Experience with the cayin sc 6ls mk2

[Deleted member 96878]

I'm considering this model, but online reviews are often just marketing hype. Maybe there's someone here who has experience with this preamp.

I listen to jazz 80% of the time at moderate volume and will probably buy the Wharfedale Aura 2 speakers. I’d appreciate any alternative recommendations.

Is the idea of pairing the preamp with a Class D amplifier, like the one from Audiophonics, a good one, or do they not work well together?
Kind Regards

 

[MaxwellsEq]

I'm considering this model, but online reviews are often just marketing hype. Maybe there's someone here who has experience with this preamp.

I listen to jazz 80% of the time at moderate volume and will probably buy the Wharfedale Aura 2 speakers. I’d appreciate any alternative recommendations.

Is the idea of pairing the preamp with a Class D amplifier, like the one from Audiophonics, a good one, or do they not work well together?
Kind Regards

Welcome to ASR.

You would be better served by one of Michael Fidler's products: https://michaelfidler.com/ His products have been measured here and are excellent.

"or do they not work well together?" The ideas of matching one amplifier to another is a myth. The critical thing is ensuring you have the right gain staging. Most modern power amplifiers offer low, mid and high-gain settings.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Welcome to ASR.

You would be better served by one of Michael Fidler's products: https://michaelfidler.com/ His products have been measured here and are excellent.

"or do they not work well together?" The ideas of matching one amplifier to another is a myth. The critical thing is ensuring you have the right gain staging. Most modern power amplifiers offer low, mid and high-gain settings.

Michael Fidler's products are all phono preamps aren't they?
The OP is asking about a line level preamp

But I completely agree with your general points.
@Peer100 , have a look at the array of fine measuring preamps here on ASR, you can't really go wrong - and you'll save some money

 

[Deleted member 96878]

Welcome to ASR.

You would be better served by one of Michael Fidler's products: https://michaelfidler.com/ His products have been measured here and are excellent.

"or do they not work well together?" The ideas of matching one amplifier to another is a myth. The critical thing is ensuring you have the right gain staging. Most modern power amplifiers offer low, mid and high-gain settings.

Thanks for helping with a Link for Phono Preamps. Exactly what i am looking for.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Thanks for helping with a Link for Phono Preamps. Exactly what i am looking for.

Ooops. Apologies to you and @MaxwellsEq for my misunderstanding

 

[CDMC]

How about more information of what your sources are and room size? Generally a DAC/preamp with DSP will net you far better sound, as you can correct room and listening position abnormalities.

 

[Deleted member 96878]

How about more information of what your sources are and room size? Generally a DAC/preamp with DSP will net you far better sound, as you can correct room and listening position abnormalities.

The situation isn't that simple. I'm currently living in Asia and will be returning to Europe in the near future. So I don't even know what my apartment will be like yet. I'm not exactly new to hi-fi, though. I actually owned a NAD 1155/2200 30 years ago. Because I've been moving around so much, I've only used in-ear headphones in recent years. Here, I have the opportunity to get Asian products significantly cheaper than in Europe. Your suggestion would likely mean something like the Wiim Ultra with the Fosi V3 mono amplifiers. For me, measurements aren’t unimportant, but they aren’t everything either. Jazz listeners often find that the highs are too sharp, despite good measurements.
If I’m looking for alternatives, I’m considering a tube amplifier or the Audiophonics.
The streamer will likely be a Wiim Ultra or the Fosi S3. Unfortunately, reviews of classic hi-fi brands are relatively rare here, making it hard to evaluate products. I still have my doubts about brands like Fosi. How durable are they, how good is the warranty support, how much effort will I have to put in, and what is the resale value? Audiophonics is a bit more expensive, but it’s based in France.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Jazz listeners often find that the highs are too sharp, despite good measurements.

Hmmm this may be more to do with expectations about things are supposed to sound vs how they actually sound. I've heard live jazz played in a professional recording studio and it's much "sharper" "brighter" etc. than quite a lot of people would be willing to put up with at home.

