Cayin C9: Dual Nutube, Fully Balanced Class A/AB Portable HeadAmp

[gazzington]

Evening relaxation. Damn this combo sounds good

 

[gazzington]

Evening relaxation. Damn this combo sounds good

The c9 turns the n8 in to an n8 pro or something!

 

[bluestorm1992]

Does anyone have any thoughts on what sorts of desktop amps the C9 compares to, form-factor and versatility aside, whether SS or Tube?

I have previously owned the Broadway amp from Xiaudio. They performance almost the same with my Abyss Diana V2. Not sonic/timbre-wise, just the overall performance.

 

[bluestorm1992]

I am very aware that the V2 is not easy to drive. The popular Topping A90 may have just enough juice for it, but sonic-wise it is not a good match and it makes V2 sounded flat.

So, I guess this exercise says that there is really very limited benefit to buy a 1K desktop amp after getting C9. The Broadway amp is a 2K battery amp, and I don’t think it outperforms C9 either.

 

[Nostoi]

Does anyone have any thoughts on what sorts of desktop amps the C9 compares to, form-factor and versatility aside, whether SS or Tube?

I'd say it's at least as dynamic as the Pro iCan (and to my ears more engaging than the former).

 

[Wiljen]

Does anyone have any thoughts on what sorts of desktop amps the C9 compares to, form-factor and versatility aside, whether SS or Tube?

I found the C9 in tube AB mode was similar to the Auris Euterpe tonally. In solid-state class A I thought the other amps that were closest to it are probably the Pass HPA-1 and the SparkOS Aries.

 

[fuhransahis]

I found the C9 in tube AB mode was similar to the Auris Euterpe tonally. In solid-state class A I thought the other amps that were closest to it are probably the Pass HPA-1 and the SparkOS Aries.

Thanks that's a nice set of amps to compare to, glad to see the C9 stacking favorably against relatively expensive desktop amps without sacrificing performance for portability

Only desktop amp I've had was the Feliks Echo but that was paired with the Auteur, neither of which I have any longer so couldn't compare there.

 

[fuhransahis]

Update on semi-rigging the C9 for hopefully better airflow - got some black rubber conical feet to let the bottom breathe, and some command strips to allow for breathing room between the DAP, they also make it easier to pick up the stack when using a short IC cable.

Oh also ended up buying the C9's case, I think @RTodd was right in stating it seems to help dissipate heat with its metal frames.

Quite nifty for my purposes!

 

[xand]

Oh also ended up buying the C9's case, I think @RTodd was right in stating it seems to help dissipate heat with its metal frames.

The case means your C9 runs hotter, it just insulates you from the C9 better.

This would be expected by casual observation and has been confirmed by Andy (see below).

However the C9 is probably still within specification when used with its case.

From: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...phone-amplifier.943135/page-281#post-16360140

Whitigir is correct, the case makes the C9 more "practical" because you are not touching the metal chassis directly, so you can hold it in your hand comfortably when you playback. The temperature of the the C9 chassis will increase slightly when it is operated inside the case, but only by a few degree C, it should well within the recommended operation condition of C9. Be reminded that the components are build to last much higher temperature than we feel comfortable to touch. For example, 50°C is consider burning hot when you touch the equipment chassis, but 50°C is well-acceptable for PCB and electronic components.

 

[fuhransahis]

The case means your C9 runs hotter, it just insulates you from the C9 better.

This would be expected by casual observation and has been confirmed by Andy (see below).

However the C9 is probably still within specification when used with its case.

From: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...phone-amplifier.943135/page-281#post-16360140

I'd rather pretend the $80 case works some cooling magic thank you very much

 

[RTodd]

I'd rather pretend the $80 case works some cooling magic thank you very much

That is what I was thinking to,
it does have fins after all.
Let us have our own beliefs.

There are a lot of holes in that case not believing much heat is getting trapped.
And a lot holes in my theory apparently.

Defer to the expert, and just pretend I did not hear that.

 

[fuhransahis]

That is what I was thinking to, it does have fins after all. Let us have our own beliefs.

There are a lot of holes in that case not believing much heat is getting trapped. And a lot holes in my theory apparently.

Defer to the expert, and just pretend I did not here that.

Those metal fins clearly redirect the heat from the core of the C9 to special cells within the unique material the case is made of. That is then stored energy that the case uses to charge the C9 safely during playback.

#science right?

 

[RTodd]

Those metal fins clearly redirect the heat from the core of the C9 to special cells within the unique material the case is made of. That is then stored energy that the case uses to charge the C9 safely during playback.

#science right?

Well this morning I had my C9 running with the case on and no matter how long I waited the egg would not cook. Ended up late for work.
No choice I had to take the case off.

 

[fuhransahis]

Well this morning I had my C9 running with the case on and no matter how long I waited the egg would not cook. Ended up late for work.
No choice I had to take the case off.

Seems like a defective unit, part of the reason the fins are metal is they should act like a rippled frying pan. Hmm...

 

[RTodd]

Seems like a defective unit, part of the reason the fins are metal is they should act like a rippled frying pan. Hmm...

I’ll call Andrew tomorrow.