Cayin N6 has become for me one of the most notable revelations of recent years. Despite the slightly eccentric design, sound and comfort, N6 become almost a benchmark in its price range. Cayin began to relax and decided to release a more affordable model received index N5. As you know, we will talk about it.
The company decided to make quite so unprecedented in our time thing. Instead of taking the older model and then crop a portion of its functionality to create a budget solution, they decided to develop a N5 from scratch. Moreover, Cayin has equipped its youngest model a number of features that are not in N6. The city flaunts a relatively fresh chip AK4490, gaining popularity in high-end devices, the role of the low pass filter is used OPA1662, the amplifier acts AD712. The headphone amp also uses part no buf634u. Another of the interesting features of the novelty has two slots for MicroSD cards, USB 3.0 interface and balanced output. All this is not in N6, I think, some of these possibilities in store for the future (when there will be some N7).
With all this Caiyn cut the price almost in 2 times, it is possible to buy N5 in 28 200 rubles in Russia or 9450 USD. in Ukraine.
Specifications
- CPU: JZ4760B
- DAC: AK4490EQ
- OS: OPA1662 (LPF), the AD712 (voltage) part no buf634u (current)
- Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.2 dB), 5Hz – 50 kHz (±1 dB)
- Recommended load impedance: 16Ω – 300Ω
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: 0,006% (1 kHz)
- Dynamic range: 108 dB
- The ratio signal/noise: 108 dB
- Output impedance: 0,26 Ω
- Output power (@ 32Ω): 200 + 200 mW for unbalanced output, 300 + 300 mW balanced
- Linear output: 2.0 V (@10kΩ)
- Input: MicroUSB 3.0
- Outputs: 2.5 mm TRRS balanced 3.5 mm nauchnikov, combined with linear, coaxial
- Support memory cards: 2 x MicroSD up to 128 GB
- Mode USB DAC: asynchronous up to 192kHz/24-bit, DSD64 in DoP mode
- Support for lossless formats: APE, FLAC, WAV, AIFF (all up to 192kHz/24-bit)
- Support lossy formats: ALAC, WMA, AAC, MP3
- Support for DSD formats: DSF, DFF, SACD ISO (DSD64 and DSD128)
- Battery: 4200 mAh, Li-Ion
- Working time on a single charge: up to 9 hours
- Charging time from 2A charger: around 3 hours
- Dimensions: 111 mm x 64 mm x 16,4 mm
- Weight: 195 g
Packaging and delivery package
Of course, in the cheaper model to please the buyer box-the box “under the skin”, as was the N6, Cayin did not. Five sold in more simple box of black cardboard with very restrained typography. At the bottom of the box, by the way, shows the main “chips” of this model. Overall the packaging looks good enough. Inside, besides the player, you will find the USB 3.0 adapter to coaxial output, silicone case, protective film on the screen and different pieces of paper.
In General, traditionally a great package, especially for a mainstream segment. For your player are sold separately very good covers of brown leather, I immediately purchased one for myself.
Design and management
The design of the N6 turned out to be so bold, that some people even caused a misunderstanding. In N5 I decided to make the building a more traditional shape, but the design still put a lot of unusual elements type of curvature near the screen and unusual depressions in the wheel. The case is mostly metal, except the rear, made popular recently carbon fiber.
The player is big enough, I’d say he’s closer to the top “bricks”, but with appropriate proportions it would fit fine in the hand and so well managed. The left panel houses the volume buttons and the menu button on the play screen. When the screen is locked the volume buttons work as navigation through the tracks (a long press), and the submenu button serves as the button to play/pause. On the bottom side of the player are covered with a solid cover, the slots for memory cards and a USB 3.0 connector. The cover is awkward, it is long and sometimes gets in the way, and look at the background of the stylish metal body of the device is not very. Fortunately, judging by the fresh pictures, Cayin realized the flaw and getting ready to release a revision without it.
The top end is reserved for the connectors, here is located the coaxial output (the player can even output digital DSD stream), headphone output, combined with linear (switchable in menu), and balanced output. It provided with a power button and off the screen. Player, like his older brother, supports sleep mode, which saves battery.
The front panel contained a screen, a control wheel with built in button for play and pause, it selects menu items, top right under this wheel is placed led-charging indicator, if you do not know where he is, he can’t even remember. To the left of the wheel there are three buttons: two are used for navigating through tracks and menu items, another is used to return from the submenu. In General, the quality of the wheel is good enough, it’s not perfect, but in the course navigation menu is not particularly annoying. The screen quality is very good, for a player he has a very good color rendition and resolution. And the range of brightness to work in the sun it has, the picture is, of course, lose their juiciness, but can see her.
In fact, the menu itself is very traditional for Chinese players. In Cayin went a little farther than usual and made some beautiful animated themes. Everything else is traditional. Two sections dedicated to music: the first is a library with support for styles, genres and artists, plus the ability to view recently played tracks and favorites; the second is viewing the content of memory cards into folders. Another section leads to the play screen, there are also all the usual: album cover, track information, side button you can call context menu. The last two sections of the menu is reserved for settings, which also has everything you could wish for: the equalizer, timer off and sleep, screen brightness, gain, volume and memorizing the position when switched off, the order of play, multiple themes, and other familiar features. Cayin actively modify the firmware, so there is hope that in the future we will see some additional opportunities. The firmware is quite stable, I never encountered problems during its operation. The player controls a little confusing due to the fragmentation of buttons, but after getting used to the inconvenience it does not deliver.
Cayin was able to put the player in the big battery of 4200 mAh and provide long life for devices of the same capacity. During the test, on a single charge the player worked 8 hours 40 minutes, which is pretty close to the published specifications.
