Unexplored Frontier in DAP

Fully-discrete Fully-balanced Design

Going discrete is technically more demanding but it allows more room to fine tune sound signature  and deliver superior performance over op-amp based design

Regular stereo circuit composes of Left (L) and Right  (R) channel, balanced circuit involves  differential inputs and differential outputs., hence required L+,L-, R+, R. 

Cayin’s first attempt to use discrete circuit for DAC, LPF and Headphone Amplifier in a DAP. Adopts a symmetrical double-side PCB layout for N7, minimize interference and keep the layout  and length of signal path as uniform as possible. 

Purposively designed micro-miniaturized 1-bit  DAC circuit from fully discrete components   •  Discrete 1-Bit DAC: convert digital signal to      analogue signal through a resistor network          composed of 128 pcs (4 x32) high precision      Thin Film Resistors  •  FPGA: Enhance digital audio signal and output      L+, L-, R+, R- digital bitstream for fully balanced      decoding. •  Audio Bridge: pass-through DSD unaltered,      convert PCM to 1 bit bitstream before transmits          to  DAC circuit •  Power Supply: Sophisticated low-noise      highly-isolated supply circuit to support different      functions of digital and analog processing separately

Discrete LPF

Discrete Components Design for Closed-loop gain, Negative feedback and Circuit architecture  of the LPF. 

After numerous attempts, we developed a symmetric Class A push-pull amplification circuit  based on dual NPN+PNP Bipolar Transistors, delivering high performance in reduced board  space and low power consumption/heat dissipation.

Discrete Headphone Amplifier

Uncompromised Design

4-channels discrete components based circuit with Low-noise audio grade JFET (Junction gate  Field-Effect Transistor) as differential input stage and BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor)  as voltage  amplification and final output stage.

Delivers high-power low-noise output with special optimization for low impedance IEM and  portable friendly headphones 

Synchronized Accurately  

The sophisticated resistor network can decode  satisfactorily when its algorithm can synchronized  perfectly against different sampling frequencies.

N7 employs TWO Femtosecond Crystal Oscillators  with extremely low phase noise (-100dBc) to  facilitate high precision low jitter playback.

Low jitter minimize digital artifact and enhance  the musicality and naturalness of digital  audio playback 

Dual Amplifier  Operation Mode Class A │ Class AB 

The Dual Amplifier Operation   Mode  enable users to switch between  Class A and Class AB modes instantly  through pull-down menu.   Customize sound signature to  fit personal preference, music genres,  and/or matching with different  IEM/headphones

Devil is in the Details

Class A amplification requires all channels  are in near-identical gain, we must manually  matched critical components such,  and  manually installed them to the PCB before  reflow soldering
  The static current must be well-controlled  so that the discrete components will remain  perfectly stable operation in saturation mode.   Adjustments is need to compensate  the deviation cause by discrete components.

Multiple adjustable resistors are installed  so that we can fine tune the PCBA  manually to match our reference design  consistently.

The Perfect Portable Source

Shared Dual Line Out  and Pre-Out 

Both 4.4mm Balanced and 3.5mm  Single-ended output can be  configured into Line Out or Pre-Out.

Enable user to connect the N7 to a  vast variable of portable, desktop  and home audio devices.

Dedicated Line Drivers to handle  the Line out and Pre-out signal  independently,  making sure both  outputs are optimized for their  applications.  

Clean and Unamplified Line Out

Line Out is a fixed voltage line level  output bypassing volume control

Serve as high quality source for headphone  amplifier (portable or desktop) and  integrated amplifier in home audio systems

Connect to Cayin HA-3A via Line input mode

Unique Portable Pre-amplifier

Pre-Out is a variable voltage line level  output with high precision analog  volume control.

Serve as high quality pre-amplifier for  power amplifier (portable or desktop).

