Cayin Jazz 80 Tube Amplifier with Bluetooth KT-88 silver

Cayin Jazz 80 Tube Amplifier with Bluetooth

The Jazz 80 is the latest highlight from Cayin. A handcrafted tube amplifier that adds wireless music playback to the portfolio, but at the same time was developed and manufactured to the highest Cayin standards. The Jazz 80, with consistently high-quality workmanship and made from selected components, comes in a chic design and is aimed at high-end up-and-comers with modern demands. This is thanks to the clever bias fine trimming and an integrated Bluetooth module with LDAC transmission.

Housing & Tubes

The excellently crafted, deeply shiny casing is probably the first thing that the viewer notices positively. This metal dress looks good, but at the same time it also provides the necessary protection for valuable electronics. Nevertheless, the first thing that attracts attention is the total of eight tubes. In the rear area that would be four KT88 or EL34 output tubes. They ensure performance amplification. In the row in front there are four identical-looking, smaller glow bulbs. However, upon closer inspection it becomes clear that there are two different models: two 12AU7s on the outside and the two 12AX7s in the middle. While the 12AX7 act as preamp tubes and amplify the voltage level of incoming music signals, the 12AU7 serve as a phase splitter and driver for the KT88. To match this, the developers placed emphasis on a cage that was painted in the same color as the housing. It appears a little more modern than the competition and it protects the high-quality tubes from mechanical damage. As if all that wasn't enough, the Jazz 80 stands on four shock-absorbing feet.

Specialized all-rounder

As usual from Cayin, the Jazz 80 is also a finely specialized all-rounder. This means that it is prepared in such a way that it drives every loudspeaker to maximum performance. The current output power is displayed in the classic way via two orange backlit VU meters. No matter which sound transducer is connected, the user always experiences the same, neutral and precise Cayin sound signature. To ensure this in every room and with every loudspeaker, the Jazz 80 is tuned so that it supplies both players with an impedance of 4 ohms and 8 ohms with sufficient power. The Cayin has solid, gold-plated screw terminals on the back that accommodate cable lugs, bananas and unassembled cables. Music signals find their way into the Jazz 80 via three analog inputs. A 6.5 millimeter output on the front is used for audio transmission to headphones.

Bluetooth/LDAC

There is also 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 is how the hi-fi specialist becomes a modern audio center. Establishing the connection is extremely easy: If the input source “Bluetooth” is selected, the small blue LED flashes. At the same time, the Cayin identifies itself to its possible playing partners as “Cayin HD BT”. Now all it takes is a tap of the finger to connect the player and Jazz 80 wirelessly. The transmission takes place here via LDAC codec. LDAC stands for “Low Delay Audio Codec” and allows the wireless transfer of high-resolution audio content up to a maximum transfer rate of up to 990 kBit/s. This should particularly please smartphone owners with Android operating system version 8.0 or higher.

Ultralinear and triode mode

In order to really meet all requirements, the Jazz 80 can be operated in both ultralinear mode and triode mode. This makes the amplifier even more flexible. Both operating modes each have their own sound characteristics. With its pre-installed KT88 output tubes, the Cayin outputs 2×20 watts in triode mode. In ultralinear mode, however, there is even a whopping 2×40 watts of power. With the EL34 tube there are 2x 36 or 2x 18 watts. Switching is easily done using a small toggle switch that is located directly in front of the two 122AX7 tubes. In this context, an important, although not directly visible, feature must also be addressed: the power supply. Even if the selling price doesn't necessarily suggest that, the Cayin developers have made full use of it and have given the Jazz 80 an elaborately designed power supply unit including a filter choke.

Bias circuit

There are three more toggle switches right next door, one on the left and two on the right. They help control the correct bias setting. This can be adjusted individually for each output tube using a trim potentiometer. The three levers in question are then used to check the changes made. The center toggle switch turns the left VU meter into the bias setting control. The left lever (A1/A2) controls the tubes for the left channel and the right lever (A3/A4) controls those of the right channel. All of this serves to perfectly control each tube and at the same time cleanly balance all channels.

Easy handling

As usual from Cayin, the operation of this tube integrated amplifier is intuitive and self-explanatory. The Jazz 80 is switched on via a small switch in the left side panel. A gentle click and the VU meter lighting up indicates that it is generally ready for use. As long as the small LED indicator in the volume control flashes, the soft start is running. So the Cayin warms up first. If the LED lights up permanently, you can start. The input selection can now be done either via the rotary control located on the left front 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 can be done either via the level control on the right or via the infrared remote control.

Technical data

• Amplifier output power (RMS) at 4 and 8 ohms
• KT88: 40W+40W ultralinear, 20W+20W triode.
• EL34 36W+36W Ultralinear, 18W+18W triode.
• Frequency range: 8Hz-60KHz (-3dB)
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.2%(1W/1 kHz)
• Interference voltage ratio: 90dB (A-weighted)
• Input sensitivity: 300mV
• Input impedance: 100kΩ
• Tube configuration: 2x 12AX7 • 2x 12AU7 • 4x KT88 or EL34
• Headphone output impedance: 16Ω-300Ω
• Inputs Cinch: 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
• BluetoothBluetooth version: V5.0
• Bluetooth chip: QCC5125
• DAC chipset: ES9018K2M SABER32
• Bluetooth standards: UAT, LDAC, apt-X, apt-X HD, apt-X Low latency, SBC, AAC
• Range: 10M
• BT Address: Cayin HD BT
• Environmental Conditions OperatingTemp : 0”C 40”C Humidity : 20% 80%
• Ambient conditions storageTemp: -20”C 70”C Humidity: 20% 90%