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Cayin N7 Master Quality Digital Audio Player - Pure 1-Bit Android-based DAP

Even though it is primarily a portable device in the field of personal audio, the new Cayin N7 Master Quality Digital Audio Player is supposed to present itself with a design that would do honour to a classic high-end hi-fi system.

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  • The new Cayin N7 Master Quality Digital Audio Player is said to be a particularly comprehensively equipped hi-res audio player that shines first and foremost with a fully discrete, fully symmetrical design.

The new Cayin N7 Pure 1-Bit Android-based DAP is a master quality digital audio player, a solution in the field of personal audio devices that is aimed at particularly demanding music lovers who want nothing less than the best quality even when they are on the move. With this new DAP, the company Zhuhai Spark Electronic Equipment Co. Ltd. is convinced that it wants to penetrate areas in which such solutions have not been able to perform so far.

The special features of the new Cayin N7 include a purely discrete, fully balanced design, dual amplifier operation, versatile inputs and outputs and, of course, everything you need to access a wide variety of content, and last but not least, a converter designed as a pure 1-bit DSD DAC.

Cayin N7 Master Quality Digital Audio Player with fully balanced construction

From the developers’ point of view, the fully symmetrical design of the new Cayin N7 is a decisive feature for the promised outstanding quality, and it is the first DAP of the Cayin Audio brand to be designed in this way. The balanced design applies to the entire DAP, starting with the DAC, LPF and headphone amplifier.

For the discrete LPF, after numerous tests, a balanced class-A push-pull amplifier circuit based on dual bipolar transistors was chosen. The headphone amplifier itself is based on a 4-channel circuit with a low-noise JFET (Junction Gate Field Effect Transistor) as differential input stage and BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor) as amplifier and output stage. The manufacturer is convinced that this will reduce interference to a minimum and achieve a new level of quality in the processing of audio signals and their reproduction.

For the discrete LPF, the developers decided on a balanced Class A push-pull amplifier circuit based on dual bipolar transistors after numerous tests. The headphone amplifier itself is based on a 4-channel circuit with a low-noise JFET (Junction Gate Field Effect Transistor) as differential input stage and BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor) as amplifier and output stage. This reduces interference to a minimum and achieves a new level of quality in the processing of audio signals and their reproduction.

Cayin N7 relies on 1-bit DSD DAC

As already mentioned, the D/A converter used here is a real special feature of the new Cayin N7, because it is a 1-bit DSD DAC. Signals in Linear PCM with up to 32 bits and 768 kHz are therefore always converted to DSD first, whereby this can process DSD up to DSD512 natively.

For this purpose, the signal is routed through a network of 128 high-precision thin-film resistors, with two femtosecond crystal oscillators to ensure maximum precision. The output is balanced on four channels for the best possible and interference-free reproduction. The power supply was also redesigned especially for the Cayin N7, so that it can now be optimally supplied by different sections of the audio circuit independently of each other according to their voltage requirements.

By the way, it should also be mentioned in this context that the Cayin N7 is able to process content encoded in lossy MQA through a 16x full MQA decoding.

Dual amplifier operation – Class A or Class AB

For the output stage, the user can decide whether he prefers pure Class A or Class AB operation. The selection can be made very easily via a pull-down menu.

According to the manufacturer, the Class A mode delivers a warm, rather soft sound, whereas Class AB brings more dynamics and more clarity.

For connecting headphones, an unbalanced 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack and a balanced 4.4 mm PENTACONN are available. It should also be mentioned that two further analogue outputs are available, so that this solution can be connected to an audio system without any problems.

An analogue resistor volume control from JRC was installed to control the volume at the pre-out. This is controlled via a noble brass knob. The second analogue output is a line out with fixed voltage. This bypasses the volume control of the DAP.

In order to be able to forward audio signals on a digital level, an I2S digital output and a coaxial S/PDIF interface are available, although this is accessible via a USB-C port.

Bluetooth as transceiver, WiFi and USB-C

It must be emphasised that the new Cayin not only has a Bluetooth module, which “only” complies with Bluetooth 5.0, but is designed as a so-called transceiver, which means it can transmit and receive.

With the Cayin N7, not only can Bluetooth headphones be connected, but it is also possible to transmit signals to the DAP via Bluetooth and use it as a portable D/A converter in connection with a smartphone, for example.

The fact that all codecs are supported in order to achieve hi-res audio should also be emphasised. Besides SBC and AAC, UAT and LDAC are available.

For integration into the network, 2.4 or 5 GHz dual-band WiFi is available, whereby the antennas required for this are part of the solid, elegant aluminium housing of the Cayin N7 and should thus guarantee optimal reception.

A wide range of streaming services can be used via WiFi and OTA firmware upgrades can also be carried out.

A connection to the smartphone is established via HiByLink and full remote control of the DAP is achieved, and music can be transmitted wirelessly via HiByCast.

USB-C enables simple data exchange with a PC or Mac, for example, and the Cayin N7 can also function as a D/A converter. Direct playback via USB OTG storage is also possible and, of course, the integrated battery is also charged.

Cayin N7 Master Quality Digital Audio Player with Qualcomm Snapdragon Platform and Google Android 12

The new Cayin N7 Pure 1-Bit Android-based DAP uses a 64 Bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 platform with 4 GByte RAM and High Performance FPGA for special adaptation to the needs as a DAP to guarantee high performance. The 64 GB internal memory can be expanded to up to 1 TByte using memory cards.

The central operating element is, of course, a 5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 pixels.

Google Android 12 is used as the operating system, so that the user has access to all the corresponding apps for various streaming services, but also for optimal control of headphones, for example, via the Google Play Store.

If desired, the audio processing of the operating system can be completely bypassed via DTA or Direct Transport Audio in order to achieve the best quality in this respect as well.

Long battery life

The new Cayin N7 Pure 1-Bit Android-based DAP has a 3.8 V 9,000 mAh Lihtium-ion battery, which is supposed to provide a particularly long playing time of up to ten hours with unbalanced headphones and 8.5 hours with balanced headphones. The battery is charged very quickly via PD2.0.

The aluminium housing is CNC-milled and measures 142 mm in height, 77.8 mm in width and 22.2 mm in depth. The player weighs 380 g.

Prices and availability

The new Cayin N7 Pure 1-Bit Android-based DAP is expected to be available in early March 2023 at a recommended retail price of € 2.298,-. It will be offered in a black version, which is mentioned for the sake of completeness.

Getting to the point

Zhuhai Spark Electronic Equipment Co. Ltd., the company behind the Cayin Audio brand, is convinced that you don’t have to compromise on quality when you’re on the move. With the Cayin N7 Pure 1-Bit Android-based DAP, they are now launching their latest DAP in the field of personal audio devices.

PRODUCTCAYIN N7 MASTER QUALITY DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER
Price€ 2.298,-
BrandCAYIN AUDIO
ManufacturerZhuhai Spark Electronic Equipment Co. Ltd.
DistributionCayin Audio Distribution GmbH
More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG
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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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