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Flagship without flagship price - Cayin N7
Just in time for its 30th anniversary, Cayin is releasing a device that I have been eagerly waiting for.
The Cayin N7 It's something like the successor to the great N6II-R01, and yet it's not. It doesn't have a traditional DAC chip, but instead implements digital-to-analog conversion using resistors – similar to the N6II with the R01 module. Nevertheless, it's clearly not a classic R2R design.
Cayin describes the N7 converter as "1-bit miniature DAC circuit with four rails with resistance network".
I haven't quite grasped what all this means and where the differences lie. What is clear is that the N7 can natively decode up to DSD512 and processes PCM up to 32 bit/768 kHz. Not bad! 🤩
And - similar to a classic R2R converter, the new circuit is supposed to sound very natural and "analog." However, Cayin has priced the N7 midway between the N6II and the new N8II. But only in terms of price, mind you!
Because in terms of sound - I will go into this in more detail later - the N7 is much closer to the N8II than on the N6II. In fact, damn close!
But let's take a closer look at the part first...
The packaging is chic and simple and contains everything you need...
The design language of the N7 has been adapted to that of its big brother, the N8II - at first glance, the two even look confusingly similar. The dimensions are also very similar. However, the N8II is thicker and heavier.
The "sundial" of the N8II is also found on the N8II.
After the blue-green casing of the N8II was not well received, a new casing in pale orange with gold was designed - and also adopted for the N7.
The quality and fit are very good and the biggest point of criticism has also been addressed: While the original N8II case is open at the top and thus the DAP is unprotected at this point, the new case can be closed at the top using a magnetic closure.
The back has a polygonal pattern, which, depending on the light reflected.
And the sound?
The title already suggests it: What's on offer here is absolutely flagship-level. The technical specifications alone are impressive and can even surpass the N8II in some respects!
This also applies to the sound in some aspects. In my opinion, the N6II-R01 beat the "old" N8 in terms of sound. It's not quite that simple, but the N7 comes very close to the N8II.
Test equipment
The N7 is based on its big brother, the N8II, but everything that is not absolutely necessary is left out: No dual Korg Nutubes, no Power+ mode. The new 1-bit DSD DAC will have to suffice. You can only switch between Class A and AB, and the differences are marginal.
But: The N7 sounds incredibly clear "out-of-the-box", transparent and natural.
The details shown are at least on the same level as the N8II and the heights have plenty of sparkle.
Voices are brought a little more to the foreground than on the N8II and sound wonderfully sonorous and haunting.The entire ensemble plays with enormous coherence – every instrument, every voice is clearly distinguishable and locatable.
The channel separation is excellent - assuming you have the right IEM or headphones.
The stage performance is particularly noteworthy, as it surpasses In my opinion, the N7 even beats the N8II. With a corresponding flagship IEM or headphones it sounds really three-dimensional - great!
Last but not least, I'd like to mention the bass, because it's truly powerful. The N8II and Hiby RS8 are already pretty good in this regard, but the bass of the N7 takes both to the next level. This can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your taste and the headphones.
I immediately noticed that the Odin, which isn't bass-weak anyway, produces significantly more pressure and rumble with the N7 in the "basement," and with the Traiillii it finally gets the bass that its BA drivers have been unable to deliver.
In other words: If you've been wanting more bass from your IEMs or headphones, you'll get it with the N7!
I haven't taken the Oriolus Traillii out of the closet in a long time - with the N7, it's as if I already have the Traillii version 2 in my ears, and I can hardly get enough of the details, the soundstage, and the wonderfully powerful bass!
Conclusion
If you can do without the tube mode and Power+ of the N8II, the N7 is an all-round carefree DAP that not only sounds absolutely great, but also comes with a modern platform with Android 12 - and is also significantly cheaper than the other flagship DAPs on the market.
Given the performance and features offered, I would even say it's a bargain price! Well done, Cayin!
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