Hi, depending on what you want actually. If you are going for android base music streaming DAP, then you need to be prepared for it. This is because these HiFi manufacturers are not handphone builder, so usually the first version firmware is not very matured. So far among all, Sony probably does the best job in the OS. Even Onkyo, when it first released, there are bugs to be fixed. But over the time, the OS becomes smoother and lesser bugs.

Of course, the manufacturer will try their best to develop the firmware to fix as many bug as possible, but still need some time for it.

Even non android base DAP, bugs in firmware is quite common, depending on how bad it is. Astell & Kern does the best job among non music streaming DAP. So, I would say, it's give and take.



This post has been edited by liquidgal: Aug 12 2016, 06:47 PM

Cayin N3
- budget DAP with Bluetooth in-out and USB in-out



▲ 2-WAYS BLUETOOTH IN-OUT
① Bluetooth 4.0 & apt-x. Enjoy CD quality music wirelessly.
② As a wireless transmitter. Connect with wireless speakers, headphones or earphones.
③ As a wireless receiver. Received the music signal from phone, tablet, pc, Mac, TV...wirelessly.

▲ 2-WAYS USB IN-OUT & EXTERNAL STORAGE
① Supports DOP (DSD over PCM) and DSD native.
② As a digital transport. Connect with external DAC via coaxial or USB.
③ As a USB DAC. Supports PCM 24bit/192kHz and DSD64
④ OTG USB storage. Direct plug and playback music files from thumb drive.

▲ AKM AK4490EN DAC CHIP
① Flagship mobile DAC chip from AKM, a global leader in the design and manufacture of high end audio ICs.
② Supports DSD256 natively.
③ Supports PCM up to 32bit/384kHz.

▲ HIGH, MID, LOW GAIN SELECTABLE
Available for high and low impedance headphones/ IEMs.

▲ LONG BATTERY LIFE
① 12 hours continuous playback.
② 200 hours standby.

▲ COLORFUL CHOICES
① Black & cyan color available.
② Colorful silicon case.

▲ SOUND SIGNATURE
Compared to previous Cayin model, it sounds more natural, lesser colour, tame down the sibilance, but still maintain the warm sound signature, solid body and punchy bass.
Compare to Fiio, it's more analogue sound, smoother and the X3ii will be more airy. Sound stage not as wide as X3ii but has better depth, imaging is more appearing.

Interested in N3. Curious can it be use as android dac?

Later will test with my Samsung Note 5. Btw every Android phones are using slightly different Android system. So normally it might be supported by certain models, but not all of the android phones.

It seemed like didn't support as stated on the official web. Had tested it with my Asus Zenfone 3 Max.
But it works pretty good on Windows 10 with USB driver installed.

where is Part 2? interested to see the sound comparison between Cayin, FiiO AK Jr, iBasso, etc.