Cayin Amps

[DaveF]

Cloney's have started to stock Cayin recently. I came across this little beauty in the Tower Records branch this afternoon. Only a 9 watter but a lovely looking amp and build quality is very impressive. The one here would make for a great starter system with suitable speakers. Some of the bigger amps are up around 2 and 3K Euro from what I'm told. A mix of technology as some of the valve amps come with USB inputs.
The Cayin CD players have both valve and mosfet outputs so you can choose which output you want to use. Great for system matching.

[tweber]

Nice looking amp alright, great price too

[cybot]

Impressive alright.....

[Fran]

Those 6P1 are kinda like a chinese/russian 6V6. Probably used push pull here which would give most power, and cleanest sound.

[Adrian]

I had the delight in auditioning a Cayin A-50T amplifier in 2008.







It had a remote control, switchable between Triode / ultralinear and a choice between EL34 or 6CA7 valves. Very impressed I was. I think the Jadis Orchestra has a very keen competitor at this price level.

[tony]

I had one of these for a couple of years. Sorry to see it go.Great headphone amp but could also drive speakers albeit at very low watts.

Was under the impression awhile back that Noel was going to stock Prima Luna products it mustn't have worked out.

Great range for Cloney's to stock as it will bring affordable valve amps to the irish market and a place for people to have a listen/test.

[jaybee]

Handsome looking beastie, I wonder how it compares to the Icon Stereo 20!

[DaveF]

Only managed to get my ill Jadis down to Cloney's yesterday afternoon. They were kind enough to offer me a Cayin amp to tie me over with till the Jadis gets repaired.
The unit here retails for around 2,200 Euro I believe. It can operate in either Triode mode (22w) or Ultralinear (40w). Has a headphone jack, a phono input, a USB input (a pretty good one from what Im told), can take Kt88s or EL34s and has a remote control. So not your normal valve amp thats for sure.
So how does it sound? Pretty darn good I have to say. The Quads are only charged for the last hour and the amp barely 30mins on but I'm well impressed so far. I'd expect further changes as the day goes go when the Quads settle down a bit.
Cant wait to try the phono input soon as its supposed to be a really good one.

[Ivor]

Oh that's very nice.
I have to ask. I'd that imbalance still apparent in the speakers with this amp?

[DaveF]

Oh that's very nice.
I have to ask. I'd that imbalance still apparent in the speakers with this amp?

Its still there alright but you'd have to go up and stand in front of each speaker to notice. At the listening position its not noticable.

I have to say I'm really smitten with this amp. Seriously impressed with it. Its got a couple of cool features: When you adjust the volume on the remote the volume knob on the unit itself moves. :-) You can also switch between ultralinear and triode modes on the fly via the remote as you're listening to music. You can easily hear the difference as when you switch to triode it has less power and sounds smoother. So you have to careful to level match when comparing the two modes. Switching to Ultralinear definitely increases dynamics and a slightly wider soundstage. Nice to have the option of being able to switch on the fly depending on what you're listening to. I tended to prefer Ultralinear for most recordings.
Build quality is top quality and rivals other units costing several times over. My biggest surprise has to be the inbuilt phonostage. Definitely better than my standalone unit and it has been put through its paces all day.
Not once all day have I felt like getting up to change CD or a record. I think that's pretty good praise. Really curious now about their other models.