In this article, Marcus reviews the Cayin HA-2A, which is a new entry-level desktop Class A ultralinear tube amplifier for use with headphones and IEMs. Its price is $1299.
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Cayin HA-2A Review
Summary
The Cayin HA-2A is a very attractive and well-equipped compact tube amplifier for space-conscious audiophiles with a wide selection of headphones and IEMs.
It delivers a rich, smooth sound with a nice thick low-end punch and a spacious holographic soundstage that's best suited to naturally tuned open-sound headphones.
Advantages
Smooth and rich sound signature
Flexible power options for headphones and IEMs
Compact form factor suitable for desktop computers
Cons
Slightly soft sub-bass presence
High weight-to-size ratio
The recently released Cayin HA-2A adds another level to a rapidly expanding personal audio line-up from a company with a rich and long legacy in HiFi tube amplification.
Having already reviewed its flagship HA-300MK2 SETA amplifier, the HA-2A presents a different take on a much more affordable but no less popular end of the scale.
Priced at $1,299, the HA-2A represents a launch for a broader desktop headphone community looking for a compact and capable tube amp form factor that's equally at home with IEMs as its attractive standard headphone.
The HA-2A's tiny form factor also means it has very stackable appeal with Cayin's new “888+2 Series” of compact solid-state desktop components. That includes the new iDAC-8, iHA-8 amplifier, and a newly upgraded iDAP-8 transmitter; 3 components that we hope to review in due course.
Characteristics
Tube configuration
This is Cayin's first vacuum tube headphone amplifier designed with all vintage NOS or 'New Old Stock' tubes.
This is a four-tube ultralinear setup consisting of an Amperex ECF82 (6U8 NOS) composite hybrid pentode/triode for the driver, a pair of Amperex 17BF11 NOS tubes for the output, and a 17AX4GT NOS RCA tube for the rectifier.
Regular tube users will know the Dutch-American brand Amperex quite well. Typically, these US produced “Bugle Boy” tubes are known for their rich and smooth sound characteristics, although they are still quite refined and resolving in nature.
They are also famous for their good performance with low noise and a black background which should also appeal to IEM users.
The NOS Amperex 17BF11 output tubes are dual pentode (power and voltage) and, again, this is another tube rich in Amperex's full-bodied signature tuning.
The latest 17AX4GT NOS RCA tube is a half-wave rectifier tube and does not stray away from the warm tonal quality of the Amperex. In this user case, it is also responsible for supplying display power to the front stage electronic tubes.
Amplification
The HA-2A amplifier is balanced through an output transformer designed in-house by Cayin. However, the tube amplification circuit is a single-ended, pure Class A transformer-coupled, point-to-point soldered design, with no preamp capability or preout.
The output of the NOS Amperex 17BF11 output tubes is designed to drive a pair of custom designed Japanese wound Z11 EI type iron core output transformers for single ended (6.35mm) or balanced (4-pin XLR and 4.4mm). headphone output.
Like many of Cayin's high-end headphone amplifiers, the HA-2A amplifier's output capability is adjusted using a multi-value impedance selector system.
There are three options on this particular unit ranging from Low to 64 Ω, Medium (65 Ω to 250 Ω) and High (251 Ω to 600 Ω) with corresponding PO power values for both SE and XLR. At the low end, it ranges from 300 mW SE to 800 mW balanced to its continuous peak of 750 mW SE to 1 W balanced.
The outlier is the 4.4mm balanced option, rated at 200mW (low) to 270mW (high). The lower power rating is designed to significantly reduce background noise for more sensitive headphones and balanced IEM users.
It's a similar approach to the HA-300MK2, which also has a slightly reduced power output for its 4.4mm PO.
Design
If you've been using Cayin desktop components before, the HA-2A design language has a sleek but very familiar look, albeit in a much smaller form factor.
Although visually it shares several details with the larger flagship HA-300MK2, such as the dial finish, switches and dual VU meters, the silver finish and molecular protective film on the case are more in line with the current finish of its new 888+2. Solid State Series Stackable Desktop Drives.
With a weight of 10 kg and a reinforced base to avoid tube microphones, the HA-2A is not an insignificant component. However, the size is not something that should cause you too many problems when moving it around your room or office.
With dimensions of 270 x 215 x 143mm and 4 strong column supports, it won't take up too much space, making it an ideal desk companion or for smaller HiFi racks.
Label readability is excellent on the front and rear panels of the HA-2A. Judicious application of illumination from the glass-protected central VU meters should add some illumination beyond the more tasteful top-mounted tubes of the luminous unit for darker room environments.
The HA-2A also comes with a one-piece tube guard or preamp tube guard that protects the EMI tubes from nearby lights and electrical accessories or from accidental physical damage from unintentional bumps during use.
The black rail protector has a resistance-based pin installation process on its base so you can use the amplifier with or without notice at any time.
IS
Despite having no preamp or power amplification capability, the HA-2A has a decent level of front and rear connection options.
On the rear panel, you can choose between 3-pin XLR or dual RCA inputs and on the front panel, you can select 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm, or 6.35mm via a mechanical switch selector above the ports.
Although XLR and 4.4mm typically denote balanced outputs, the HA-2A's design is single-ended, so these are not balanced-capable outputs.
The concept here is to offer a wide range of connection options with each connection offering a level of output power and noise to suit the likely connected equipment. A concept that is further enhanced by the mechanical impedance selector switch on the far right of the front panel.
The potentiometer is a smooth turning ALPS potentiometer rather than a stepped fader, which is not surprising given that it is a basic model. The consistency is similar to the iHA-6 potentiometer with a clear marking on the dial for volume levels.
Control S
Thanks Cayin for not using a rear power button that requires you to lean over a set of hot tubes to turn the HA-2A on or off. Also, thanks for not making this a small change to look for.
The switch here is large enough for “sight unseen” access and is neatly located on the front of the left side panel.
Some users may have preferred the larger HA-3A or HA-300MK2 system button style found on the front panel. My personal feeling is that the side is better suited here to keep the smaller front fascia as clean as possible.
Other than that, all user-controllable options, including impedance and default PO output, are controlled by mechanical toggle switches with enough resistance to prevent accidental pushing.
Packaging and accessories
The HA-2A comes in a compact brown cardboard box with a foam-based interior that provides ample protection for the amplifier.
There is also some additional contoured foam under the unit's rail guard to prevent any potential movement or bumping against the tubes that could cause damage.
The accessories are a little light, something I assume is done to keep costs down. You will get the power cord, a manual, a pair of white handling gloves, and 2 spare fuses. There are no replacement tubes or IC cables.
The unit has a specific voltage, so when unpacking be sure to check that the voltage matches your region before turning it on, for example 110V for US or 240V for UK.
Click on page 2 below to see my sound impressions and recommended combinations.
Click on page 3 below to see my selected comparisons.
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