China is not home of cheap and bad audio components anymore. The best proof for that is the CS-55A, a tube amplifier created by Cayin.
Article continues below
The amplifier boasts 40 watts per channel by using 4 KT88 tubes in Class AB ultra-linear push pull amplification. The CS-55A consists of four pairs of input: one Phono, a USB port, and two line inputs giving a wide range of options for any listener. The CS-55A comprises of a fully anodized aluminum front, a vented and nicely designed chassis, the hand-made point-to-point wiring, and a soft-start circuit to enhance the life of the toroidal power transformer and output transformers.
Combined with audio grade capacitors, carbon film resistors, and ceramic tube sockets, this is one amplifier every audiophile should have in his/her collection. Speaker output impedance can be swapped between 4 ohms and 8 ohms. The CS-55A comes with a handy remote control. Extraordinary value and performance best describes the Cayin Audio CS55A Integrated amplifier. As the centre piece of any system, the unit is at home with both analogue or digital formats.
CS-55A includes a built in MM phono section to accommodate turntables and a built-in high resolution DAC for use with computers. Via the 2.0 USB input, the DAC is capable of covering digital audio signals up to 32bit | 384kHz. This combination of a high end DAC and tubes makes for a rich and detailed soundstage. The output stage can be switched between Triode and Ultra Linear mode and either KT88 or EL34 tubes can be used for the maximum amount of flexibility.
A headphone jack on the front completes the unit and makes this one of the most versatile and compelling products on the market for 2016. We are too often stuck with Western producers but the time has come to take a look what Chinese companies have to offer. The CS-55A is well-made amplifier, the sound is great and it's no wonder it has its place in any decent audio system. Add to that its analog/digital nature and you have a very good reason to give it a chance. ■
