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Cayin Soul 170HA
Soul 170HA
Single-ended Class A
Powerful and Authoritative
KT170 Vacuum Tube
Headphone/Speaker Amplifier
The Fancinating KT170
The Story of KT Vacuum Tubes
Tung-Sol KT170 is an octal-based beam tetrode vacuum tube, it is the 2021
newly released flagship of the KT (kinkless tetrode) tube family.
Audiophiles love the KT family, and the KT88 has maintained a center role since
1956. There were multiple attempts to develop a new vacuum tube for high-end
audio, that rivaled the sonic performance of KT88 with higher power.
The KT170 is the latest attempt from Tung-Sol and by far the best attempt based
on our experience with all the KT vacuum tubes currently available.
Cayin Knows KT170
Tung-Sol is originally an American company known for producing high-quality
vacuum tubes. The New York based New Sensor Corp now owns the brand. They
revitalize the brand and replicate the quality and characteristics of the original
Tung-Sol tubes in the same factory that produces Electro-Harmonix.
Cayin maintains a long-term working relationship with New Sensor Corp., we
have participated in their new vacuum tube developments and conducted in-
depth testing for them before product launch.
We know the technical details of KT170 inside out and have first-hand experience
with this tube well before its official launch. That explains why we can develop a
completely new amplifier based on KT170 promptly.
A Sumptuous Feast of KT170
A Pioneer in Personal Audio
First and the only design to optimize a matched pair of Tung-Sol KT170 for a
Single-ended Class A headphone amplifier.
Features a high-efficiency outboard power supply circuit with substantial power
reserves, delivering an authoritative headphone output of up to 18WPC, ushering
headphones into a new realm of personal listening experience.
Embodies 31 years of Cayin's experience in vacuum tube circuit design.
Dealers selling Cayin near you
Cayin Soul 170HA — Dual-purpose tube amplifier with stage-like presence
The Cayin Soul 170HA is a heavyweight, two-box tube amplifier that pairs dual-purpose capability with a luxurious finish. The Ear praises its musical, tube-derived voice—notably a midrange lushness, textured low end and a thick slice of top-end air—while the ultra-linear setting tightens bass and extends clarity. It offers extensive connectivity (RCA/XLR), multiple headphone outputs (6.5mm, 4-pin, 4.4mm Pentaconn) and front-panel impedance and mode switching, meaning it can drive everything from IEMs to high-end headphones and efficient speakers (17–18 W on main outputs, 4 W Pentaconn for IEMs). Built like a statement piece—walnut cheeks, VU meter and tactile gold controls—the Soul 170HA suits listeners seeking a warm, engaging tube presentation and a single hub for both headphones and efficient loudspeakers.
Pros
- Impeccable build and premium design: heavy two-box chassis, walnut side cheeks, VU meter and tactile gold controls.
- Extremely flexible connectivity and controls—RCA/XLR inputs, multiple headphone jacks, front-panel impedance switching and triode/ultra-linear modes—allowing wide headphone compatibility and speaker driving.
- Musical, engaging sonic character with satisfying midrange lushness, textured bass, extended top-end air and strong dynamics in both triode and ultra-linear settings.
&
Cons
- Very large and heavy two-box form factor (over 40 kg combined) — demands significant space and a sturdy furniture footprint.
- Runs hot and consumes substantial power (reported ~200 W draw); tubes radiate heat and may require ventilation.
- Speaker output is best with efficient loudspeakers (>~90 dB); the rich low-end can be too warm for classical purists.
Sound Quality
89/100
Reviewers describe the amp as having powerful, textured low-end and tube-derived watts that 'sound louder' than solid-state equivalents, giving engaging transient impact and punch (the James Blake infra-bass example). The ability to switch between triode and ultra-linear modes and between dynamic/soft timbres also lets the unit present lively, controlled dynamics across material.
Noise Floor
86/100
The review does not call out audible hiss or noise and explicitly states the unit drives IEMs to a high standard; given the tube topology (triode/ultra-linear) a small inherent noise risk exists but no issues were reported. Scored as very quiet and suitable for most IEMs, while acknowledging tubes can sometimes be less silent than solid-state alternatives.
Headphone Compatibility
90/100
The Soul-170HA is described as genuinely dual-purpose, able to drive everything from sensitive IEMs to power-hungry headphones and even loudspeakers, with outputs rated to ~17–18 W on the larger jacks and a throttled 4 W Pentaconn for IEMs. Front-panel switches provide on-the-fly low/mid/high output impedance selection and the unit offers multiple headphone connectors (6.5, 4-pin, 4.4), giving excellent flexibility for a wide range of cans.
Build Quality
93/100
The Ear calls the Soul-170HA 'beautifully executed' with flawless matte and high-gloss metal surfaces, tactile gold switches, a gold-accented volume control, VU meter and walnut side cheeks; the two-box chassis is heavy and substantial (over 40 kg combined). The industrial design and control ergonomics are presented as high-end and robust.
Features Connectivity
88/100
Feature-rich: RCA/XLR input selection, front switchable headphone vs speaker outputs, multi-mode operation (ultra-linear/triode and dynamic/soft timbres), multiple headphone connectors (including balanced options) and on-the-fly output impedance switching. The unit’s ability to act as both a headphone amp and speaker amp, plus IEM-focused Pentaconn and multiple outputs, places it well above a minimal amp in connectivity and flexibility.
Value for Money
90/100
At the stated RRP (~£6,899) The Ear says the amount of product on offer will 'make value-hounds go weak at the knees' and that the Soul-170HA goes toe-to-toe with alternatives at its price point and above. Review language is clearly positive about its engineering and capability, supporting a justified-premium value assessment.
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