[fishda30]

I don't have anything quite in the HE560 area, just a set of HD6XX's and a pair of HE-4XX but I agree, the Cayin is a monster for its price. It can drive my somewhat-hard-to drive phones quite well and it's my go-to portable amp with those cans. 800mW (32Ω load) for 200 bucks, that's a good deal...I've just got it lined-out to my FiiO X5III and on high gain I get very decent headroom, bass boost is a nice option too. The C5 was my first foray into the Head-Fi space back in 2015 and it has been a reliable piece of kit like no other. I've got a couple of other portable Amp/DACs, and while they offer their own unique features, when you just want simple, clean power the C5 is it!

I agree. I don't know how it does it. Small form but big clean sound.

 

[BadReligionPunk]

I got mine back in early 16, and it's still chugging along. Admitidly it's starting to show signs of its age, but it's still holding up. Phenomenal sound and still the best bass boost on the planet.

 

[Andykong]

This is something that I need to wake up and handle it personally during my vacation.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/a-new-product-12-april-2019.904153/

 

[Lohb]

Anyone owned both the C5 and iBasso PB3 ?Any impressions WRT C5 ?
I'm looking at PB3 for the balanced connection and better imaging separation/soundstage.
I know PB3 has about half the output of C5 though.

Looking to power Sony XBA-N3 and LCD-2CB mainly from it.

Edit : Cayin, if you are listening - bring out a balanced 2.5" version of C5 with SE out same as before also...

 

[Andykong]

Anyone owned both the C5 and iBasso PB3 ?Any impressions WRT C5 ?
I'm looking at PB3 for the balanced connection and better imaging separation/soundstage.
I know PB3 has about half the output of C5 though.

Looking to power Sony XBA-N3 and LCD-2CB mainly from it.

Edit : Cayin, if you are listening - bring out a balanced 2.5" version of C5 with SE out same as before also...

I am not going to say we have an ongoing project to revise the C5, but if we do, I mean IF, it will be 4.4mm instead of 2.5mm.

 

[skingg]

I am not going to say we have an ongoing project to revise the C5, but if we do, I mean IF, it will be 4.4mm instead of 2.5mm.

Off topic but does Cayin happen to have a desktop equivalent that is reminiscent to the power/sound signature of the C5?

 

[Andykong]

Off topic but does Cayin happen to have a desktop equivalent that is reminiscent to the power/sound signature of the C5?

The high gain of C5 is powerful, musical and warm sounding, if this is what you after, check out our HA-1Amk2.

 

[leo5111]

what happens if i get a 2.5 to 3.5 cable and plug balanced out into the cayin c5? does it work or not sound right?

 

[sup27606]

what happens if i get a 2.5 to 3.5 cable and plug balanced out into the cayin c5? does it work or not sound right?

You meant 2.5 mm balanced out of a DAP to the single ended input of C5? I wouldn’t recommend it. First of all, balanced 2.5 or 3.5 output Jack contains 4 contacts and is not compatible with the single ended jack of C5, which accepts 3 contact 3.5 mm Jack. Secondly, Balanced out from any amp when connected to single ended terminal can destroy the amp circuitry due to shorting of the negative poles. In one word, don’t do it. May be check your DAP manual.

 

[leo5111]

i kind of figured you coudnt so i wasnt going to unless someone said for sure one way or the other im looking for a 3.5 line out amp for the ibasso dx 150 that has more power then amp 6 it comes with

 

[sup27606]

C5 has reasonable power to drive even the 300 ohms dynamic driver full size cans, but you have to use the single ended line-out from the ibasso.

 

[leo5111]

i have Planers the LCD-XC

 

[sup27606]

I have used low impedance planers like EL-8 and Sine with C5 and they sounded really good. LCD-XC has comparable low impedance, so my guess would be, it will work well. Also there are multiple posts in this thread on LCD series of cans with C5, and the impressions are overall positive.

 

[rjoudrey]

Started using the C5 with my LG V30. Between the quality of the ESS Quad DAC and the amplification and SQ of the C5 I am in absolute heaven. Using with HD660s cans. The bass rocks!!

 

[Shareknow]

I, too, was looking for an upgrade to the C5. I tried the Chord Mojo, IDSD Black Label, and the xDuoo XD-05 and ended up selling the first two and keeping the xDuoo. Even though the Mojo and the IDSD were much more expensive than the C5, for my headphones and music, the C5 sounded noticeably better. I like the xDuoo a lot but still use the C5 most of the time.

These are quite interesting results, wow!!!! C5 beats the chord mojo, sounds sooo wonderful to read this as i have ordered the C5 recently. But why is C5 better sounding than mojo? Plz help understand a newbie like me. Thanks