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Home News

Cayin Soul 170C Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

Finn de Kroon by Finn de Kroon
October 11, 2025
in News, Amplifiers
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Cayin-Soul-170C-Vacuum-Tube-Preamplifier

Cayin unveils the Soul 170C, a state-of-the-art vacuum tube preamplifier that encapsulates over 30 years of expertise in tube technology. As a proud addition to the renowned Soul Series, this 2-channel preamplifier delivers exceptional musicality, precision, and signal purity, setting a new standard for high-end audio performance.

  • Timeless Design, Uncompromising Craftsmanship
  • Advanced Tube Technology for Superior Sound
  • Customizable Sound with Negative Feedback Settings
  • Seamless Control with Full-Function Remote

Timeless Design, Uncompromising Craftsmanship

The Soul 170C embodies the distinctive design language of Cayin’s Soul Series, with a sharp, elegant silhouette and meticulous craftsmanship. Every detail reflects both acoustic excellence and visual harmony, seamlessly complementing its counterpart, the Soul 170P power amplifier. This cohesive aesthetic and sonic synergy make the Soul 170C a perfect centerpiece for any high-end audio system.

Advanced Tube Technology for Superior Sound

At the heart of the Soul 170C lies a sophisticated full-wave rectification circuit powered by the 17AX4GT rectifier tube, known for its high efficiency and low internal resistance. This ensures a pure and stable DC power supply, laying the foundation for pristine audio performance.

Voltage regulation is handled by 6CA7 tubes, which provide clean and consistent power to each channel independently, enhancing channel separation and signal integrity. For line amplification, the Soul 170C employs high-gain, high-linearity ECC83 and 6SN7GTB vacuum tubes, delivering clean, low-distortion signal amplification that preserves the musicality and authenticity of the source material.

Cayin-Soul-170C-Vacuum-Tube-Preamplifier-1

Customizable Sound with Negative Feedback Settings

The Soul 170C introduces a finely tuned Negative Feedback (NFB) circuit, allowing users to shape the tonal character of their audio system. This critical feature optimizes signal linearity, reduces harmonic distortion, and defines the sonic texture passed to the downstream power amplifier.

The preamplifier offers two selectable NFB levels, giving users the flexibility to tailor the sound to their preferences and system characteristics:

  • Low NFB: Produces an open, expressive, and emotionally engaging sound, ideal for systems that prioritize fluidity and naturalness.

  • High NFB: Enhances precision, focus, and tonal control, perfect for listeners seeking a more analytical and disciplined presentation.

This versatility ensures the Soul 170C adapts effortlessly to a wide range of power amplifiers and speakers, delivering a personalized listening experience.

Seamless Control with Full-Function Remote

The Soul 170C comes equipped with a user-friendly infrared remote control, offering effortless access to all functions, including input selection, NFB adjustments, and volume control. This intuitive feature puts complete command of your audio system at your fingertips, ensuring a seamless and immersive listening experience.

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Finn de Kroon

Finn de Kroon

Editor & Videographer

Finn de Kroon is an editor and videographer at Best of High End. His path into the audio-visual world began with an audiovisual study in Brussels in 2022; his interest in hi-fi followed soon after, when he started writing for Best of High End and began discovering new brands and everything the audio world had to offer. In 2024, Finn became a full-time videographer, producing promotional and business videos. Attending the High End show in Munich and Vienna deepened his knowledge of what the hi-fi world has to offer, further immersing him in the industry. Today, Finn's main area of expertise is video: he produces most of the videos published on Best of High End, alongside writing articles for the site's news page. Since joining Best of High End, he has fallen in love with high-end sound systems, and looks forward to discovering new brands and systems.

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