[TSAVJason]

Ok so I'm going to do this by memory so forgive me if I miss any dealers.

The Source AV (TSAVJason) Los Angeles
Music To My Ear (MTMECriag) Pittsburgh
Listen Up Colorado/New Mexico.

These 3 I know for sure.

 

[project86]

Just to chime in - I definitely recommend buying the real deal, even at a higher cost. Not that the Cayin stuff has any reliability issues in my experience (it doesn't) but the gray market (or grey market depending on your regional spelling) is just questionable.

I've had a few things (various brands) arrive DOA over the years and a few others which had odd performance and/or issues that surfaced after a few short months of use. When something like that happens, you really kick yourself for going the cheaper route, as you may be out the complete purchase price at that point. If you DO get support it involves spending $100+ for return shipping, then waiting months for what hopefully ends up being a proper fix... but doesn't always work out that way.

Moral of the story - when there's no local seller, you might just take your chances if you really want the gear. When there one or more local distributors exist, imho it's best to pony up the regular price and go that route. It's worth it.

 

[abvolt]

I Guess that's enough to scare anyone, happy you guys did chime in good info thanks..

 

[Maru10]

Hello all,

once again, huge endorsement from me to Cayin IHA 6! I originally bought it to power my HE6, which Cayin delivered very well. I have spent many hours tapping my toes to the Chord Qute Dac, IHA 6 and HE6 combo, and could be tapping still yet, if I haven't contracted upgraditis once again. Long story short, I have had an offer on HE1000 I couldn't refuse (no horse heads in bed though), and I've built my secondary system in my bedroom - another Qute (I have a thing for Chord dacs you see), Liquid Carbon and HE1000. I've liked the combo, but was wondering why HEKs so hyped, when, clearly, HE6 sounds better in every way. I was almost considering to let HEK travel to another hifimaniac (or hifimanmaniac as the case might be).

One day, I had a long working day from home ahead of me, and was expecting to sit next to my PC for hours without end, so I carried HEKs with me - the comfort is much better than with HE6. I plugged HEKs into IHA6, and had another hifi ephiphany - HEKs were rocking HE6 on the spot and then some! Everything is clearer, lively, more dynamic, lifelike, you name it. I was surprised, as the Liquid Carbon should be more than enough, and yes, it is very likeable, but IHA6 made it sit in the supply closet ever since. Again, long story short, my main setup is now in bedroom, built around IHA6 and HEK.

My secondary system is in my workroom/office/attic, built around HE6 connected HE-adapter to Linn LK140, preamped by Little Dot IV - very nice combo indeed (still I keep wondering whether some other preamp wouldn't turn this into extatical combo - any recommendation?).

I have noticed that there is one IHA being sold here in the forum, and I recommend to grab it. You will not be disappointed with planars!

 

[Andykong]

Hello all,

once again, huge endorsement from me to Cayin IHA 6! I originally bought it to power my HE6, which Cayin delivered very well. I have spent many hours tapping my toes to the Chord Qute Dac, IHA 6 and HE6 combo, and could be tapping still yet, if I haven't contracted upgraditis once again. Long story short, I have had an offer on HE1000 I couldn't refuse (no horse heads in bed though), and I've built my secondary system in my bedroom - another Qute (I have a thing for Chord dacs you see), Liquid Carbon and HE1000. I've liked the combo, but was wondering why HEKs so hyped, when, clearly, HE6 sounds better in every way. I was almost considering to let HEK travel to another hifimaniac (or hifimanmaniac as the case might be).

One day, I had a long working day from home ahead of me, and was expecting to sit next to my PC for hours without end, so I carried HEKs with me - the comfort is much better than with HE6. I plugged HEKs into IHA6, and had another hifi ephiphany - HEKs were rocking HE6 on the spot and then some! Everything is clearer, lively, more dynamic, lifelike, you name it. I was surprised, as the Liquid Carbon should be more than enough, and yes, it is very likeable, but IHA6 made it sit in the supply closet ever since. Again, long story short, my main setup is now in bedroom, built around IHA6 and HEK.

My secondary system is in my workroom/office/attic, built around HE6 connected HE-adapter to Linn LK140, preamped by Little Dot IV - very nice combo indeed (still I keep wondering whether some other preamp wouldn't turn this into extatical combo - any recommendation?).

I have noticed that there is one IHA being sold here in the forum, and I recommend to grab it. You will not be disappointed with planars!

Wow, what can I say? This is one of the strongest user statement on our iHA-6. We are flattered.

When I told my friends that the iHA-6 can drive the HE6 fairly well and it will not over drive sensitive headphones such as AKG K812 at the same time. My friends used to tease me as only happen in my dream because they used to drive HE6 with a power amplifier, so they just couldn't believe iHA-6 can do a decent job on the extremely hungry HE6.

I passed on the HEK but enjoys the HEK V2, I think some users might feel a bit uncomfortable on the $1000 amplifier and $3000 headphone combination, hopefully your favorable experience will encourage more headfiers to take this combination seriously.

By the way, have you tried trigger the current control on the iHA-6? I like to use the High current setting when using planars with iHA-6. Did you use single end or balanced headphone cable with iHA-6?

 

[TSAVJason]

Wow, what can I say? This is one of the strongest user statement on our iHA-6. We are flattered.

When I told my friends that the iHA-6 can drive the HE6 fairly well and it will not over drive sensitive headphones such as AKG K812 at the same time. My friends used to tease me as only happen in my dream because they used to drive HE6 with a power amplifier, so they just couldn't believe iHA-6 can do a decent job on the extremely hungry HE6.

