Disclaimer: Cayin Audio sent us the Cayin N3 for review free of charge. The unit doesn’t need to be returned and Cayin isn’t a site advertiser.
Cayin
Cayin is a premium Chinese high end audio brand (since 1993) and their focus mostly was on dedicated HiFi equipment, covering every chain in the music reproduction path, from CD player to speaker, but the essence is no doubt their tube amplifiers. Their equipment ranges from around under US$100 to just below US$10,000 per item, covering the needs of different requirements and budgets. Lately Cayin has been strongly focusing on the portable market as well with successful units such as the N5, N6 and i5 portable players and the C5 portable amplifier. Now Cayin is back with the N3, a Linux based mini DAP.
The N3 is the little brother in Cayin’s line-up, it’s a completely new DAP which is available for around $149.99USD on Amazon and it is Cayin’s 4th DAP already. Something I noticed right away when I launched the N3 for the first time is that Cayin is no longer using the “Burn your music” moto. The New N3 now features a “Never be the same again” message when booting and it simply says “Come back soon” when you’re shutting the N3 down.
Of course there is a huge and very active Cayin N3 thread on Head-Fi. If there’s anything you want to know or ask about the N3, it for sure is the place to go. Andy, who is Cayin’s Marketing Director, follows the thread and he’s there helping as much as he can. His dedication is admirable. Talking about Andy, we also featured him on our “Fav album of” series a few months ago, you can find it by clicking here: https://www.headfonia.com/blog-the-fav-album-of-cayin/ .
The N3: Inside, Looks and more
This section again is going to be very comprehensive as there is so much to say about the new N3 DAP. The N3 has a solid aluminium chassis with a soft, anti-slip pleather back. While the chassis is aluminum it does feel to the more plastic side, especially when comparing it to the other Cayin DAPs. Of course the size of the player also contributes to this feel. The N3 is small measuring 100 x 54 x 13mm and it weighs only 100g. Of course with the $149 price this entry level N3 is going for, the materials used are not as high level as on the N6 or i5 just to name two other Cayin DAPs. On the other side the N3 does seem well built and even though the side buttons are made out of plastic, I think the player could take a beating. Unlike with their other DAPs, the N3 comes with a silicone case and not a leather one. I haven’t been using the silicone case as I quite like seeing and feeling the pleather back of the N3. This N3 is all about the music though. It’s back to basics but with a High Res sticker label. (it even comes with extra stickers!)
The N3 is available in black or cyan and it comes with a matching silicone case (other colors are available). The 2.4” screen on the N3 (400 x 360) is small but good; all the needed information is clearly shown on the screen and that’s something that wasn’t really the case with their N5 “Ribbed for your pleasure” DAP. Viewing angles and sharpness are good as well. The little N2 comes with a triple gain control which is awesome, although I haven’t felt the need to switch to medium and high gain just let after a few weeks of use.
Unlike some of its competitors, the Cayin N3 does feature Bluetooth v4.0 with apt-X. The N3 can, also be used as a Wireless DAC/AMP when connected by BT. Some even use it as a controller for their phone streaming TIDAL over BT to the N3. The N3 offers USB OTG and it of course can serve as USB-DAC for your computer or mobile device (24/192 and DSD64/128). The USB-C out serves both as USB out and Coaxial out. More on this later in the “usability” part of this article.
Lay-out & feel
The N3 perfectly fits your hand and the buttons are situated in such a way that it can be controlled by using just one hand. At the same time that means you can accidentally push some other buttons – it also was the case with the Fiio X5iii which we reviewed a few weeks ago – but once you get used to where you should put your fingers, that no longer is an issue. I personally think the design is very basic and to me the Cayin N3 is functionality over design. While I really love the back of the player, the front side and its overall design isn’t what I would call “Sexy” (unlike the X5iii or AK DAPs which I love). I find the cyan version of the N3 a whole lot prettier than the black version we received. But taste of course is a personal thing.
On the right side of the N3 you find the Play/pause, Next and Previous button. What annoys me a little bit with these buttons is that the “next song” button is the top one instead of the lowest one. With most of the players it is the other way round, so this takes some getting used to. The Micro-USB slot is also located on this side of the player, at the bottom. On the bottom side of the player you from right to left have the USB-C port and the 3.5mm output which serves both as headphone output as well as the line out. The USB-C port serves both as digital USB out as well as Coaxial out (You’ll need a special cable to use it like that). Like the i5, the N3 doesn’t offer a balanced output.
On the left side of the unit you’ll find the power button on top and the double volume button below. The buttons left and right stick a little bit out of the case and they are easy to push (even though they are and feel plasticky). The front panel has a series of capacitive touch buttons that slightly vibrate when pushed upon. There is a next, previous back, select and quick menu button which are all fairly close together. If you have thick fingers that might be a little annoying but I haven’t had any issues with them yet this way. The only thing keeps happening to me is that I accidentally push one of them when the screen hasn’t locked yet. The 2.4” screen itself is easy to read but it is not a touch screen. The brightness level of the screen is more than sufficient.
