Cayin CS-300A
Single ended 300B tube amplifier in a pure Class A circuit
The valve amplifier Cayin CS-300A is a rarity for special connoisseurs. It is based on the sonically unsurpassed 300B output tubes. The two directly heated triodes are supplied in a single-ended configuration from a 6SL7 voltage amplifier stage with a downstream 6SN7 driver stage. Two GZ34 tubes are responsible for the channel-separated high-voltage rectification. This arrangement ensures a musically fluid sound with excellent detail resolution.
With the CS-300A, Cayin wanted to create a particularly musical integrated amplifier that, despite the puristic single-ended circuit, could produce 8 watt R.M.S. per channel, which helps loudspeakers with a high level of effectiveness to produce an enormously coherent, lively sound with body and expressiveness.
The pre-in input offers the possibility of using the Cayin CS-300A as a pure power amplifier. Different taps for 4, 8 and 16 ohms allow an optimal adjustment of the loudspeakers used.
An output transformer specially developed for this single-ended amplifier with separate winding taps for the headphone output makes the CS-300A compatible with most high-quality headphones.
Cayin has also ensured constant performance over long periods of time. This is why an integrated measuring instrument is available to the user for the precise bias adjustment of the 300B tubes. There is also a two-stage switch on the solid aluminum front panel for individual adjustment of the negative negative feedback. In the "0 dB" position, the sound is soft and open, with lots of details, while in "-3 dB" the reproduction appears clear and sharply defined.
The Cayin CS-300A is built by hand with the finest point-to-point cabling. A soft-start circuit to protect the amplifier ensures a longer service life for the tubes and sensitive components. Cayin also uses high-voltage fuses to protect the other components in the event of a tube defect. All functions can be controlled with the enclosed remote control in the easy-to-grip metal housing.
SPECIFICATIONS
|
Amplifier topology |
Single-ended triode (SET) |
|
Operation class |
Pure Class A |
|
Output power |
2 × 8 W RMS |
|
Frequency response |
10 Hz – 32 kHz (-3 dB) |
|
THD |
1% (1 kHz) |
|
Signal-to-noise ratio |
86 dB |
|
Input sensitivity (Line) |
280 mV |
|
Input sensitivity (Pre-In) |
1000 mV |
|
Input impedance |
>100 kΩ |
|
Output impedance |
4 Ω, 8 Ω, 16 Ω |
|
Inputs |
Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, Pre-In |
|
Headphone output |
Yes |
|
Negative feedback |
Selectable 0 dB / -3 dB |
|
Bias adjustment |
Manual bias meter integrated |
|
Soft-start circuit |
Yes |
|
Remote control |
Metal remote included |
|
Tube complement |
2 × 300B, 2 × 6SL7, 2 × 6SN7, 2 × GZ34 |
|
Power consumption |
160 W |
|
Dimensions (W × H × D) |
420 × 195 × 382 mm |
|
Weight |
26 kg |