Cayin N8ii guide and tips

Apr 16, 2022 at 7:37 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 28

Whitigir

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Disclosure: I am creating this continuing thread in order to help users to better utilizing their N8ii and it features. I don’t know everything about it, and so this is a thread where everyone can contribute. Please keep it useful and don’t start trolling or bashing. If you have found a new trick or a great way to use the N8ii, please post up.

Congratulation on purchasing a DAP that I would call an engineering marvel Where physics are challenged.

First and foremost, thank you @CayinSupport for being enthusiastic about Portable audiophile, and that you challenged physics to bring to us an amazing N8ii. Hopefully you keep on innovating and bringing in more for future products, and not be discouraged because with challenging physics, you will be challenged by the complains as well.

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Charging tips: The stock usb cables is recommended for Data transferring only (some charger has rapid charging complications with it) . I recommend looking for an official Apple type C-C usb charging , and Apple 29-30W official charger. If you don’t use Apple much, I still recommend it. After all, spending this much on a DAP, a charger and a cables shouldn’t be a problem. Then Anker 30W or higher With QC3.0

The N8ii has 10,000mAH battery, and while it seems slow to charge even with rapid charge enabled. Please do understand that it charges relatively super fast for such humongous battery

People don’t typically charge and play simultaneously, unless they are rushing the burn-in scenarios, which I don’t recommend at all. But if you must and you do want to do so. Please be cautious, the N8ii challenge physics but not defying it. Therefore, it will generate heats, and at a certain point, your N8ii will stop charging. Under this case scenarios, please take your N8ii out of the case, and put it on a cool surface, or an open air space to help it cool down. With adequate cooling and the safety measure being met, the N8ii Will charge rapidly and play simultaneously

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The coolest operation mode: the N8ii is already a great player with just Class AB, Solid State, Low gain, and P power mode. This will be the coolest operation, and also the one that last the longest of up to 12 hours, depends on your file quality. Every other additional features will generate heats, which you have no problem for listening to it with the Case on. Even staying inside your pocket. This is the recommended mode if you must take your N8ii on the go, inside your pocket or backpack.

The hottest operation mode: this is Tube, Class A, P mode, High-gain. Under this mode, and any other modes beside the coolest operation mode. I recommend using N8ii only in the opened air space, on a cool surface, and out of it case, or only short sessions of couple hours (this must be a very common use case scenarios).

Line out features:

The N8ii has amazing Line out feature that is from Balanced 4.4mm and 3.5mm. It will answer all need and desires for balanced connection or single ended alike. The LO 3.5mm is simply plug and play, while 4.4mm will share with phone out. You will need to drop down the android menu, and access it. The Line out is the most amazing feature from N8ii. Because it has Excellent implementations of digital processing + DAC in such a small package. Keeping it short, it is desktop level for both Analog Line out or USB digital Host (transport)



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USB Host/Transport

You will need a USB Type C - OTG cables from the N8ii end, then the other end for whatever your DAC requires, usually is Type B 2.0

I configured it this way and using it with my desktop systems, such as Sony TA-ZH1ES. The reason why I am using it this way is because the TAZ is Sony proprietary S-Master, so only Sony has it. From time to time, I enjoy different signatures from different systems. Don’t we all ?

Under this mode, the N8ii can last upto 60 hours. Thank to the 10,000mAh battery and amazing engineering from Cayin. It also has crazy good usb digital out performances

you can edit the drop down menu and including the “veritable flip feature”. You may also need vertical rotation lock in setting. Simply swiping down and you can flip the screen upside down to use it elegantly.
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Apr 16, 2022 at 10:02 PM Post #2 of 28
another tip,

use high quality low noise charger. the battery will remember the noise. I am using ifi ipower elite, which is the easiest obtainable high quality power supply. but since it is not pd or qc, although it can provide 5V/5A high power, the n8ii still can't make a good use of it and charge at low speed
 
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Apr 17, 2022 at 9:17 AM Post #3 of 28
The battery will not remember noise but absolutely, use a good charger when possible or when charging in use. In fact a good charger could sound better than just battery depending on the unit. That IFI should be VG for this purpose but has measured less well in powering systems without galvanic isolation.
 
