Cayin iHA-6 _(Z Reviews)_ A 789 Alternative FFFFFF

Cayin on Amazon --------------------- [amzn.to/2C61iDA]
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Cayin on MusicTek ------------------ [shop.musicteck.com/products/cayin-iha6-fully-balanced-high-fidelity-headphone-amplifier?variant=28578075651]
Enog 2 Dac ------------------------------ [geshelli.com/shop?olsPage=t%2Fenog2-pro]
ESS 422 Headphone --------------- [amzn.to/2SJTEUH]
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[@flyt129]

Z: A 789 Alternative! me: yay!!! Z: 700$ me: noooo! :(

[@rhodey2952]

FlyT haha same!

[@masterxyr]

@@rhodey2952 idem

[@Theeightmilebend]

You got that right !

[@agentm83]

Story of my life.

[@alessandrabenz8109]

king klipsch

[@nick_hf]

My god that those relay clicks

[@BaeKasma]

nutt

[@docgiggs]

Glad you got around to of my favorite amps. I've had one for a long time since it had glowing reviews from Tyll from Innerfidelity and Carrowin from head-fi. You can get them for as cheap as $400ish used or about $500 is new if you know where to shop for it.

[@9121andy]

At Low current mode, the amplifier will output at a higher voltage, and this should works better with high impedance dynamic headphones as they need more voltage swing. When you switch to high current mode, the amplifier will output at a lower voltage, but at a higher operation current, this is good for planar headphones because they don't need voltage swing (flag impedance across complete audible frequency range) but the magnetic structure of the planar drive simply "eat" current for living. So the button optimise the iHA-6 for two different genres of headphones instantly.

[@bernamej]

What about low impoedence dynamic headphones ?

[@dillacorn_linux]

AFK Khans! :D I've been waiting for the review! I own a pair with my SMSL-SU8 and THX 789!

[@cameronmoll7966]

Z, Monolith Amplifier Review next? Also have you seen the Topping DX7S? Curious if you'd been looking at that as well in the future.

[@ResolveReviews]

Key information left out of this review is the fact that the SE outputs are (low) 10 ohm output impedance and (high) 120 ohm output impedance. Why the fuck anyone would need to use the high SE output on anything other than an HD800 or ADX5000 is beyond me, and for anything less than 50 ohms (like most headphones) the low SE output isn't ideal either - nevermind trying to run balanced armature IEMs off of it with anything other than a 4pin xlr adapter or attenuator. I own this amp and absolutely love it, but you should warn people NOT to use the high SE output because it will totally screw up the intended frequency response for regular headphones (especially dynamics, planars don't change as much). Moreover, the SE outputs are absolute fucking GARBAGE compared to the 4pin xlr balanced out (

[@llysender]

Thanks for the infomation, no wonder the R70X sounded amazing on the high OI SE output. Is the high OI on the low impedence side the reason why I can hear a very faint noise floor with portable headphones when nothing is playing?

[@zyfur5448]

Hey z so Ik this is really off topic but have you thought about reviewing the zmf classics

[@xyanide1986]

I like my cans warm, my amps warm, my DACs neutral.

[@Jriz01]

I like you...

[@danthemanvine4782]

“Quick minute”... sure Z, sure…

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

Yay...Rupert Neve. I just bought a 9 year old secondhand Musical Fidelity M1 HPA. It's different enough compared to the Rupert. Difficult to describe the sound...but I am going with tiny warm, sweet and open(more seperation and forced depth). But not as detailed as the Rupert. I am considering the Cayin HA-1A mark 1....fully tube amp at 800euro

[@eat_ze_bugs]

This has been on InnerFidelity's wall of fame for a while now.

[@buster7618]

Bet Tyll loved listening to M50s on this baby

[@anandhua.b4589]

@@buster7618 he liked to listening to m50s because he was old and couldn't hear high frequency very well

[@buster7618]

@@anandhua.b4589 lol

[@kellanmackenzie5230]

This was originally over $1000. I bought this after CanJam NYC 2018 and paired it with HE-500s. I'll eventually go back to it. It's a Planar king.

[@harrytran7754]

Hold on, is it me or the Khan is awfully look like a black version of DT990 pro? Edit: I found out 5m later that it is a modded 990 pro, I'm curious how do they sound?