Connect to Cayin C9 via Pre input mode

Professionally Precision

Low noise low distortion electronic controlled  resistance ladder analog volume from JRC,  commonly used in audiophile preamp 

4-channel in one integrated controller offers  higher precision and lower power consumption  than two stereo volume controller

Dedicated brass volume knob with  patterns to enhance grip,  provides precise  control and elegant presentation 

MQA Support

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British  technology that delivers the sound of the original master  recording. A master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small  enough to stream or download.

N7 now includes MQA technology, which enables MQA audio file  playback, delivering the sound of the original master recording.

Supports 16x MQA decoding, delivers up to 705.6kHz and 768kHz  studio quality playback.

Hi-Res Wireless DAC

Support multiple Bluetooth 5.0 audio codec •  LDAC(up to 96kHz) •  UAT(up to 192kHz),  •  AAC (up to 48kHz) •  SBC (up to 48kHz) 

In Receiver mode, the DAP functioned as a 192kHz  or 96kHz Wireless DAC   In Transmit mode, the DAP serve as a digital source  to your Bluetooth speakers or headphones.

Interface Madness

Unlock All Sorts of HiFi Possibilities

Comprehensive choice of inputs and outputs, covering digital and analog  applications in your sound system.

Electrical Power is Musical Power

The Fundamental of High Fidelity

Clean and stable power supply is fundamental to  superior audio performance.
A decent power supply to maintain everything in  optimum operation is equally, if not more important,  than using expensive components.

Cayin pays serious attention to design a delegated  power supply system even very compact products  such as DAP.

While the 1-bit DAC relaxed the precision  requirements of the resistors, it requires carefully  designed noise shaping pre-processing and a rigorous,  preferably interference-free power supply system.  

Implementation Matters? 

To minimize minimum interfere among different circuits, N7 adopts a multi-thread approach to  make sure the power supply to Digital and Analog circuits are independently regulated,  to minimize interference and ripple effect of power contamination.

The  power supply to digital audio circuit is further divided into different independent sections  according to different voltage requirements, make sure the digital audio signal will not be  contaminated by auxiliary devices.   To enhance the dynamic performance of the power supply system, N7 employs POSCAP  Tantalum-Polymer Capacitors in the primary filter circuit.  Premium ceramic capacitors  (NPO and X7R) are also widely used in the power supply system.

A Stable and  High Performance System

64-bit Snapdragon 665, 4G RAM  and a high performance FPGA for  proprietary coding   Customized Android 12.0, Google  Play pre-installed, free to install any  music players or streaming App.

DTA (Direct Transport Audio)  enables all installed applications to  bypass SRC during local playback

64GB Internal Storage, support one  TF card up to 1 TB.  Direct playback  from USB OTG Storage

Explore Online Music

2.4GHz/5GHz Dual band WiFi

Enhance WiFi connection by using  Aluminum frame as wireless antenna,  offering a more pleasant and stable  online streaming experience

Support Online OTA firmware upgrade

System-wide  Control via Mobile

Connect to your mobile phone via HiByCast

Control DAP via mobile phone with  exactly the same UI and functions.

All application and system functions  are available remotely: •  Control volume and playback •  Manage and browse music library •  Install, operate and manage third  party applications •  Complete system setup such as  connectivity, security and accessibility

Long Playback Duration with Fast Charging

Enormous 3.8V 9000mAH Lithium battery with a carefully tuned power management system

Recharge quickly with PD2.0, can charge up your DAP from 20% to 80% in around 2 hours.

Continuous playback up to 10 hours with 3.5mm single-ended earphones and 8.5 hours with  4.4mm balanced.

Practicality and Craftsmanship

A Match Made in Heaven 

Accessories

What’s in the Box

1.   N7 Digital Audi Player 2.  N7 Leather Case 3.  4.4mm to 2.5mm (F) Adapter 4.  3.5mm to 2.5mm (F) Adapter 5.  USB-C Cable 6.  Temper Glass Screen Protector 7.  User Manual

Leather Case

Handmade of genuine leather.