Cayin N7: A Voyager of Unexplored Frontier

[Andykong]

I wish these kind of large transportable DAPs with mediocre battery life would include a feature so that you could listen while plugged in, without risk of damage. Listening will most likely be stationary, and having to stop listening and remember to recharge every 6 hours or so is annoying.

What is the feature within laptops that allows you to work plugged in without long term battery health issues?

Just out of curiosity, when you said large transportable DAP, what is the dimension and weight you have in mind? Does your description remind me of Sony DMP-Z1 ? Hugo + 2Go? Quloos QA390? Shanling M30?

Either referring to removal of battery entirely or battery bypass - which means you can power your device straight out of mains without the internal battery interfering. I think smartphones are starting to get this feature - HS Power Control on the Xperia and whatever Samsung calls it in the S23 Ultra. It could be done in a DAP - would make sense to double up as a desktop (at home listening) and out in the wild (on the go) listening device. Some alternatives if you want to avoid charging every 6 hours - slow charging by using a 5W-8W cable that barely puts enough juice to lengthen the battery (doesn't harm the battery- just slows its discharge), modding the device - voids warranty immediately and is very very risky (physically adding extra battery - some dare to do that, wouldn't advise for it during warranty period as it could brick the device without sufficient knowledge - i.e. voltage, output and technical expertise on how to replace without damaging other parts), another alternative if not streaming is (turn on airplane mode so no wifi/ bluetooth/gps, turn on battery saving mode (slows processor so not running full throttle- shouldn't affect audio but check if you notice an effect), in developer settings restrict background applications to minimum, turn on greyscale/ b&w mode and see what else you can do in settings to extend battery life - if you use a streaming service download to device and then listen). Not the most convenient, but hey these may be some potential alternatives.

If you are willing to go this far to secure an alternative battery option, maybe you should budget 10% of the original DAP cost as the funding to replace the battery after 500 charging cycles. I can't speak for the other brands, but with Cayin, it only takes $30~$40 USD to replace a DAP battery, the logistic cost will cost you more than that but still manageable. Wander how much does it cost to send a DAP from your home place to Zhuhai, China?

 

[Andykong]

For IEM I dont think i need the C9 but I cant wait to try it with the C9 tonight... Havent had much time but it do sound wonderfull

Looking forward to your N7+C9 impression.

By the way, I have written this post regarding Powerful amplifier for sensitive IEM, maybe this will explain some of your doubts regarding the N7+C9 combo.

 

[Zeppo19]

Looking forward to your N7+C9 impression.

By the way, I have written this post regarding Powerful amplifier for sensitive IEM, maybe this will explain some of your doubts regarding the N7+C9 combo.

No doubts but sometimes you just dont want to stack no stacking required (to me) for most my IEM and my Meze haeadphones but the Dianas are hungry for power and i find the 800s nicer with a tad more Ws

Also, even though it all goes to DSD, the original sample rate is displayed?

 

[Frabera]

Very interesting DAP, I find the price position right, according to the the fact many people cannot afford any more to purchase DAP over $ 3K.

 

[DaveStarWalker]

I don’t think there’s any link up yet. Check out the CanJam impressions thread and you’ll find some first impressions about the Radon 6.

Ok thanks

 

[ctsooner22]

The SRP of Cayin N7 is $1999,

Wow, I didn't expect this. I do my homework on 1-bit DAC products and shortlisted one SACD player/1-bit DAC at $10K, $20K, and $30K price range respectively. I heard all three in shows or shop demos, but I never own them, I didn't expect to run into someone who actually owned both in N7 thread. Glad I have done my homework properly and didn't make things up.

I really want to hear from you that if N7 offers a genuine 1-bit DAC experience, you probably are the only users that can answer this question with certainty. However, please take your time to compare N8ii and N7 before you plunge in. Keep us posted when you make your final decision on your next DAP.

Thanks for the kind answer. I met you a few years ago at Can Jam NYC and we discussed a bit of high end 2 channel audio. I wa there with my buddy of mine who’s a top reviewer for The Absolute Sound magazine.

I’ve been in the 2 channel world since ‘69 when I was 9. Im blessed to know many manufacturers and reviewers and get send gear to audition or to help voice at times. It’s fun for sure. I wish I could get the 7 and 8ii in to audition, but that’s logistically not viable. I do audition my portable gear with my home system to find out if the can scale and I make my decisions that way. Im currently using the AK 25mk 2 which is a great travel companion, but the Odins deserve much more. Would live to discuss more if you would like as I had a Krell Stealth DAC chich was one of the first high end DACs in the 90’s. I still own it. It was also a 1 bit dac. Im not an engineer but I’m speaking with some high end designers I’m friendly with, they say that part of DSD is the ability to stop the ringing issues that are timing errors. Even my server uses special software to lower all three types of jitter they measure. They have the ability to change on the fly so you can easily hear the differences between more and less jitter that affects the ringing. Hope I said that correctly. .

