Cayin Jazz 80. A powerful Bluetooth tube amplifier with 2x 40 watts (KT88)

The Jazz 80 is the latest highlight from Cayin. A handmade tube amplifier that adds wireless music streaming to the portfolio, while simultaneously being developed and manufactured according to the highest Cayin standards. The consistently high-quality Jazz 80, crafted from selected components, comes in a chic design aimed at high-end newcomers with modern requirements. This is supported by the clever bias fine-trimming and an integrated Bluetooth module with LDAC transmission.

Housing & Tubes

The excellently crafted, high-gloss housing is likely the first thing that catches the viewer's eye. This metallic shell looks good while also providing the necessary protection for the valuable electronics. Nevertheless, attention is first drawn to the total of eight tubes. In the rear area, there are four KT88 or EL34 output tubes. They provide the power amplification. In the row in front of them sit four smaller, identical-looking glowing bulbs. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that these are two different models: two 12AU7s on the outside and two 12AX7s placed in the center. While the 12AX7s act as pre-amplifier tubes and amplify the voltage level of the incoming music signals, the 12AU7s serve as phase splitters and drivers for the KT88s. Fittingly, the developers have placed value on a cage that has been painted in the color of the housing. It appears somewhat more modern than what is known from competitors and protects the high-quality tubes from mechanical damage. As if that were not enough, the Jazz 80 stands on four shock-absorbing feet.

Specialized All-rounder

As usual with Cayin, the Jazz 80 is a finely specialized all-rounder. This means it is prepared to drive almost any loudspeaker to peak performance. The current output power is displayed in the classic way via two orange-backlit VU meters. No matter which transducer is connected, the user always experiences the same neutral and precise Cayin sound signature. To guarantee this in any room and with any loudspeaker, the Jazz 80 is tuned to provide sufficient power to components with an impedance of both 4 ohms and 8 ohms. For this purpose, the Cayin has solid, gold-plated screw terminals on its rear that accommodate spade lugs, banana plugs, and bare wires. Music signals find their way into the Jazz 80 via three analog inputs. A front-facing 6.5-millimeter output is used for audio transmission to headphones.

Bluetooth/LDAC

In addition, there is a Bluetooth module, thanks to which this tube amplifier is also able to communicate wirelessly with corresponding players such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or even televisions. This turns the hi-fi specialist into a modern audio hub. Connecting is incredibly simple: once the "Bluetooth" input source is selected, the small blue LED flashes. At the same time, the Cayin identifies itself to potential partners as "Cayin HD BT". Now, a single tap is enough to connect the source and the Jazz 80 wirelessly. Transmission is handled here via the LDAC codec. LDAC stands for "Low Delay Audio Codec" and allows the wireless transfer of high-resolution audio content at a maximum transmission rate of up to 990 kbit/s. This should especially please smartphone owners with Android operating systems from version 8.0 onwards.

Ultralinear and Triode Mode

To truly satisfy all requirements, the Jazz 80 can be operated in both ultralinear and triode modes. This makes the amplifier even more flexible. Both operating modes have their own individual sound characteristics. With its pre-installed KT88 output tubes, the Cayin outputs 2x 20 watts in triode mode. In ultralinear mode, it delivers a hefty 2x 40 watts of power. With the EL34 tube, these figures are 2x 36 and 2x 18 watts, respectively. Switching is easily done via a small toggle switch located directly in front of the two 12AX7 tubes. In this context, one important, albeit not directly visible, feature must be mentioned: the power supply. Even if the retail price might not suggest it, the Cayin developers have pulled out all the stops here and equipped the Jazz 80 with an elaborately designed power supply including a choke.

Bias Circuit

Right next door are three further toggle switches, one on the left and two on the right. They help monitor the correct bias setting. This can be adjusted individually for each output tube via trim potentiometers. The three aforementioned levers are then used to check the changes made. The middle toggle switch turns the left VU meter into the control element for the bias setting. The left lever (A1/A2) is used to check the tubes for the left channel, and the right one (A3/A4) for the right channel. All of this serves to perfectly control every tube while simultaneously ensuring a clean balance of all channels.

Simple Operation

As is typical for Cayin, the operation of this integrated tube amplifier is intuitive and self-explanatory. The Jazz 80 is switched on via a small switch on the left side panel. A gentle click and the lighting up of the VU meters indicate basic readiness. As long as the small LED indicator in the volume knob is flashing, the soft start is running. The Cayin is warming up. Once the LED glows steadily, you are ready to go. The input selection can be made either via the rotary knob on the front left or via the input button on the high-quality aluminum remote control. The Jazz 80 is similarly open when it comes to volume selection. This is handled either via the level control on the right or via the infrared remote control.

Output power (RMS) at 4 and 8 ohms:
KT88: 40W+40W Ultralinear, 20W+20W Triode.
EL34: 36W+36W Ultralinear, 18W+18W Triode.

Frequency response:
8Hz-60KHz (-3dB)

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):
0.2% (1W/1 kHz)

Signal-to-noise ratio:
90dB (A-weighted)

Input sensitivity:
300mV

Input impedance:
100kΩ

Tube complement:
2x 12AX7 • 2x 12AU7 • 4x KT88 or EL34

Headphone output impedance:
16Ω-300Ω

RCA inputs:
3x Line, Bluetooth

Dimensions (W x D x H):
300mm x 385mm x 190mm

Speaker impedance taps:
4Ω, 8Ω

Weight:
16.8kg

Maximum power consumption:
280W

Bluetooth version:
V5.0

Bluetooth chip:
QCC5125

DAC chipset:
ES9018K2M SABRE32

Bluetooth standards:
UAT, LDAC, apt-X, apt-X HD, apt-X Low latency, SBC, AAC

Range:
10M

BT address:
Cayin HD BT

Herstellerangaben:

Zhuhai Spark Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd.
9 LianFa Road
Zhuhai City
Shuanglin , Guangdong Province
China
info@cayin.cn

Verantwortliche Person:

Cayin Audio Distribution GmbH
8 An der Kreuzheck
61479 , Glassworks
Germany
info@cayin.com