[Nostoi]

Wouldn't have thought so, it's still forward sounding amp with lots of frequency extensions both ends, it's not gonna smooth out anything, i might be wrong, hope someone mire knowledgeable chimes in

I wouldn't say it tames top end, but on my bright headphones it smooths any hint of sibilance without losing detail, at least on tube mode. Not sure about T1. I had the T1 for a while and found it had one of the strangest tunings I've ever heard in a headphone. I could see the 1770/1990 working really nicely, tho, with the C9.

 

[cheznous]

I got them from:
https://steameliquid.co.uk/shop/mods-batteries/vtc6-18650/
But alas I must have had last four.

Amazon UK do have the EFEST in stock

EFEST 3.5K mah 20A IMR High Drain Flat Top Single​

 

[Jeffyue]

Then you have come to the only and best option: Cayin N6ii with A02 motherboard. A02 is a LO only motherboard and its purity and control of music blows me away every time, (much) better than SP2000’s LO in my own use case.

Actually wanna ask if anyone can give a comparison between N6ii+A02 vs. E02 when LO to C9.

I have seen lots of posts talking about the nice sound from A02, but seems nothing much from E02. The only one I can find seems to be in the Twister6 C9 review..

If the sound of E02 is not that far behind from A02, I may wanna go to the E02 as I will have a DAP for daily usage when I don't want to bring the C9 along.

 

[bluestorm1992]

Actually wanna ask if anyone can give a comparison between N6ii+A02 vs. E02 when LO to C9.

I have seen lots of posts talking about the nice sound from A02, but seems nothing much from E02. The only one I can find seems to be in the Twister6 C9 review..

If the sound of E02 is not that far behind from A02, I may wanna go to the E02 as I will have a DAP for daily usage when I don't want to bring the C9 along.

The LO from E02 is OK, but lacking in both soundstage size and clarity in sound compared to A02.

Honestly, if you are just going to buy a new N6ii with E02, there are better options with a similar LO quality but better UI, such as DX300. From today’s angle, a new N6ii is worth it only when paired with A02 IMHO.

 

[Whitigir]

The LO from E02 is OK, but lacking in both soundstage size and clarity in sound compared to A02.

Honestly, if you are just going to buy a N6ii with E02, there are better options with a similar LO quality but better UI, such as DX300. From today’s angle, a new N6ii is worth it only when paired with A02 IMHO.

I have to totally agree

 

[soundblast75]

Amazon UK do have the EFEST in stock

EFEST 3.5K mah 20A IMR High Drain Flat Top Single​

Why is this a good one?
They have several..

 

[lumdicks]

Toys after toys and after toys!! My wallets need to ban me from accessing it
The battles of 2 Titans: Modulars, Dual Korg tubes, and 18650 batteries

WOW! Share your view as soon as possible please!

 

[lumdicks]

My setup completed finally. Time to stop buying and enjoy. As I shared previously, C9 scales up excellently with source so after adding the M Scaler in my chain, the sound from C9 further improves on imaging, layering and high low extension.

Roon → Lumin U1 Mini (transport) → Chord M Scaler (upsampling) → Chord Hugo TT2 (Preamp and DAC) → Cayin C9 (Poweramp)

 

[bluestorm1992]

My setup completed finally. Time to stop buying and enjoy. As I shared previously, C9 scales up excellently with source so after adding the M Scaler in my chain, the sound from C9 further improves on imaging, layering and high low extension.

Roon → Lumin U1 Mini (transport) → Chord M Scaler (upsampling) → Chord Hugo TT2 (Preamp and DAC) → Cayin C9 (Poweramp)

Man you have such a wonderful setup, congrats!

Time to let them sit for a while and enjoy them indeed, but who knows, maybe you will get dragged into another purchase one day after visiting HF.

 

[Andykong]

Yes, you are absolutely right. The 4.5mm balanced line out would seem to be the obvious choice for connecting the C9. That is probably why I've had the best results so far using it!

TBH I have never got on with the 4.5 balanced SS from the N8, but have alway adored the 3.5 SE valve output. With the C9 I find the solid state implementation a lot more palatable.

If you look at the timbre circuit of N8, we used an OPA series op-amp as alternative to Nutube 6P1, so the different is fairly obvious. With C9, we have designed a discrete component based Solid State audio circuit based on two matched pairs of high quality low noise Toshiba 2SK209 JFET as alternative to Nutube, so the solid state of C9 is indeed comparable to the vacuum tube timbre.

 

[Whitigir]

If you look at the timbre circuit of N8, we used an OPA series op-amp as alternative to Nutube 6P1, so the different is fairly obvious. With C9, we have designed a discrete component based Solid State audio circuit based on two matched pairs of high quality low noise Toshiba 2SK209 JFET as alternative to Nutube, so the solid state of C9 is indeed comparable to the vacuum tube timbre.

I can second this, Toshiba JFET has always had that reputation of being more fluid and tubes like

 

[Andykong]

I’m wondering whether the c9 tubes would help tame the top end of a beyer t1

But T1 is 600 Ohm, unless you just bought the latest T1 v3. This is marginally to battery based C9.

 

[Andykong]

The LO from E02 is OK, but lacking in both soundstage size and clarity in sound compared to A02.

Honestly, if you are just going to buy a new N6ii with E02, there are better options with a similar LO quality but better UI, such as DX300. From today’s angle, a new N6ii is worth it only when paired with A02 IMHO.

LO quality of DX300 is better then N6ii with E02? as of today?

 

[Whitigir]

LO quality of DX300 is better then N6ii with E02? as of today?

Afraid not, the upcoming module with dedicated line out possibly ? Because it also has modular design, so the possibilities are there. It just has a very beefy processing main unit

 

[bluestorm1992]

LO quality of DX300 is better then N6ii with E02? as of today?

I guess it is the similar? I did not check it myself. At least I can say that A02’s LO is a lot better than E02’s. The difference is especially noticeable in long listening sessions.

UI-wise DX300 is better though.