Thanks H20 for bringing this wonderful little amp to my attention! I have seen it around the local stores in Hong Kong for a while now and I never paid much mind to it. Their test units are quite beat up, and given the relatively low price, I just assumed it probably wasn't worth my time of day to try out. Boy was I wrong!
After reading this thread I took my most hiss-happy IEMs, the Westone UM3 and UM2, to the store to try out the C&C BH. I was happy to find that there was no hiss from the BH unless I turned the volume knob to unrealistically loud levels. I bought it right away for that reason alone because in the past I have only been able to use those 2 IEMs with my Sansa Clip+ and Zip without the hiss driving me bonkers.
Here are my thoughts after playing around with it for a night:
1. It is very quiet and suitable for sensitive IEMs;
2. Having said that, there isn't much "useful travel" on the volume pot before things get too loud on most of my phones (I don't have cans);
3. While it is not the prettiest amp, the rounded edges are very ergonomical and pocket-friendly;
4. Output 2 is sort of strange to me. I was under the impression that some (older) amps have P -> S impedance switches because the ER4S is a more popular choice than the ER4B for most recordings. There aren't that many of us with a significant number of binaural recordings in our music libraries. I thought P -> B was a typo in the manual and they actually meant P->S. But after trying my ER4P + a 75 Ohm adapter into Output 1, and then trying the ER4P straight into Output 2, the latter clearly had more treble. So it would seem that Output 2 is indeed a P -> B circuit. Time to buy some binaural records I guess.
Overall, I am very pleased with the BH. It is an excellent amp especially considering the price. I paid $760 HKD for mine, which works out to be around $98 USD. Comparing it to my other similarly priced portable amps, I would definitely recommend the BH over the E11 and the Ibasso T5.
Now I just might have to get the C&C XO2 as well.
Thank you for taking time and checking out C&C BH after reading my thread, really is a nice little amp at this price point. I don't understand how a such a huge community have over looked this for so long, usually when that happens there's a problem with the device, like hiss or some secret you discover, however after now three days with the amp I cannot fault it yet.
I also only use IEM's and agree there's not much travel on the volume pot, that was one thing that caught my attention, it becomes loud rather soon but we're dealing with 300mW power output, there's not much chance of me passing 1/4 volume with my 32ohm hybrids but it's nice to know the power is there.
If you have time could you explain a little more about the output 2's P -> B circuit? I am rather interested in what it's purpose is and you mentioned binaural recordings, also I would like to correct the OP with a better explanation of what it does please. I did read on a Chinese site that output 2 widens the stage also which I could certainly hear.
Instructions for use:
Audio source (CD, MD, MP3, IPOD) signal output, with a 3.5mm plug, or DOCK audio line connected to the amp input jack (IN), clockwise rotation of the power / volume knob to turn on the power switch, and then Insert the headphone plug into the headphone jack 1 (OUT1), or headphone jack (OUT2), adjust the volume, you can enjoy music. According to the headphone impedance, sensitivity is different from the to select gain selector switch position (GC), and can also choose their favorite Compensation (LF, SF), optimization of the sense of hearing.
Tags: LOW: low, HI: high, OFF: OFF, ON: open.
The OUT1 and OUT2 differences: OUT1 acoustic headphone jack, OUT2 socket for headphones join the high quality PtoB impedance line, extended highs wider than OUT1 slightly lower volume and output power. The two socket can be inserted at the same time the two headphones. Large headphones or want to enhance the high-frequency headphones socket with OUT2 OUT1, earplugs, is recommended.
Gain selection switch: Gain magnification, magnification does not affect the level of the tone itself. Recommended that the more difficult to drive headphones or high impedance headphones use high gain file (HI). High sensitivity low impedance headphones, earplugs, using the low-gain file (LOW).
I forgot about the amp last night, leaving it on for eight hours, yet still it continued soldiering on for my three hour listening session, then this morning for another hour, so I think we can safely say I'm up around 40 hours now, there's no sign of any power drop, the power light still shines bright, sound quality is the same. I find it quite amazing actually because this device sounds rather powerful, yet so efficient, from only the first charge.
I've discovered another C&C Model C&C F1, this amp is a little more expensive but is designed especially for IEM's and low impedance gear. It's rated at 100 hours for battery time
but only puts out 120mW, I suspect this would be perfect for IEM's. Does the store near you have this model in stock BustyBloke? It would be great if you could test it and give a quick comparison.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250713550229?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Regarding the circuitry I suspect the one shown in the ebay listing is the correct board and components being used, I am not a fan of opening up my devices so we'll just have to wait for someone who wants too or take a wild stab saying what is shown in the listing is what you should be buying.
