Audiophilepure

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” The amps most standout points when it comes to sonics would be its slightly thinner treble tone that does account for it being a more excitable product and beyond that, it is full sounding with a spread out soundstage. It can also easily be categorised as your traditional warm valve based piece of electronics, just with the injection of energy. The bass is thick and firm, I wouldn’t say it is that woolly, soft type of low end you get with some tube amps. It really compliments the HD800, which is not known for copious amounts of bass and the combination has a really hard hitting low end! The midrange seems to edge towards clarity which makes sense as the treble is airy and exciting. I find the treble to be the weakest area, sometimes making tssh like notes and feeling just a bit feeble. It’s no tragedy don’t get me wrong, as I said it still plays well with my Sennheiser’s which can easily sound unlistenable if the treble gets too out of hand.”

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” Tube amps live or die by the quality of their output transformers (unless we’re talking OTL designs, of course). I wouldn’t expect Cayin to cram premium Lundahl or Cinemag pieces in there while maintaining that $999 sticker. Cayin’s compromise is to source its own EI core output transformers using Z11 grade silicon steel and a proprietary layered winding configuration. The EI core power transformer is of similar construction, with Cayin describing it as a “large-capacity, low-leakage design.” The goal here is competent — if not exotic — components in a well-thought-out design, making the most of available resources while keeping that reasonable price intact.”

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“HD800S maintains a more intimate stage structure, but HD800 seems to take the advantage in terms of the stage depth. On the other hand, HD800S has a wider stage with a better separation, while HD800 provides a more airy presentation.”

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“£2,349.00 is not cheap. I will not lie, I was anxious at first, especially in regards to the slightly less expensive competition. But Benchmark did not fail me. The converted sound is rich in dynamics, crystal clear and completely transparent. Looking at the complete package, the DAC3 (HGC) offers everything one would need. It would be a shame to only use it as a desktop DAC to amp headphones.”