{"id":1002535,"date":"2026-10-12T15:50:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/?p=1002535"},"modified":"2026-10-12T15:50:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:50:57","slug":"cayin-ha-1a-mk3-tube-headphone-amplifier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/cayin-ha-1a-mk3-tube-headphone-amplifier\/","title":{"rendered":"Cayin HA-1A MK3: Single-Ended Class A tube amplification for headphone listening"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cayin HA-1A MK3 is a fully tube-driven headphone amplifier designed for personal listening and integration into an analogue audio system. Its configuration combines Single-Ended Class A circuitry, Point-to-Point internal wiring, two RCA inputs and a pair of variable-level RCA PREAMP outputs.<\/p>\n

The design is intended for those who wish to connect analogue sources and use headphones with a standard 6.35 mm termination or a four-pin balanced XLR connection. The impedance matching selector expands the range of possible applications, with two ranges dedicated to headphones between 8 and 600 ohms.<\/p>\n

Cayin HA-1A MK3<\/div>
\"Cayin<\/div>
The Cayin HA-1A MK3 features a compact structure with an exposed tube section and removable protective cage.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

A single-triode tube design<\/h2>\n

The amplification section uses two JJ 12AU7\/ECC82 tubes for voltage amplification and two Electro-Harmonix EL84EH\/6BQ5 tubes for the power stage. The EL84EH tubes operate in a Single-Ended Class A configuration, a choice that defines the amplifier\u2019s electrical architecture.<\/p>\n

The internal wiring is made using Point-to-Point technology, with the components manually connected inside the unit. The model also incorporates output transformers developed specifically for this configuration. The power supply features separate sections for the voltage amplification stage and the power stage; the latter also has a regulated high-voltage power supply.<\/p>\n

The construction includes internal shielding between the functional sections, a muting circuit at switch-on and a start-up delay of approximately 50 seconds. A removable protective cage is positioned above the tubes to protect them during everyday use.<\/p>\n

Two headphone outputs and impedance selection<\/h2>\n

The Cayin HA-1A MK3 panel provides two headphone outputs. The 6.35 mm jack is unbalanced, while the four-pin XLR socket is balanced. The specified power reaches 2.500 mW + 2.500 mW through the jack connection and 2.800 mW + 2.800 mW through the XLR output.<\/p>\n

The output selected must correspond to the headphone cable termination: the jack accepts the standard 6.35 mm connection, while the XLR requires a compatible four-pin balanced connection. The impedance selector allows two operating ranges to be set:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Low:<\/strong> from 8 to 150 ohms;<\/li>\n
  • High:<\/strong> from 151 to 600 ohms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The setting should be selected according to the nominal impedance of the connected headphones. This configures the circuit according to the range intended for the model in use.<\/p>\n

    Headphone connections<\/div>
    \"Cayin<\/div>
    The 6.35 mm and four-pin XLR outputs allow headphones with different terminations to be used.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

    Analogue inputs and PREAMP output<\/h2>\n

    Two RCA audio inputs are provided for connecting sources. The Cayin HA-1A MK3 can therefore be inserted into a chain with analogue sources equipped with RCA outputs, selecting the signal to be sent to the headphone section.<\/p>\n

    The equipment also includes a pair of variable-level RCA PREAMP Out outputs. This section makes it possible to send the signal to an additional audio device equipped with a compatible analogue input, extending the role of the HA-1A MK3 within the system beyond headphone listening alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    PREAMP parameter<\/th>\nSpecified value<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Output type<\/td>\nVariable-level RCA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Gain<\/td>\n9 dB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Maximum output voltage<\/td>\n5 V<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Output impedance<\/td>\n2,0 kOhm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Input sensitivity<\/td>\n750 mV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Signal-to-noise ratio<\/td>\n105 dB, A-weighted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Total harmonic distortion<\/td>\n0,1% at 2 V RMS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Audio specifications and compatibility<\/h2>\n

    For the headphone output, the Cayin HA-1A MK3 specifies a frequency response between 20 Hz and 24 kHz with a tolerance of \u00b13 dB. The signal-to-noise ratio reaches 110 dB, A-weighted. Total harmonic distortion is specified at 0,3% at 1 kHz and 200 mW, with a value within 5% at rated power.<\/p>\n

    These parameters describe the reference conditions of the specifications and should be considered together with the type of output used and the selected impedance range. The availability of both the unbalanced and balanced connections makes it possible to configure the system according to the connections available on the headphones and analogue source.<\/p>\n

    Installation and usage scenarios<\/h2>\n

    The basic connection involves inserting the source into one of the two RCA inputs and connecting the headphones to the appropriate output. The 6.35 mm jack is intended for standard cables, while the four-pin XLR output is reserved for headphones designed for balanced connection.<\/p>\n

    The Cayin HA-1A MK3 is suitable for a desktop system or a configuration dedicated to headphone listening, with external analogue sources and the possibility of also sending the signal to another device through the PREAMP output. The Low\/High selector covers a broad range of headphones, from those with lower nominal impedance to models between 151 and 600 ohms.<\/p>\n

    The presence of tubes requires stable placement with adequate ventilation. Space must be left around the unit, the openings must not be covered and objects must not be placed on the protective cage. The cage is removable, but removing it leaves the tubes exposed; any work on the tubes or inside the unit must be entrusted to qualified personnel and carried out with the product disconnected from the power supply.<\/p>\n

    Silver finish<\/div>
    \"Cayin<\/div>
    The model is available in black and silver finishes, with the same specified design configuration.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

    Dimensions and placement<\/h2>\n

    The Cayin HA-1A MK3 measures 240 \u00d7 240 \u00d7 140 mm, while its net weight reaches 8,8 kg. The specified maximum power consumption is 60 W. The supporting surface must also allow the RCA cables, 6.35 mm jack or four-pin XLR connector to be connected.<\/p>\n

    Placement must also keep the volume control, input selection and impedance selector accessible. Its relatively compact width and depth make it suitable for placement in a desktop system or on a HiFi rack, taking into account the space required to ventilate the tube section.<\/p>\n

    Conclusion<\/h2>\n

    The Cayin HA-1A MK3 combines a fully tube-driven amplification section, Single-Ended Class A circuitry and equipment focused on headphone listening in a single unit. Its two outputs, unbalanced and balanced, are complemented by impedance selection and a variable RCA PREAMP output.<\/p>\n

    The result is an amplifier intended for analogue systems in which connection flexibility, compatibility with headphones of different impedances and a tube-based construction with Point-to-Point wiring are important. Its technical configuration, dimensions and connections define a clear position: that of a component dedicated to personal listening, which can also be integrated into a broader audio chain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Cayin HA-1A MK3 is a fully tube-driven headphone amplifier with Single-Ended Class A circuitry, jack and XLR outputs, impedance selection and a variable PREAMP output.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1002337,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_pel_article_style":"default","footnotes":""},"categories":[334],"tags":[387,397,325,863,865],"class_list":["post-1002535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-cayin","tag-headphone-amplifiers","tag-hifi","tag-single-ended-class-a","tag-tubes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1002535"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002535\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1002539,"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002535\/revisions\/1002539"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1002337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1002535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1002535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.polarisaudio.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1002535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}