 

[urid]

Perfect timing to discuss this topic, at least briefly.

I believe we hear the same thing, we just use different words to describe our feeling, which is typical when we have different preferences. If fact I was one of the Pro-PCM guys back in 2000 when DVD-A was an alternative to SACD, I enjoy being able to hear the "resolution" clearly on 24/96 PCM tracks, and the dynamic range was jaw-dropping when called for. As time goes by, I started to appreciate the natural sound offered by SACD, and the smoothness that allows me to enjoy my favorite music hours over hours.

To summarize, I don't think there is a clear winner between PCM and DSD, or between 24Bit and 1Bit. It's about implementation, it's about what we can offer at a specific price range. When the market is large enough, there will be a market for more than one option. Cayin embraces both technologies, we are not going to say N7 is the only real deal and we will make nothing but 1-bit from now on. We merely think it's not right that 1-bit becomes a legacy technology and there isn't any viable option for Personal Audio users. If someone tested the N7 and decided that this is not their cup of tea, that's perfectly fine, and we think that is a better outcome than, at the end of the day, asking "what is 1-bit? Is that another R-2R DAP"?

It is all about the presentation of the music, not everyone are after clinical sound.
Personally prefer smooth and silky sound where the music floating like water. So if 1bit dac and Class A amp producing this kind of magic - im in for it!

 

[Andykong]

Thanks for the kind answer. I met you a few years ago at Can Jam NYC and we discussed a bit of high end 2 channel audio. I wa there with my buddy of mine who’s a top reviewer for The Absolute Sound magazine.

I’ve been in the 2 channel world since ‘69 when I was 9. Im blessed to know many manufacturers and reviewers and get send gear to audition or to help voice at times. It’s fun for sure. I wish I could get the 7 and 8ii in to audition, but that’s logistically not viable. I do audition my portable gear with my home system to find out if the can scale and I make my decisions that way. Im currently using the AK 25mk 2 which is a great travel companion, but the Odins deserve much more. Would live to discuss more if you would like as I had a Krell Stealth DAC chich was one of the first high end DACs in the 90’s. I still own it. It was also a 1 bit dac. Im not an engineer but I’m speaking with some high end designers I’m friendly with, they say that part of DSD is the ability to stop the ringing issues that are timing errors. Even my server uses special software to lower all three types of jitter they measure. They have the ability to change on the fly so you can easily hear the differences between more and less jitter that affects the ringing. Hope I said that correctly. .

Ah, that rings the bell, if I remember it right, it was 2018 when we launched the original HA-300?

Yes, ringing artifacts is tedious, and they are almost inevitable when you apply a filter. Both NOS R-2R and 1-Bit DAC basically get rid of filters and get away from ringing effect.

 

[Zeppo19]

Works as a couple, works as a triple. Full, warm, wide, detailed, you can almost hear the band arguing.

 

[nioh]

Just out of curiosity, when you said large transportable DAP, what is the dimension and weight you have in mind? Does your description remind me of Sony DMP-Z1 ? Hugo + 2Go? Quloos QA390? Shanling M30?

I’m not the original poster but I’ll answer this from my perspective. Portable for me is the Sony Zx507 or at max the Zx707. Anything that is fat (Cayin for eg.) or tall (iBasso DX320) goes into the next “transportable” category for ”me”.

Believe me when I say I tried to accommodate tall, fat DAPs by buying new Cargo pants so I have extra pockets at the knee. Jesus the pain of ironing a Cargo and how easily it becomes crumbled compared to Jeans, I threw them away. Sure we could have additional pouches or whatever but in the busy day to day life, I would really love to have something that I can quickly shove into my pockets, whether going to work or getting out of train or going shopping etc.

Still waiting for that day when there is a flagship quality DAP that’s as portable as a phone with decent performance and battery life. Fitting a phone, my company ID badge, IEM, a cotton Hanky (yes I’m old school) already fills the pockets. No room for fat DAPs without making me look like I’m carrying my house with me everywhere. Note: I don’t even have room for my wallet which already goes in my bag

 

[urid]

Works as a couple, works as a triple. Full, warm, wide, detailed, you can almost hear the band arguing.

Great photos and a very correct lighting that suit the sound description

 

[weexisttocease]

Works as a couple, works as a triple. Full, warm, wide, detailed, you can almost hear the band arguing.

How is the N7+C9? I'm considering this combo.

 

[Zeppo19]

How is the N7+C9? I'm considering this combo.

Expensive

 

[weexisttocease]

Expensive

 

[Zeppo19]

How is the N7+C9? I'm considering this combo.

You really need a proper review, i am quite easy to please, not into the woolly words and rather use less words than more. but i like this setup, you should give it a go