Cayin N6 Player Overview - Newbie with Leadership Application. Review of the Cayin N6 player - a newcomer with a leadership application with which headphones is better played by Cain H6

• DAC: 2 × PCM1792A.
• CPU: Ingenic Xburst JZ4760, 2 core @ 600 MHz
• Flag: SA2000.
• Volume control: PGA2311, 100 steps adjustment
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.2 dB, 5Hz - 50 kHz ± 1 dB
• Nonlinear distortion coefficient: 0,005%
• Dynamic range: 110 dB.
• Signal / noise ratio: 109 dB.
• Headphone output power: 220 MW per channel @ 32Ω
• Output impedance: 0.26Ω
• Linear output: 1.7 in @ 10kΩ
• USB DAC: Asynchronous, up to 24 bits / 192 kHz
• Choosing the gain: 2 levels (+6 dB)
• Channel Balance: ± 10 dB.
• Equalizer: 10-band, ± 10 dB
• Display: 2.4 "IPS TFT 400 × 360
• Analog outputs: 3.5 mm TRS Headphone, 3.5 mm TRS Linear
• Digital output: 3.5 mm TRS coaxial S / PDIF
• DSD support: DSD64 (DSF, DFF), DSD128 (DSF, DFF), SACD ISO
• Support Lossless formats: WAV, FLAC, ALAC, APE (up to 24 bits / 192 kHz), WMA (up to 24 bits / 96 kHz)
• Support Lossy formats: AAC, Ogg, Mp2, Mp3
• Battery capacity: 5600 mA / h
• Built-in memory: 8 GB
• Support for memory cards: Micro SD up to 128 GB
• Opening time on one charge: up to 8 hours
• Charge time: ~ 3 C.
• Maximum dimensions: 126 mm × 72 mm × 19,7 mm
• Sizes of the main building: 126 mm × 68 mm × 17.6 mm
• Weight: 230 g

Packaging and delivery package

To the design of the box in Cayin approached with a scope. To begin with, they chose an unusual, but very nice terracotta color, supplemented with silver embossed. The outer shell of the box is removed by opening access to the inner boxing. The latter opens like a casket. Under the lid, a cardboard envelope is fixed with instructions and spare films on the screen (one is already glued). In the midst of the velvet lies the player itself. Under the velvet favorite you will find a microusb cable, an adapter for S / PDIF, a microSD card reader and very unexpectedly a key chain with a company logo and insert from carbon, the same as on the back of the player.

In addition to this wealth, the kit was a simple gray silicone case, just thrown into the transport box.

As you can see, at this point in the company, all the wishes took into account.

Design and management

Over external species The player also actively worked, the design turned out unusual, and perhaps not everyone would have to taste, but pleases at least what the company thought about the banal ease of use. Most of the housing N6 is made of milled aluminum. Except Speaker rear panelwhich in tribute to fashion was made of carbon fiber (better known as carbon). I'm not quite sure why it was done, but in general it looks interesting and unusual.


The shape of the player hull is also distinguished by non-standard, the upper part has a circular protrusion in which the screen entered. The latter, unfortunately, is not round, it would make the player expectively expensive, and the usual square shape. The screen quality is beneficial from most Chinese players with good color reproduction and resolution. Because of this cover, it looks like never cool on the screen. Having at high resolution, the developers on the player used a very small and thin font, which made reading, but quickly corrected by releasing the updated firmware in which the font was strongly improved.

By the way, I will note the active work on program part player, just a month after the release of N6, was released a new version Firmware, which greatly improved DSD support, corrected a number of bugs and optimized energy consumption. I hope that such a pace will be supported by developers and in the future.


Control elements are dispersed on all the glands of the player. On the front panel there are 4 buttons for control of a very unusual form. They can be used to navigate and play playback. On the right pane - two volume control buttons. From above there are connectors for headphones, linear and coaxial outputs, as well as the power button and block. Below is the microusb connector, a slot for memory cards and a reset hole. On the left pane, the navigation wheel with the support of the presses with which you can manage the menu can be controlled.

