Cayin N7: A Voyager of Unexplored Frontier

[sk57rus]

I've been owning a player for a week and I like it more and more every day.The only thing I don't like is that the case is not leather

 

[Andykong]

I've been owning a player for a week and I like it more and more every day.The only thing I don't like is that the case is not leather

The case bundled with N7 is a real leather case. We have stated this in the N7 product page.

 

[sk57rus]

The case bundled with N7 is a real leather case.

I'm not sure about this, the button has worn off in a week, the structure inside is also not like skin

 

[Sioux67]

Yes, it does, all PCM to DSD including streaming content.

Does it do it by default or is it an option that must be activated in a menu? Fiio M17 had an option that could be activated in the menu. Sorry for my ignorance, I just received Cayin N7 and I'm a bit lost.
Thank you

 

[Auricon]

Does it do it by default or is it an option that must be activated in a menu? Fiio M17 had an option that could be activated in the menu. Sorry for my ignorance, I just received Cayin N7 and I'm a bit lost.
Thank you

No switch, it re-shapes, de-jitters and transcodes/oversamples PCM to DSD512 by default. For DSDs, it natively decodes and passes-through unaltered to DAC:

 

[ECKHUAAA]

I had the pleasure of trying the N7; it was a true pleasure, it is made for musical enjoyment.

Pro: Everything sounded great.
Con: Everything sounded great.

Why is that a con? Well N7 has a sound of its own, and it is strong, it is very different to N8ii transparent sound.

If I were to chip in here as someone who owns N6ii-RO1(R2R) N8ii and N7 discrete 1bit DAC
The N7 has an uncanny way of revealing an enormous amount of detail, such that you can tell the differences in recordings even how the recording microphones were placed, affecting the perceived sound stage and performer placement in the venue, the different noise levels in the recordings affecting clarity etc etc. You will get a hint of that with the N8ii but not at that level, especially when using the N7 as a DAC to a very decent amplifier/headphones combo

 

[Z_Showmaster]

1-bit/DSD dacs are Delta-Sigma

There are important differences between converting 1-bit (PDM/DSD) versus 2-7 bits (PCM) to analog, but yes the noise-shaping with DSD also qualifies it as delta-sigma. Delta-sigma shouldn't be treated as a dirty word though, it's a proven method. Discrete delta-sigma exists as dCS' Ring DAC, while Mola Mola work in pulse-width modulation – a more accurate version of delta-sigma.

The key is that discrete delta-sigma will always outperform chip IC delta-sigma, particularly because the accuracy and precision of resistors and capacitors in the DAC are far better. The logic working the delta-sigma conversion in a discrete implementation will also run the DAC far more precisely.

Fiio M17 had an option that could be activated in the menu.

Yes, Fiio players allow listeners an all-to-DSD option. The key difference to N7 relates to the above – that what performs the decode (really just an analog low-pass filter for 1-bit) in N7 is discrete. And the Fiio options are all chip ICs, not designed nor built to single-mindedly convert 1-bit DSD, but a mish-mash amalgamation of PCM formats too. And since PCM is so, so very foreign in nature to DSD, the DAC ICs aboard Fiios cannot claim to be DSD specialists, but rather generalists aimed at getting a consistent level of performance juggling the decode of various formats.

I.e. The all-to-DSD function in Fiio can probably be said to be just a feature. Whereas the all-to-DSD function in N7 is fundamental to there being any digital decode.

 

[BlankName]

Delta-sigma shouldn't be treated as a dirty word though

If it came across like that then I didn't mean it to. I just meant although it's DS it can still sound good.

 

[Z_Showmaster]

If it came across like that then I didn't mean it to. I just meant although it's DS it can still sound good.

Nope nothing of that sort. Just meant to look into what DS in its various forms can mean when describing digital. There's definitely an unhealthy bias against DS in the world digital elsewhere, but that's another topic. I know you didn't mean anything of that sort.

 

[Tom75]

Departed with my N8ii recently and enjoying discreet-like sounds of N7 + C9 tube timbre. C9 doesn't expand N7's already large soundstage or nor shifts its natural analog tonality – it does close the gap to N8ii with a hint more treble extension but not to much where things get spicy which was my beef with N8ii. Tube timbre adds a hint more textural bass and impact. Luvin' it.

N7 great for on the go and N7 + C9 for home desktop.

I couldn’t agree more.
The N7 is great with C9 and also Aroma 100tb, which gives you a different taste.
Without the C9 or 100tb, the N7 lacks slightly in terms of dynamics directly compared to N8ii. But the treble peaks, which were my only issue with the N8ii, are completely gone.
I use VE Phoenix, Trailllii and Noble Ronin. …

 

[McCol]

N7/C9 with Senn 660s

Lush

 

[marcus2704]

I have a N7 coming to me on Monday but I am really starting to wonder if it will offer me much at all over the N6ii R01 I currently own*, has anyone been able to compare?

Re the C9, I felt this was a product for me until I learnt that it cant just be left on mains and instead needs to be charged for use, a real dealbreaker for me as I want a 'set and forget' device.

*did own, the N6ii R01 has since sold. I had better like the N7 now

 

[MedicineMan05]

Just wondering has any one compared this beast( N7) with AK SE180+SEM4 relly looking forward to here feedback.

 

[skylinekursk]

Just changed N7 to dx320 after one week with the n7. Sound was too bright and too strange with my supermoon iem. N7 doesn’t power properly big cans also.
Good dap but not my taste.

 

[Scubadevils]

Just changed N7 to dx320 after one week with the n7. Sound was too bright and too strange with my supermoon iem. N7 doesn’t power properly big cans also.
Good dap but not my taste.

I love the N7 for IEMs but do prefer DX320X for my headphones… and indeed some IEMs.