Cayin HA-1A Mk3 Tube Headphone Amplifier

Cayin HA-1A Mk3 Tube Headphone Amplifier with EL84 Tubes and High-Quality Point-to-Point Wiring

The Cayin HA-1A MK3 is a high-quality tube headphone amplifier featuring a classic single-ended Class A design that combines musical warmth, refined tonal qualities, and modern connectivity in a compact format. Equipped with 6.35mm and 4-pin XLR headphone outputs, an RCA input, and a preamp output, it is suitable for both demanding headphone setups and compact Hi-Fi systems.

The Cayin HA-1A MK3 was developed for music lovers who seek to combine the distinctive sound of genuine tube technology with superior build quality and practical versatility. As a headphone amplifier based on a pure vacuum tube circuit, it delivers natural tonal colors, an organic soundstage, and a deeply engaging listening experience.

Inside, a meticulously designed amplifier circuit employs two JJ 12AU7/ECC82 tubes for voltage amplification and two Electro-Harmonix EL84EH/6BQ5 tubes for power amplification. The EL84EH tubes operate in a single-ended Class A configuration, delivering smooth harmonics, rich tonal density, and an expressive, musical sound.

To ensure superior sound quality, Cayin utilizes high-quality output transformers developed specifically for this model. These play a crucial role in preserving tonal purity, driving capability, and the signature musical character of a high-end tube headphone amplifier.

The power supply design is also engineered for stability and sonic purity. The voltage and power amplification stages are powered separately; additionally, the output stage employs a high-voltage regulated power supply to minimize interference while enhancing dynamic range and background silence.

The HA-1A MK3 features both a 6.35mm headphone output and a balanced 4-pin XLR output. With selectable low and high impedance settings, the amplifier can be optimally matched to various headphones, accommodating everything from easy-to-drive models to high-impedance audiophile headphones.

An RCA input and a PREAMP output are provided for flexible integration into existing audio systems. The feature set is rounded out by a startup muting function, a 50-second delayed start-up sequence, internal shielding between functional sections, and a protective cage for the tubes.


Highlights

• Pure tube headphone amplifier with point-to-point hand-wiring.
• Single-ended Class A amplification for musical and harmonic reproduction.
• Tube complement: 2 × JJ 12AU7 / ECC82 and 2 × Electro-Harmonix EL84EH / 6BQ5.
• High-quality output transformers custom-designed for this model.
• Separate power supplies for the voltage and power amplification stages.
• High-voltage regulated power supply for the power amplification stage.
• 6.35 mm headphone output and 4-pin XLR balanced output.
• Two impedance settings: Low and High.
• RCA input and PREAMP output for flexible system integration.
• High output power suitable for a wide range of headphones.
• Power-on muting and delayed start-up (approx. 50 seconds).
• Internal shielding for improved stability and low-noise performance.
• Protective cage for safe everyday operation.

Technical Specifications HA-1A MK3

• Device type: Tube headphone amplifier
• Circuitry: Single-ended Class A
• Tube complement: 2 × JJ 12AU7 / ECC82, 2 × Electro-Harmonix EL84EH / 6BQ5
• Headphone output 6.35 mm: 2500 mW + 2500 mW
• Headphone output 4-pin XLR balanced: 2800 mW + 2800 mW
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 24 kHz, ±3 dB
• THD: 0.3% at 1 kHz / 200 mW; within 5% at rated power
• Sensitivity: 1200 mV – 2000 mV
• Headphone signal-to-noise ratio: 110 dB, A-weighted
• Impedance matching: Low: 8–150 ohms, High: 151–600 ohms
• Headphone outputs: 6.35 mm unbalanced, 4-pin XLR balanced
• PREAMP maximum voltage: 5 V
• PREAMP gain: 9 dB
• PREAMP THD: 0.1% at 2 V RMS
• PREAMP signal-to-noise ratio: 105 dB, A-weighted
• PREAMP input sensitivity: 750 mV
• PREAMP output impedance: 2.0 kOhms
• Inputs: RCA
• Outputs: RCA PREAMP Out, 6.35 mm, 4-pin XLR
• Dimensions: 240 × 240 × 140 mm
• Weight: 8.8 kg
• Fuse: 220–240 V: T500mAL250V; 100–120 V: T1AL250V 
• Max. power consumption: 60 W