Cayin HA-1A users?

[Wil]

Where are you guys!

Seems like not alot of people are using this amp now.

I've been using it for years now and i'm still very happy with it.

hmmm.

 

[Barry]

I'm one. Find it very musical with my RS-1 and K701. Just change the setting...

 

[Wil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm one. Find it very musical with my RS-1 and K701. Just change the setting...

scary. i use the RS-1 and K701 too.

haha. I find the RS-1 a tad more engaging on the Cayin though.

The AKG can be tad too clean at times.

 

[sonq]

I was using a DT880 with mine. Both Zu 650 and 880 sounds fabulous in the midband on this amp.

Background noise seems a little annoying on long sessions with my 880 though. Although not clearly audible till I remove the headphone, but not as noticeable on the 650.

 

[Wil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonq /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was using a DT880 with mine. Both Zu 650 and 880 sounds fabulous in the midband on this amp. Background noise seems a little annoying on long sessions with my 880 though. Although not clearly audible till I remove the headphone, but not as noticeable on the 650.

My RS-1s do reveal a little hiss because of the low impedence but the amp is quiet on my K701 and DT150.

Rolling various tubes do help tame the background hum.

 

[gz76]

HD650, RS-1, and K1000 user here.

 

[sonq]

The noise was worst on Mullard CV4004 but in return, there's more body, space & liquid mids; at the expense of bite & attack compared to the RCA 5751

 

[Wil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonq /img/forum/go_quote.gif The noise was worst on Mullard CV4004 but in return, there's more body, space & liquid mids; at the expense of bite & attack compared to the RCA 5751

The CV4004 is quite overrated imo. I agree that the mids are extremely liquid, but i miss the lack of bite and attack.

 

[sonq]

I've sold mine and is considering something more practical like the CIAudio with VAC1 PS or back to tubes; likely the WA6 maxed or SE version. I'll wait for arrival of my Pico to see how I take to SS, but I'm already using SS in my main rig.

I've tried the 337 briefly but I don't feel there's a jump in quality over the HA-1A; more of a different sound and much quieter background.

 

[Wil]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonq /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've sold mine and is considering something more practical like the CIAudio with VAC1 PS or back to tubes; likely the WA6 maxed or SE version. I'll wait for arrival of my Pico to see how I take to SS, but I'm already using SS in my main rig. I've tried the 337 briefly but I don't feel there's a jump in quality over the HA-1A; more of a different sound and much quieter background.

Ahhh. WA6 maxed sounds interesting but looks rather heavy on the wallet.

The 337 is indeed not much of a jump, considering the price. I heard the Rudistor NX33 at Jaben last weekend and it is quite a nice SS amp. It's dynamic and lush at the same time. You should give it a listen!

 

[sonq]

Sorry double posted.

 

[sonq]

I know I sound shallow admitting this but I really like the WA6SE's CNC milled casework. I've never audition one, so hope it's much better than the HA-1A and DV337.

I'm considering SS more for the convenience for leaving them on all the time.

 

[Wil]

Give the Rudistor a listen first!

Only 1.3k Sing @ Jaben!

LOL.

 

[wae5]

I was very tempted by the Cayin, but after reading comments here that I would immediately need to upgrade the tubes for it to sound great, I opted for the LD MKIV SE because it ships with great sounding tubes for half the price. Cayins sell used for $500 or less so if I'm bitten by the Cayin bug again I may just bite back.

 

[sonq]

Hi Wil,
Don't think I'll buy an Opamp amplifier like the Rudistor for that kind of money. That's about same amount as WA6 with parts upgrade. I think tube tech is very mature and I can imagine listening to a well designed & simple hardwired tube amp a decade later but Opamp technologies changes so fast. If I get a ss, it'll be more out of convenience than sound quality, so likely to be something compact and low cost like the chip amp based VHP2 or discrete class A PH1000.

wae5,
A new HA-1A sells for around USD500 or less in Asia but I'm not sure if there's a dif in the type of stock tubes used. Except for the Mullard CV4004, the rest of the tubes cost less than $200 total. Besides the luscious midrange in triode, I like the very narrow footprint that allows me to use it as a phone stand. It also matches my 880's color & finish perfectly.