Not having ever heard this amp these comments are of the "general" type 
First,the concept-the layout and styling of that amp is excellant.The "look" one that I like and could easily live with at any part of my home though I can envision times when it would overpower other support componants if they too do not have certain style touches.Not a slam of the Cayan but more "poor those other devices"
Second.The EL-84 SE mode Triode strapped has a very pleasing sound with headphones (or speakers for that matter if within the driving range of) and it surprises me more amps do not take that route.I guess even headphone amps follow the "me too" lemming like migration to whatever one guy does the rest follow and add features rather than try anything actually new.
My pentode HPA uses the 7189 triode strapped (which can be used directly to replace the EL-84 most times but not the other way around so maybe opening up some more tube rolling options for the Cayinn) and I like what I hear and concur with your findings with a couple of caveots.
Pentodes have their own sound as do SET amps and while they both play the same harmonics the sound is not the same.There seems to be more power in the bass region with a pentode amp that SETs do not seem to have (slam ?) and some small amount of added life also in direct comparison.which is more lifelike or truer to the original ? Beats me man.Not sure which is a better way I only know they are different and not comparable directly.
Changing a cap or tube rolling does not make one topology sound like the other no matter how many tricks are played.Maybe just my ears,maybe not.
The ability to choose pentode/triode operation can only be called a plus and since it is really no more than a resistor/switch adds more in real world useability than it could in cost so to not add it would be the poor choice.As dual use at the computer with inefficient speakers you would wish for the option if it were not there !
The front end tubes are not suited to the low gain you need to avoid noise in a high sensitivity low impedance headphone.
Grados like a X2 gain (+6dB) so it is a no brainer the 12AX7 not suited for this but so ?
Attempts to make a universal "any cans" amp must and always do mean comprimises and those comprimeses usually fall in favour of whatever cans were used during the design and testing stages with all others beingmostly an afterthought.If not afterthought then forcing something to do by sheer electronic will to do something it is not suited to do.
Design for Grados and you can use your Senns but not to their best.
Design for senns and usually you can use Grados but the noise levels will be higher or the bass thin or both.Just the way things work and not a knock on what looks to be a very nice amp.Style points it gets a 9.5 (there being no 10
)
I think maybe this amp with a wider exposure and maybe a larger distribution network would be a very popular alternaive to SET amp or the "not" SET amps calling themselves that which if you know the definition is "a single triode" which has no choice but to be class-A.
BTW-first class job on the review .Two thumbs up
First,the concept-the layout and styling of that amp is excellant.The "look" one that I like and could easily live with at any part of my home though I can envision times when it would overpower other support componants if they too do not have certain style touches.Not a slam of the Cayan but more "poor those other devices"
Second.The EL-84 SE mode Triode strapped has a very pleasing sound with headphones (or speakers for that matter if within the driving range of) and it surprises me more amps do not take that route.I guess even headphone amps follow the "me too" lemming like migration to whatever one guy does the rest follow and add features rather than try anything actually new.
My pentode HPA uses the 7189 triode strapped (which can be used directly to replace the EL-84 most times but not the other way around so maybe opening up some more tube rolling options for the Cayinn) and I like what I hear and concur with your findings with a couple of caveots.
Pentodes have their own sound as do SET amps and while they both play the same harmonics the sound is not the same.There seems to be more power in the bass region with a pentode amp that SETs do not seem to have (slam ?) and some small amount of added life also in direct comparison.which is more lifelike or truer to the original ? Beats me man.Not sure which is a better way I only know they are different and not comparable directly.
Changing a cap or tube rolling does not make one topology sound like the other no matter how many tricks are played.Maybe just my ears,maybe not.
The ability to choose pentode/triode operation can only be called a plus and since it is really no more than a resistor/switch adds more in real world useability than it could in cost so to not add it would be the poor choice.As dual use at the computer with inefficient speakers you would wish for the option if it were not there !
Quote:
| In a nutshell, Cayin HA-1A has a open, pure SET sound well worth $400, but it is a not suitable for high-sensitivity headphones. |
Grados like a X2 gain (+6dB) so it is a no brainer the 12AX7 not suited for this but so ?
Attempts to make a universal "any cans" amp must and always do mean comprimises and those comprimeses usually fall in favour of whatever cans were used during the design and testing stages with all others beingmostly an afterthought.If not afterthought then forcing something to do by sheer electronic will to do something it is not suited to do.
Design for Grados and you can use your Senns but not to their best.
Design for senns and usually you can use Grados but the noise levels will be higher or the bass thin or both.Just the way things work and not a knock on what looks to be a very nice amp.Style points it gets a 9.5 (there being no 10
)I think maybe this amp with a wider exposure and maybe a larger distribution network would be a very popular alternaive to SET amp or the "not" SET amps calling themselves that which if you know the definition is "a single triode" which has no choice but to be class-A.
BTW-first class job on the review .Two thumbs up
If there is a new large batch, then you just grab a couple and he will match it for you on the spot. Nice guy, if the the market price (from the net) is say $60, he will still sell you at the old price eg $45. 
