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Mobile tubes on a new level!
The N3Ultra is the second portable product in the Cayin lineup to utilize the Gen3 vacuum tube audio circuit. With the choice of two tube timers and tubes available on all analog outputs, including but not limited to the line out, the usability of vacuum tube installations is expanded to a whole new level.
The N3Ultra utilized a pair of vintage NOS Raytheon JAN6418 tube tone circuitry. Unlike the N3Pro, the JAN6418 tube tone now applies to all four analog outputs: the 3.5mm TRS output, the balanced 4.4mm TRS output, the 3.5mm TRS output, and the balanced 4.4mm line output.
Reviews
"Overall, N3Ultra packs a list of impressive features. But in my opinion, the Tube's output, especially Classic mode, is still the main attraction of this DAP which makes it stand out from the crowd because you will not find another audio player with tubes to compete with N3Ultra in this price bracket.
Solid State has a clean and clear, neutral detailed sound, Modern Tube adds more weight and texture, and Classic Tube scales it up to the next level with more analog texture, improved retrieval of details, bigger holographic soundstage, and expanded dynamics."
Cayin N3Ultra – Twister6 Reviews
"Uncompromising tube sound in a compact format. Mobile tube excellence!
The Cayin N3Ultra immediately won me over! It offers first-class sound at a fair price. Absolutely recommend it!
Cayin N3ULTRA DAP in the headbox review
Highlights
- 2x NOS Raytheon JAN6418 tubes
- Dual AK AK4493S DAC
- Tubes available on all outputs
- 3.5mm single-ended phone out
- 4.4mm balanced phone out
- 3.5mm single-ended line out
- 4.4mm balanced line out
Dual DAC circuit
The N3Ultra uses two AKM AK4493S DACs. Thanks to a powerful FPGA, the DAC can decode up to 32-bit 768kHz in PCM and 22.5792MHz (DSD512) in DSD.
Parametric EQ
In the PMEQ section, you can add up to five bands. Each band corresponds to a digital filter that you can use to shape the DAP's sound output.
frequency: the center frequency to which you want to apply the adjustment in each band (filter)
Q: The ratio of center frequency to bandwidth. When you set the center frequency, the bandwidth is inversely proportional to Q, meaning that increasing Q reduces the bandwidth.
Gain: controls the boost or cut of the center frequency set in each band (filter)
type: Three types are available: Low Shelf, Peaking and High Shelf
As you adjust the bands, the effect of each setting is displayed in the FR graph above the band controls. This helps you better visualize the impact of your PMEQ settings.
System configuration
The N3Ultra is powered by a Snapdragon CPU and runs on Android 8.1. While the system hardware is capable of running common music-related applications, the JAN6418 vacuum tube is extremely sensitive to radio interference.
We cannot scientifically quantify the difference between the JAN6418 and, for example, the KORG Nutube 6P1, but to say that the JAN6418 is 10 times more sensitive is a conservative estimate in our experience, and yet Cayin is probably the most experienced team in this field in the portable audio industry.
For this reason, we made the N3Ultra a puritan DAP with no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capability.
