Cayin is one of the famous China brand that venture into international market at the early years, even before Fiio, iBasso, HiFiMan & so on. It is focus more on Hifi market such as CD players, tube amplifiers and speaker related products. They have 20 years experience in this line of business. Headfi-ers may not be familiar with it, but you can google plenty of information about it.

Recently, Cayin is targeting headfi market and developed several digital desktop audio systems and headphone amplifier. More exciting, a gorgeous looking portable player is coming up.

Cayin N3 Bluetooth DAP


- POCKET SIZE MUSIC PLAYER
10cm*5.4cm*1.3cm only. Smaller than your phone. Let the music on-to-go.

▲ 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.


Cayin i5 Android DAP


- Android DAP
- 4" touch screen
- AKM flagship DAC chip AK4490
- PCM 32bit/384kHz, DSD64/128
- USB Audio available. Support digital out via type C USB port.
- Can be used as USB DAC

Cayin N5 DAP


Some enhance functionality from the flapship N6.
ex. 2.5mm balance phone out, 2 tf card slot, USB 3.0 input, 4 digital filter, bigger scroll wheel, compatible with headphone's mic, smaller size, longer battery duration...
According to Cayin Sale Manager, first batch will be released on next week.

1. DAC chip: AKM AK4490EQ. AKM flagship DAC chip, same with Astell & Kern AK380
2. Support DSD64 & DSD128 natively (iso, dsf, dff)
3. PCM 24bit/ 192kHz (flac, ape, wav, alac, aiff, wma, mp3, aac, cue)
4. Balance headphone out (2.5mm, same with A&K DAP)
5. Strong build in headphone amp. 300mW+300mW (balance mode) is even stronger the flagship N6.
6. 195g, 64mm*111mm*164mm
7. Can be used as USB DAC
8. Two micro-sd card slot, support 128GB + 128GB = 256GB
9. USB 3.0 input. Faster for file transfer and charging
10. 4200mAh lithium battery. Battery life around 9 hours

more discussion:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=ST&f=99&t=3689088


Cayin C5 Amp

The products such as Cayin C5 headphone amp and C6 portable DAC/Amp (designed for iPhone, iPad, iPod) have received good reviews at China and overseas.

Cayin C5 is an all in amp to drive full size and IEMs with zero noise. Some reviewers compare it to 2stepdance that cost at least double the price.

According to the reviewers, its sound signature is warm, musical with strong music body which makes it sound very 3D. It gives you good surrounding and warm ambient like a tube amp. With the strong background and experience in manufacturing tube amplifier for speakers, Cayin implemented the technology and tube sound tuning to this little solid state amp, which makes music listening more enjoyable, and pleasant.

Headfi review:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/729545/the-new-ca...ble-power-house
http://www.head-fi.org/t/729545/the-new-ca...5#post_10838633
http://www.head-fi.org/t/729545/the-new-ca...5#post_10837742

What do you think?

Cayin / Spark C5 portable headphone amplifier



This post has been edited by liquidgal: Apr 8 2017, 08:52 PM

Another DAP that you should look forward.
Cayin New DAP N6 (Native DSD Playback) is released.

With the strong background in premium HiFi & such a strong spec on N6, I believe it is going to give a huge impact to the Headfi market.

Specs:
1. Dual PCM1792A DAC Chip (one of the best DAC chipset on market)
2. The first DAP ever that using 13 pieces of OP Amp.
2. Top Quality Volume Chip PGA2311 from Texas Instrument
3. Support DSD "natively" (format: DSF, DFF, SACD ISO)
4. Sound quality: higher range than X5 & DX90, even comparable to DX100
5. One of the smoothest UI DAP in the market.

Headfi Review:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/735365/cayin-n6-n...d-with-new-pics
http://www.head-fi.org/t/740557/cayin-n6-d...dsd128-sacd-iso



More Details:

errrr

sorry but it looks ugly to me

Well, it looks very sexy for me
Looking at the chips they using and the support of DSD, hopefully it sounds good too! Been wondering how will it sounds when compared side by side to the Astell & Kerns series. However so far reading the specs, the only cons is the small internal storage available. Does it only have one memory card slot only?

Yup. Only one memory card slot, can support up to 128GB. Build in memory 8GB
If it's to store DSD files, can only store 30+ to 50 albums depending to file size. For FLAC, to me is quite sufficient.
If you want to store DSD, best solution is to buy multiple micro SD card.

I also quite curious, how does it sound. When my N6 arrives, you can bring your DAP over and we can exchange for audition ya.

