Great review, I really appreciate the explanation on balanced outputs and that you use reference quality music to give your impressions especially when you compare two or more products in a similar price range. This is valuable information before you consider purchasing the product/s.
My N3Ultra just arrived today and after updating it I've been able to gather a few impressions in USB DAC mode while I wait for my music library to copy over to a fresh SD card. The gap between the single ended and balanced performance isn't as large as I had feared. I've also been testing the iFi xDSD Gryphon and that has a very large gap with the single ended output sounding far less detailed and mushier, for lack of a better word. The two tube timbres in the N3Ultra basically do what they say. The classic tube timbre in particular adds a pleasingly holographic effect reminiscent of some of the better tube preamps I've used. In solid state mode it's basically... fine, probably in line with any $200-300 desktop DAC/amp using an off the shelf DAC chipset. Another commenter complained of sibilance and this is a common complaint with AKM DACs. I haven't noticed it being exceptionally bad, but using the classic tube mode will definitely smooth that over if it bothers you. Synergy with headphones might play into this as well. Since I'm planning on using this while traveling I've been testing it with the Focal Elegia (w/ Dekoni Stellia pads) and the DCA Aeon Closed X. Both of those work well even on the balanced output, where the low impedance Aeons can punish some amps. Where things got a little difficult is in connecting the N3Ultra to my iPhone, iPad, or another DAP (Sony NW-A306). The Cayin wanted to act as the USB host unless I used a USB C-to-A adapter on the source device and then a USB A-to-C cable to connect to the N3Ultra. I don't have any impressions yet of the DAP features as I haven't been able to try that yet, but the OS as a whole boots up very quickly and is quite responsive, much more than the older Linux-based HiBy OS was.
Thanks for the video. Interesting player!! I'm just waiting patiently for someone to introduce a tube-based controlled espresso machine for that smoother cuppa java with superb crema and just a bit more texture and body. 😊☕️☕️☕️👍
I'm looking to get a dap. I've been using an iPod since 2008 (the same one). It's still doing well, but I want to retire it. I haven't set a budget. I like to see what's available and pick what fits my needs/wants. I don't use streaming. All of the music on my iPod was ripped from a cd in (apple) lossless format. I still have 90% of those cds.
Hi, In general, using a DAP as a source and connecting it to a DAC via the Coaxial SPDIF LO (Even vs quality streamer), are you in favor of? Thank you 🙏
sad to hear the dac section isn’t quite as good as it could be. honestly i’d kind of prefer the opposite. i’d love a dap which had a really strong dac, and then i could use it with a full size amp at home, and then a “good enough” built in amp section for out and about/at the office.
@@Currawong Would love to hear your thoughts there if you ever get the time. If the dac stage performance on these mid to higher end DAPs are at all comparable to desktop dacs, then why not skip it and just use the line out of the dap? A lot of them seem to be able to hit 4v on the balanced output anyway🤔
Total crap sound, gimmick. tiny tube sound, trilinera is crap. Most Silibant dap ever heard. When you change from tube to dac, just horrible low quality dac sound. Avoid like the plague. Go for hiby, shanling, fiio, ibasso. Returned mine gladly ate the restocking fee. PURE JUNK.
I completely agree. Moreover, the software is a joke. The hardware is also not at a high level.Returned mine too .Unfortunately, no one mentions the disadvantages of this equipment.So overrated DAP...Waste of money,really.
I'm getting mine hopefully soon. I had a hiby music player and it was junk. It only lasted a year before the battery died completely. I opened it up to try and replace the battery but then saw that it was soldered to the board. Now that's some cheap junk.
Great review, I really appreciate the explanation on balanced outputs and that you use reference quality music to give your impressions especially when you compare two or more products in a similar price range. This is valuable information before you consider purchasing the product/s.
My N3Ultra just arrived today and after updating it I've been able to gather a few impressions in USB DAC mode while I wait for my music library to copy over to a fresh SD card. The gap between the single ended and balanced performance isn't as large as I had feared. I've also been testing the iFi xDSD Gryphon and that has a very large gap with the single ended output sounding far less detailed and mushier, for lack of a better word.