[@ShellstaTube]

Cayin do some nice valve amps ... and the upcoming iDAC-6 mk2 DAC/Streamer looks like one to keep an eye on.

[@formerviking]

I hope one of the things that Cayin is going to let you play with is the tube amp they're selling on Musictek. That thing is gorgeous.

[@Michael194]

What's the best amp/dac under a 100 in 2019? I have a pair of rp40s headphones

[@ElTejocotetl]

The Cayin Y-M-C-A!!!🎶

[@chocolah]

I've got a question, do I need amp&dac with hi res sticker in order to play 16, 24 bit flac files the proper way ? I mean, is a simple dac&amp like fiio q1 capable of playing flac files even though there isn't any high res audio reference. And same question goes with headphones.

[@V1ralB1ack]

Dacs can play hi res audio. All can in general but to different extents. When you buy expensive $1000+ dacs then they start playing flac perfectly or close to perfectly. Cheaper dacs play it but you will not get the full resolution by far. That is why people try to get the most pleasing cheap dac.

[@Tallnerdyguy]

@@V1ralB1ack Science disagrees with you on having to spend $1000+ for flac "perfectly" if anything actually played it perfectly, which NOTHING does, noone would ever buy anything else.

[@swilkins1984]

Random question: is there a 4 pin male to 4 pin female adapter or 0.5-1 ft cord on the market? I'm paranoid that I will wear out the the xlr connector on my 789 and Jotunheim due to swapping and I'd like to find a way to minimize this. I have a 6 ft male to female and it's too long.

[@Tallnerdyguy]

it would be called an extension, since you are looking for male-female connector. The 4 pin xlr are much more robust than 3.5 or ¼" connectors

[@Melkorify]

Guys, while this amp is great, make sure you pair it with a warm or neutral dac, not a bright one because this amp is already a little bright to be honest. Plus, from what i remember the se didn't sound as good as balanced of this one . Cheers.

[@frzn9887]

Hi! I do have to ask, Which would you say is better, the Johunheim 2, or the iHA-6? I’m using an edition XS and do want an amp I’d never really need to upgrade from.

[@ajrofficial06]

Iha 6

[@VFHost]

Hey Zeos, i need a video for speakers, the same way you did with gaming headphones. I got so educated from that, need the same for speakers

[@Dave30867]

Make sense please .

[@VFHost]

@@Dave30867 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h57VnJWNqNGWgdU I need this video, but for speaker systems. A kind of, all you need to know. With a gaming angle 😁 Did it answer your question?

[@dominicdager4331]

Heya boss watched your videos for a while now but I am new to the sound game. Is there a product or setup you would suggest for someone who is just getting into this. Hard question and not sure you'll respond but I appreciate it regardless!

[@mattrismatt]

I'll offer a few suggestions if can tell me what kind of setup you had in mind for (headphones, speakers, or the ability to do both). Will you be at your desk or in a larger room? What genres of music you listen to most? Do you have a budget? Do looks matter? Do you prefer bass quantity or a more detailed sound? Do you prefer simplicity or better sound quality?

[@dominicdager4331]

@@mattrismatt heya Matt thank you for the help! Ummm looks no preference Budget is flexible but since it's just a start I don't wanna spend more then maybe 750ish? I listen to a good range of music but mostly metal, rap, trap, and a few other things. I have hifiman headphones and Sennheiser pxc550 since they were highly rated and on sale and recommended by the almighty in the video haha. I do like bass but does the idea of is a hybrid of sound a thing? And finally I do not mind any setup location in particular desk or otherwise. I have a lot to learn about the sound world haha. Thank you again for the help!

[@edg5367]

Hey why no videos from canjam NYC??

[@lysholmrado]

Monoprice firmware is finally up on the website

[@smkink]

YOLO, wildcard

[@aceofspades6667]

I'm wondering if Zeos missed the mark in this review... Isn't the iHA-6 designed for HPs that are hard/difficult to drive? e.g. Susvara, HE6, LCD4, 1266, and another other planar? I'm thinking the Hps used in this review may not have taken advantage of the power/current that the iHA-6 has over the THX stuff.

[@Sebastian_Athea]

Just glancing at my 789 from time to time while watching this, and smiling ominously...

