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

[zolom]

Two questions:
1. At which operation mode, is it still safe to charge the C9, while playing? Without excessive heat.
2. Is the supplied 4.4mm interconnect cable grounded? Is there a hum sound when holding the cable? Intend to connevt RU7 line out.

Thanks

 

[Tanalasta]

Two questions:
1. At which operation mode, is it still safe to charge the C9, while playing? Without excessive heat.
2. Is the supplied 4.4mm interconnect cable grounded? Is there a hum sound when holding the cable? Intend to connevt RU7 line out.

Thanks

You can charge the C9 whilst playing in any mode. But not from the same power supply as the source (e.g. DAP/DAC). And you need to watch it so that you do not overcharge it - or else it will enter safe mode. So the advice is charge it before you use it ; or keep it on charge only until the 4th dot lights.

 

[Tanalasta]

Absolutely magnificent.

I haven't listened to this chain for a little while. Ethereal. I'd forgotten how the Utopia is easy to drive but revealing of the quality of the source. The Hugo2 doesn't quite have the dynamic pace of the Cayin C9. Paired together, it is near as good as one can get in a transportable solution from a sound quality perspective.

Would have sounded even richer with the balanced Danacable I have.

Class A | Tube Mode. Low Gain. Just a tad too bright out of the Hugo2 in Solid State mode. The silver interconnect probably didn't help.

 

[zolom]

I am about to pull the trigger and purchase a 2nd hand C9 soon.
I would like to connect to the 4.4mm balanced input of the C9 via a 1 or 1.5 meter interconnect cable.
In order to avoid possible cable induction noise (hum), do I need to use a grounded shielded (5 pole) cable or is a simple 4.4 to 4.4 cable enough?

My current sources: Hugo2 via a short 3.5 male to 4.4 female silver cable) and the Cayin RU7 4.4mm.

My head setup: Focal Stellia and Fir XE6 iem.

Please recomnend a "very" reasonably priced interconnect cable.

Thanks

 

[kajetanjazz]

Hugo2 via a short 3.5 male to 4.4

I believe this unfortunately is not possible

 

[zolom]

I believe this unfortunately is not possible

Agree.
My wrong assumption.

Thanks

 

[kajetanjazz]

Agree.
My wrong assumption.

Thanks

Yeah I tried many connections, and such one is just the way to go. I could also use the PWaudio adapter for hugo2 and use 4.4 short interconnect, but yeah you cant go from unbalanced to balanced port

 

[KelFab]

Class A | Tube Mode. Low Gain. Just a tad too bright out of the Hugo2 in Solid State mode. The silver interconnect probably didn't help.

The iFi interconnect is only silver plated, not silver. I got one and don’t find it brighten the sound.
I’m not sure that’s what make this combo too bright, having owned all this stuff, coupling Hugo 2 with Utopia wasn’t my cup of tea.
I found it very impressive at first but quickly too analytical and … bright.
So adding the C9 to soften a bit could be rather a good idea but I guess it won’t completely sort it as Nutubes aren’t that much softeners (compared to conventional tubes I mean), class A maybe a bit.

 

[Tanalasta]

Although my ears adjusted to the Hugo 2 and Utopia there was a time when I used the green filter to tame the brightness. It’s a subtle change. You either hear it or not.

You need an rca to 4.4 adapter.

The C9 colours the sound enough the included cable is satisfactory with the utopia and Hugo 2.

 

[zolom]

You had mentioned in the post above that "You need an rca to 4.4 adapter".
Can I connect a 2 RCA to 4.4mm cable (adapter) fron the Hugo2 to the C9 balanced (4.4mm) input?

Thanks

 

[Tanalasta]

Yes. I do.

 

[Dietmar Görtz]

I have an Astell&Kern SE300.
I can select the output voltage on the balanced line out.
I have 1.4V, 2V, 2.5V, or 4V.
What is ideal for the C9?

 

[Patlezinc]

pre-mode is 2v and Amp mode is 4V iirc

 

[Dietmar Görtz]

When I connect a DAP, I set the C9 to "Line Mode".
So 4V?

 

[Patlezinc]

Line yes, I would try that... And the DAP in line out