Cayin HA-2A | Desktop Tube Headphone Amplifier

I am not about writing reviews about audio equipment, so if you want to read about this amp sounding as smooth and warm as hot fudge melting over vanilla ice cream, this is not a review for you. My first introduction to tubes for audiophile listening was when I bought an Audio Research SP-6C in 1988. I fell in love with the sound tubes could provide, owing multiple Audio Research preamps and amps along the way. Early on, my system was euphonic with wonderful tube bloom. As my system evolved, so did my ears, and before I sold my kit 4-5 years ago, I was listening to Audio Research Reference electronics and Martin Logan hybrid electrostatic speakers, with an Esoteric SACD Player. I go through all that for some back ground, I prefer my music to be reproduced in clean and quick, with detail but still with tube decay and intonation. This was the main reason I picked the Cayin HA-2A amp, vs the HA-3A. Plus it came with NOS Amperex tubes. I have done lots of tube rolling in the past and owned three tubes testers, and did not want to go in that direction again. Although, I did locate some nice NOS RCA and Sylavnia backups for the Amperex. I wanted to keep my listening kit somewhat small. I listen in my great room while my wife watches TV. I used an Eversolo DMP-8 (also from Bloom,) and Dan Clark Audoio E3 headphones. Norah Jones “Come Away with Me,” is a superbly recorded album. I have missed her voice and the instrumental backings. When the song “Seven Years” started, and I heard the breathiness of her voice, the acoustic guitars with fingers sliding on the fretboard, and the sweet edginess of the slide steel guitar, all I could do was smile. On the bass driven track “Three to get Ready” off Dave Brubeck Quartet “Time Out,” following the bass lines, which to me, drive that piece, along with Paul Desmonds sax, hearing the reed while he plays and Brubecks driving piano, I knew I had my forever kit. With solid state gear, I did not find it nearly as enjoyable and the music never took me in. Now I have that again, where I can just listen and enjoy. Not dissect what is missing. This set up meets my needs nicely and the Cayin HA-2A surpasses the Violectric V222 I was using previously. The HA-3A would sound different I am sure. Being SET, I would guess more euphonic sound, but given my listening experience, that is not what I was looking for. The HA-6A would offer both options, but in a much larger package than I want. I this review was about Goldilocks and the Three Bears, I guess the HA-2A is just right for me. I bought the HA-2A thinking I might return it within the 30 day window Bloom so generously offers, to exchange for the HA-3A. After a couple weeks of listening, this little beast is safely ensconced it it’s place next to me. I don’t see it going anywhere. Depending upon what your listening preferences might be, this could be the perfect amp for you as well.

Head to head vs $5000 Feliks amp, the Cayin HA 2A is nothing short of a musical revelation, nice NOS tube sound, build quality also super nice. The feature set on the HA 2A for the price is everything you could ask with all different input and output also the best part of this amp is different ohm setting and that helps alot with all my headphones collection. Last but not least, thanks Bloom Audio shipped quickly, and top notch after sales service with all the follow up emails, btw took UPS only 3 days from order to my door delivered to Vancouver Canada, definitely will buy again cheers! 🤟🍻