Cayin CS-55A
The Cayin CS-55A delivers holographic imaging, expressive tube colour and unexpectedly muscular dynamics, balancing airy refinement with taut, authoritative bass. LowBeats praised its contrast-rich musicality and composure, while Thomas & Stereo highlighted its fatigue-free detail. Switchable EL34/KT88 valves, triode/ultralinear operation and an integrated USB DAC make it a remarkably versatile tube centrepiece.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Connectivity
90/100
Value for Money
92/100
Pros
Vivid, spacious sound with strong dynamics, plastic imaging and rich tonal colour.
Flexible output-stage voicing through EL34/KT88 compatibility and switchable triode or ultralinear modes.
Premium construction and excellent built-in connectivity, including USB DAC, MM phono stage and remote control.
Cons
Triode mode’s lower output can be insufficient for demanding, low-sensitivity loudspeakers.
The slightly illuminated treble balance may pair best with speakers that are not already forward or bright.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers portray the CS-55A as a refined but lively tube amplifier: rich in colour and emotional involvement without becoming overly romantic or soft. It combines articulate detail, strong drive and an unusually spacious, three-dimensional presentation for its class.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
Thomas & Stereo finds ample detail and top-end refinement without a veil or listening fatigue, while LowBeats hears a finely drawn, complex and contrast-rich presentation. Adrian likewise describes real articulation and detailing, although noting a slightly lit-up treble balance.
Tonal Balance Musicality
92/100
The amplifier is consistently described as musically involving, colourful and harmonically rich, with LowBeats praising its gentle handling of musical complexity. Thomas & Stereo hears a slightly rounded, airy tube character with very good balance and no obvious bass or treble exaggeration; Adrian hears modest warmth rather than excessive bloom.
Dynamics
94/100
Despite its 40W rating in ultralinear mode, reviewers find the CS-55A notably forceful and composed. LowBeats reports thunderous drums and clean separation in dense mixes, while Adrian says it sounds considerably more powerful than its rating and has unusually strong punch and pace for a tube amplifier.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
Spatial performance is a recurring strength. LowBeats hears voices and soloists projected clearly and plastically ahead of the speakers, while Thomas & Stereo describes a convincing 3D holographic soundstage; Adrian also notes a larger, less intimate stage with KT88 tubes.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
LowBeats reports clean construction, consistently good components, and a thick, carefully finished steel chassis. Thomas & Stereo notes point-to-point soldering, and Adrian finds the fit and finish impressively luxurious for the price.
Features Connectivity
90/100
The CS-55A includes a capable 32-bit/384kHz USB DAC, an MM phono stage and remote control, making it substantially more versatile than a purist analogue tube integrated. It also supports both EL34 and KT88 output tubes, with on-amplifier bias adjustment for convenient tube rolling.
Value for Money
92/100
At roughly $2,100-$2,600, reviewers consider the price well justified by the performance, finish and included facilities. Thomas & Stereo calls it “really good value” for delivering beyond-budget-level performance with useful features built in, while Adrian describes it as very high value and a winner at its entry price.
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Specifications
Manufacturer's Description — Cayin
The CS-55A is the most recent advancement in tube amplifier technology created by Cayin. This state-of-the-art machine boasts forty 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 chassis with a gorgeous finish, the finest 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. Similarly to the A-88T, the CS-55A comes with a handy remote control.
Transform your music system! 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.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Cayin CS-55A
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — online and in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
- Art et son — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Audeos — online and in-store — Żywiec, Województwo śląskie (website)
and 67 more verified dealers