The level of enforcement of the case and the overall fit of the nodes is close to the ideal, not the slightest backlats or irregularities, everything in its place. The player, of course, is rather big sizes, but at the expense of a relatively small thickness in the hand lies very well, all controls can be reached without using the second hand.


The player interface is quite good. The main menu is made in the form of a circle with 5 partitions, hinting at what they need to control with the help of a side wheel (although control using the buttons on the front panel works too). Sections here are as follows:

• Playback screen
• Player settings
• Playback settings
• Media Antiatics
• Direct access to files

In the player settings you can change the language, mode uSB connections (DAC or access to files), backlight time (from 30 seconds), brightness (5 steps), shutdown timer, reset settings and view player information.

In the music settings, you can configure the gain, digital filter (Sharp and Slow), the gain coefficient compensation for the DSD, the equalizer (10 band), playback mode (in order, random replay, repeat one track), remembering the playback position when you turn off, remembering the volume When you turn off, play without pause, the balance of the channels and the display of album covers and lyrics.


The music library also deserves all silence. In addition to standard options Viewing the media artists by artists, albums, genres and all songs in a row, there are still a list of favorites, in which you can add tracks yourself, and the story of the lighted songs.

The playback screen is quite logical, the above displays all the necessary information, most of the cover is occupied by the bottom of the track and position. According to the good Chinese tradition, to navigate the track and between them, the up-down buttons are used, the right button is responsible for playback and pause, the left - for returning back to the main menu. Rotation The wheel on the playback screen offers to select another track from the current list of played, pressing it opens context menuWith which you can change the gain factor, the playback order, add a track to your favorite or delete it.

Powerful stuffing the best way He affected the time of the player. Despite clean battery, on one charge, he plays about 7 hours, the time of complete charge when used charger From iPad - a little less than 4 hours. Indicators are not recorded, but in Cayin promised to work on it and already in version 1.1 of the firmware added support for the "sleep" mode for the processor, which allows it to consume less energy in downtime. It is separately pleasant that the player displays the battery charge in percentage and does it quite accurately.

Sound

For listening to the player, the following headphones were used:

• Hifiman RE600.
• Philips Fidelio X1.

In general, the sound of Cayin N6 is very well balanced. He is musical, without loss of transparency, and not rolling into excessive dryness. His sound is incredible in detail, the player is very careful about small nuances of music, passing them with the highest level of accuracy. This leads to the fact that when playing, the tools are very clearly positioned not only in width, but also in depth. FROM good headphones Listening to the records of large collectives - very and very interesting.

The reserve for power in the player is not bad, although not recorded. With the exception of the tight isoodanic models and headphones with impedance above 300Ω, it confidently copes with almost any load. The otolone output impedance makes the N6 by a good option and for multi-deed reinforcement headphones, whimping to this parameter.


Bass is incredibly good to control and elaborate the nuances. In the sound N6, there is not the slightest hint of navigation and hum, everything is very clearly divided and is fed very authoritatively. It is worth noting that the fans of aggressive and sharp lower frequencies N6 is not very suitable, it is simply not designed for this.

The average frequencies are very musical, their detailing and control also do not cause the slightest complaints. Emotions laid in music, N6 transmits very reliably.

It is not surprising that HF \u200b\u200bis also very good. The player's company handwriting is also kept here: naturalness, detailing and musicality - all this is on HF. Thanks to this, the sound does not tire, and listen to the player for a long time.


I can not not pay a few words comparing Cayin N6 with the nearest competitor QLS QA360, they act in one price category and, of course, compete with each other. In general, the sound of the players is close to parity. With regard to detail, naturalness, etc., they are very good, the difference is more in separate nuances. Qa360 has a little more bass, plus it works better with tight on the headphones, N6 bass is slightly better in the field of attenuation, so the tools of this range sound more naturally, at least for my hearing. Also Qa360 volume builds a three-dimensional imaginary scene. But in general, the feed N6 seems to me slightly more musical.

