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.

N7 Functional Diagram (Left Channel only)
 

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.

N7 Power Supply Block Diagram
 

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.