Of diminishing returns
I've long since understood that as my system grow, and indeed my spending power stronger, (youngsters don't become jealous as it comes with age and work), the fact of diminishing returns will become a fact.
Now when I spend a few grandi expect a little change to the good, or indeed just a difference, to my system. But as ever as one goes through life what becomes expected suddenly changes, life way of keeping one on your toes I assume.
So to the point of this review. I bought this DAC as I was using my CD players input to drive my Chronolog server to pre amp. Expecting a better control of the system as a whole. Dear Gary bless him did wax lyrical about other things the Cayin would do. I should have known better than treat his comments with such contempt, he had after all never stirred me wrong over many years.
But the Cayin DAC arrived and for the first time in many years my system, which had always sounded darn good, suddenly came alive, not just the control, but a curtain had been drawn away from my speakers. Where had all this music been hiding for god sake.
Not only did the filters, (something I was not bothered with, so researching was not done), they worked and are now used. But one thing that really surprised me was the quality of the onboard pre amp, which is something I didn't need. It is simply all one needs in said device.
So if you are looking at buying a pre amp this will give you something to look at, and indeed if you are buying DAC and Pre Amp, look no further as this is nearly as good as it can get.
One then has the choice of Valve or transistor output on both pre out and DAC out, and the difference is stunning, with this you can have such fun,as with valve you still have control of the signal but bring extra depths within the bass with beautiful roll off, smooth mids keeping the top end open and clear. Transistor brings an upbeat bass, still tight as one would expect, mids very slightly up in the mix with top end sparkle. Two pre's in one, almost.
I almost think this is my Best Buy, although I always think that about everything I buy. The one thing I can honestly say is it is most certainly the most economic buy I have ever done.
Just a word of warning if you are buying this as a pre amp, there will be the limitations of inputs, digital only, but plenty of them.
This wonderful device has more than taken the wind out of my diminishing returns argument, OK Gary stop crowing.
Robin Boyes | Gloucestershire | April 2020
Oh my word !
Just cannot begin to explain how good this DAC is - Cayin was a new brand to me, but I will not be a stranger anymore - if this astonishing DAC is anything to go by then I simply cannot wait to go for a full system ! This DAC has it all - poise, grace, texture, dynamics, and an uncanny ability to truly keep you routed to your seat - until this purchase my digital listening attributed perhaps only 20% of my time (rest being Vinyl), now it a real competition !
SW | Cardiff | November 2019
