Delivery time approx. 1-2 weeks

Cayin HA-1A MK3

Tube Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier

Where Music Finds Its Soul

Reviews

"The Cayin HA-1A MK3 is a great reminder that you don’t necessarily need to spend flagship money to enjoy what a good tube amplifier can bring to a headphone setup.

Its compact footprint, excellent build quality, and thoughtful selection of connections make it easy to accommodate, while with tube-rolling, it emanates a distinctive presentation that is quite different from what I get from my solid-state references."

Cayin HA-1A MK3 Review: Top-Tier Enjoyment! - Headfonia

Carefully selected and matched premium tubes

Four carefully selected vacuum tubes work together across the voltage amplification, driver, and power output stages, forming the foundation of the HA-1A MK3's warm, natural, and captivating sound.

• Two 12AU7/ECC82 voltage amplification and driver tubes:

  The HA-1A MK3 uses two 12AU7/ECC82 tubes for both voltage amplification and the driver stages. Carefully selected and matched, they ensure consistent performance, stable operation, and balanced sound characteristics.

• Two EL84EH/6BQ5 power tubes – single-ended Class A operation:

  A matched pair of EL84EH/6BQ5 output tubes operates in a single-ended Class A configuration. They deliver silky, natural, highly musical tube amplification with the sonic warmth and harmonic richness characteristic of this circuit topology.

Pure tube architecture · Single-ended Class A

The HA-1A MK3 is built around a pure tube amplifier architecture with a single-ended Class A output stage. Cayin's engineers have precisely optimized the operating points and load impedance of the power tubes to fully bring out the characteristic harmonic spectrum and musicality of Class A tube amplification.

The result is a sound defined by full-bodied mids, smooth, highly detailed highs, natural harmonic texture, and a wide, airy soundstage. Through the balanced 4-pin XLR output, the HA-1A MK3 delivers up to 2700 mW + 2700 mW—more than enough power to confidently drive even the most demanding over-ear headphones.

Custom power and output transformers

Transformers are the heart of every tube amplifier. The HA-1A MK3 features a power transformer and two output transformers, specially designed and manufactured for this model.

• Dual output transformers:

  Each channel has its own output transformer. Both feature a high-quality, wideband EI-core design with precise hand winding and a shielded housing. They are optimally matched to the impedance between the tube output stage and the headphones, delivering an extremely wide frequency response and minimal transmission losses while preserving signal integrity across the entire audible spectrum.

• Powerful Power Transformer:

  The power transformer is also based on a high-quality EI core and provides ample energy reserves along with an absolutely stable, clean power supply. Its fully enclosed metal housing with special damping effectively shields against magnetic interference, minimizes noise, and provides the foundation for distortion-free signal amplification.

Independent Multi-Stage Power Supply

A Cleaner Foundation for the Audio Signal

The HA-1A MK3 uses an independent, multi-stage power supply architecture with separate power supplies for the voltage amplification and output stage sections. Isolating the circuits effectively prevents mutual interference. The result is an inky-black, noise-free background, enhanced microdynamics, and strikingly clear detail - even at very low volume levels.

Dual Headphone Outputs with Impedance Matching (High/Low)

For maximum flexibility when connecting different types of headphones, the front panel offers two Neutrik-quality jacks: an unbalanced 6.35 mm jack output and a balanced 4-pin XLR output.

The integrated impedance selector switch (L: 8–150 Ω / H: 151–600 Ω) lets you perfectly match the amplifier to your headphones’ sensitivity and load. Combined with its generous power reserves, the HA-1A MK3 brings out the full sonic potential of every pair of headphones - from easy-to-drive models to high-impedance studio classics.

Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier in One

The HA-1A MK3 is far more than just a headphone amplifier: It also serves as a fully featured, audiophile-grade tube preamplifier. A toggle switch on the front panel lets you easily switch between headphone mode and preamp output.

• Two RCA line-level inputs (RCA 1 / RCA 2): Let you quickly switch between different signal sources such as DACs, CD players, or streamers.

• Dedicated pre-out (RCA): Lets you connect separate power amplifiers or active speakers directly, bringing typical tube warmth and musicality to your home HiFi system.

Careful Craftsmanship & Thoughtful Details

• ALPS RK27 Precision Potentiometer:

  A proven high-end volume potentiometer from ALPS’s RK27 series ensures smooth, precise adjustment and excellent channel tracking, with no sudden level changes or channel imbalances.

• Vibration-damping tube socket:

  A mechanically isolated tube socket absorbs vibrations and impact noise, protects against microphonic effects, and ensures trouble-free tube operation.

• Optimized internal layout with shielding:

  The internal assemblies are clearly organized by function. Highly sensitive low-level signal paths and current-carrying wires are strictly separated, reducing interference and crosstalk to an absolute minimum.

• Point-to-point wiring:

  Classic point-to-point hand wiring by experienced technicians at all circuit points affecting sound quality ensures minimal contact resistance, clean signal flow, and decades of durability.

• 50-second soft-start power-on delay:

  An integrated soft start gently warms up the tubes for around 50 seconds before the output signal is enabled. This protects connected headphones from power-on and power-off pops and maximizes tube life.

• Removable tube guard:

  The included tube cage can be fitted or removed in no time. It protects people and equipment from contact and impacts without hindering the dissipation of heat.

Technical specifications

Headphone output

• Rated output power:

  • Unbalanced (6.35 mm STD): 2400 mW + 2400 mW

  • Balanced (4-pin XLR): 2700 mW + 2700 mW

• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (-3 dB)

• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N): 0.3 % (1 kHz, 200 mW; output power below 5 %)

• Input sensitivity: 1200 mV – 2000 mV

• Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N): 110 dB (A-weighted)

• Headphone impedance:

  • Low (L): 8 Ω – 150 Ω

  • High (H): 151 Ω – 600 Ω

• Connectors: 1× 6.35 mm jack (unbalanced), 1× 4-pin XLR (balanced)

Preamplifier output (PRE-OUT)

• Maximum output level: 5 V

• Gain: 9 dB

• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N): 0.1 % (2 V RMS)

• Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N): 105 dB (A-weighted)

• Input sensitivity: 750 mV

• Output impedance: 1.5 kΩ

• Input impedance: 23 kΩ

• Inputs/outputs: 2× stereo RCA inputs, 1× stereo RCA output

General data

• Tube configuration: 2× JJ 12AU7/ECC82, 2× Electro-Harmonix EL84EH/6BQ5

• Dimensions (W × D × H): 240 mm × 240 mm × 140 mm

• Weight: 8.8 kg

• Power consumption: max. 62 W

• Mains fuse: ~ 220 V–240 V: T500mAL250V ; ~ 100 V–120 V: T1AL250V

• Ambient conditions (operating): Temperature: 0 °C – 40 °C | Humidity: 20 % – 80 %

• Ambient conditions (storage): Temperature: -20 °C – 70 °C | Humidity: 20 % – 90 %