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Cayin vs. Antique Sound Labs

I am lucky enough to have a Cayin ta-30 and ASL AQ1003DT. I have challenged them both by running them through Thiel 3.5s (inefficient). The ASL ran the Theils with depth and great imaging. The speakers were loud enough to fill a 18' x 28' room (but not to concert levels). Voice and instrumentals were stunning. On the other hand, the Cayin lost it's depth and I had a hard time seperating Norah Jones from her band. The Cayin also began to become one dimensional after 10:00 on the vol. knob. I ran the same JJ E34Ls through both to try and be fair. Has anyone else had an issue with the Cayin not opening up the soundstage with inefficient speakers?

I know these amps were not designed for these speakers but it says a lot for the ASL to clearly outperform one of the most positively reviewed tube amps the last few months. One thing the Cayin does have is build quality and looks (even with the tube cage on). It was an easy sell to the wife! The ASL looks nice but not thrilling. I was really hoping to use the Cayin in my main system. Does anyone have a suggestion for efficient speakers for the Cayin that will really show what this amp can do? FYI - Paul from Bizzy Bee is outstanding to work with and answered all of my Cayin questions (even though I didn't buy the amp from him)!
buda
wacomme
6 posts
 
Winegasman,

I'm glad to hear you love your Callistos with the Bizzy Bee TA-30. I have the Bizzy Bee TA-30 and the GMA Europas -- a great combination. I'm just a little envious of you with your Callistos.

What's your source, interconnects, and speaker wire?
koiman
51 posts
 
Buda
I'm running a pair of Axiom M3ti's from Axiomaudio.com on my fully modded Cayin Ta-30 from buzzy Bee and this thing is so alive and wouderful sounding I can't believe it. Check out the Axiom web site and see what you think..
Good Luck,
Lee
rwbadley's avatar
rwbadley
143 posts
 
I'm curious if your Cayin has the mods that Paul has worked out. He has made the unit so user friendly with his bias taps and focus control. I would wonder if the bias is correct on your unit.

I will chime in and say that my modded Cayin has great sound with a moderately efficient speaker I've been using. I do notice it starts to 'run out of gas' after about 11:30 on the volume using cd. This seems dependent on the source tho, running vinyl I have less gain in the phono stage and it can be run up much further. I rarely run the unit past the 10:00 position so it's all good.

We had a big party here a few nights ago and many compliments were paid to the sound this little guy pumps out. Full, rich, and alive were the general consensus. All this without going past about 9:00 in our 14'x25' room
jdcrox
119 posts
 
Another here with the TA-30 and Europas. Great combination. My TA-30 came from Paul, but is not modded.
buda OP
46 posts
 
Rwbadley,

The unit I have only has the external bias mod and I am running off a CD (NAD542).

I love the clarity and approachable sound of a tube amp! I have had many responses on how good my system sounds and I also don't go pass the 10:00 position very often. I have noticed that by taking the Thiel equaliser that came with the speakers off the signal path I loose bass but gain spacial quality. The Cayin makes the Thiels sound so sweet at low to moderate levels I just wish I could push it farther. Again, I know this amp and speaker combination is not ideal but it gives me 90% of what I need.

Is the focus control something worth getting. What does it add?
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