Our new Soul 170HA tube amplifier is the latest masterpiece in the Cayin Soul series, setting new standards in the world of high-end audio equipment. Thanks to its outstanding circuit design and high output power, the Soul 170HA creates an impressive soundstage that is convincing in both richness of detail and musicality. That is why Cayin's new amplifier is not only interesting for headphone enthusiasts – with its 2x 18 watts, it also demonstrates its strengths with loudspeaker boxes.

The Soul 170 HA offers a sound that impresses even audiophile music lovers and transports them into a world full of nuanced tones. Its KT-170 output tubes produce incredible clarity and precision that highlight the finest details in the music.

For voltage amplification, Cayin relies on two indirectly heated 6SN7 double triodes. After careful consideration of various alternatives, these tubes were chosen for their medium gain factor and low internal resistance. Particularly impressive is the JJ 6SN7 tube, which is characterized by its low noise and balanced tonal characteristics across all audible frequency ranges. The sound image is dynamic and rich in detail, offering excellent musical expressiveness.

Cayin has been working with the manufacturer of the Tung-Sol KT-170 tetrodes used in the output stage for a long time and was involved in the development of this tube. As a result, Cayin knows the properties of the KT-170 tube precisely and was thus able to develop the unique design of a Class A single-ended amplifier that is designed for both headphones and playback via loudspeakers.

Innovative construction for optimal sound quality

The construction of the Cayin Soul 170HA is characterized by a separate, highly stable housing and special damper mounts that effectively absorb vibrations and shocks. This minimizes interference from transformer vibrations and reduces magnetic leakage, resulting in a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The two-part design also improves heat dissipation, even when the components are stacked on top of each other. This allows for flexible placement of the amplifiers.

The Cayin Soul 170HA uses a multi-stage, tube-regulated power supply that powers each amplification stage independently. Two GZ34S rectifier tubes from JJ supply the driver stage with high voltage, ensuring a tonally nuanced tube character. These tubes convert the incoming power source into direct current and deliver clean energy with minimal interference to the circuit. Since the rectifier tubes are not directly involved in audio amplification, they are not subjected to heavy stress and therefore have a long lifespan without degradation.

Custom-made transformers and exceptional sound modes

The Cayin Soul 170HA is a transformer-coupled single-ended Class A amplifier. The output of the KT170 tubes drives a pair of output transformers that support both headphone and loudspeaker outputs. The amplifier circuit operates in single-ended mode, with the output transformers generating an alternative phase and providing a balanced output fed from a single-ended tube circuit.

Cayin places great importance on the quality of the transformers, which play a crucial role in their amplifiers. The choice of transformer core, the specification of the copper wire in different winding parts, and the winding instructions significantly influence the performance and sound character of the amplifiers. All power supply and output transformers are developed and wound in-house, which gives the engineers the freedom to tune the transformers exactly to the circuit.

With the KT170 tube, the Cayin Soul 170HA offers two different sound modes: In triode mode, the control grid of the KT170 is directly connected to the anode, which produces a smooth and elegant sound with a holographic, sharp imaging – ideal for vocals, string music, and genres that focus on the mid-frequency range. In ultralinear mode, a tap on the primary winding of the output transformers is connected to the control grid of the KT170, offering higher voltage and an open, bold sound with great dynamics – perfect for orchestral works and soundtracks.

High-precision control and easy operation

The innovative bias servo circuit of the Soul 170HA makes manual adjustments when changing tubes unnecessary. The dynamic auto-bias servo circuit precisely controls the bias of the power transistors, ensuring better compatibility with the amplifier. This increases operational safety and extends the lifespan of the vacuum tubes.

The high-precision volume control system consists of a custom-made ALPS carbon film potentiometer and a pair of JRC MUSES72320V electronic volume chips. This combination allows for stable and reliable 128-step volume control, which ensures that there is no gain difference between the two channels. The volume can also be controlled with the included remote control.

The Soul 170HA is controlled by an MCU that manages the entire headphone amplifier and integrates multiple protection circuits as well as startup sequences to comprehensively protect the amplifier from commissioning through playback to switching off. The entire audio circuit is hand-wired to keep signal paths short and minimize signal loss. This prevents mutual interference and ensures the performance and reliability of the Soul 170HA.

Perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality

The Cayin Soul 170HA is not just a technical masterpiece, but also an aesthetic delight. With its unique shape and exquisite workmanship, the tube amplifier follows the uniform design of the Cayin Soul series and is a true jewel for any room. As a close relative of the 30th Anniversary Tube Amplifier Pearl 30i, the Soul 170HA adopts the top-class two-box design and the sophisticated power supply, as well as innovative features such as the dual tonality of the larger models.

As the first and only Class A single-ended KT170 model in the Cayin range, the Soul 170HA is also a true all-rounder that shines in both personal audio and home audio applications. The amp features a variety of connections, including dual analog inputs, XLR and RCA inputs, as well as 6.35 mm single-ended and balanced 4.4 mm headphone outputs that are compatible with a wide range of audio devices and headphones. The equipment is rounded off by the included remote control.

Thanks to the flexible stereo loudspeaker terminals, which work with 4Ω to 8Ω loudspeakers, the Cayin Soul 170HA can be effortlessly combined with various loudspeaker systems and thus adapts to the most diverse usage scenarios. The Cayin Soul 170HA is therefore not only an audiophile powerhouse, but also a versatile companion for demanding music lovers.

Herstellerangaben:

Zhuhai Spark Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd.
NO. 9 LianFa Road
Zhuhai City
Shuanglin , Guangdong Province
China
info@cayin.cn

Verantwortliche Person:

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