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

[HiFiHawaii808]

Would love to see pictures of your set up, C9 + Hugo2 + ZMF Verite

Any chance ?

Sure, I'll need to set up my topping rack. I don't have everything to complete the set up yet including proper interconnects, but the sound is really really good. I"ll do it when I catch up from being away for so long. By the way, I am going set it up with my 2go again. Now that it doesn't need EQ, I am going to take advantage of the streaming capabilities of the 2go.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Here's one

Dang. Beat me to it. That is exactly how I am going to set mine up with the DAP on top and the Hugo 2 on the bottom. What are you using as the interconnect between the Hugo 2 and C9? I am going RCA out to 3.5mm in.

 

[Nostoi]

Dang. Beat me to it. That is exactly how I am going to set mine up with the DAP on top and the Hugo 2 on the bottom. What are you using as the interconnect between the Hugo 2 and C9? I am going RCA out to 3.5mm in.

More photos the merrier! That's an Alo Ref 8 interconnect. I also tried connecting via kimber cable RCA to 3.5mm (with an Audio quest RCA to 3.5mm adapter) and it sounded great, though it's more for stationary use as my RCA cables are too long for transportable.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

More photos the merrier! That's an Alo Ref 8 interconnect. I also tried connecting via kimber cable RCA to 3.5mm (with an Audio quest RCA to 3.5mm adapter) and it sounded great, though it's more for stationary use as my RCA cables are too long for transportable.

That's why I asked. I couldn't find anything shorter than .6m or 22 inches in a high quality cable. I bought an audioquest .6m cable which is nice, but way too long. I did find a 6" cable from Amazon that I use. Perfect size, but looks cheap.

 

[Nostoi]

That's why I asked. I couldn't find anything shorter than .6m or 22 inches in a high quality cable. I bought an audioquest .6m cable which is nice, but way too long. I did find a 6" cable from Amazon that I use. Perfect size, but looks cheap.

If you're talking RCA rather than 3.5mm, then you can get a high end kimber RCA here for that length https://www.kimber.de/alle-produktkategorien/xlr-analogkabel/Kimber-Kable-Topgun-All-Clear-1-detail

Of course, options for 3.5mm are plentiful.

 

[Trunkmonkey44]

Got one on the way along with a P6Pro. Can't wait!

This is my favorite setup. I like it better than any of my other C9 combos, including the Hugo 2, which I know some people here really like.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

This is my favorite setup. I like it better than any of my other C9 combos, including the Hugo 2, which I know some people here really like.

I was hoping for something in the $1500-2000 price range. Any DAP with that sound quality in that price range?

 

[bluestorm1992]

I was hoping for something in the $1500-2000 price range. Any DAP with that sound quality in that price range?

LP6K?

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

If you're talking RCA rather than 3.5mm, then you can get a high end kimber RCA here for that length https://www.kimber.de/alle-produktkategorien/xlr-analogkabel/Kimber-Kable-Topgun-All-Clear-1-detail

Of course, options for 3.5mm are plentiful.

I just checked out the Kimber cable site, but I did not see an option for 15 cm which is about 6 inches. Did I miss it?

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

LP6K?

Yes. That is on my radar. How does LP6K + C9 compare to Hugo 2 + C9 in pure sound quality? I don't care about features.

 

[fuhransahis]

Yes. That is on my radar. How does LP6K + C9 compare to Hugo 2 + C9 in pure sound quality? I don't care about features.

I can't compare vs Hugo 2 but in the sub-$2k the DX300 should be in consideration as well - the Amp module with dedicated LO should be announced/released this week supposedly, or in any case soon, which should only improve things even further.

@twister6 has a DAP pair up section near the end of his C9 review that might provide some better relative insight.

 

[RTodd]

Yes. That is on my radar. How does LP6K + C9 compare to Hugo 2 + C9 in pure sound quality? I don't care about features.

Do not know because I do not have a Hugo 2 to compare. But can still add some color here.

The LP6K uses a single DAC chip, and has good amplification. If you use line out you skip the amplification and C9 takes care of that better than the LP6K amplification does, what I hear is a narrowing of the gap in sound quality between the LP6K the M8 and the P6Pro I also have, when the C9 is added.

The combination of the LP6K and the C9 is affordable in this echelon and really is not slumming it in anyway.

If you are after the bare no expense best you can have, probably not this player.

I too would like to hear a few comparisons between the Hugo2 C9 and LP6K C9.

Even more interested in a comparison using the C9 between Hugo 2 and the P6Pro and L&Ps other flagship LP6.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Do not know because I do not have a Hugo 2 to compare. But can still add some color here.

The LP6K uses a single DAC chip, and has good amplification. If you use line out you skip the amplification and C9 takes care of that better than the LP6K amplification does what I hear is a narrowing of the gap in sound quality between the LP6K the M8 and the P6Pro I also have, when the C9 is added.

The combination of the LP6K and the C9 is affordable in this echelon and really is not slumming it in anyway.

If you are after the bare no expense best you can have, probably not this player.

I too would like to hear a few comparisons between the Hugo2 C9 and LP6K. Even more interested in a comparison using the C9 between Hugo 2 and the P6Pro and L&Ps other flagship LP6.

I really don't want to spend $4000 on a DAP. I would rather buy a Traillii.

 

[aaf evo]

I really don't want to spend $4000 on a DAP. I would rather buy a Traillii.

The DAP they’re talking about is Lotoo PAW 6000. MSRP of like $1200? Great dap.

Edit: nvm may have mis read.

 

[bigbeans]

I really don't want to spend $4000 on a DAP. I would rather buy a Traillii.

Musicteck is offering the LP6K for 999 USD

https://bit.ly/3bUi9eg