[chadh]

I'm interested in getting hold of one of these amps (the Cayin/Spark HA-1A). I'm wondering if anyone knows a good place to obtain one?

I can get one through http://www.nysound.com (price of $315 + around $95 shipping) but it will be shipped directly from China and will require 220v power. I'm in the US, and use 110v power. Are there any vendors who can either modify the units or simply obtain 110v versions?

If not, does anyone have any suggestions for affordable but high quality voltage converters?

Thanks.

Chad

 

[gundam91]

Try this place. It's a shop in Hong Kong. They might be able to get you 110V version. Just ask.

There used to be a shop in Taiwan that imported 110V version to Taiwan. Got the info from Ferbose. (Just do a search on "HA-1A") But they stopped importing them since last year. I was doing a google search one day and found this shop. Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.

 

[chadh]

Thanks for the lead.

Chad

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadh I'm interested in getting hold of one of these amps (the Cayin/Spark HA-1A). I'm wondering if anyone knows a good place to obtain one? I can get one through http://www.nysound.com (price of $315 + around $95 shipping) but it will be shipped directly from China and will require 220v power. I'm in the US, and use 110v power. Are there any vendors who can either modify the units or simply obtain 110v versions? If not, does anyone have any suggestions for affordable but high quality voltage converters? Thanks. Chad

That amp looks somewhat like the Ming Da Meixing MC66AE. Wonder if it is under the Cayin brand name? http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...hlight=Meixing

 

[2100]

I use it with a HD650 + Zu Mobius but i am not in the U.S.
Ferbose uses it, maybe can check it out with him.

And nope, Ming Da and Cayin are 2 different companies. They are both one of the better Chinese products.

 

[fkclo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells That amp looks somewhat like the Ming Da Meixing MC66AE. Wonder if it is under the Cayin brand name? http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...hlight=Meixing

Cayin is a very well establish brand name for hi-end audio products from China. Its tubed CD players were highly acclaimed in the audiophile world, at a fraction of the price ! The name "Spark" is used in mainland China. Outside China, it is marketed under the Cayin brand name. Same product, though.

I have listened to one at the shop (using a HD 650 with stock cable) in Hong Kong and would say it is very good value - smooth, rich, full bodied and airy. Very low noise floor too. I am not a professional auditioner so I can only tell my instinct impressions. That was 3 months ago.

However, for US users (requires 110V a.c. 60 Hz) I am not sure if it is a good idea to get a 220V a.c. 50 Hz shipped directly from China. While one can easily step up the voltage to power the amp, the frequency is something different. I remember asking if a Eddie Current if one can be made for 220V region, I was told the different AC mains frequency may have design implications which can affect the audio side.

F. Lo

 

[chadh]

Interesting. I can see why the mains frequency would have an impact on something like a motor, or even a digital component where the unit depends on some sort of "clock". But I'm not sure why it should affect an amplifier. Then again, I'm essentially ignorant about these things. So...if anybody has any definitive input on this kind of thing, I'd love to hear your words of wisdom.

Thank.

Chad