As far as I know the headphone amplifiers built in budget tube speaker amps are usually just SS small circuits. MT-45 internals look different though, but dedicated SE headphone amp seems to be superior for sure.

Yes, it definitely should.

Actually no matter what do you listen to, speakers or headphones, the good DAC is essential. I’m using my DAC with the speaker amp via RCA, and the headphone amp via XLR. Enjoying them both.

Given the lack of information about Lampizator it’s really hard to answer. As both pieces allow tube rolling, you probably can eventually find the result you want. Too many variables in this equation.

In general you should never leave tube gear unattended while turned on, just in terms of safety.

No, I have no other headphones besides HE1000SE and don’t plan to buy any, so I’m quite happy with the HA-3A. It’s not “my claim” — simply what the manufacturer says, and Nakamura98 have noticed “you do lose that estat like dynamics” as well. Cayin has other headphone amplifiers in this line...

That’s why I never visited something like CanJam, but bought gear after reading reviews and forums. Then, you can do inexpensive modifications e.g. caps, changing firmware and so on:)

It seems to be the game you can never lose.

A samurai has no goal, only a path

With all respect to HA-3A, I have to mention that the manufacturer claims it’s not suitable for the most inefficient headphones like Susvara. For the vast majority of headphones it’s quite sufficient. Andykong can confirm it unless he’s too busy. Sorry, it’s all because some people prefer asking...

For me too:) I just haven’t heard of other tube amps with preamp out. There is another option: using 4,4 to 2 XLR cable.

I guess you already considered Feliks Envy?

The Envy seems to be more powerful (from what I read).

I’ve forgot we’re living in computer era:)

Your second hobby means you are living far from any source of the light pollution, i.e. cities. Good optics and tripods with equatorial mounts aren’t cheap. I took pictures (terrestrial) with shutter speed as long as 30 sec and more using neutral filters. Magical effects! Recently I considered...

Yes, I’m another one living happily in the warehouse:)

You should definitely try the Cayin HA-3A. Even with the stock tubes it sounds great. Now I’m using some inexpensive NOS tubes that made it much more enjoyable, almost to the level of my 300b speaker amp with the really good tubes. My only headphone is HE1000SE, but HA-3A can drive almost any...

I think it’s hopeless like Don Quixote’s fighting with windmills. Some people prefer reading, some asking, but most of them like to answer the simple questions from the newbies.

Oh, that’s really tangled scheme (Russians say about things like this “you can’t sort it out without the glass (of vodka)”)))

I never heard of headphone amp with no volume control, the HA-300 is not an exclusion. It’s an integrated (pre+power) amplifier for headphones and speakers. It’s all because you never used speakers :) It reminds me those scary sea legends from Phoenicians to prevent others from exploring the...

There’s separate winding for the speaker out in the output transformer.

Most likely.

Could it be that you have changed input signal (PCM to DSD) or anything else?

Yes, now these rectifiers are cheap although not easy to get. If I had at least one spare set of them, I most likely already bought the HA-300. My current speaker amp can use different rectifiers available worldwide. That’s why I’m not going to purchase another one. Anyway we’ll see how the...

Well, it seems that driver tubes are not the source of an issue. Maybe power tubes or anything else? I’m not that knowledgeable to define.