That's really going to come down to the environment your amp is in, what kind of power you have it hooked up to, what else is using that power, any major electronics or wifi nearby etc etc etc. The XLR port will just exacerbate any existing noise in your system because it's higher gain than the 4.4mm (on the ha-3a anyway) so if noise is there you'll notice it more on that.
Cayin HA-2A, Compact Tube Headphone Amplifier
- Thread starter Andykong
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grant0317
Head-Fier
I found Sylvania 17bf11 nos tubes on ebay pretty easily. I see others from GE and RCA.
If you can quote the source and date, maybe we have more information to discuss or explain your concern.
If you were referring to the hissing problem reported by users in the early date of HA-6A, we have resolved the problem HERE.
Alternatively, you can pose similar questions to the HA-6A and HA-3A official threads and solicit first-hand feedback from current users. That should provide the most meaningful information on whether there is any noise problem of HA-6A and HA-3A that is truly a design or implementation issue of the amplifiers.
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We've got the silver HA-2A's in stock. I'll be shooting a video probably right after CanJam, but first impressions are very good! If anyone has a hankering to grab on of the first few units we have send me a PM or email at zach@zmfheadphones.com - we also will have this along with the new iDAP8, iHA-8 and iDAC8 at CanJam NYC in our room at the end of next week. Will post some photo's and more soon as well.
PS - will have these on the website shortly as well.
PS - will have these on the website shortly as well.
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Some pics I just sauced up, listening more now with a BOKEH open proto. The inclusion of the NOS Amperex Orange globes is really nice. No doubt I will tube roll just for the heck of it, but the some is very mature, smooth and expansive out of the box. Definitely has the ultra-linear sound which is a nice quick contrast to something like an OTL etc.
grant0317
Head-Fier
Comparisons to ha3a? All of us are really curious as they're in the same price ballpark!Some pics I just sauced up, listening more now with a BOKEH open proto. The inclusion of the NOS Amperex Orange globes is really nice. No doubt I will tube roll just for the heck of it, but the some is very mature, smooth and expansive out of the box. Definitely has the ultra-linear sound which is a nice quick contrast to something like an OTL etc.
We need to wait a little longer for direct comparisons in their stock form, but one of the advantages of the 3A is the wider variety of NOS tubes one could roll, achieving far better sound than with the stock tube set.
When it comes to the UK, I'll be getting this...
grant0317
Head-Fier
Yeah, already from looking at available stock of each tubes, the 6v6 and 12au7 have waaaaay more variety and stock compared to the 2a which didn't have my personal favorites of brimar/mullard. I'm more curious than anything since I have the 3A and am not replacing it anytime soon haha.
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prof.utonium
500+ Head-Fier
Just received my new Cayin HA-2A today from ZMF and I have about 2hrs on it listening to various Genres and all I can say is WOW. Give me a couple of days and I will come up with a better review. But, so far I am loving it. Bifrost 2/64, Lokius (bypassed), Jotunheim 2 (pre out), HA-2A & DC E3.
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Haha it's definitely a wow type of amp, class A ultra linear is a special sound, and a perfect foray into the tube world whether it's a start or the end of the tube game.
WailingBanshee
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Would love to hear some more impressions on this model. I'm still deciding between this and the HA-3A! I happen to have the Jotunheim as well and would love to know how it compares.
aaronhaynes101
New Head-Fier
I'm about to go pick my HA-2A from Fedex at lunch. Ordered from ZMF on Tuesday and auto filled my PO Box for delivery by mistake. Fedex doesn't delivery to PO boxes and the team at ZMF caught it and fixed the mistake within an hour or two. Super quick turn around for delivery all the way to Alaska. Just wanted to give a shout out for the awesome customer service. I also have a HA-3A to compare against. Running them from a couple bi-frost 2/64's. Planning on using the HA-2A at the office but I should have them both at home this weekend and I can share some thoughts.
Nice, interested in hearing your impressions later on the HA-2A. I hope to get a little time with it if there is one at the NYC CanJam this weekend.
Yeah, ZMF customer service is the best. On some orders if I was away from home they would work with my schedule so that I would not miss the FedeX arrival.
@Andykong , Is it safe to assume I can use IEMs with this Amp and have a hiss free listening experience?The HA-2A with and without the tube cage.
For the record, the tube cage protect the tubes from any physical contact, and it will also reduce the RF interference significantly. Therefore whenever you experience some sort of interference, its always adviceabe to put the cage back and try again.
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