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

[HiFiHawaii808]

Good points, and I feel Currawong's review falls into category C.

Great. Can someone describe what he paired it with and what he thought it was good at? From there, I'll decided if I want to invest the time in listening to it. I already own one, so I was trying to see if he had any interesting new insight that we haven't discussed yet. If so, I'll give it a listen.

 

[fuhransahis]

Great. Can someone describe what he paired it with and what he thought it was good at? From there, I'll decided if I want to invest the time in listening to it. I already own one, so I was trying to see if he had any interesting new insight that we haven't discussed yet. If so, I'll give it a listen.

No real insight impressions-wise for current owners, but I did learn from his discussion on crosstalk separation and how big of a difference there was in the SE vs BAL outputs, and is something to keep a lookout for (to me) going forward in certain products. Basically the C9 performs best using its balanced output by a noticeable amount. That might not be the case in all products for sure, but here it is.

Otherwise the review states its a versatile, smartly built amp that can get you good desktop performance in a transportable package.

 

[No Deal]

Great. Can someone describe what he paired it with and what he thought it was good at? From there, I'll decided if I want to invest the time in listening to it. I already own one, so I was trying to see if he had any interesting new insight that we haven't discussed yet. If so, I'll give it a listen.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[Currawong]

Great. Can someone describe what he paired it with and what he thought it was good at? From there, I'll decided if I want to invest the time in listening to it. I already own one, so I was trying to see if he had any interesting new insight that we haven't discussed yet. If so, I'll give it a listen.

Why not just watch the review? I'm sure that you've spent way more than it's 20 or so minutes length reading and writing posts in this thread alone.

 

[RTodd]

Why not just watch the review? I'm sure that you've spent way more than it's 20 or so minutes length reading and writing posts in this thread alone.

I appreciated your review, it is more for someone that does not already have a C9, well at least for me, as everything you covered I knew well already. The C9 is great for my use case as I do not use any desk top style hardware. My Thummim and C9, love it.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

No real insight impressions-wise for current owners, but I did learn from his discussion on crosstalk separation and how big of a difference there was in the SE vs BAL outputs, and is something to keep a lookout for (to me) going forward in certain products. Basically the C9 performs best using its balanced output by a noticeable amount. That might not be the case in all products for sure, but here it is.

Otherwise the review states its a versatile, smartly built amp that can get you good desktop performance in a transportable package.

Thanks. That's all I wanted to know.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Why not just watch the review? I'm sure that you've spent way more than it's 20 or so minutes length reading and writing posts in this thread alone.

Because at the moment, I can't stand YouTube because I had to cancel my YouTube Premium membership. So, I have to watch commercials to watch anything. I am trying to avoid that

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I just picked up a Chord Hugo TT2. Been listening to it all day. I did audition it first, so I knew what to expect. It really does pair up with the Focal Utopia spectacularly. It really highlights just how resolving the Utopia is. The Arya did not sound as good relatively speaking until I paired it with the C9. Direct to the TT2, the Arya was pretty feeble in the bass. The C9 really gave the bass more depth and texture. The C9 does make a complementary addition to the built in AMP of the TT2. In solid state mode, it brings more transparency and clarity to the sound. With tube mode, it takes off some edges to the highs of the Ayra at the same time it brings warmth to the bass. I was interested in the TT2 + C9 pairing after I had such good luck with the Hugo 2 + C9.

 

[fuhransahis]

I just picked up a Chord Hugo TT2. Been listening to it all day. I did audition it first, so I knew what to expect. It really does pair up with the Focal Utopia spectacularly. It really highlights just how resolving the Utopia is. The Arya did not sound as good relatively speaking until I paired it with the C9. Direct to the TT2, the Arya was pretty feeble in the bass. The C9 really gave the bass more depth and texture. The C9 does make a complementary addition to the built in AMP of the TT2. In solid state mode, it brings more transparency and clarity to the sound. With tube mode, it takes off some edges to the highs of the Ayra at the same time it brings warmth to the bass. I was interested in the TT2 + C9 pairing after I had such good luck with the Hugo 2 + C9.

I'm surprised you're not exploring more desktop tube amps that are upgrades to the BHC to pair with the VC, do you prefer it with more solid state/neutral-ish pairings?

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I'm surprised you're not exploring more desktop tube amps that are upgrades to the BHC to pair with the VC, do you prefer it with more solid state/neutral-ish pairings?

I am going to add a new tube amp to pair with the TT2. I will probably buy one right after CanJamSoCal. I am leaning toward a Forge, but might get either a Pendant SE or Primaluna Evo 100. This will be primarily for the VC, but I a trying to get a tube amp that can drive most of my full sized headphones.

 

[14christ]

Sure do wish I could find one of these on sale or in the forums.

 

[Andykong]

I am going to add a new tube amp to pair with the TT2. I will probably buy one right after CanJamSoCal. I am leaning toward a Forge, but might get either a Pendant SE or Primaluna Evo 100. This will be primarily for the VC, but I a trying to get a tube amp that can drive most of my full sized headphones.

You need the speaker output of EVO 100?

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

You need the speaker output of EVO 100?

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I am considering specifically the Primaluna Evo 100 Integrated AMP. It has an integrated headphone AMP and 6.3mm output.

https://www.primaluna-usa.com/primaluna-evo-100-tube-integrated

The speaker output is not important to me right now. The primary reason I am considering the EVO 100 is because I was so stunned by the pairing of the EVO 100 tube DAC and EVO 400. That is over kill for my needs, so I wanted to see how good the EVO 100 integrated AMP is relative to the Forge and Pendant SE. All of these AMPs are in the $2250-2750 price bracket.

 

[fuhransahis]

I am going to add a new tube amp to pair with the TT2. I will probably buy one right after CanJamSoCal. I am leaning toward a Forge, but might get either a Pendant SE or Primaluna Evo 100. This will be primarily for the VC, but I a trying to get a tube amp that can drive most of my full sized headphones.

The Pendant indeed would be a good option there. It's pure magic with the VC but also friendly towards Planars.

The quality and impressiveness of the C9 is funnily what drove me to wonder what a dedicated desktop tube amp could do.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

The Pendant indeed would be a good option there. It's pure magic with the VC but also friendly towards Planars.

The quality and impressiveness of the C9 is funnily what drove me to wonder what a dedicated desktop tube amp could do.

I am so glad you decided not to sell your Pendant. You have a matching set, too. Have you heard the Forge yet? I told Justin my requirements and based on what I told him, he suggested the Forge.