Overall N5 makes a very good impression of an expensive device: excellent materials, unusual design with audacious, intuitive control — all this makes the player with classical devices “big hi-end”.
The sound
For the listening device was used the following headphones: ZMF Omni, Oppo PM-3, Titan 3 and Titan 5, Lear LHF-AE1d, Ambient Acoustics AM10, VE Monk and Asura v2, HiFiMan HE-400S.
Cayin actively listened to the users and tuningova sound with firmware after the release of the device. The 3rd version they finally found the sound I liked most and probably will remain in future updates. With this firmware the sound of the player can be described as analytical, with a bias in the volume and the emphasis on the emotionality of the mid frequencies. In other words, N5 tends to audiophile monitor the flow, but not cross the line beyond which begins the loss of emotion and involvement in music.
The bass player has a quick and detailed. It has a good resolution, he knows how to convey the texture, in General, in a high-speed plan for LF there are no questions. The only thing missing bass N5 is hlestkost strikes, but they are not crushing. I don’t know, is this a coincidence or a special step in order to focus on MF, but fans of bass drum player will not work (although with headphones selected player shows very good results).
The midrange is the strongest part of N5. Emotional, vivid midrange, with good detail and speed, negate all the other shortcomings of the player, making it a real hit for fans of sincere submission, especially in the living genres. Because of this, N5 builds very well layered imaginary scene, clearly separating the musical material in depth. The width of the scene also does not cause any problems. Instruments are well separated and clearly positioned.
Vernacularly the range has a bit of a simplification, but rather non-critical for price range. So it’s the simplification to hear — have a good listen, and when listening to music “as a whole” — this problem is almost imperceptible. To my ears, HF quantitatively in N5 is good, but those who do not like the upper frequencies to take out a player without listening is not worth it. This model is sensitive to the quality testing of RF-band headphone, so there is a risk of overkill. Although I even with bright models such as the Dunu Titan 5, the player sounded air and not irritated.
Tradition is a subjective comparison.
Cayin N6. Despite the fact that this player is worth 2 times more, not to compare them would be stupid. The older version is softer and more musical pitch, a bit smooth in the midrange. Overall, the N6 sound is perceived warmer, more bodily, it builds more convex and solid images.
Fiio X5-2. Competitor price segment sounds about the same “level” (how I hate that word), but offers a different flow. N5 — this is a monitor the sound focused on the mid-range player Fiio — taste the sound, less depth, but more bass impact. Roughly speaking, the N5 is better for classical and vocals, Fiio — to rock, or perhaps electronics. Of course, this division is conditional, and nothing prevents to listen to the same Maiden s on Cayin.
Hidizs AP 100. Darker and punchy sound with plenty of bass, worse study middle frequencies, the scene is smaller in all respects. AP100 is also much cheaper in price, and the last time, alas, started to affect the build quality.
iHiFi 800. These players, of course, there are similarities in the pitch, but iHiFi better defined treble, and N5 — bass. In addition, the N5 is better separates the instruments. Oh and don’t forget about the quality of the firmware and excellent management (the difference in price is really too high).
iBasso DX80. This player goes even further along the path of flow removed, which makes it quite an emotional decision. For me the iBasso sound reminiscent of meditation that allow you to look at your body from the outside: I can hear the nuances of music, and emotions, but I can’t dive, they are somewhere nearby, but not happen with me. N5, on the other hand, perfectly captures the emotions and immerses them in.
Compatibility
It is difficult to imagine a more versatile player in terms of compatibility with headphones. Very good power reserve in combination with the low output impedance makes it a good option for any IEM, and for most overhead models. Because of this, when choosing headphones, you can not rely on features of the player and on your personal taste preferences. The only thing to consider — with very sensitive headphones connected to the balanced output, the player is a little noise. Actually, it’s payback capacity, and the noise is heard only in sensitive low-impedance models. Interestingly, when headphone makers understand that in our time we must try to do the impedance models at least 32Ω? Overall from my zoo N5 headphones I liked the Dunu hybrids from (with the J-version of HF much, but I was still quite bearable) and with ZMF Omni. The last N5 does not disclose 100%, but quite close to it.
Stylistically, I would advise the player in the first place lovers of complex music genres type of orchestral music and vocal works. As good in the performance of the N5 and progressive rock with jazz. A little worse, while quite to my taste it sounds metal, though there will have to look for a quality remaster. The quality of the record player is very sensitive, on a 10-point scale I would rate it at 9 points.
As usual — a few examples.
Art Zoyd — Unsex Me Here. Even under penalty of death fail to give a clear genre definition of the music of this band. There is everything from free jazz to symphonic music. Complex multi-product, really benefit from the N5 ability to build a scene in depth.
Charles Mingus — Self-Portrait in Three Colors. Calm, relaxed music and a genius of the double bass for a snack. It is for these styles and created by N5, its fast and detailed bass conveys all the nuances of the Charles, and a clean midrange complete picture of the work of the other musicians in his band.
Dream Theater — Moment of Betrayal. As usual, the new album DT has caused a lot of debate about, “rolled down the dreams or not”, according to tradition, the debate will go until the release of the next album, after which the debaters will switch to it, recognizing the work of a successful 2016. N5 is very good, although not perfectly, handled the track, passing the virtuoso parties of all the musicians in the band.
Conclusions
The player, who will either immediately like it or not. Unusual design with retro elements, interesting, detailed sound that are available regarding tops price. Given the fact that in N5 there are many “chips” that are absent in N6, we can only praise Cayin for such an approach to the creation of a budget model. If you like detailed submission and live midrange this player is for you.