I think that this is such a cool looking piece of gear. I am envious that you have this headphone amp even though I think it is way too expensive. Cayin's A-88T Reference integrated tube amp goes for about $1,900. Maybe if Cayin had integrated a pre-amp section with 3 inputs into the HA-6A so that I could drive a pair of powered speakers or a power-amp, then I would definitely buy it. Now it is just on my maybe-list.
Whew... I was worried when you initially mentioned "buyer's remorse". Cayin is a big deal and very well regarded in Asia but a relatively unknown here in the U.S. Not sure why. I almost got a Cayin amp to drive my Klispch Cornwalls (horn speakers) but decided to get pure Class A, made in the USA SET amp instead. .... Cayin's are beautifully made.. .strikingly similar to PrimaLuna and Line Magnetic.. Someday..... maybe for my study once I get into headphones. Would be curious what your TOP 3 to 5 headphones would be as I am a novice. Well done !!!
Thanks for the review. I’m thinking about buying an NFB 11.28 for solid state(critical listening) and then a Tor Roger tube amp for more buttery smooth sound and maybe some extended woblyness in the bass department. I like how you explain things and how you go in to detail with the sound and what you hear. I really do like the old fashioned style and tube rolling reminds me of changing coffee to my La Pavoni machine.
Just for understanding: you bought some new tubes and let them burn in for the night and then said "ok burn in changed the sound" compared to the previous setup. Did you tried to listen to the new tubes before burn-in? I guess new tubes are a big(ger) change respect to burn in
The Manley was that good, but yes I'm going on memory. I would love to have it in the apt for a proper review. I've previously reached out to them for a review unit and they didn't respond 😆😭
Nice review! In my main system in my Mystere pa21 amp I use Kt88s which I prefer over the el34s, to me they sounded more tube like. I use the gold lion brand which I feel sound much better than the electro harmonics.
Update: there is still a hiss, you can definitely hear from switching the HD6XX headphone output from active to inactive. It's still pretty low, but if you set the the impedance to medium then it goes down to an almost inaudible level.
@@MidFiGuy Computer and monitor can cause the interference buzzing too. From my experience the source of buzzing were: Ground loop, DC current, Valves, Poor power and RCA cables, too sensitive headphones, Interference from the surrounding equipment. (Firstly, try to move away from the monitor with separate power connection, /not shared with other equipment). Also can use Cooking foil wrap isolation test (around amplifier) to find the source of buzzing. Play with cables and roll the valves. Good review, looking forward for more. Regards from Russia. Kim
@@MidFiGuy As, another cheap. option, try La Figaro 399 . I was quite impressed for the price/ sound ratio. of cause with rolled tubes, Western Electric 421A.
@@leonidkim3708 Thanks for the detailed & helpful response! So I actually unplugged everything in my room, moved the Cayin on top of my bed with no inputs connected. I plugged it directly into the wall and the hiss was still there. BUT! I found that the balanced 4-pin XLR is the issue. If I plug the HD6XX into the single-ended 1/4" jack then the hiss is virtually gone! You have to really listen to hear it. I don't have a 4-pin XLR cable for the Aeolus which is why it never really posed an issue!
Thanks for your review. Do you mind me asking what is the brand/model of small wooden component rack behind you to the left - the one with the dual headphone stand on top of it? Love the look of it. Thanks!
Really enjoy your passion and this was a great review :) Now I'm so tempted to pick this up but might go with the more affordable HA-1A MK2. Keep up the great review's! BTW I really like your rack set up (where the RME ADI-2 sits)...can you advise what model it is? thanks!
the Cayin ha-1a mkii is amazing, when I first got it with stock tubes it did have some hiss but at proper listening volumes it wouldn’t really be there & it was time for a tube change so I went with the genalex gold lions for the main four witch I got on tubedepot.com, I got the 12au7 with balance triodes, I got them matched & the low microphonic, these are options you can choose when on your tubes & for the el84’s I just got them matched & for the 12dt5 I got a nos tube from eBay & it’s the General Electric one, if you jus look up 12dt5 tube you’ll see it & in my opinion it sounds much better & they’re not even fully burned in yet
@@MidFiGuy Thanks so much. Great video. Very informative. I am currently trying to get a Glenn OTL but if there will be too much delay in getting the Glenn OTL then I would get this one instead. I hope that the hiss problem get sorted out by that time.
Not yet. I keep eyeing the tube amps in the Head-Fi F/S forum. There's currently a Bottlehead Mainline and a Glenn OTL that I'd love to get my hands on for review & comparison purposes.
I was looking at the Pendant hard before I chose the Cayin. People have said the Pendant didn't have the fit and finish of something that starts at $2k. Regardless I still really want to do a review on it and the Mogwai SE.
@@johnsonadekunle7675 subscribe if you haven't already. I have a stellar tube amp being shipped to me now and I'm comparing it directly with the HA-6A 👍
I have the Aeolus and Verite C from ZMF and I was leaning toward the Pendant. But I realize Meze paired the Empyrean with this Cayin at the Canjam. I have the Empyrean also. So this Cayin is winking at me at this point but I will take my time.
