can select whichever upgrade option that fit your needs.
Please make sure the device has sufficient battery power before you proceed. Please confirm the device has not less than 50% battery power; otherwise please charge up the player before you proceed to firmware upgrade.

Option 1: Local Upgrade Procedures

Because the file size of the N5iiS firmware is relative large (around 300+ MB), the most efficient option is to download the firmware package with wired network and perform the firmware upgrade manually as follow:

1. Download firmware upgrade package from Cayin website, you should receive a compressed document N5MK2SS-ota-XXXX.zip
2. Do not DECOMPRESSED the firmware upgrade package, copy the zip file to the root directory of internal storage or TF card of N5iiS as-is.
3. Hold on the Play/Pause/Stop key of right side panel and then press Power On/Off button like below until the player go into recovery mode.

4. Specify firmware file location with the Volume control or previous/next buttons,

a. select “apply update from internal storage” if the firmware file is stored on internal storage, Click Power button to confirm your selection.
b. select “apply update from external storage” if stored on TF card. Click Power button to confirm your selection.

5. You can move up and down to select xxxxx.zip via volume or previous/next buttons and press power button to activate the upgrade process.
6. N5iiS will automatically go back into recovery operation screen, select “reboot system now” and press power button to reboot into regular operation.

The download time might vary from 30 minutes to several hours, depends on the number of concurrent upgrade users on the server. To improve our server efficiency, OTA will not be available on the first day of firmware update release, and we’ll phase in the upgrade service by pushing the upgrade notification to selected N5ii units based on the last digit of the serial number over a course of 5 to 10 days. If you didn’t receive upgrade notification after we announced the new firmware, please wait patiently or opt for manual upgrade instead.

Option 2: OTA Upgrade Procedure

When you connect your N5iiS to a Internet ready WiFi connection, the DAP will detect a new firmware and alert you for firmware upgrade.

The download time might vary from 30 minutes to several hours, depends on the number of concurrent upgrade users on the server. To improve our server efficiency, OTA will not be available on the first day of firmware update release, and we’ll phase in the upgrade service by pushing the upgrade notification to selected N5ii units based on the last digit of the serial number over a course of 5 to 10 days. If you didn’t receive upgrade notification after we announced the new firmware, please wait patiently or opt for manual upgrade instead.

As long as you stay connected with WiFi, you can use your DAP as-is while downloading the firmware at background. At the end of the download process, you’ll be prompted to confirm the installation of new firmware.

At the end of the firmware installation, N5iiS will turn off itself automatically and power on again. You will be advised to delete the firmware package in order to avoid repeated upgrade accidentally. Please verify that your N5iiS is operating with the new firmware, you can find out the firmware information from the “About” option in Application Menu (swipe the screen from left “edge” to right).

As long as you stay connected with WiFi, you can use your DAP as-is while downloading the firmware at background. At the end of the download process, you’ll be prompted to confirm the installation of new firmware.

Attention:

1. Do not operate the machine during firmware upgrade
2. Please delete/remove the firmware file from the internal storage/TF card after firmware upgrade
3. Please perform a complete Music Scan after firmware upgrade.
4. If you are using TF card to upgrade N5iiS firmware, please make sure you only insert the TF card with firmware package into the DAP. Inserting two TF cards into the DAP during firmware upgrade might cause system failure because the system might not be able to identify the firmware package correctly.
5. If you feel the DAP is not performing satisfactory after firmware upgrade, please wipe cache partition (in recovery mode) and restart the system.
6. If the system freeze or cannot resume to regular operation after firmware upgrade, you can turn off the device by holding the Power on/off key for 12 seconds. The system will shut down in regardless of operation status. If problem persist, you can perform a Factory Reset (under Setting menu) or Wipe data/factory reset (in recovery mode) to resume the system.
7. Please insert TF card into N5iiS before RECOVERY mode. If you insert TF card into N5iiS after starting N5iiS and RECOVERY mode it may cause system failure because the system might not be able to identify the firmware package correctly.

 

[NicholasS]

@NicholasS
K you fix it then, obviously your software development skills are so good they can ignore hardware restraints and reality.

I'll just wait for Cayin to drop a non-android player.

U r rite, I'm ****ing good dev and my skills r really awesome after 18 years of exprerience, because I care my customers and fix my mistakes after earlier months of being a simple fool.
You wait, sure. Because we already wasted our money and we're weak to admit that the thing we've spent our money to is a non-well-working stuff. It needs a power to admit and say that, such makes Cayin a better company and forces them to move faster and better.

 

[KuroKitsu]

U r rite, I'm ****ing good dev and my skills r really awesome after 18 years of exprerience, because I care my customers and fix my mistakes after earlier months of being a simple fool.
You wait, sure. Because we already wasted our money and we're weak to admit that the thing we've spent our money to is a non-well-working stuff. It needs a power to admit and say that, such makes Cayin a better company and forces them to move faster and better.

Show me a 100% bug free product and I'll show you a unicorn (Neither exist)

More thoughts:
While Cayin could have been on the dime more regarding their decisions on what to focus on the N5ii/S, their explanations of why are perfectly reasonable. There is a point where you just have to live with something because it's not possible in the scope of the product. With the Exception of LG and their "Quad-DAC", the price of a flagship will get you a get UX and everything except good audio. Inversely, a device at half that price which main purpose is good audio will not have a good UX. That's just how it works. Yes the R6 is a thing, yes it has good UX, but it lacks in other categories if you look at it, at a higher price point too. You can't have your cake and eat it too without paying a price.

 

[NicholasS]

Show me a 100% bug free product and I'll show you a unicorn (Neither exist)

More thoughts:
While Cayin could have been on the dime more regarding their decisions on what to focus on the N5ii/S, their explanations of why are perfectly reasonable. There is a point where you just have to live with something because it's not possible in the scope of the product. With the Exception of LG and their "Quad-DAC", the price of a flagship will get you a get UX and everything except good audio. Inversely, a device at half that price which main purpose is good audio will not have a good UX. That's just how it works. Yes the R6 is a thing, yes it has good UX, but it lacks in other categories if you look at it, at a higher price point too. You can't have your cake and eat it too without paying a price.

It's not about a "bug free" thing. It's about a common sense for that money. Could you see for at least their website? It's a shame. The way they provide support for old-known features? Shame. I really wanna be the one who provides a positive as the one who own Cayin product, it was real joy when I bought it. But there is a limit. Don't tell me about a bug free thing, I 150% know how to develop world-wide products with the highest quality — make people happy, but not unhappy with simple one-day-fixed things. A lot of software issues for a year. C'mon. Shame as is.

 

[KuroKitsu]

It's not about a "bug free" thing. It's about a common sense for that money. Could you see for at least their website? It's a shame. The way they provide support for old-known features? Shame. I really wanna be the one who provides a positive as the one who own Cayin product, it was real joy when I bought it. But there is a limit. Don't tell me about a bug free thing, I 150% know how to develop world-wide products with the highest quality — make people happy, but not unhappy with simple one-day-fixed things. A lot of software issues for a year. C'mon. Shame as is.

Well obviously you know so much that you can put out a $500 DAP that would put Cayin to shame. So where is it?