Cayin HA-3A Review

If you’re used to listening to the Susvara from a powerful amp like the Envy or Headonia, then you will immediately notice what you’re missing here. There is enough power to make the Susvara sound loud enough but it’s not the best performing Susvara. In this combo it’s a bit slower, smoother and the clarity, speed, and precision here are not at the level they’re supposed to be. Bass also is the tightest or most defined and you can just overall feel the Susvara isn’t in control. You can listen to the combo if you like a fuller, smoother sounding Susvara but it’s not the technical king it’s supposed to be. The HEDDphone is another special headphone which likes a good amount of power. I most of the time really like how it sounds, but the HA-3A is not an amplifier I would recommend for this headphone. Let’s be clear, neither does Cayin. The energy, precision and control are lacking, and you get bigger out of control bass. Not recommended in my opinion.

If there is a specific combo you want me to try out, met me know in the comments section. If I have it in the collection, I will try to make that happen for you.

Sound Vs. Auris Audio Euterpe

The setup here is the Musician Aquarius R2R DAC with the Sennheiser HD 800 S headphone. The Auris Euterpe, selling for $,1999 USD, is a very different amplifier. The Euterpe has a DAC incorporated in its design, but for this comparison we’re bypassing that DAC, and it can serve as a headphone stand. The Euterpe uses two Ei PL95 (6DL5 equivalent) and a single JJ ECC81 input tube (12AT7). For this comparison, I switched the Euterpe back to the original tube set. The HA-3A is also using the stock set of tubes. The Euterpe doesn’t have any balanced in- or outputs.

Design-wise the Euterpe is very different, both in visual as well in the technical way. The nice thing with the Euterpe is that it can serve as a headphone stand as well.

Sound-wise the Euterpe is lighter in body and weight, especially the mids. You get a more refined sound where vocals are more forward and take the main stage. The overall Euterpe sound is more digital sounding than the HA-3A, which has a lot more tube fragrance. Euterpe’s top end is also more extremely presented. The Cayin amp, is the fullest sounding of both amps, with a smooth and warmer delivery. It’s also the most airy, spacious sounding, with better extension, decay and overall just better technicity. The Euterpe is more neutral, sharper, extremer. Vocals sound more natural with the Cayin, but pure speed and tightness are more impressive with the Auris amp.

These amps are so very different. If it’s tube fragrance you want (smoothness, body, warmth), the Cayin HA-3A is the easy choice here.

Sound Vs. Feliks Audio Euforia

The setup here also is the Musician Aquarius R2R DAC with the Sennheiser HD 800 S headphone. The Feliks Audio Euforia, selling for €2.199, is a bit more expensive than the HA-3A, but it’s more alike than the Euterpe.

The Euterpe uses two PSVANE 6SN7 tubes and a Russian set of 6AS7G power tubes. You can check our review for more information on Euforia’s tubes. The Euforia and Cayin are both using the original tube set. Design-wise the Euforia is closer to the HA-3A, both in visual as well in the technical way. It obviously doesn’t have the tube cage and no dedicated rectifier tube.

The sound quality of the Euforia and HA-3A is closer to each other. This in the sense of technicalities, where both amps perform excellent. I would even give the edge to the Feliks amp for that. The big difference here is the energy level of the HA-3A and the liveliness that brings. The Euforia is a more balanced and linear amp, where the Cayin brings the bass out more, with bigger body/presence and more focus on the upper mids and treble. With the Cayin your foot will stop tapping sooner as it’s more engaging and exciting. With the Euforia you get the best technical performance but presented in a more reference/high-end and linear way. Both are great amplifiers and I love listening to both, the experience is just for different types of listeners.

Sound Vs. HA-1A MK2

The setup here is the EarMen Tradutto/PSU-3/CH-AMP with the Sennheiser HD 800 S headphone. The HA-1A MK2 of course is a very different amplifier, and it uses the following tubes: two new production 12AU7 tubes (Cayin branded), two new production EL84EHtubes (Electro Harmonix) and one 12DT5×1 tube (RCA NOS). For this comparison, I switched the HA-1A MK2 back to the original tubes as I always use a full NOS setup in it. The HA-3A is also using the stock set of tubes. The HA-1A MK2 doesn’t have any balanced in- or outputs, so the comparison is based in the SE circuit.

Design-wise these two amplifiers are also very different, both in visual as well in the technical way. The MK2 does offer 2 inputs like the HA-1A, but they’re both SE. The MK2 has 5 different impedance settings (vs 3 on the HA-1A) and a pre-out function. It’s always fun testing tube amps in your office during a heat wave, but I’m not complaining this time.

The HA-1AMK2 is a warmer sounding amplifier with a lower level of clarity. It’s very smooth and musical but it’s also noisier. It’s the biggest issue I have with the MK2. I have tried multiple different tube sets with this amplifier, but the amplifier always is on the noisy side.

The older HA-1A MK2 has a lower clarity level, and it sounds less clean, slower, and not as precise as the newHA-3A. The 1A MKT is a fuller sounding amplifier with a warmer tuning, bigger bass, more rumble, and overall thicker body. The HA-3A as I have said multiple times in this article already, is in control of everything, but this can’t be said of the MK2.

The MK2’s strengths are in its softness, smoothness, warmth and body. If those are your things, you will appreciate the MK2. Technically the MK2 isn’t playing at the same level. The latter also has a very easy treble section, it’s soft of the ears and more rolled of. The sound stage is narrower, and the presentation isn’t as spacious but more intimate. The MK2 however has sublime natural sweet vocals and gorgeous tube warmth with the sexiest vocal presentation.

End Words

At first, I was a little sad that I didn’t get to review the Cayin HA-300MK2 300B tube amp, but the Cayin HA-3A has made up for that in a big way.

The HA-3A is a little amplifier in size but it puts out such a great, big and impressive sound. I also love the HA-3A’s design: the tube lay-out, the case work, the glossy finish, the tube cage, etc it’s all very impressive.

But the Cayin HA-3A isn’t just about the looks, it also is big in performance, even with the stock set of tubes and the lower output power. The HA-3A at this price point sounds very impressive and it far surpassed my expectations. I have quite the number of tube amps in my office, but the HA-3A really stands its ground compared to much more expensive amps.

With a nice design, perfect build quality and a very high price/performance ratio, we have to present the Cayin HA-3A our Recommended Buy Award. It’s now featured on our list of Best Desktop Amplifiers, where it is in very good company. Nice job, Cayin!

Page 1: Cayin, HA-3A intro, HA-3A Features, Tubes

Page 2: Box & Packaging & Usability, Design & Layout, Specifications 

Page 3: Sound intro, Sound Original Tubes, Sound Aftermarket Tubes, Sound Headphones Pt. 1

Page 4: Sound Headphones Pt. 2, Comparisons, Conclusions