Compatibility

In general, the player is good with any headphones, allowing him to fully reveal. Top dynamic and reinforcement models, as well as most overhead headphones quite in teeth. In an additional amplifier, he does not particularly need it, unless you decide to listen to the N6 isoodine, then you can dock the same C5 to it. It is funny that it is the amplifier from Cayin to fully comply with the character of the player's sound, the rest are more inclined to submit the supply of N6 to its (another exception, perhaps).


It is very pleased that the player can work as a USB DAC in asynchronous mode With sound stream support until 192 kHz / 24 bits, it makes the scope of its use even wider if you use, for example, a laptop - you can not lose as playback of music from it.

conclusions

A very interesting player falling into the niche, where he has few competitors. For sound and design, it is very close to top models, but has a price 2-3 times less, which makes it a very successful purchase candidate if you want to get high-quality sound, but not ready to pay for this any amount without looking. Ovtiviness and versatility of Cayin N6 complement its positive parties.

How many times, going to acquire the next player, all familiar in one voice sang: " take N5 Cain, it is best that created by the hands of human". Indeed, browsing reviews, just a diva is given - as such a miracle can exist with a price tag of only about 350 dollars. However, communicating with real ownersEveryone answered that in fact there is nothing special in the player and a secret was sent to listen to Fiio X5 of the first revision, which we talked about in one of the past reviews. And now, the day x has come - today we have the famous and almost legendary testing Cayin N5.where we learn what he really is worth.

CHARACTERISTICS

• DAC: AK4490EQ.
• Amplifiers: OPA1662 + AD712 + BUF634U
• Support for formats: DSF, DIFF, SACD-ISO, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, APE, WMA, MP3, OGG
• Display: 2.4 "IPS 400x360
• Headphone resistance: 16-300 ohms
• Opening time on one charge: 9 hours (screen off)
• Charging time: 3 hours (current 5 volt 2 amps)
• Battery: 4200mAh
• Frequency range: 20Hz - 20 kHz
• THD + N: 0.005%
• SNR: 108 dB.
• Dynamic range: 108 dB.
• Output impedance: 0.26 ohms.
• Login: MicroUSB 3.0
• Outputs: 2.5 mm TRRS balance sheet, 3.5 mm Headphone combined with linear coaxial
• Support for memory cards: 2 x microSD (up to 128 GB.)
• USB-DAC mode: asynchronous, up to 192 kHz / 24 bits, DSD64 in DOP mode
• Dimensions (D X W x B): Dimensions: 111 x 64 x 16.4 mm
• Weight: 195

Video version of the review

Unpacking and equipment

Player packaging is made of black durable cardboard.

On the back side The main characteristics of the device are applied.

In the configuration, we indulge in various types of waste paper: instruction, warranty card and incomprehensible cardboard with a description of the functional elements of the player.

But the greatest joy for most users is a silicone case, which they usually immediately put on the device and are not removed until his death or resale.

Of course, Silicone gives a more serious coupling with his hand and protects some elements of the player from scratches, but appreciate it - what does it look better and what really want to concern?

Design / Ergonomics

In the hand, the player lies just perfectly. The housing is almost completely made of metal, which is why it gives a pleasant cold, and considerable weight, as they say, is reliability.

The first neck, with which each owner N5 faces is to find the power button on the upper end of the device. Of course, FIIO in his X5 was also the same, but it was a long time ago and to the second revision, the firm learned flaws. But Cayin N5 released quite recently and immediately such a jamb. Press this button - that another quest, and unlock the device will not work differently.

Nearby, on the top, there is a balanced output, combined with a linear classic 3.5 mm. Exit for headphones and separate coaxial.