[@gasperbregar630]

current switch actually changes the amplifier class from class AB to kind of class A

[@ZReviews]

Im sort of glad I didn't grasp that. I would have had way too many things fucking with my judgements.

[@Krankynator]

Considering how expensive the Cayin stuff I've seen before (N6II and N8) is, the price surprised me in a positive way

[@anouarkafi7039]

hi i love Your content is very much pls do review about cheap headphone like superlux hd660 or hd330 or hmd660

[@CockatooDude]

But does it have a smooooth volume knob?

[@clintonlyon4830]

Hey Z I know this is off topic, but what site would you recommend for a replacement cable for Meze 99Classics?

[@georgeorwell7776]

amazon

[@ZReviews]

If it has the small plugs it should fit. I know Ursine.audio has those connectors.

[@almoskosz7461]

Hey what's the headphone that he pulls put at around 14mins? The open wooden one that sat on the wooden headphone stand.

[@ZReviews]

Sendy Aiva

[@almoskosz7461]

@@ZReviews Thank youuu!

[@josephweesit5917]

Astell and Kern L1000 review please master Z! Before I commit to buy it. 😁

[@buster7618]

What are those nuggets you use for comfort and what are the holy shit headphones you reference, not the klipsch and empyreans?

[@V1ralB1ack]

The dekoni nuggets and I think the headphones he's mentioning are the ess 422h headphones with different pads and nuggets. =)

[@buster7618]

@@V1ralB1ack thank you my friend :)

[@stuka78]

Hi Z, recently, your reviews are about more expensive equipment than in the past... no more 100$ amp/dac 😬🥺😱 Rising the bar!!!

[@xray111xxx]

Zeos goes all over the place. He did 100 dollar amps, I bought the Spark per his review. I like the Spark it does fine. But he will shift around. That is just Zeos.

[@ZReviews]

I do what people send me. And the more popular I am the more people with deep wallets get to me.

[@abosamra65]

thighs "THIGHS" i approve ;) .

[@praisekek6634]

uhhhh i see the empyrans they are coming closer

[@mas2pek]

How about the Aune S7 / Pro ?

[@HeavyProfessor]

I have this amp. It is fantastic with the hifiman arya and iFi Neo. Wonderful stuff. High current mode is for planar magnetic...at least, that's what I read somewhere.

[@tcc5750]

Agreed

[@MootPoot]

do i need a dac with an amp like this or the 789?

[@V1ralB1ack]

Yes

[@HughOBrien]

I'm sure they meant quiescent current. Which is a biasing factor.

[@JoseRodriguez-ey7ju]

where's the klipsch hp3 review? hurry up and post it already!

[@Peter_Crow]

Zeos i have been enjoying your reviews in recent times but there is not much detail here at all. Dare i say a lazy review? For those wanting the works in a review have a look at headfi (project86)/innerfidelity (john grandberg). A lot discussed. There are some limitations to the output impedance of the single ended inputs, low impedance has an output impedance of 10ohm from memory. Balanced input (4 pin xlr) for headphones is less than 1 ohm output impedance. Overall a powerful, very well priced, honest, typical sounding solid state amp

[@Lemonpinesol]

fucking boomer

[@apicars1287]

Is there a discord?

[@johnwright8814]

The value of Quiescent Current is the thing that distinguishes Class A from Class AB. You know this.

[@ZReviews]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Still never heard the word before.

[@johnwright8814]

When quiescent current is equal to the peak load current, that's class A. It is not an efficient use of power, and the amp gets warm.

[@Mymindisablank]

@@ZReviews it's pronounced as kwe ess ant

[@David-li1sp]

@@johnwright8814 so the higher one is class a and lower light is ab?

[@johnwright8814]

@@David-li1sp High current low gain would be best for low impedance loads, Low current high gain would be best for high impedance loads. It would say "Class A" if it was, because this would be a selling point.

[@vergelsubang6003]

How is the soundstage of this Z? Is this so narrow and flat sounding?

[@arierad1]

No. Not at all. It will reveal what is on the recording.

[@cbomb1723]

Z, with these alternatives to the 789 I wouldn’t mind knowing how they work with the 909.

[@jagmeetsmann]

Watching the camera move so much is so annoying!

[@KabuTheFox]

You seem very conflicted if this is worth the price, what would you recommend at that price? What dac pairs well with it? I know the idac6 exists but it's tube buffer...

