Cayin gear

chargerman426
chargerman426 Posts: 419
edited June 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Hello everyone,


Has anyone ever seen or heard any Cayin gear? I have been looking at there 860 amp and SC-5LC pre. I have seen a 6moons review and a stereophile review but they were of Cayin's int amps. They both liked the amp and said it had good build qualities. Any input or personal experience with the amp would be appreciated.


860

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/17005/Cayin_Audio-860_Tube_Mono_Amp_with_6550_tubes_pair-Power_Amplifiers


http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/40221/Cayin_Audio-SC-5LC_Full_FunctionRemote_Preamp-Pre_Amps
If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
Post edited by chargerman426 on
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Comments

  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2010
    I've only heard good things about their amps, as long as it is what you are looking for. For example, their 300B is a PP not SET.
    Jake
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited June 2010
    Yep they are big mono block amps which is what I wanted. Also I have been talking to the dealer and he says they will handle the new Tung-Sol KT120 tubes I want to use in it.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2010
    Go get 'em tiger.
    Jake
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited June 2010
    I've listened to their EL34 and KT88 powered tube integrated amps powering Magnepan MMG's and 1.6's. Very nice sounding amps with outstanding build quality.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • Poee7R
    Poee7R Posts: 904
    edited June 2010
    I got to hear one of their integrated's powering Quad esl's. Good match even with the stock tubes, worth the money in my opinion.

    That amp was heavy as hell, could break a bone or two if you're not careful moving it around.


    Dave
    Once again we meet at last.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited June 2010
    Certainly cheap enough.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited June 2010
    :-( that sounded more snarky than it was really meant to. What I meant to imply was that, for the price, the Caiyn amps look pretty thoughtfully designed and well-constructed. They seem like a good place to look for moderate-cost new production vacuum tube amps.
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited June 2010
    I recently bought a used Cayin TA-30 integrated amp just to try out. It looks and sounds great, even with the stock tubes. I opened it up to set the bias and was impressed by the quality of the components and layout. All point-to-point wiring with beautiful soldering. It is only rated at 30 watts per channel, but I tried it on my (very inefficient) Dahlquist DQ-10's and it sounded pretty dang good. This thing is gutsy.

    If the separate Cayin pre and amp you are looking at are anything like the TA-30, I think you will be very happy.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited June 2010
    This is good to hear. I was nerves because its a made in china amp but if you think about it what really isn't anymore? Anyone know howto bias the Cayin amps?
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited June 2010
    chargerman426 wrote: »
    This is good to hear. I was nerves because its a made in china amp but if you think about it what really isn't anymore? Anyone know howto bias the Cayin amps?

    Some of the Cayin's have external ports for meter leads and adjustment pots, mine does not.

    I just re-biased it for the first time a few weeks ago. I could not find clear (and illustrated) instructions on the web.

    I had to turn the amp on it's side and remove the bottom plate.

    Then with the amp on and warmed up I found the correct contact points (not marked) for the meter leads by a little logic combined with trial and error, and adjusted the pots. Sounds even better (I think) when biased correctly.

    If you get to that point I can open mine up again and take some pictures and e-mail them to you.

    Tim
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited June 2010
    I know the one I'm looking at has a meeter built into it but I don't know where the actual adjustment points are.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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