Cayin C9ii: Dual Nutube Prtable Headphone Amplifier (Gen5 3x Timbre, Anode, NFB, Pre/Line)

[ECKHUAAA]

whattodo

It is personal choice/taste/budget here, but as I've invested into the C9ii, my IEMs, cable to the IEMs, I'd be crazy not to optimize the IC but doesn't mean you have to do what I did so will give you a range, but don't expect the bargain IC to perform at the same level as TOTL.
But to me was still better than the stock IC (which FYI isn't bad, its just that you can improve with this change)
I've had and reviewed (and provided links earlier) to the 2 IC reviews I've done for the C9 and the C9ii
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...ss-a-ab-portable-headamp.943135/post-16615751
and here
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...imbre-anode-nfb-pre-line.973711/post-18444904
I've had custom IC's made from Plussound and they are still in my rotation but latetly I've been using the Eletech Euclid IC more.
I've also ordered a Eletech Sonnet of Adam 6 wire (grounded) IC for the C9ii as I think this will help remove some background static as well as improve the stage.

Bargain Basement
GUCraftsman Silver IC
Though small gauge wire its a true 6n OCC silver, not a SPC (which I personally don't care for) or lesser quality silver I've found from some other lower cost IC's
Available on Amazon, today's price is $36

I've also had GREAT experience with the Plussound X8 IC's (and price can vary depending on what wire type you choose - Range is $199 to $1300)
https://www.plussoundaudio.com/cust...ries-Custom-Cable-for-Interconnect-p250248594

Really having great experience with Eletech's IC's
https://elementechnology.com/collections/accessories/products/proadapt-series-interconnects?variant=39308592283747
Again dependent on the wire you choose, Aristotle IC sounds to me much better than the stock Cayin and bonus its grounded, The Euclid was much better IMO than the Aristotle, the Sonnet of Adam did what I was looking for - The range is going to be from about $249 -$800
Would recommend at min the grounded versions.

There are also IC's from PW Audio, and other cable makers which I've seen IC's go for as high as $2000+
I have borrowed and tried many of them, but I've had great results with the ones mentioned above, especially the Euclid from Eletech and just keep coming back to these mentioned above as recommendations

Hope this helps, and the above is IMO, and YMMV

Also talk to Ron at Arctic Cables to make a custom one for you from his Aurelia Silver/Gold cable you will be marveled

 

[bflat]

Which ever cable you buy, make sure the GND is connected. This requires all 5 tip/rings to be connected on the 4.4mm plug. After that, I would look at what brand of plugs are being used. This is more of a measure of how closely the manufacturer follows the spec and how tightly the tolerances are in mass production. On that note the best ones are Pentaconn and Furutech, IMHO. Always good to ask the cable maker because many use a custom barrel but source top quality plugs.

After that, you can decide what cables based on your own preferences and budget.

 

[whattodo]

Eletech Euclid IC more.
I've also ordered a Eletech Sonnet of Adam 6 wire (grounded) IC for the C9ii as I think this will help remove some background static as well as improve the stage.

Thanks for the great info.

I checked Eletech. Most probably, I will go to ground 4.4 to 4.4 one. 6w is not available

 

[NJoyzAudio]

Thanks for the great info.

I checked Eletech. Most probably, I will go to ground 4.4 to 4.4 one. 6w is not available

whattodo

Great to hear the info helped!

Just a FYI, for Eletech and I've seen similar situations with other makers
Aristotle and Euclid because of the way the cable is made (triaxial design), for 4.4mm to 4.4mm it is only offered as a grounded cable

Ode to Laura is only available as a 4wire not grounded.
Sonnet of Adam being more of a traditional cable build, offers both 6 wire grounded and 4 wire not grounded configurations.

As I and others have mentioned above, would highly recommend using for a 4.4mm to 4.4mm a grounded IC on the C9ii
For the C9 it did not matter.

Hope this helps

TM