From the bottom of us the same MicroUSB 3.0, which I used to see only on hard disks. It has been rightwise placed two slots for memory cards up to 128 gigabytes, the reset button and the only screw for parsing the device.

The right end on the fan, that is, absolutely empty.

On the left - the manufacturer posted a swing swing and the small menu button. Destinations from these keys of two: in as usual mode These are the same volume control and launch menu, and on the locked screen - pause and switch tracks. In fact, a very curious move and quite convenient to use.

Turning Cayin N5 by its back side, we will detect the coating under carbon, model designation and other service information.

Front everything is more interesting. There is 2.4 "Display with terrible viewing angles, however, with a good brightness margin and a good resolution.

The wheel, unfortunately, is not responsible for the volume, but only strolts menu items and folders. In the middle of the wheel is the OK button, and the left is the three keys responsible for refund and transitions. Press these buttons conveniently, but to use the wheel you have to intercept the device, which can cause its unexpected fall.

INTERFACE

The main interface of Cayin N5 is decorated in the form of a string of cello.

On the left is the playback mode by artists, genres, loved ones and so on.

It goes a much more interesting playback mode by folders, where we first select the memory card, and then, moving around the catalogs, run on the playback of the composition you are interested in. Immediately you can delete unnecessary file. or folder, it is done using the "Menu" button.

The third item - "is now playing", here we are shifted to the main playback screen, where the status of the battery, equalizer, volume, the progress of the bar is displayed, and of course the cover, name and characteristics of the playing file.

Settings

According to the unwritten rule, the settings are divided into two parts. In the audio settings, you can select the gain mode, the type of digital filter ( play, it does not change the sound strongly, but in accents you should notice the difference), DSD parameters, equalizer and output mode of 3.5 mm. - By default, these are headphones.

The same applies to the desigration, in fact, only "the topic B" is less adequate, everything else is some terrible nightmare. USB MODE makes it possible to select the type of connection to the PC - there will be a regular drive or sound card (USB DAC). It is not clear why, but you can change the volume parameters and disconnect operations with folders.

Scrolling down, find sleep mode and shutdown on schedule. Here you can format the memory card or make full reset Systems.

Well, where without "about the device".

As comments, I would like to note that the equalizer is a specific thing and is needed exclusively to adjust your headphones, and not at all to "improve" sound. Also, when working with Cayin N5, you can notice a unlabic heating of the device, which hints at its use without any covers. The last thing I want to mention is some thoughtfulness when pressed by pause. And although the power of the processor is quite enough, however, from the firmware to the firmware, removal from the pause occurs simply with an incredible delay.

IRON

I have no desire to spread about the hardware, and especially zealous readers can familiarize themselves with it from the characteristics at the beginning this review. Briefly - all the elements are quite worthy, the only thing for what can be complained is only 9 hours of operation at a battery at 4200mAh.

SOUND

Before talking about sound I want to clarify that for testing I used an exceptionally connector by 3.5 mm., Since I have no cable with a balanced plug. As a headphone, I used the first edition of the trinity vyrus of the first edition with gray filters without "bags" and the continued legendary sony Line - Monitor ears 7510.

For the first time listening to Cayin N5, I immediately estimated a very good detail, but comparing with FiO X5, the last detail was even higher.

The overall sound in N5 is somewhat softened, why the living tools are perceived by places as imitation, and the vocals, at first glance, is slightly moved inside the composition. But this is not the worst thing. Worst of all in Cayin N5 things are with the depth of the scene, and therefore with the separation of plans and intelligence. Indeed, in the case of a small number of Cayin N5 tools, it perfectly copes with the transfer of emotions, intelligibility and shows good speed characteristics, but if the tools are squeezing 6 or 8, then because of a narrow scene, the sound comes full porridge and it becomes completely impossible to listen to a separate batch, And the separation of plans is sharply lubricated.

But despite the above, if you take the frequency ranges separately, you can note the excellent low and medium frequencies, moreover, very good elaboration ( for its price, naturally) High frequencies.

