@Gold Fox Will there be a manual switch from kt88/el34 in the mark 2 or does it auto bias to be el34 compatible?HA-6A MK2 - Amazing sound with the Meze Audio Poet headphones. Endgame stuff.
Cayin HA-6A Class A KT88/EL34 Tube Headphone Amplifier
- Thread starter Andykong
- Start date
-
- Tags
- cayin ha-6a tube headphone amp
ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
Auto bias in this one from EL34 to KT150. No switching required
fidgeraldo
Headphoneus Supremus
Hmm...with that analogy, mk2 is not an "end game" after all...or it is, until you hear "better".
If I don't need anything "better" than Mk1, then it is the "end game."
I have to admit, I have a few...and they are all "end game" to me.
Cheers!
Last edited:
Can’t wait to see the tube compatibility list. This makes me wonder if the 350b tube would work in it as well…
You are a happy camperHmm...with that analogy, mk2 is not an "end game" after all...or it is, until you hear "better".
If I don't need anything "better" than Mk1, then it is the "end game."
I have to admit, I have a few...and they are all "end game" to me.
Cheers!
germay0653
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Posts
- 1,042
- Likes
- 225
So, it's more than a separate DC Power section , non-stepped pot change. Auto bias and another little thing I noticed is the VU background color has changed too.
ThanatosVI
Headphoneus Supremus
It's also completely different Transformers.
Big Changes in the while design
germay0653
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Posts
- 1,042
- Likes
- 225
Wow, that too? What will the changes to the transformers entail? Details, details, details...O-core, R-core, metalurgy, etc.. What else, capacitor & resistor changes, internal wiring metal?
Last edited:
What made you think that?I thought that HA-6A, now mk1, was already better than Aegis, and that's why I bought HA-6A and not Aegis. Hmm...
I was gonna ask if anyone has owned both and compared Aegis vs HA-6A.
Is it similar design? Just curious as I was planning to get Aegis last year but something else came up.
Paging @betula. . .
First, I am NOT an expert but that said the HA-6a is designed and built by Cayin with output transformers that allow for a wide range of headphones. The Aegis to my knowledge also uses output transformers to allow for a wide range of headphones. My understanding is that they use different ranges for Hi-Med-Low settings and may use differs output transformers.
Second, while the use similar output tubes the Aegis allows for a wider range of tubes. The input tubes are also different 12au7 vs 6SL7.
Lastly they present somewhat different as the Cayin can be more neutral and stiffer sounding while the Aegis may be somewhat bigger and more euphonic sounding.
The wildcard is you can build or have built an Aegis as an open source design so sky's the limit with component choices. The ZMF Aegis is built by Cayin so I assume (maybe incorrectly) that the transformer quality for the HA6a and Cayin built ZMF Aegis are similar in quality.
I have not owned an Aegis but have compared the two at shows. I want an Aegis but feel very satisfied with my HA-6a and have no real need to upgrade-side grade
I own the Aegis and actually owned (and tube rolled) the 3A for two years. I only briefly auditioned the 6A.
These are both great amps and noone can go wrong with either. As @jp11801 said, the tube rolling potential in the Aegis is much higher. The number of different type of tubes the Aegis can take is unique and allows for big changes/improvements versus stock form.
In stock form I would say the choice can be a matter of preference, Cayin amps being smooth, mellower and the Aegis more dynamic, a bit more defined. To me Aegis has crisper background details and better depth/separation. I would emphasize the more dynamic character of the Aegis versus the Cayin, but as I said, there are not really bad choices here.
In my opinion the Aegis in stock form is already a great amp, but it is some specific NOS tube combinations that have the potential to make this amp sound really exceptional. This tube rolling 'ceiling' on the 6A is lower.
Also, while of course it is all personal taste and preference, I know two guys who sold their HA300MKII for the Aegis. They are both very much into tube rolling though.
Users who are viewing this thread
