Cayin C5 Stylish Portable HIFI Audio Headphone Amplifier
Technical characteristics:
1 dedicated high-performance audio op amp OPA134 and LME49600 buffercomposed of dedicated headphone amplifier, low noise, driving strong.
2 Japanese original ALPS volume potentiometer, durable and reliable, to ensure quality.
3 built-perfect protection circuit, with the midpoint of drift, switch machinenoise cancellation function, the outputusing relay protection,full protection of the amplifier and headphones.
4 can be used as a mobile power source to charge other mobile devices.
5 aluminum shell, effectively shielding interference.
6. subjective listening experience
 
Technical Parameters:
Rated output power: 800mW + 800mW (32Ω load)
SNR: ≥101dB (A-weighted)
Life time: about 12 hours (32Ω load)
Frequency response: 20Hz-100kHz (± 1dB)
Sensitivity: ≤500mV (gain H)
Charge limit voltage: 12.6V
Charging time: about 4 hours (off state, the use of DC5V / 2A charger)
Total Harmonic Distortion: ≤0.02% (1kHz)
Lithium battery capacity: 1000mAh / 11.1V
Size: 136x63x15mm
Weight: about 185g
 
American TI company specializing in Hi-Fi Headphone Power Driver IC
German company's top Hi-Fi WIMA capacitors
Japan's top ALPS Hi-Fi level potentiometer
Japan's Fujitsu's top-level Hi-Fi relay
 
 
Just bought one of these. Will put it up against my 2stepdance and my ICAN micro. Super excited..Any thoughts on this portable powerhouse?
 
Update. Just got my C5. Open box pics.


Kinda underwhelmed with the accessories that came with it however.

Will have an impression of this amp very soon.

 
First impression/ Out of box sound.
 
 
Aha guys..I don't need to compare this amp to my 2Stepdance or my ICAN...I am using my L2 for my initial listen.. This thing sounds unbelievable..One of the best sounding amps out of the box I have ever heard. This thing sounds better than the way it looks. The stereo field is layered beyond normal amplification to the point where it is holographic..Sound stage is already impressive out of my L2 but using this amp. Music is coming at me from all direction very similar to how the 3D enhance feature works on the ICAN. But the crazy thing is the C5 don't have this enhance feature. Very natural..It is not a sterile neutral type sound but much more musical and fluid sounding amp. Organic perhaps.. The lushness of vocals and crispness of instruments simply sound stupendous, world class .This is easily on par with my ICAN. I think the bass could be slightly better. And this is without the bass boost.. Bass boost adds fullness to the lower end but is done tastefully here. No overblown mess. Without it the bass is reference sounding. No bass boost needed. Power for days. I am just using low gain with so much power room on tap. It is going to be interesting to see what cans this thing drives as it can reach blaring volumes on the quick.. I will have more to write when I get some hours on this amp but I can safely say. This amp is more than worth the money spent on it.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED..I can see this amp quickly becoming very popular around here..Can't wait to put some time on this amp.
 
The sound is decidedly mature, grand in scale, smoothness showered with clean detail.  The sound is expanded in height, width, depth..If your waiting for me to say this amp sucks..Nope..What I am going to say is. This is one of the best sounding amps I have ever heard..Will give your expensive desktop amp a run for sounds and probably has more power. Lol. I thought my ICAN was the best amp purchase of this year I have made. I have to rethink this.
 
This amp is not for the faint of heart..You guys are gonna LOVE this sound.
 
IMPRESSIONS
 
Peter123
DannyBai

Interested.

looks very promising!  I've noticed CAYIN amp/dacs on ebay for a while, seem like high end products.
where did you order this from?  my reference for portable amps is always my Ray Samuels
class A emmiline which has headroom galore and manages bass better than any other portable amp
i own.  but its getting long in the tooth, so new designs are worth exploring.  thanks for exploring this DS!

Once I found out about Cayin..I had to try this. Been very much into my ICAN as of late and my 2step while portable has the shape of a icecream sandwitch..I will probably get the new Fiio amps or was planning on it when I saw this last night while browsing through ebay..Lets just say I hope it lives up to the specs on this thing. The price seems right so I bit. Can't wait to try it with my various cans, iems, sources.

Hope it sounds as OPA134 should

It would be awesome if you post your thoughts on this once you receive it/play around with it. I'm considering ordering one.

I can't wait to get this. Will report as soon as I get it good or bad. It will be revealed. I should get it in a weeks time from now. We will see.

looks like an e12.

Actually it looks identical to the E18 in size and form
 

Looks pretty sleek and like it can pack a punch. Plus it's not too expensive from what I can tell. Eagerly waiting for impressions because it's always nice to have another portable amp option.

Very soon. Supposed to get it by the 15th? I hope. Will update the first page when I get it.

u are a pain to my wallet.....sighhh.

Heh. Funny how manufacturer specs always seem to omit output impedance.

Interesting amp ... hopefully it sounds as good as its look

Just found out that my Cayin has been delivered. Will have initial reports later..Updated with open box pics in OP