Spark HA-1A Revisited

[Rameish 0]

Am tube rolling soon have lined up a quite a few brands including:

 

In the 12AX7/ECC83 position I have lined up: Svetlana 12AX7, Ei 12AX7, JJ 12AX7,

Mullard CV 4004, Amperex 5751, GE 5751, Electro Harmonix 12AX7, RCA 12AX7

 

In the 12AU7/ECC83 position I have lined up: National Gold line 5814A, CV4003, RFT ECC83, Ei 12AU7, JJ 12AU7 (I think I have this LOL),

 

In the EL84 position I have the: Ei EL84, Billington Gold EL84, Electro Harmonix, Stock, and am trying to get my hands on some RCAs (at S$70 a pop but supplier has only matched quads) So if anyone wants to buy another pair let me know.

[lengcm 0]

Not too sure what was the tube combination the other night, the music sounds pretty real with the Cayin. Rameish care to shed some light on that combination?

 

[Rameish 0]

I beleive that was the Electro Harmonix EL84 with Mullard CV4003 and Mullard CV4004. But it was still a tad too warm for me LOL esp with the Senn HD-600.

 

BTW the earlier one you listened to was Ei EL84 with CV4004 and CV4003 *too rich" for me.

 

 

[hower 0]

How does it work as a pre-amp? Anyone got experience? I am considering buying one, and at the same time using it as a pre-amp.

[flemingoh 0]

have been using my cayin as pre-amp (ecc 83 and 82 mullard with jj tubes as in mackie's review) with my integrated amp (Audio Refinement) and Infinity Primus 360 floor standers. i felt the sound had "opened up" and can hear more details and it became more "lively" (compared with using integrated amp on stand-alone basis - however this could be due the integrated itself not having synergy with the speakers). ymmv!!!

 

i hardly use it as a head amp these days - sticking to my grado ra-1 clone with senn hd580 - prefer this combination than senn with cayin (though this sounds "airier" with more "space" between the instruments and vocal).

 

the cd player is ts lim's modified marantz 63 se.

 

 

[edwinywh 0]

Ohh... so the Caiyin has once again surfaced!? I have heard of this amp for quite sometime already but have not personally seen it before.

 

Is it available outside now?? *wondering*

[flemingoh 0]

i bought mine from Wil (a great chap!). i think that there are 2 units for sale in the forum ... (not mine!!!)

[edwinywh 0]

i bought mine from Wil (a great chap!). i think that there are 2 units for sale in the forum ... (not mine!!!)

Wil??? Ok,i go source around. THANKS!

[flemingoh 0]

oops ... Wil is a SGheadphones member - not a dealer. take a look at the classifieds.

[wil 0]

hahaha....since when did i become a dealer!

[Mackie 0]

Cayin products are available at Precision Audio on the ground floor of Adelphi, Coleman street.