Apr 26, 2022 at 8:38 AM Post #4 of 28
N8ii when used as a digital transport, it is better used with HiBy Apps.

Eventhough both of these were said to be the same, but there is a slight differences in sound performances, and now I understand. There is a lot more options within the Hiby apps rather than Cayin apps.

I was unable to use DSD native out into my external DAC, with Hiby and Grant exclusive access, I can now play it natively.

Also found that in all apps, neutron and Hiby are a better choice in performances as well
 
May 2, 2022 at 1:02 PM Post #6 of 28
More options and squeezing performances out of N8ii with Neutron player settings by PDF guide here. With visual pictures included

Rooting N8ii, where and how is by this link, and also the second link here as well

Rooting is not spoon feeding, so thread carefully. It is overall super duper safe, but it isn’t foolproof. I can say that as long as you read everything several times, you will be able to root your N8ii easily

Also, with Neutron as your music player, you can go to setting and enable screen rotation. You can now arrange your N8ii side way on your stand and display it to your heart content 😘
 
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May 3, 2022 at 7:34 AM Post #7 of 28
More options and squeezing performances out of N8ii with Neutron player settings by PDF guide here. With visual pictures included

Rooting N8ii, where and how is by this link, and also the second link here as well

Rooting is not spoon feeding, so thread carefully. It is overall super duper safe, but it isn’t foolproof. I can say that as long as you read everything several times, you will be able to root your N8ii easily

Also, with Neutron as your music player, you can go to setting and enable screen rotation. You can now arrange your N8ii side way on your stand and display it to your heart content 😘
I'm puzzled by the strong interest in rooting/Neutron, so why, if rooting the N8ii (with risk of bricking/voiding guarantee) and tweaking through Neutron to improve sound performance is possible, and assuming that Cayin's main priority in producing the N8ii is to offer the best sound quality player available on the market, why didn't Cayin implement these modifications when it designed the N8ii?
 
May 3, 2022 at 8:17 AM Post #8 of 28
I'm puzzled by the strong interest in rooting/Neutron, so why, if rooting the N8ii (with risk of bricking/voiding guarantee) and tweaking through Neutron to improve sound performance is possible, and assuming that Cayin's main priority in producing the N8ii is to offer the best sound quality player available on the market, why didn't Cayin implement these modifications when it designed the N8ii?


Compromises must be made in everything. They want to make the best sounding device but they also want to sell as many as they can, hence why they had to install Android so as to allow streaming.
They go into more detail on why they made the design decisions they did in the N8ii thread.
 
May 3, 2022 at 8:26 AM Post #9 of 28
Compromises must be made in everything. They want to make the best sounding device but they also want to sell as many as they can, hence why they had to install Android so as to allow streaming.
They go into more detail on why they made the design decisions they did in the N8ii thread.
That, and beside, there are limits to everything. The N8ii came with an Unkocked Bootloader, but they could not allow for rooting, because there are a lot of security reasons behind it.

For example, some people can’t even choose the right chargers, and in those circumstances, the sellers will have to take it back. What would happen, if N8ii came rooted, and people messing around, resulting in bricking it ? Who would stand the blame ?

So, unlocked boot loader, but when it comes to rooting, the users will have to start out a learning curves. Once they have learned how to root it, then mostly they will understand how to not be bricking it. They will also assume all risks in security breaches , and damages done to the player, period.

Not only Cayin, but all other manufacturers are doing the same. Even for cars manufacturers, they make their cars that way, but it doesn’t mean that you can not modify it and make it better.
 
May 3, 2022 at 11:15 AM Post #11 of 28
For people that follows my neutrons recommendations, and curious about different modes of N8ii
Please follow your instincts, as my gears of IER Z1R and 800S will scale differently from your
 
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May 3, 2022 at 12:05 PM Post #13 of 28
Is there a spoon fed guide on rooting the N8ii cause I think I'm going to need one. Been awhile since I've worked with Andriod
That will need time to compile. I may look into it later. However, all Info can be found from Steve forum, and if you have any questions, post up there. We will try and help you as you go, which is a lot easier than compiling a guide, because even with each specific steps laying out, there may be different complications that arises under different scenarios :)
 

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