Totally love how the N6 projects to be. Not to say it'll sound good, but it definitely looks good to me.

C5 I'd love to listen to it one day. It's so hot in the market AFAIK.

Cant wait for it. Do you think it will be landing in Malaysia before Christmas?

Not likely. probably next week. They try to squeeze one for me from the existing order.
It's so hot selling that it totally sold out in China local market. According to Cayin, their next batch of N6 would only be completed after 28th Dec.

Promotional Video of Cayin N6, but only in Chinese.



This post has been edited by liquidgal: Dec 22 2014, 11:13 AM

I'm more interested in this...

@liquidgal will you be bringing in this once released?

Looks like a Porche Design phone.

omg that design and UI~

Just check the spec again, it can be used as USB DAC as well.
I'm quite excited about how does the top range Burr-Brown DAC chip PCM1792 sound.

Besides that, most of the DAPs now only support DSF and DFF. Cayin N6 is rare as it support SACD ISO directly. It would be convenient to a lot of SACD collectors.

This post has been edited by liquidgal: Dec 24 2014, 03:47 PM

New toys!

Got mine as well
Will update with a review shortly.

It has been a couple of days playing with the N6.

Is it good Subjectively, it is very good

Had been through some A/B with the various DAPs. The ability to play DSD natively stands out among the many mid-tier contenders which don't.

How does it compare with the AK240 Definitely not at that level

However, considering the price differences, the N6 is probably the closest to the AKs

How does it compare with the HM901 Only @liquidgal can answer that



This post has been edited by E1 - AKG: Jan 4 2015, 11:16 AM

Here is my reviews of Cayin N6 after burning in for 100 hours.

Before & After burn In
When I just unbox N6, it was with good details, but the sound was a bit tight and aggressive. Treble was quite bright.
After burning in for 100 hours, it's much smoother, flexible and softer. Sound signature wise become warmer and darker.

Market Position
First of all, the market position of N6 is quite clear. It is not a DAP to challenge the flagship DAP like AK240 or HM901.
It nicely fills in the gap for the price range between RM2K-3K.

The existing China DAPs such as Fiio, iBasso & HiFiMan are ranging from RM400-RM1700+
Price below RM500 Fiio X1
Price RM500-1000 Fiio X3, iBasso DX50, HiFiMan HM700, Aune M1
Price RM1000 above Fiio X5, iBasso DX90, HiFiMan HM650

No matter in terms of specs, technicality, functionality, user interface, and sound quality, Cayin N6 no doubt is much better than these DAPs.

Direction of Sound Tuning
N6 is using their legendary Tube CD Player Cayin CDT-17A MK2 as reference for sound tuning. Both of them are using the same DAC chip, Burr Brown flagship PCM1792.
Cayin sound designer team spent around 1 year for testing and improving over time to get the current sound.


First & Only for ISO
It's the first & only DAP that supports DSD in ISO format for now. It's very convenient for headfi-ers who like SACD.


Will be sharing the comparison between different DAP and HM901.
To Be Continue~~~

This post has been edited by liquidgal: Jan 18 2015, 02:10 PM

Another New Toy from Cayin : Cayin C5 DAC (Portable DAC/Amp for Android)
Price: USD220

Specs for amp: C5DAC: 300mW + 300mW, C5 Amp: 800mW + 800mW
I personally tested and compare A to B, the build in amp of C5 DAC & C5 Amp is very close.
Current portable DAC/Amp in the market below RM1K, usually more to DAC. Amp part is weaker. C5 DAC wise is strong at both. It is really something that worth to invest.


PS: Don't be confuse by the outlook. It looks almost the same with C5 Amp, except the words indicating C5 DAc at the back.

This post has been edited by liquidgal: Jan 17 2015, 09:47 PM

Micro USB for audio input?

Cayin C5 dac come with a micro usb input (for Android/ pc/ mac usb dac), 3.5mm line in (just using the build in amp) and a coaxial output.

Check out the latest firmware for N6:

【#CayinN6 Firmware 1.1 Update】
1. Make sure the battery level is more than 50%
2. Download the firmware from:
http://cn.cayin.cn/UploadFiles/2015-01/cay...BA%E4%BB%B6.rar
extract rar file and copy "n6.fw" to a FAT32 format TF card.
3. Switch off N6 and insert TF card.
4. Press "up" button and "on" button. Wait for the system to update automatically.
5. When the update is successful, N6 will auto restart. You can check your firmware version from "setting > about player > firmware version"
Delete "n6.fw" after updating the firmware.
Update music library after updating the firmware.

