Κώστας Φ.
Truth hurts. Here's a teddy bear.
- Μηνύματα
- 8.978
- Reaction score
- 895
"The Cayin A-50T ($1295) is an integrated amplifier with two push-pull pairs of Mullard EL34 tubes that can be operated in 35Wpc Ultralinear or 16Wpc Triode, the modes switchable via the included remote control. The A-50T features point-to-point wiring, a toroidal power transformer, and two EI audio output transformers, all specially manufactured for Cayin in an attempt to achieve low magnetic leakage, wide frequency response, and low impedance. The amp also has two 12AX7EH and two 12AU7EH tubes (the EH stands for Electro Harmonix), four line-level inputs, and 8 and 4 ohm output taps. Its snap-on tube cage is easily removable.
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Conclusions
The Cayin A-50T changed my mind about tube integrated amplifiers and quashed some biases I didn't know I had. Although I'm basically a tube guy, in the past I've tended to favor tube electronics only as separates, and when the power amplifier is driving full-range speakers with at least 100W. For lower-powered and lower-cost systems, I've preferred the solid-state integrateds made by such companies as Creek, Musical Fidelity, and Arcam. Before hearing the A-50T, I hadn't been impressed by any low-powered integrated tube amp I'd heard driving real-world speakers.
But the Cayin A-50T is competitive with many higher-powered, more expensive integrateds, both tube and solid-state, and its strengths rival those of many far more expensive tube separates I've heard. Finally, the 35Wpc A-50T behaves like an amplifier that puts out twice its rated power—or more. I strongly recommend that anyone considering spending up to $2000 on an integrated amplifier listen to the magic that the Cayin A-50T can produce." -- Robert J. Reina
"I was impressed both by the Cayin A-50T's build quality and by its measured performance, though it definitely works best when the nominal loudspeaker impedance is equal to or greater than the output transformer tap used. Despite its affordable price, it obviously uses well-engineered output transformers. In a sense, it represents what a tube amplifier from the Golden Age would perform like if it were made using modern materials and parts, yet it costs less in today's devalued dollars than classic tube amps cost 40 years ago." -- John Atkinson
Full Review: Stereophile.com