The back of the unit is made out of pleather and it looks and feels really nice. The Cayin logo is beautifully printed on top while all the certification labels and more are printed in white near the bottom of the unit. On top of the unit there is nothing at all and. The N3 looks pretty basic but it’s well build even though the materials aren’t the finest.
Click here to go to the next page of the review (or use the jump below)
Naruga
As a mojo owner, I was still looking for a small and cheap DAP but still good as a transport. Now I got enlightment from you, Lieven! Thanks alot! Will looking for the usb c – coax cable
Lieven
The AP60 is another great little transport! 🙂
NARUGA
I got it already from my local store. The sound is fantastic and full bodied by itself. Transport from mac and to mojo works well. Bluetooth is also clear and easy to set. Such a nice DAP ????
Indrajit
Hi, how does Cayin N3 compare sonically with Astel and Kern Jr?
Lieven
Much cleaner, more clear, more energetic
Indrajit
Hi, you have mentioned ‘Roon and the Asio’ driver for a cleaner output in the usb/dac set up. Are these available to be installed on windows 10?
Juan Luis Quiroz
The n3 sq can be comparable to x3ii??
Rainer
Maybe the dap I was waiting for:-)
But I have one question left: when connecting an external dac via USB, is N3 able to control the volume of the dac? I just bought a dragonfly red and I am wondering, wether I might use it with the N3.
Lieven
good question. Most DPAs wouldn’t allow it and set the LO to 100% but on this N3 you can control the output volume
Arnaud C
Hello, i’m looking for a DAP to pair with my hd25 headphones.
Could the N3 be a good choice ? Berger than N5 ?
Thank you !
Lieven
I think that would be a great combo. N3 over n5.
Arnaud C
Thank you for your advice 🙂
ums
Have you ever tried to compare it to Fiio E17K? I know it’s just DAC/Amp with no DAP functionality, but I just want to know how N3 fares against E27K SQ wise. Really want to have this baby. Is there any significant improvement over E17K or is it just a sidegrade?
Thanks ????
Lieven
Well it’s something completely else. They would make for a nice combo but I would just stick to the N3 by itself
MetalGeek
Looking at this to pair with my ThinkSound ON1 and TS02.
Phillip
SO essentially you can listen to pandora and any other streaming music app from another phone on n3 and then send bluetooth to headphones correct?
Lieven
BT connection to phone. Wired headphone connection to N3
Phillip
If you connect a DAC (such as dacmagic usb dac) to N3, will it improve a bluetooth signal at all since not analog?
Lieven
I’m not sure this makes sense
Juan Luis Quiroz
This Cayin N3 can drive a high impedance headphone like Amiron Home??
Lieven
No not optimally
Juan Luis Quiroz
I consulted it because once I heard the dt1990 from a samsung Galaxy j3, and the result was I think pretty decent. So I imagined that while the n3 would not exploit the full potential of the Amiron Home, at least it would be enjoyed
coolcrew23
just wanna ask if you stream Tidal via BT does sound quality degrade? Will stored flac still sound better?
dale thorn
Stored FLAC played by Bluetooth, or wired?
Luis
Does it have gapless playback? I guess it is a must on every and each Hi-Res player.
ascorth
Yes it has gapless
Argel mangune
You said, The N3 is more spacious where the N3 sounds more concentrated. Its confusing.
Lieven
N3 is more spacious than the AP60
Matus
I bought this little DAP based on your review. It is my first one and my main objective was to get the best sonud possible for under $200 with my CIEMs (Music Two from Custom Art, also my first CEIM) and so far I am loving it. The build quality ist just OK (the plastic buttons do not leave the best impression, but they work), but the display works well, the operation is intuitive. I am still playing around with EQ, but already without any eqalization the sound is excellent and I can basically hear no hiss at all. Overall a huge improvement over my aging smartphone. Now I am off to convert my CDs to FLAC 🙂
sknaight
xduoo x10 or cayin n3?
Lieven
I think I’d always go for Cayin
Daniel
Good question, I became a fan of xduoo with the x3 and have been wanting a bit more audio quality for a while now x10 seems like a no brainer, but this one seems sexy too.
However I do not care for wireless be it bluetooth or wifi and I feel like the missing SD slot is a big thing so my question would be… with a pair of fostex mark IIIs which one would sound better? 🙂
Matej
Hi.
I would like to ask if the n3 is a good fit with my dt770 32ohm?
Thank You for the answer.
Lieven
of course, yes
Matej
Lieven, Thank You for the answer.
I will would like to ask one more thing. I dont really have a big budget at the moment and saw the the praise the dragonfly-s got. Is there a big difference between the dragonfly black on mobile (my first choice) and the n3. Or the dragonfly red and the N3. Do you recomend to save some money and buy the n3 or there isnt such a big difference versus the Dragonfly black?
Lieven
I think it’s more complicated. the N3 is a DAP so it will offer you a whole lot of things a DragonFly can’t offer you or even do. The N3 is an excellent (if not the best) budget DAP of the last year, while the DFs are excellent USB dingles to use with your laptop or phone (if you insist on doing that).
