I will recommend this amplifier to anyone who is looking for a Tube Integrated amplifier. Mind the AR is much more costilier then the Cayin. Running my B&W 804 through these Cayin was very easy and the performance came near the Audio Research components. When i change the tubes, i can feel the difference which is very prominent. I changed the tube to the Mullard and then had some Russian tubes, The cayin is very good when you change the tubes and the sound is terrific. The first thing i did in my cayin is the tube rolling. Also auditioned the MF A5 which was a good buy for the price the dealer quoted me. The Vincent Power and pre was a good one but their Integrated was well below par. The Jolida was detail but little forward and a bit rolled up in the low end. The Audio research was a very good performer but the price diff was too high. I am using a Audio research amplifier to run my main system, Now inorder to go for a second system, i was in search for a Tube amplifier and auditioned Cayin A88T, Jolida ( forgot the models), Jadis, Prima Luna, Cary, Vincent and Audio Research Integrated Tube amplifier apart from N numbers of Solid state amplifier,Īfter all these auditions, the reason i choose the Cayin A 88T is the load these amplifier can drive and the warmth and the details it can produce. previous SS and hybrid amps: Atoll, Marantz, NAD, Densen, Unico, Primare It always defaults to triode mode and you have to switch it to ultralinear everytime you switch it on. You have to risk your life by opening the bottom of the amp and bias it manually! Nice remote (if you don't buy it from an idiot who broke a screw while changing batteries).
If in the near future won't 'rain' 5000 euros in my balcony, there's no chance to change this amp!įabulous sound, looks and build quality. (thank God, my wife is very possitive with my favourite 'sport'.!).Īll in all this is a fantastic amp with stunning looks and sound, and makes a perfect match with my (also Chinese jewels) Aurum V2M. The stock KTs are good but I've decided to replace them with 4 Genalex GL Reissues which are on the way. Now I'm testing a pair of Raytheon VT231 and I'm quite satisfied so far but I'm thinking about buying a pair of Sylvania Bad Boy. The harshness dissapeared and it was replaced by 'creamy', smooth highs, but unfortunately the sound lost control in low frequencies. Firstly I bought a pair of Raytheon VT229 for 6SL7 and a pair of Sylvania VT231 for 6SN7. Therefore I've started changing the stock tubes with some NOS pairs.
The only issue I had was the bright and sharp high frequencies from the stock preamp tubes. The voices that sounded mechanical now have become lively and present, and I don't miss the bass I had with my old Primare at all. This is my first tube amplifier and it cannot be compared to any other solid state or hybrid amplifier I've ever had. Unfortunately I found out that it was imported and had no S/N! Apart from this fact the amplifier is great. Yamaha M1, Tandberg 4036, Bel Canto M300 mono'sīought it from a German guy for 1200euros. I find this not to be a real bad thing because once the tubes are broken in (about 50 hours) I re-bias and it is good for many months, I check it about every 2-3 months. Great looks, excellent build quality and of course the price point.īias is within the unit and you must remove the bottom plate-beware of the danger.
Music that sounds like you are right there for the performance. I would strongly recommend this amp this price point.
So to rap this up this amp looks great, it will drive most speakers and the sound is big. I know how-about rock? I would perfer a good solid state amp over this one -but I'm not disapointed at all with it's ability to rock & roll. This amp excels at acoustical, jazz, classical & of course the blues. The Gold lions are winners in this amp at least in my listening enviorment. I've now exchanged those with the Gold lion KT-88 and my warmth is back with even more clarity in the midrange. I exchanged the stock power tubes w/ KT88-EH and it appeared to brighten up a bit and it seemed a bit cleaner in the midrange. The stock tubes are pretty good but the tempation is to great not to play with some combinations. With my hard wood floors and hard plastered walls and ceilings that is a welcomed aspect of this musical instrument. The amp could be described as warm in it's presentation. My biggest concern was the power rating just 45 watts ulterlinear and 22 watts triode, but this amp has suprised me, it drives my Gallo ref. I feel this amp is a great value for the money. The Cayin A-88t is the first tube amp that I've bought and it just might be the last.