Review: Cayin N5 – Ribbed for your pleasure

Phones Out

(Bal)

Power rating 300mW+300mW(@32Ω)
Frequency Response 20-20kHz(±0.2dB,Fs=192kHz)

5-50kHz(±1dB,Fs=192kHz)

THD+N 0.006% (1kHz,Fs=44.1kHz;20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
Dynamic Range 108dB(20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
SNR 108dB(20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
Phones Out

(Single End)

Power rating 200mW+200mW(@32Ω)
Frequency Response 20-20kHz(±0.2dB,Fs=192kHz)

5-50kHz(±1dB,Fs=192kHz)

THD+N 0.006% (1kHz时,Fs=44.1kHz;20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
Dynamic Range 108dB (20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
SNR 108dB (20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
Output Impedance 0.26Ω
Line Out Output Level 2.0V (@10kΩ)
Frequency Response 20-20kHz (±0.2dB,Fs=192kHz)

5-50kHz (±1dB,Fs=192kHz)

THD+N 0.005% (1kHz,Fs=44.1kHz;20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
Dynamic Range 108dB(20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
SNR 108dB(20Hz-20kHz,A-Weighted)
Battery 4200mAh 3.7V Lithium polymer
~9 HRS
Charging ~3 HRS (with 2A Charger, not provided)
Charging Current <=1500mA when charge with 2A Charger,

<=500mA when charge with computer USB port

Recommended Headphone impedance Range 16-300Ω(recommended)
Dimension 111*64*16.4(mm)
Net Weight ~195g
Music Format (Local Storage) DSF Native hardware decode  DSD64 and DSD128
DFF Native hardware decode  DSD64 and DSD128
SACD-ISO Native hardware decode  DSD64 and DSD128
APE Upto 192kHz/24Bit(Support Fast and Normal compression only)
FLAC Upto 192kHz/24Bit
WAV Upto 192kHz/24Bit
AIFF Upto 192kHz/24Bit
ALAC Support
WMA Support
AAC Support
Mp3 Support
USB Audio

(DAC)

USB Mode Asynchronized USB Audio 2.0 Class
DSD Support DoP (DSD64)
PCM Upto 192kHz/24Bit
Windows Support (Driver required)
MAC OSx Support
iOS Not support
Android Not support
4.1/5 - (25 votes)
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Lieven is living in Europe and he's the leader of the gang. He's running Headfonia as a side project next to his full time day job in Digital Marketing & Consultancy. He's a big fan of tube amps and custom inear monitors and has published hundreds of product reviews over the years.

7 Comments

  • Reply April 21, 2016

    Barun C

    Good writeup Lieven, the context of comparisons especially. At $319 playing DSD 1 & 2 natively with the ability to read ISO SACDs is in itself a great plus for the N5. More expensive players don’t have the ability to read SACD ISOs, which can be an issue for a few, as getting a proper ripper for SACD ISOs is still not easy.

    • Reply April 21, 2016

      Headfonia_L.

      thank you. With the N5 you really get more than what you pay for 🙂
      I have a feeling the new DAP will offer even more (but at what price?)

      • Reply April 21, 2016

        Barun C

        Couple of questions.

        1. What filters are present in N5?
        2. During DSD playback does the player lag in general operation/navigation?

        Thanks

        • Reply April 21, 2016

          Headfonia_L.

          You mean the digital filter?
          I haven’t noticed anything special about lag, not anymore than all the other players

          • Reply April 21, 2016

            Barun C

            Yes digital filters.

            • Reply April 21, 2016

              Headfonia_L.

              They come with the DAC chip AK4490 and there are 5, http://www.akm.com/file.jsp?id=273638

              – Short Delay Sharp Roll-off, GD=6.25/fs

              – Short Delay Slow Roll-off, GD=5.3/fs

              – Sharp Roll-off

              – Slow Roll-off

              – Super Slow Roll-off

              • Reply April 21, 2016

                Barun C

                Thanks Lieven.

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