Cayin HA-6A Class A KT88/EL34 Tube Headphone Amplifier

[Andykong]

Its EL34 based but you can use KT88 as well.
More detail will be available next week, but if you are attending Canjam Shanghai and want to preview this, the Cayin HA-6A is pairing with Empyrean at Meze booth (B7-B9).

 

[Andykong]

Reserved

 

[Andykong]

 

[dadracer2]

Yes, i just saw the photo on the Cayin FB page. It looks delightful. How soon before you can post some details such as the specifications and price? I think I would choose the KT88 version of the 2 as the valves are more sculptural than the EL34s.

 

[llamaluv]

Would someone like to hazard a general characterization of the "sound" of EL34s vs KT88s and even vs 300Bs?

 

[dadracer2]

Would someone like to hazard a general characterization of the "sound" of EL34s vs KT88s and even vs 300Bs?

I think it is so dependent on the implementation of those valves and what manufacture and what transformers and wiring and feedback and are they in ultra linear or triode and so on. Unless you define the parameters that's an impossible question to answer meaningfully.

 

[llamaluv]

Makes sense. I've been eyeing the HA-300 for some time now so will be very curious to find out how this new Cayin amp compares or differs.

I'm sure one thing we can assume in advance is that switching between the two tube types will result in meaningfully different types of presentation.

 

[dadracer2]

Makes sense. I've been eyeing the HA-300 for some time now so will be very curious to find out how this new Cayin amp compares or differs.

I'm sure one thing we can assume in advance is that switching between the two tube types will result in meaningfully different types of presentation.

I would think so, but without knowing a wee bit more on the specs it would be just be guessing. The HA 300 is a truly joyful amp and should be the amp of choice for most high end planars and definitively the HD800S. It will be interesting to see how the new amp performs compared to the HA 300. Of course you might even prefer the sound of the new amp depending on what aspects of sound matter to you the most. It would certainly be worth comparing them to see which you like better before you spend all that money!

 

[Andykong]

Yes, i just saw the photo on the Cayin FB page. It looks delightful. How soon before you can post some details such as the specifications and price? I think I would choose the KT88 version of the 2 as the valves are more sculptural than the EL34s.

I had compared the late prototype of EL34 and KT88 version of HA-6a side by side last month, my general observation is KT88 for full size planar and really low sensitivity cans and EL34 for most dynamics and planar with easier sensitivity. These are "general" observation but this will also affected by music genre and the your personal preference.

But wait, why do you need to "choose" a version? You can buy a HA-6A and swap between EL34 and KT88 anytime you like.

 

[Andykong]

I think it is so dependent on the implementation of those valves and what manufacture and what transformers and wiring and feedback and are they in ultra linear or triode and so on. Unless you define the parameters that's an impossible question to answer meaningfully.

Just to let the readers know that the HA-6A offers both triode and ultra-linear mode and user and select the mode without turning off the amplifier. We have these option with our better speaker based amplifiers and this is the first time we "migrate" the technologies to Personal Audio product line. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever tube headphone amplifier offers triode and ultra-linear mode selection, if you know of any previous product equipped with similar features, please let us know and we'll be most delighted to explore the pros and cons of different implementations.

I have added a new poster to highlight this feature in post #1.

 

[Andykong]

Makes sense. I've been eyeing the HA-300 for some time now so will be very curious to find out how this new Cayin amp compares or differs.

I'm sure one thing we can assume in advance is that switching between the two tube types will result in meaningfully different types of presentation.

Actually more then that.

When switch the HA-6A to KT88 mode, you can use KT88 variants including KT100, KT90, 6550, 6550A, 6550EH vacuum tubes. When you switch it to EL34 mode, you can also use EL37, 6CA7, 6L6GC, 5881, KT77 and KT66.

Together with Triode and Ultra-linear dual mode selection, the HA-6A offers a lot of sound signature options in one compact chassis.

 

[yerim]

How about the price of this? Any estimated price yet?

 

[Andykong]

How about the price of this? Any estimated price yet?

Safe to say this is around the middle point between HA-1Amk2 and HA-300. We shall announced the price and package very soon.

 

[musicman59]

My PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP has the feature to change between Triode and Ultralinear on the fly. It is an integrated amp with headphones output same as the speakers output just reducing the power to fit headphones.
I actually use it exclusively for headphones.
It can also un EL34, EL77, KT88, KT120 and KT150.

 

[dadracer2]

Safe to say this is around the middle point between HA-1Amk2 and HA-300. We shall announced the price and package very soon.

Can you post a photo of the rear please? Just wondering if there will be speaker posts...........