*PS: If the update is failed, please reformat the TF card again using normal process, do not choose quick format. Then download the firmware again as it could be the file is not complete or corrupted.
Then repeat the update process.

Can use on a PC laptop?

Yes! It can work as a dac/amp for Android phone, PC and Mac.
Driving power is great even for big cans like Sennheiser HD650 and low impedance IEMs.

look wise i prefer a&k or ibasso better ~ worry about the sound now

Very nice sound. I prefer this over ak120.

I've brief listen and look at a Cayin tube amplifier for stereo setup, it's beautiful, I think around 4K price. Is this brand free of snake oil? Is the technology mature yet?

This post has been edited by wim1983: May 9 2015, 04:31 PM

Actually Cayin is a very established brand in China, with around 20 years experience in the HiFi business. Older than any other China brand that we know of such as Fiio, iBasso, and HiFiMan.
Their core business is in HiFi, selling speakers, tube amplifiers and so on. Their products are not only covering China market, also to the overseas market especially Europe.
I have been to their factory before, very impressive.

I have problem playing DSD iso. It say error.

Cayin N6 is not so stable in playing ISO. Some files will encounter error and sometimes it makes the N6 hang.
Better play DSF or DFF files.

ok got it

Cayin firmware 3.0

It's ready for update

Truly impressed with the N6 when paired with my HD650 without amp. Sound stage is fantastic - High freq is airy, that type of sound that I always love to hear. And low freq is deep and controlled.

So far I only found 2 problems with this player;

(1) The Price - Major issue, until I cannot afford it
(2) The looks - Minor issue, this price should have more prestige design that give the sense of class. If designer lazy to design, then should keep it simple, but elegant.

Summary - High quality DAP for headphone. But only for those that can afford

How much is HD650?

Much cheaper than Cayin N6

I thought hd650 is almost 2k?

I thought hd650 is almost 2k?

Now you can design your own theme for N6:

Cayin N6 Theme DIY Tools
http://en.cayin.cn/news_view.asp?id=796

HD650 is like RM1400-1500. Not really close to 2k

It's not considered high price in the DAP market actually especially with such performance and sound quality. Just look at AK240, that is something that not everyone can own.

No cayin N5 ?

More discussion over here
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=ST&f=99&t=3689088

Youtube review of Cayin N5

哇！从幕后走到台前，加油！

请问以您的经验你觉得FIIO X7和CAYIN N6哪一个您比较喜欢？

Thanks for support.

Haven't tried X7 yet. Not sure which one better.

Wow, is that you?

Come and audition N5 then you will know. haha.

Ok, will do. Thanks.

the pre-production x7 has just arrived

This post has been edited by E1 - AKG: Oct 24 2015, 11:05 PM

the leather case

Hmmm,the c5dac can make a nice comparison to ibasso d42.

This post has been edited by asking question: Mar 25 2016, 12:59 AM

Cayin I5
another Android based DAP?

http://www.head-fi.org/t/802382/cayin-i5-dap





This post has been edited by liquidgal: Mar 29 2016, 03:47 PM

Cayin i5. A new Android DAP below 2k!
Price friendly music streaming DAP is coming soon. Expected June.

Looks excellent.

Ya the price looks very reasonable and affordale.

Good news. After testing market in China for few months, Cayin has just decided to officially launch i5 on oversea market.
International retail price is USD499. Very afforadable price. Not sure is it the cheapest Android DAP or not?
It's using the same chip with N5. Sound tuning should be similiar. Will update my review once I get the demo



- Android DAP
- 4" touch screen
- AKM flagship DAC chip AK4490
- PCM 32bit/384kHz, DSD64/128
- USB Audio available. Support digital out via type C USB port.
- Can be used as USB DAC





This post has been edited by liquidgal: Jun 29 2016, 12:24 AM

Hi, compare Cayin i5 and Fiio X7, which one better? thanks.

Depending on what sound that you like

Fiio x7 is cleaner, more airy and brighter, slightly warm.
Cayin i5 wise, more analogue sound, with better ambience, richer, thicker and warmer. more solid and punchy sound

X7 sound stage wider, i5 with better depth.

User interface wise, if you want something like phone, then can consider X7.
i5 user interface is specially designed for i5 to eliminate the interference, and the algorithm of the operating system and music app are optimized for better sound quality. You can still download third part app to use it on i5, connect to WiFi and bluetooth. Just that the interface is a bit different from phone.

Photos:

based on this website - http://www.head-fi.org/t/802382/cayin-i5-l...-64-128-dsd/990

looks like a lot of bugs for this player...

30:00 bug, button stop respond, Hissing or background noise....

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.