I’d think about how I would listen to music most: with your laptop/phone or with a DAP (in example at the office or on the go). And then based on that, I’d make a choice.
Hope it helps
Matej
Hi Lieven.
I got the dragonfly black first. It sounded awesome. Unfortunately it didnt work well with my phone. There were glitches often. With my laptop everything was ok. So i returned it and purchased the cayin n3.
I find a big difference in sound. While the dfb sounded full with a lot of power, the n3 sounds very thin in comparsion. The soundstage is much better and the seperation as well. But im waiting for the sound to kick on (like with the dfb) and it never happens. Also the eq seemingly dont do anything. Do you had simmilar fellings or im just imagining?
Thank you for your answer
dale thorn
I get those glitches with my phone and DF Red, but if I switch on “Airplane Mode” (i.e. all communications are Off), then it works OK. Apparently DF’s don’t shield or buffer properly against phones.
Lieven
Hi. No you are pretty right. The DF has more body than the clean and clear sounding N3. It’s technically awesome
Matej
I think the soundstage is really awesome. So much space and seperation…
Is there a way to give it more body (within a small budget) similar to dragonfly?
Lieven
Something like the alo rx or piccolo but the price… Maybe e12 but it’s big
JeroenW
Seems to me that of the two players this one is better suited to classical and opera than the AP60. Both seem an excellent upgrade from my venerable Clip+.
Thank you for the review!
Shit-brain
The Ciyan N3 is terrible. Slow, sluggish and awful build quality. How much are you being paid to lie?
Lieven
100 gazillion Monopoly money. It were tough negociations
Ryan
Hi, can I pair the N3 with ha2-se via usb out ? so the N3 will be used as a transport only.
Lieven
Really? The HA2-SE is an amplifier, how on earth would it work from the USB out. You’re missing a component then 😉
Ryan
Oppa ha2-se is a dac + amp, I can pair the ha2-se with my phone via usb otg and based on sound quality alone which one do you prefer the n3, x5ii, x5iii ?
Lieven
Wow, I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since I saw someone use it. HA2-SE to me is the Auris Tube amp.
N3 will shine!
Ryan
N3 must be a hell of a DAP, it even can compete with x5iii sonically. Will get mine today.
Mateo
I have the n3 and I love it. If you had to choose between the 99 Classic and Fidelio X2 to pair with the Cayin, which would it be?
Lieven
both really good, I would go for the 99 because of the X2’s size
Mateo
And sonically which one is the best pairing for you?
Lieven
I have no preference, they’re both darker and bassy with a clean clear source (N3)
Ron Lynn
Just came across you review and have to say the N3 sounds just what I’m looking for. This will be my first DAP which I want to use with closed head phones, I’m afraid I tend to have the volume quite high (bit mutton), I was wondering what the volume is like and what reasonable priced head phones you would recommend.
Thanks.
Lieven
It depends on the head or earphone you’ll pair with it. look for low impedance and high sensitivity
Marco
Hi, do you think that’s a good upgrade for my FiiO X3 2nd gen?
ty
joe blow
Which is better overall the n3 or fiio x3 mark III. Both are in the same price range more or less.
Lieven
They’re a very different flavor. N3 for clarity and precision. Fiio for musicality and smoothness. Both aren’t the most fun to work with.
My choice would go to the Cayin as it is more versatile.Check out the Fiio X3iii review for a short comparison
Sulabh
Can you compare it to fiio x5ii?
Juan Luis
Hi Lieven,
For you, what is the best digital filter to use with the N3?
Regards.
Lieven
Hi Juan,
I with most DAPs tend to go for the Short Delay Sharp setting. It’s most pleasing to my ears.
My advise is to just go with what you like most.
Arsen
Hi,
may I ask you please, I want to use Cayin N3 as a digital source for my portable DAC via usb otg. The question is: do the digital filters (sharp, slow, etc.) affect digital usb output? In other words does the signal flow to my DAC after DSP and before AK4490EN D/A converter? I just need a clear data transfering to my DAC, only with eq possibility.
Thank you.
Lieven
That’s a really good question. Unfortunately I haven’t used in in a very long time and out of my head I can’t reply to the question. I’d have to take it out of storage and try
John K.
Thanks for this useful review. At Musicteck.com the Cayin N3 & Shanling M0 are currently just $20 apart ($129 and $109, respectively). Would you have a preference between the N3 and the M0? Both appear to be strong DAPs; I’m a little worried that reviews of the M0 often mention a lean bass. (I’m not a basshead, but I like it to be present and heard.)
Juan Luis
I have the n3 a year ago and recently I was able to hear the m0. Technologically, the m0 is very advanced, is connected by bluetooth / ldac immediately, the interface is simple and very good. It has the necessary power to drive iem’s and high sensitivity headphones. As for the sound, I still prefer the n3, although they are not far away, the n3 has the advantage of resolving more details, a little better dynamics and sounding something more spacious.
dennis
Hi. Can I use N3 like external DAC for my android phone ? With a cable otg? How?
Lieven
only via BT
Masters
How it compared to hidizs ap80?