 

[Deleted member 96878]

Hmmm this may be more to do with expectations about things are supposed to sound vs how they actually sound. I've heard live jazz played in a professional recording studio and it's much "sharper" "brighter" etc. than quite a lot of people would be willing to put up with at home.

I guess that's not a crime. There is a reason why i ask for a tube preamp. It is ok for me when you look for this sound. I am tolerant, but it isn't what i am looking for. My personal experience with live Jazz is that it isn't so harsh and i visited Jazz Clubs all around the World. Honestly i don't understand what you are doing here. You want to teach me which Sound is the right for me? It is like i ask for milk chocolate and you tell me that dark chocolate has the higher Quality.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

I guess that's not a crime. There is a reason why i ask for a tube preamp. It is ok for me when you look for this sound. I am tolerant, but it isn't what i am looking for. My personal experience with live Jazz is that it isn't so harsh and i visited Jazz Clubs all around the World. Honestly i don't understand what you are doing here. You want to teach me which Sound is the right for me? It is like i ask for milk chocolate and you tell me that dark chocolate has the higher Quality.

Chill! Why have you taken this personally?

 

[Deleted member 96878]

I don't take it personally. But first you send me a Link for Phone Preamps that has absolutely nothing to do with my Question and then you try to convince me that the way enjoy music the wrong way is. Maybe you start thinking about how you handle People in this Forum.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

I don't take it personally. But first you send me a Link for Phone Preamps that has absolutely nothing to do with my Question and then you try to convince me that the way enjoy music the wrong way is. Maybe you start thinking about how you handle People in this Forum.

What? Calm down!

I've not been negative about you on any level. I've not been negative about your choice of music or your choice of equipment. I've not made any sort of personal observations about you.

 

[Redacted]

It's possible you want to buy in Asia because you may save money on kit before your return, or maybe certain products are only available where you are. I don't know.

I've moved continents twice, and I'm glad I followed the advice I was given, which was to unload as much stuff as possible locally. You probably already know about households moved, but shipping containers for domestic moves are bought in blocks of so many feet. It all has to be crammed in on the day, so as not too move about. Less, and better packed, is more, as it were. You may have to produce a manifest too, and some destinations may question new looking goods (possible taxes and tariffs) if your container gets a random check (plus everything must be taken into account for the insurance premium). Also, check the warranty status of goods bought in one place, when you live in another - you may get an argument over grey imports.

 

[Deleted member 96878]

It's possible you want to buy in Asia because you may save money on kit before your return, or maybe certain products are only available where you are. I don't know.

I've moved continents twice, and I'm glad I followed the advice I was given, which was to unload as much stuff as possible locally. You probably already know about households moved, but shipping containers for domestic moves are bought in blocks of so many feet. It all has to be crammed in on the day, so as not too move about. Less, and better packed, is more, as it were. You may have to produce a manifest too, and some destinations may question new looking goods (possible taxes and tariffs) if your container gets a random check (plus everything must be taken into account for the insurance premium). Also, check the warranty status of goods bought in one place, when you live in another - you may get an argument over grey imports.

max. the preamp from cayin. I live here for years but i didn't travel with that much Stuff. It is always to much. The Preamp is here much cheaper and it will fit into my luggage.
If the things i bought here are older than a year i dont have to pay tax. And with Tax it is still cheaper.

 

[Redacted]

Sure - you seem to know the score.
If hand-luggage is checked on entry, they may ask to see a receipt for proof of purchase date. I'm not making any point, just sayin'

 

[CDMC]

I don't take it personally. But first you send me a Link for Phone Preamps that has absolutely nothing to do with my Question and then you try to convince me that the way enjoy music the wrong way is. Maybe you start thinking about how you handle People in this Forum.

Well I was going to offer some more thoughts, but given the way you are attacking people who are trying to help, I will pass. It sounds like you have already made up your mind what you want and just want people to agree with you. This isn’t the site for that. Good luck.