Cayin HA-3A
Cayin HA-3A
The Cayin HA-3A is a feast for the eyes and ears: visually, the headphone amplifier scores points with its glowing tubes, shiny housing and attractive aluminum front, while the analog flair is underlined by the pointer-armored VU meters. Acoustically, excellent transformers and transformers as well as the puristic two-stage amplifier circuit in Class A operation and single-ended design ensure extremely clear, clean, dynamic and powerful amplification with ample reserves.
Cayin HA-3A
Tube headphone amplifier with true balanced outputs
The Cayin HA-3A tube headphone amplifier stands out with carefully selected components and a comprehensive feature set.
The chassis and the three transformer housings go through 14 meticulous manufacturing steps. The result is exceptionally premium build quality, reflected in a fine paint texture and a deep, glossy finish.
Another build highlight: all modules are hand-wired using point-to-point wiring.
Two 12AU7/ECC82 driver tubes amplify the voltage level of the incoming audio signal, allowing the 6V6S output tubes to operate with a highly linear signal level.
The 22DE4 rectifier tube minimizes interference during conversion to DC and supplies the amplifier circuit with clean power.
Two 6V6S output tubes drive a pair of proprietary output transformers that support both single-ended and balanced headphone outputs. The secondary winding provides an alternate phase, creating a true balanced output. Voltage is supplied by Cayin’s premium custom toroidal power transformer.
Headphone impedance can be selected in three steps, ensuring suitable sensitivity for virtually any headphone:
- L: 8 Ω – 64 Ω
- M: 65 Ω – 250 Ω
- H: 251 Ω – 600 Ω
For hassle-free compatibility with common headphone connections, the HA-3A provides three headphone outputs:
- 6.35 mm single-ended
- 4.4 mm balanced – optimized for high-sensitivity headphones
- 4-pin XLR balanced
To ensure the signal reaches your headphones without compromise, volume control is handled by a high-quality ALPS potentiometer.
Technical Specifications
| Inputs | XLR ×2, RCA ×2 |
| Tubes | Output tubes: JJ 6V6S ×2 Driver tubes: JJ 12AU7/ECC82 ×2 Rectifier tube: RCA 22DE4 ×1 |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 306 mm × 260 mm × 170 mm |
| Weight | 12 kg |
| Power consumption | 80 W |
| Output power | 4-pin XLR (balanced): 600 mW (L); 750 mW (M); 850 mW (H) 4.4 mm (balanced): 230 mW (L); 350 mW (M); 400 mW (H) 6.35 mm (single-ended): 400 mW (L); 600 mW (M); 700 mW (H) |
| Frequency range | 18 Hz – 30 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Distortion (THD) | 0.2% (1 kHz, 200 mW) |
| Input sensitivity | 300 mV – 480 mW |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 100 dB (A-weighted) |
| Selectable headphone impedance | L: 8–64 Ω; M: 65–250 Ω; H: 251–600 Ω |
| Headphone outputs | 4-pin XLR ×1, 4.4 mm ×1, 6.35 mm ×1 |