If you ask me with what you really can compare Cayin N5, then I can give except Fiiio X5 of the second revision. Seriously, Cayin N5, like FiO X5 II, has strengths and weaknesses and, if you decide to choose between these two devices, then it is very difficult. From the point of view of the Cayin N5 frequency range in a more winning position, but speaking of the intelligibility - ahead of X5 II. As for Fiiio X5 of the first revision, he replays both applicants, which is why it is much more interesting, in my opinion, the device.

CONCLUSIONS

Summing up, I can note that for really excellent sound Cayin N5. Lack of depth and volume. With a large number of tools, N5 gives a very dense and squeezed sound, which is why it becomes much more complicated to drive a separate batch than in the same FiO X5. Total for those who still choose a good Hi-Res player, I still recommend to pay my attention to Fio x5. The first revision, and Cayin N5 let it remain for fans of a squeezed soft sound.

Are Chinese rockets have become more reliable? The question is, of course, interesting. Well, there was still a grandmother on two, but in the market gadgets, the thoroughbred Chinese Lenovo and Huawei were given away no worse than apple. Perhaps and music lovers have already received or are about to get a big greeting greeting. I mean, not very promoted brand Cayin is a small Chinese company producing high-quality amplifiers, DACs, CD players, acustic systems. So today this brand sent us the premiere. Today we'll talk about the first portable Cayin N6 player, having a kind of design and a mistrust sound. Built the device on two chips of the PCM1792A DSC. Well, it's time to dive into the nuances. Are you with us?

Text: Alexey Kashirsky,

We thank Xcheser Audio for the provided sample for listening

SPECIFICATIONS:

DAC: 2 × PCM1792A.

CPU: Ingenic Xburst JZ4760, 2 core @ 600 MHz

Flag: SA2000.

Volume control: PGA2311, 100 steps adjustment

Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.2 dB, 5Hz - 50 kHz ± 1 dB

Nonlinear distortion coefficient: 0,005%

Dynamic range: 110 dB.

Signal / noise ratio: 109 dB.

Headphone output power: 220 MW per channel @ 32Ω

Output impedance: 0.26Ω

Linear output:7 in @ 10kΩ

USB DAC: Asynchronous, up to 24 bits / 192 kHz

Choosing the gain: 2 levels (+6 dB)

Channel Balance: ± 10 dB.

Equalizer: 10-band, ± 10 dB

Display: 2.4 "IPS TFT 400 × 360

Analog outputs: 3.5 mm TRS on headphones, 3.5 mm TRS linear

Digital output: 3.5 mm TRS coaxial S / PDIF

DSD support: DSD64 (DSF, DFF), DSD128 (DSF, DFF), SACD ISO

Support Lossless formats: WAV, FLAC, ALAC, APE (up to 24 bits / 192 kHz), WMA (up to 24 bits / 96 kHz)

Support Lossy formats: AAC, Ogg, Mp2, Mp3

Battery capacity: 5600 mA / h

Built-in memory: 8 GB

Support for memory cards: MicroSD up to 128 GB

Opening time on one charge: up to 8 hours

Charge time: ~ 3 C.

Maximum dimensions: 126 mm × 72 mm × 19,7 mm

Sizes of the main building: 126 mm × 68 mm × 17.6 mm

Weight: 230 g

Appearance and set

The device is supplied in a cardboard box of reddish, inside which the box is located, where all our charms are located. Namely: the player itself, envelope with pieces and protective films On the screen, the MicroUSB cable for connecting to the power adapter and the synchronization with the PC, the card reader, coaxial cable To output "Figures" with S / PDIF and a pretty key chain with a logo of the company, to remember! Everything is clear, beautiful, elegant, I like it!

The device is pretty weighty and decent size, but at the same time it worms comfortably to stay on the palm of the palm of the handshake. Material - aluminum. Color Silver, the assembly is good, everything is clear, symmetrically, you will not have to you: iPhone, hour, not in the same places going?