I passed on the HEK but enjoys the HEK V2, I think some users might feel a bit uncomfortable on the $1000 amplifier and $3000 headphone combination, hopefully your favorable experience will encourage more headfiers to take this combination seriously.

By the way, have you tried trigger the current control on the iHA-6? I like to use the High current setting when using planars with iHA-6. Did you use single end or balanced headphone cable with iHA-6?

Andy is providing good input here. It often likes to be in high gain mode when on planar headphones.

 

[Maru10]

Wow, what can I say? This is one of the strongest user statement on our iHA-6. We are flattered.

When I told my friends that the iHA-6 can drive the HE6 fairly well and it will not over drive sensitive headphones such as AKG K812 at the same time. My friends used to tease me as only happen in my dream because they used to drive HE6 with a power amplifier, so they just couldn't believe iHA-6 can do a decent job on the extremely hungry HE6.

I passed on the HEK but enjoys the HEK V2, I think some users might feel a bit uncomfortable on the $1000 amplifier and $3000 headphone combination, hopefully your favorable experience will encourage more headfiers to take this combination seriously.

By the way, have you tried trigger the current control on the iHA-6? I like to use the High current setting when using planars with iHA-6. Did you use single end or balanced headphone cable with iHA-6?

To be 100% honest, HE6 do sound better of poweramp, but with IHA6 it is the next best thing in my humble selection of amps . I really enjoyed it until recently, the IHA6 is no slouch.

And yes, I have current option on with HEKs (gain is off though - to my ears this sounds more natural). Listening now using 4pin xlr audioforza cable, and it's a bliss.

 

[TSAVJason]

Ok so I'm going to do this by memory so forgive me if I miss any dealers.

The Source AV (TSAVJason) Los Angeles
Music To My Ear (MTMECriag) Pittsburgh
Listen Up Colorado/New Mexico.

These 3 I know for sure.

New additions to access this product is LMC Home Entertainment in Scottsdale & Tempe Arizona and Natural Sound in Framingham Mass. Now there is 9 locations scheduled to have all Cayin desk top headphone products on display for your convenience to audition as of August. We will continue to publish the list of authorized dealers as they come on board with the Cayin Desk Top products.

 

[Andykong]

New additions to access this product is LMC Home Entertainment in Scottsdale & Tempe Arizona and Natural Sound in Framingham Mass. Now there is 9 locations scheduled to have all Cayin desk top headphone products on display for your convenience to audition as of August. We will continue to publish the list of authorized dealers as they come on board with the Cayin Desk Top products.

Wow, the network is growing fast, this is so impressive.

For those who are in LA or nearby area and interested in the Cayin iHA-6 and iDAC-6, the Summer Series 2017 is the event you don't want to miss, mark you calendar now:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/q...-avs-summer-series-2017.854741/#post-13596705

 

[Andykong]

To be 100% honest, HE6 do sound better of poweramp, but with IHA6 it is the next best thing in my humble selection of amps . I really enjoyed it until recently, the IHA6 is no slouch.

And yes, I have current option on with HEKs (gain is off though - to my ears this sounds more natural). Listening now using 4pin xlr audioforza cable, and it's a bliss.

Sure understand the advantage of a pair amp when working with HE6, but my friends used to think that is a necessary, but iHA-6 makes that a better option only in m opinion.

4pin is the way to go, iHA-6 sings when driving planars in balanced.

 

[project86]

Personally I think using a big power amp on HE-6 is overrated. Sure, some of them pair well, but you never seem to hear about bad matches - which I've personally experienced on more than one occasion. Even really nice amps sometimes just don't do well driving the weird load of a headphone.

iHA-6 as very solid though.

 

[Andykong]

Personally I think using a big power amp on HE-6 is overrated. Sure, some of them pair well, but you never seem to hear about bad matches - which I've personally experienced on more than one occasion. Even really nice amps sometimes just don't do well driving the weird load of a headphone.

iHA-6 as very solid though.

Indeed its a little wonder, that's why I always bring my HE6 with me when I showcase iHA-6 at CanJam, it keep surprised my visitors and they know the little iHA-6 is a work strong immediately.

 

[Maru10]

Personally I think using a big power amp on HE-6 is overrated. Sure, some of them pair well, but you never seem to hear about bad matches - which I've personally experienced on more than one occasion. Even really nice amps sometimes just don't do well driving the weird load of a headphone.

iHA-6 as very solid though.

Agree with both statements. I liked IHA 6 with HE6, and I like it even more with HEK. I simply did not enjoy HE6 with my yamaha a501 integrated amp via speaker taps, but the combo of tubes and linn lk140 does sound tad better than IHA6. Not a day and night difference, but a nice upgrade and a win-win situation, as IHA6 was needed elsewhere

 

[bearwarrior]

I have an almost brand new iHA-6. Please PM me if you are interested. Thanks!

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cayin-iha-6-headphone-amplifier.857035/

 

[Andykong]

Marcus from Headfonics has reviewed the iDAC-6 and iHA-6 combo, he described them as a sum of the parts:

Apart they are impressive, competitively priced with good specs and well put together desktop components. I could happily use either with perhaps the iHA-6 being the more immediately impressive of the two. Together, however, they are outstanding as a system which is how Cayin really wanted these units to be used.

If you want to find out how he arrived at this conclusion, please check out the full review at the Headfonics site:http://headfonics.com/2017/08/the-idac-6-iha-6-by-cayin/

http://headfonics.com/2017/08/the-idac-6-iha-6-by-cayin/


Marcus gives 8.7 to the iDAC-6 and iHA-6, I think he likes what he hear this round.