[@ZReviews]

Before the 789 this would have been the best amp I heard. It still might be but is so close to something half the price.

[@KabuTheFox]

@@ZReviews what dac in the same range would you recommend to pair it with?

[@Tallnerdyguy]

@@KabuTheFox why would the dac need to be in the same price? there are dacs that are $250 that measure amazingly. SMSL SU-8 or M300

[@KabuTheFox]

@@Tallnerdyguy cause idk, smsl m300 is a hard sell to me. The u8 looks decent but since I made my original comment I have bought the rme adi 2 anyways

[@Darkmatter356]

Surprised you didn't mention anything from questyle in this review.

[@hogwyild]

Or the iFi iCan Pro

[@suprememaster1951]

SMSL SP200 THIS COMING NOV!!!!!!!!

[@masterxyr]

OMG you dissed le zep again :x

[@ZReviews]

FIGHT ME the recording quality isn't mindblowing and that is a huge part of my preference boner.

[@masterxyr]

@Club Soda lol cheesy. yeap, that wraps it up concisely...

[@masterxyr]

@@ZReviews I know :) just messing with ya. It IS a pity that the sound isn't pristine and other fancy adjectives, it mostly recorded 40 years ago :( Radiohead on the other hand just seem to enjoy crackling, hiss and any other manifestations of the noise demons....

[@litsaudio]

what anti-virus you have ? Kaspersky prooved to be the best for me ( as long as you dont uncheck the license info when remove and try trial again )

[@lukeizze]

Does this *effectively power* the 600 ohm 880?

[@arierad1]

Without a hint of a sweat.

[@ajrofficial06]

Yes it does

[@ciaoamore2634]

thx 887 best

[@ZerpsT]

Get a new caaamera my eyes do ouchie :(

[@loza395]

At least 60fps

[@ZReviews]

But it is my lucky camera.

[@Assimilator702]

ZerpsT It’s not his camera. It’s aYT thing.

[@Xsetsu]

Cayin, Ifi Audio (higher end), and Queststyle are all the sweet spots of high end audio for me. Honestly you get better inputs/outputs, better preamps setups, better build, etc. The 789 is fantastic for max performance on a budget but the next step up is even sweeter. Once you get above that things seem to get weird and silly.

[@mikkol79]

what's your proposition for the next step up after the 789?

[@Xsetsu]

@@mikkol79 All in one? Probably Questyle CMA400i. Questyle's Current Mode Amp, Questyle's amp tech, is way more powerful than it looks at first. Hint of warmth instead of brightness like the 789. Extremely clean regardless. Runs around $800. I run a Questyle CMA 12 now. Just Amp? Cayin iHA-6. The Cayin iDAC-6 being the matching set for. Both of these run around $700 apiece.

[@mikkol79]

@@Xsetsu Someone complained in an amazon review that not enough oomph. But I wouldn't know.

[@mikkol79]

actually probably a bs review

[@Xsetsu]

@@mikkol79 I owned one for about year. It doesn't seem massively powerful at first, but that is nonsense. I was able to power 300ohm and 600ohms headphones plenty fine on it as well as HE-500s. The HE-500's sensitivity is not as low as the HE-6's, but they are not far off either, still in the 80s db/1mw. With HE-500's I still couldn't get them much past half volume on the CMA400i, so that statement is badly off. There just isn't that much more past that as far as hard to drive.

[@xray111xxx]

789 has been 700-800 on eBay. Massdrop gave us a chance and if you didn't get one tough! You got to wait. If they do it again. $350.00 is pretty awesome. I have been looking and the Rupert Neve pronounced Neeeeve by the way. Is interesting but around 500 to 600. The under 1000 is making allot of tasty choices. I am going to wait. Time is on my side yes it is. I missed the 1st Massdrop on the 789, nah, I lied, I saw it and did not buy it like thousands who did not. I am still waiting. Running a Spark now. It is fine. But yeah I want a 789. Curious about the other Monoprice that needs that firmware update Zeos has. About 500 something for that too.

[@timothy9596]

I've seen a review on the Monoprice THX that says it's basically the same thing as the 789 but it's truly balanced.

[@buster7618]

@@timothy9596 I have heard it is the same spec wise, but it not implemented nearly as well as the 789.. I will try to find the link

[@tormaid42]

“Quin-sent” you should have looked up how to pronounce it as well.

