Beginning A Second System--Need Advice

gary · « **Reply #20 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 01:11 pm »

i'd like to post a review on audioasylum, but the problem is that i'm a complete tube neophyte and i really have nothing to compare the cayin to. judging by the pictures, build quality of the cayin is miles ahead of the other amps in the sub-$1k range, but I have absolutely no clue how they stack up sound-wise.

maybe i need to move to a real city where there are get-togethers and meets, i think i'm the only audiophile in rochester, ny.

-gary

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #21 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 02:36 pm »

Try living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota!

F-100 · « **Reply #22 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 03:35 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

Try living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota!

Ahhhhh....Sioux Falls, SD. I used to live there back the late 70's (during the Disco era

. It's a nice and clean city but it's too damn COLD in the winter.

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #23 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 03:58 pm »

I can definitely hold on for a few weeks as my head is spinning. I'd love to hear about the Caiyn. I'm still thinking tubes, but I'm also seduced by another thought--active speakers! How about a pair of ATC 10--on audiogon for 1500 smackers, and a brand new Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24 for another 1500 bucks. That would be it--two pieces, tons of power, upsampling, great reviews (though I realize people around here don't like MF very much), great pedigree, ultimate in simplicity excepting the Linn Classik and a pair of speakers. Whatta think guys?

Dan

F-100 · « **Reply #24 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 04:06 pm »

Have you look into the Cain & Cain Abby yet? If not, "Check it out" if you have a chance to audition one. I got mine last week and they're still breaking in but they already sound very nice even with my HK integrated amp. Terry Cain did an outstanding job with the cabinet. When I put the Abby next to my VMPS Super Tower, it remind me of the movie "Beauty and the Beast".

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #25 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 04:15 pm »

Cain and Caiyn--seems like they'd go together. I really am interested, no decision made. If I only had access to either line of thought, but alas, I don't. Actually I drool over the Cain and Cain Ben w/ supertweeter when I go to the website.

mca · « **Reply #26 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 11:34 pm »

I just came across a pretty cool little tube integrated amp. It's a bit different that most, too.

Check out the review:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue9/cyclops.htm

Happy hunting

TIC · « **Reply #27 on:** 7 Oct 2003, 07:59 pm »

OK Guys, the Cayin just arrived via FedEx. First impression is .......

WOW!!!!

I've owned other "budget" tube integrated amps and I can tell you this, the fit, finish, build quality, layout and packaging of the Cayin TA-30 is the best I've seen in this price range.

BTW, I bought it off of e-Bay from Paul at BuzyBee. Paul sells these on AudiogoN and on his website @BusyBee Audio, but this e-Bay sell saved me $200-$300 vs. the published price at A-goN and BusyBee. Note, the e-Bay unit had a very slightly damaged shipping box and Paul disclosed this up front. Luckily, the unit is encapsulated in foam inside of the double boxed exterior. It would take a VERY DEDICATED UPS driver to damage one of these!!! (No offense to UPS Drivers intended, it's a joke!)

I have the unit hooked up and playing already and it sounds pretty good right out of the box. Paul warned me that it would need some time to break in, so I'll wait a couple of days to post concerning the sound.

BTW, this is a P-P tube amp using a quad of el-34s, but it will run in SE mode by removing output tube #2, #4. Can be biased in SE mode for 2-4 watts/ch. It is 30 watts/channel in P-P mode.

I'll post more later.

Enjoy,

TIC

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #28 on:** 8 Oct 2003, 05:33 pm »

Can't wait!

TIC · « **Reply #29 on:** 9 Oct 2003, 04:09 pm »

My new Cayin went "On Holiday" to a friends house last night. I am extremely busy with a newborn in the house AND I've got one of Gary Dodd's pre-amps in-house for a demo (review to come). Since I knew I would not have time to dedicate to the Cayin, I sent it to a friends house.

He is breaking it in and will use it in his system while his ARC D-115 is at ARC for repair/retube. His system is Basis/Souther/Clearaudio TT setup ($8000?), Herron phono stage and pre-amp, Quad ELS-63s and ELS-57s. He is EXTREMELY critical, so we should have a pretty good indication of his thoughts in a couple of days.

BTW, he was VERY IMPRESSED with the build quality/looks of the unit. He thought that many Audiophiles would guess $1500-2000 based on the looks of the unit. I must agree, it looks and feels like a much more expensive unit. I have owned tube integrated amps from ASL and Anthem and I feel the Cayin is a step up in build/looks. The jury is still out on sound, but I'm optimistic based on my very short initial listening session.

More to come!

Enjoy,

TIC

TIC · « **Reply #30 on:** 25 Oct 2003, 10:44 pm »

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to give a quick update concerning the Cayin TA-30....

Wow, what a nice little Integrated amp! I have owned other budget integrated amps, ie ASL AQ-1003, Anthem Integrated 1 and Anthem Integrated 2.

IMHO, the Cayin is hands down better than my previous budget tube integrated amps. First, it is MUCH MORE attractive (the pics on the BizzyBee website don't do it justice)! It is a killer looking unit with a cool gold anodized machined aluminum faceplate and the main case is a really deep metallic dark blue. It is so shiny that the tube glow reflects off of the paint. Also, it has those cool vented tube sockets like some of the big buck amps.

Sonically, it is significantly better in my system that the ASL or Anthem Int. 1. Sonically, it sound much more expensive than the price I paid. It has excellent bass with only a hint of woolyness (when compared to my reference SETs, it is better than the previously mentioned budget amps) and the mids and highs sound very natural. This amp is not as "tubey" sounding as some that I've heard, but it also is not analytical sounding. Honestly, it is a great compromise between those two traits. Exactly what it should be!!!

Anyway, I give the Cayin TA-30 a very strong endorsement, especially considering the price I paid for mine.

Caution, the $499 I paid for mine from BizzyBee was for a NON-modified unit with a slightly damaged shipping box. The regular price for BizzyBee's exclusively modified unit is $300-400 more than I paid. The mods include an external bias adjst mod and I believe an extra set of pre-outs. Mine is stock as sent from Cayin. Bias is set internally by taking off the bottom plate and using leads on the tube sockets. External adjst would be very helpful, especially considering the amp can be run in SE mode by removing one of the tubes in each channel (a nice feature). However, when this is done it nees to be re-biased.

BTW, Paul, at BizzyBee is a major Dude!!! Call or e-mail him for more info than you could possible need for this amp.

Enjoy,

TIC

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #31 on:** 27 Oct 2003, 04:24 pm »

Thanks TIC

I'd have to go with the modded version because I am dumb and would no doubt electrocute myself. Other than that--SPOON!!!!!!!!

Take care
Dan