Cayin CS-6PH Tube Phono Preamplifier
It goes by the type designation CS-6PH, costs under $3k considering the package it offers, and comes from the manufacturer Cayin, which manufactures in the Far East. This is a company that has gained a considerable reputation in 20 years in the field of all kinds of tube equipment and not without reason also successfully manufactures products for numerous other brands.
The new phono preamplifi er from Cayin is, without a doubt, a very ambitious device. Eleven and a half kilograms (25 lbs.) of technology are responsible for nothing else but equalizing more or less tiny phono signals and amplifying them to a level that "normal“ amplifiers can handle.
For this purpose, Cayin relies on eight tubes, all mounted free-standing on the chassis. The chassis is kept in an elegant metallic gray, and the paint quality is excellent. You have the choice between a black or silver anodized front panel.
For discerning vinyl fans, Cayin developed the CS-6PH tube phono preamplifier, which offers two phono inputs for high-quality MM and MC cartridges. It allows the connection of multi-arm turntables with two different cartridges or two turntables, each using an MM or MC system. The inputs can be selected on the solid aluminum front panel.
In the CS-6PH, two 6922 from Electro Harmonix are responsible for the MC amplification, two ECC83 from JJ Electronics are used for the MM amplification with high-precision RIAA equalization. Two 12AT7 take over the output stage. Two RCA 22DE4 tubes are used for voltage rectification and minimize the residual ripple.
A three-stage LOW / MED / HIGH gain switch is located on the front of the Cayin CS-6PH, which is available in black or silver. Here the gain can be increased from 40 dB to 57 dB, 61 dB or 65 dB. The 40 dB setting is normally intended for moving magnet cartridges and the 57 dB, 61 dB and 65 dB gain settings for moving coil cartridges.
The CS-6PH is factory set to 40 dB and 47 kOhm / 47 pF for MM. With the CAP switch on the front, users can set the input capacitance from MM to 47pF or 100pF. The input impedance of MC can be adjusted to the needs of each pickup with the impedance selector switch: 47 ohms, 100 ohms, 200 ohms, 470 ohms and 1000 ohms.
A low-pass filter, which prevents high membrane deflections due to low frequencies as a result of wavy plates, can be activated via the rumble switch. The Cayin CS-6PH offers both a balanced and an unbalanced analog output to which a variety of amplifiers can be connected. These XLRs are genuine symmetrical outputs; two transformers directly in front of the sockets generate the corresponding signals.
With more than 20 years of experience building tube amplifiers, Cayin has always developed its own transformers. The designers have designed an EI power transformer for the power supply for the CS-6PH. In connection with a low-noise voltage regulation, the CS-6PH guarantees a pure, low-interference and stable amplification.
Every CS-6PH phono preamplifier is assembled by hand at Cayin by highly qualified technicians. A final multi-level quality and hearing test not only checks every function, but also ensures that the sound corresponds to the reference standard.
The Cayin CS-6PH uses capacitors and carbon film resistors in audio quality, a large EI transformer for the power supply, ceramic tube sockets and high-end relays.
All setting options of the CS-6PH can be made using switches on the front to enable the customer to operate and select easily. The Cayin CS-6PH remembers the last settings after switching off. When the device is switched on, it takes over again. To operate the amplifier safely, Cayin implemented a soft start circuit.
After the 60-second warm-up phase, the CS-6PH works in a stable and optimal condition. A visually attractive, easy-to-install tube cover is included.
Specifications:
Output voltage: 200mV (20mV Max) 200mV (20mV Max)
Gain factor: 40dB57dB / 61dB / 65dB
Total harmonic distortion (THD): 0.05% (1kHz) 0.1% (1kHz)
External voltage ratio: 85dB (A-weighting) 70dB (A-weighting)
Input impedance: 47 kΩ47/100/200/470/1000 Ω
Input sensitivity (RMS): 2.5mV (200mV, 1kHz) 0.12mV ~ 0.25mV (200mV, 1kHz)
Input capacitance: 47pF / 100pF56pF
Tubes: 2 x 6922, 2 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7, 2 x RCA22DE4
Inputs: 1 x RCA, 1 x RCA
Outputs: 1 x RCA, 1 x XLR
Output Impedance: 200Ω RCA (Unbalanced), 600Ω XLR (Balanced)
Front panel: silver or black
Dimensions (W x D x H): 360 x 309.5 x 177 mm
Weight: 11.5Kg (25 lbs.)
Max. Power consumption: 62W2 Year Warranty, 90 Days on tubes