[@billblakely9092]

It took your comment for me to realize he must have been saying quiescent.

[@Sl0th150]

Should I get this over the a30 pro?

[@arierad1]

Only if you want an amp that is so far superior to the Topping that there is no comparison. Then.

[@ajrofficial06]

Yes.

[@nickschwenk]

Sold out on amazon 😂

[@vcp93]

nEEve Long "e"

[@pedecia]

So does Zeos have 2 789 there? If yes why??

[@V1ralB1ack]

Yes, so he can test different headphones with the same amp or test different dacs.

[@pedecia]

@@V1ralB1ack thanks V1

[@anthonylee344]

love the reviews are you on instagram

[@svenrolic]

I bought this amp because I have a wire for dual 3 pin XLR. There are a few tube amps made the same way.

[@jasonlax4112]

Hurry up and do that Sony amplifier.....

[@paulusmaximus1814]

this guy or a questyle cma400i

[@hogwyild]

I won the CMA400i and I am very happy with it.

[@ToysForTheGods]

You know i'm starting to die inside every time you review something. I have bought almost everything I own based off your reviews and I have been trying to step up in quality, begging massdrop for a 789 and never can get one. Then you put out this video and I click on the links to buy it and it is sold out and unknown when it will be back. at this point I about give up. There is an SMSL combo on massdrop right now ballanced dac and ballanced amp duo not combo two seperate units and I am considering them at this point as together they are $350 and I want an upgrade from my Aune X1S

[@thelastrhino2581]

Haven't seen a negative review from you in a while. It's been a "buy this" fest.

[@buster7618]

Fortunately, there has been a lot of new and cost effective products to release in 2018 and 2019. Unfortunately, things like the 789 have been very difficult to attain for most people hence the alternatives, its all the buzz man. But yeah, I could use a nice Zeos roasting

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

CaptainFantastic Well, good job mcintosh is here to rectify that...

[@mattrismatt]

Zeos prefers to give positive reviews, hoping that you will be enticed to buy the product. If you buy the product(s) from the links in his KZbin descriptions, he receives a commission from Amazon. Do you see the correlation? Leaving negative reviews would be bad for business!

[@ZReviews]

So you are saying the McIntosh MHP-1000 next?

[@ZReviews]

Yes and No. Even if I dislike something I can always link to something else I DO like in the description. So no bias. Bad product reviews come from products that disappoint me.

[@georgeorwell7776]

i have their tube headphone amp HA-1A, its really amazing. would send it to you, but i live in germany and it weighs 15 pounds.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

I'm pretty sure he pays for it both ways. At least that's what he said in the past. I mean people have sent him subs from Europe.

[@stevep4384]

quiescent?

[@Alexander-ty9ix]

damn

[@johnyang799]

Not even close.

[@davidholomakoff4514]

?

[@litsaudio]

Ebay equals SCAM

[@LeDechaine]

Bought more than 100 things on eBay, no problem... I would never buy something used for twice the price of a new one anyway (wtf).

[@litsaudio]

what makes you think mine was used ?

[@LeDechaine]

Huh? No, Zeos said in the video that THX789s were 700$ used on eBay.

[@litsaudio]

really ?

[@LeDechaine]

15:30 ...

[@swilkins1984]

For that price it should have a built in dac and even then it's really expensive.

[@nizodizo9549]

This is bat shit crazy Z.

[@davidryan5482]

Wish I could watch more of your reviews but so many are just too long.

[@cnhhnc]

Another HP amp? lol! OK, not a big interest of mine. I have a couple of old vintage amp/receivers that can drive almost any headphone well and are a lot less than this costs. Of course, they're beastly in size and weight, lol! So, if you're into desktop solutions DO NOT pay any attention to yours truly. Take it away Z-reviews!

[@Tallnerdyguy]

i have had a few vintage amps that had serious issue with driving planar magnetic headphones.

[@Leonard_Lewis]

M has better thighs!

[@alessandrabenz8109]

cayin n3 a flop and this box is soooo ugggly 👎 video ok 👍

[@xiaochaoo]

The box looks pretty good, u are hard to maintain.

[@alessandrabenz8109]

@@xiaochaoo thank you 💋