Cayin 252B Amplifier

The Cayin 252B is released by the Chinese company Zhuhai Spark Electronic Equipment, established in 1993. Solid approach is felt. The paint on the body is polished, and white gloves are provided in the kit to avoid fingerprints on it. The front panel is made of 1-cm aluminum. The handles of the volume control and the input selector are very well decorated: their "seats" are mirror-like. A usual mechanical switch is used to select sources - a simple but rarely used solution, since the protective layer on the contacts wears off over time, they oxidize and the integrity of the electrical circuit is broken. Also, it is difficult to automate such a switch. Massive terminals for loudspeakers, all metal and coated in gold, covered with transparent plastic on top.

The Cayin 252B was created like "minimalistic High End": there are no tone or balance controls in order to shorten the signal path. This also explains the lack of headphones and recording slots. But the amplifier has a big output power and five linear inputs. They are marked simply: line 1-5.

Control. Inputs from the remote control are not switchable - the buttons with the names of the sources turn out to be not used. As a result, the remote controls only the volume level or completely mutes the sound. You also can't turn the power on from it, standby mode is absent, although there is a stand-by indicator.

Sound. Thanks to a big power reserve, palpable freedom and great space are felt. But the size of the performers seems to be exaggerated, the instruments of the orchestra tend to take place closer to the loudspeakers. Nevertheless, the overall clarity of the sound is high, as the dynamics is good.