The two tube timbres in the N3Ultra basically do what they say. The classic tube timbre in particular adds a pleasingly holographic effect reminiscent of some of the better tube preamps I've used. In solid state mode it's basically... fine, probably in line with any $200-300 desktop DAC/amp using an off the shelf DAC chipset. Another commenter complained of sibilance and this is a common complaint with AKM DACs. I haven't noticed it being exceptionally bad, but using the classic tube mode will definitely smooth that over if it bothers you. Synergy with headphones might play into this as well. Since I'm planning on using this while traveling I've been testing it with the Focal Elegia (w/ Dekoni Stellia pads) and the DCA Aeon Closed X. Both of those work well even on the balanced output, where the low impedance Aeons can punish some amps.
Where things got a little difficult is in connecting the N3Ultra to my iPhone, iPad, or another DAP (Sony NW-A306). The Cayin wanted to act as the USB host unless I used a USB C-to-A adapter on the source device and then a USB A-to-C cable to connect to the N3Ultra. I don't have any impressions yet of the DAP features as I haven't been able to try that yet, but the OS as a whole boots up very quickly and is quite responsive, much more than the older Linux-based HiBy OS was.
Brings to mind the AOpen AX4B-533 motherboard from the early 2000s, that had an onboard sound module that utilized a vacuum tube.
I remember that!
Thank you for this great review ! How would it compare to Cayin N7 ?
Thanks for the video. Interesting player!! I'm just waiting patiently for someone to introduce a tube-based controlled espresso machine for that smoother cuppa java with superb crema and just a bit more texture and body. 😊☕️☕️☕️👍
I have speakers in my kitchen, so I could say I'm pretty much there. 😄
I'm looking to get a dap. I've been using an iPod since 2008 (the same one). It's still doing well, but I want to retire it.
I haven't set a budget. I like to see what's available and pick what fits my needs/wants.
I don't use streaming. All of the music on my iPod was ripped from a cd in (apple) lossless format. I still have 90% of those cds.
Check out the FiiO M11S and M15S. For a desktop and transportable unit, check out their M17.
Hi,
In general, using a DAP as a source and connecting it to a DAC via the Coaxial SPDIF LO (Even vs quality streamer), are you in favor of?
Thank you 🙏
How are those final a8000’s then Amos, review coming?
I reviewed those 4 years ago! :) ruclips.net/video/S1lUH1td13I/видео.html
sad to hear the dac section isn’t quite as good as it could be. honestly i’d kind of prefer the opposite. i’d love a dap which had a really strong dac, and then i could use it with a full size amp at home, and then a “good enough” built in amp section for out and about/at the office.
For the price, it's pretty good. You've got me thinking I should have tried it on my main system as a DAC.
@@Currawong Would love to hear your thoughts there if you ever get the time. If the dac stage performance on these mid to higher end DAPs are at all comparable to desktop dacs, then why not skip it and just use the line out of the dap? A lot of them seem to be able to hit 4v on the balanced output anyway🤔
Is this device compatible with susvara?
No.
Has anyone tried sideloading apps on here? Maybe it can be done via adb.
The best nowdays are Sp3000T..Peace!
Always the newest DAP 😂
Much more expensive though.
Total crap sound, gimmick. tiny tube sound, trilinera is crap. Most Silibant dap ever heard. When you change from tube to dac, just horrible low quality dac sound. Avoid like the plague. Go for hiby, shanling, fiio, ibasso. Returned mine gladly ate the restocking fee. PURE JUNK.
I completely agree. Moreover, the software is a joke. The hardware is also not at a high level.Returned mine too .Unfortunately, no one mentions the disadvantages of this equipment.So overrated DAP...Waste of money,really.
I'm getting mine hopefully soon. I had a hiby music player and it was junk. It only lasted a year before the battery died completely. I opened it up to try and replace the battery but then saw that it was soldered to the board. Now that's some cheap junk.
I disagree. Fabulous balanced sound. Do not use single ended. Great warm liquid sound.