Cayin HA-3A
Tube headphone amplifier by Cayin, featuring adjustable three-position gain and 6.35 mm jack, 4.4 mm jack and XLR outputs for wide headphone compatibility.
Description
The Cayin HA-3A is a tube headphone amplifier intended for fixed-setup headphone listening. It combines traditional tube design with comprehensive connectivity, offering three types of headphone outputs: unbalanced 6.35 mm jack, balanced 4.4 mm jack and balanced XLR. It accepts an unbalanced RCA or balanced XLR source input, allowing it to be connected to a CD player, a DAC or a streamer.
The amplifier stage relies on two 12AU7 tubes for preamplification, a 22DE4 RCA rectifier tube for the power supply, and two 6V6S power tubes, each paired with its own output transformer. This architecture allows output of up to 850 mW via the XLR output in the high gain position, against 700 mW via the 6.35 mm jack and 400 mW via the 4.4 mm jack on this same setting. Gain is adjustable across three positions corresponding to distinct impedance ranges: 8 to 64 ohms, 65 to 250 ohms and 251 to 600 ohms, allowing the amplification to be matched to very different headphones, from sensitive models to high-impedance models. Frequency response extends from 18 Hz to 30 kHz, with total harmonic distortion plus noise of 0.2% and a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 dB.
The chassis, mounted on damping feet, features point-to-point air wiring and a custom power transformer, two choices aimed at limiting interference and stabilising the current delivered to the tubes. Volume adjustment is handled via an ALPS potentiometer.
This type of amplifier is aimed at a user who already has a quality source (DAC, CD player or streamer) and one or more demanding headphones, whether unbalanced or balanced. The presence of three headphone outputs and adjustable gain makes it a relevant device for anyone who owns several headphones of differing impedances and wishes to power them on the same amplifier.
Technical specifications
| XLR output power | 600 mW (L), 750 mW (M), 850 mW (H) |
| 4.4 mm jack output power | 230 mW (L), 350 mW (M), 400 mW (H) |
| 6.35 mm jack output power | 400 mW (L), 600 mW (M), 700 mW (H) |
| Frequency response | 18 Hz to 30 kHz |
| THD+N | 0.2% |
| Input sensitivity | 300 to 480 mW |
| Signal to noise ratio | 100 dB |
| Compatible impedances (gain L) | 8 to 64 ohms |
| Compatible impedances (gain M) | 65 to 250 ohms |
| Compatible impedances (gain H) | 251 to 600 ohms |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 306 x 260 x 170 mm |
| Weight | 12 kg |
What to check before buying used
The tubes (12AU7, 22DE4, 6V6S) are the first elements to check: microphonics, background noise or weakness in one channel indicate a tired set that will need replacing. Also check the output chokes and power supply capacitors, which are sensitive to heat build-up in a tube amplifier used intensively. Test each headphone output (XLR, 4.4 mm jack, 6.35 mm jack) and the gain selector to rule out any loose contact, and inspect the ventilation around the tubes for signs of overheating.
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