The back cover is covered with carbon, cute, with a logo of the company. The screen is made in the form of a porthole with protruding edges beyond the housing. Cool turned out the square of the circle: for some reason, after turning on the player, a purely square menu flashes in a circular porthole. And to round the menu in full screen was weak?

The picture and color reproduction of the screen is very high-quality, which speaks of a decent matrix. Everything, I do not get tired of repeating, clearly, beautiful, elegant. It is a pity only, the beaks are somewhat fine. But the menu is quite understandable, although there were moments when I was confused in control: wheels, buttons - where to hurt something? Well, oh well, you can get used to it.

The huge plus N6 is that the player can work in uSB quality DAC, if you connect it to a computer. Came, inserted as a sound card and listen to the ramps around the room - a very pleasant moment.

On the front side under the screen are the menu buttons. On the right end there were keys responsible for the volume. And on the left end, closer to the screen, there is a "wheel", which when rotating finds need element Menu, and when you click - fixes the choice.

At the top end, it is easy to: Connecting headphones, linear output, coaxial, and a player on / off button. On the bottom - the connector for connecting the MicroUSB cable, the microSD memory card slot, and the device for emergency restarting device (Reset).

Sound

I will immediately say, the sound of Cayin N6 although not without small shortcomings, but very decent!

For listening, the following headphones were used: ETYMotic ER-4P / S, Westone UM3X, Myst Nail 2, Beyerdynamic DT 1350, Audio-Technica ATH-SX1A, OPPO PM-3. With all the headphones, the device won properly and some whims did not find me.

Cayin N6 sound can be denoted as neutral. Music is associated with good detail, even tonal balance without any obvious distortion, accuracy, intelligibility, it's all about our premiere.

Listening to your favorite compositions on the N6 really delivers a lot of pleasure. The player is very interesting to build a "virtual scene". There is a depth and width. Sounds are positioned as if small layers, a multi-level material supply. A kind of impressionism in the supply of sound if you want.

Cayin player stands out among modern portable devices Not only exterior, but also its manner of filing a musical material. Here, for example, I enhanced OPPO PM-3 to him, put FFS (those who do not know, strongly recommend - this new project Franz Ferdinand and Sparks), well, so, put and flew away! Sounds stunning, steep! Each nuance, each fragment is transmitted very precisely and musically, even though the entire collection is reserved for decades!

Well, okay, "closer to the body", as the erotic classic said.

HF Clear, moderately transparent, practically without flaw, their little and quite a lot, they always come and go on time. They are exactly as much as they need and do not have claims to their quality. Although somewhere there is a small crumbling, but not particularly critical.

Account Details, with good resolution. Each tool is clearly drawn in space. The middle is very musical.

LF- Do not tag, they are exactly as much as you need, no more and no less. Bas has a good speed. But here is one disputed moment. For example, it sounds picking up a unhurried composition, everything is in order ... And here, a large number of tools enters, the speed increases, and ... the bass starts to choke a bit, slightly drives back, there is some kind of column, and then at some point - once and times Everything is fine.

It is heard this mainly on my ETYMotic ER-4S, on the rest of the headphones this moment is almost impaired. On the dynamic headphones of such a jama, I did not hear at all. In general, there are small claims to the bass, but I can't really designate them. But in general, everything is very good.

conclusions

The player turned out very interesting. The design, of course, on an amateur - Looks at the Tagging "Bolsheviki" the time of stagnation, but what is hiding under the dress! In addition, the player has the porthole - quite a pretty round face.

In terms of sound Cayin N6 - one of the leaders in the world of portable players. His sound deserves all sorts of praise. Prices in Russian online stores on Cayin N6 fluctuate in the area of \u200b\u200b30,000 rubles, which is quite gentle by today's ruble to the dollar.

Sound, design (not for everyone), the ability to use the player as sound card, price (again not for everyone).

Design / management (for someone because the opposite)