Cayin IHA-6 Desktop Solid‑State Headphone Amplifier

Harness Planar-Level Power, With Studio-Quiet Control

If you love the speed, slam, and scale of modern planars—and want them to sound alive rather than polite—the Cayin IHA‑6 delivers the current, headroom, and control that demanding headphones crave. Its fully balanced, all‑discrete architecture and High/Low Current + Gain options let you match the amp to your headphones instead of the other way around, unlocking deeper dynamics and blacker backgrounds from your favorite DAC and recordings.

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Why Audiophiles Choose This Product

• • Powerful, controlled sound: Up to 7 W per channel into 32 Ω from the balanced outputs gives planars the grip and dynamics they’re built for—without etch or glare. Many listeners report excellent authority even with notoriously tough models.
• • Engineering that serves music: A fully balanced, quadruple‑amplifier circuit built from discrete parts, with independent L/R power supplies, keeps crosstalk and noise vanishingly low for effortless detail retrieval.
• • Practical flexibility at your fingertips: Two gain settings and switchable High/Low Current modes tailor drive for both sensitive dynamics and hard‑to‑move planars; separate low‑ and high‑impedance 6.35 mm jacks expand matching options.
• • Broad connectivity, zero guesswork: Balanced XLR and RCA inputs plus four headphone outputs (dual 3‑pin XLR, 4‑pin XLR, and two 6.35 mm) cover nearly any cable you own—no adapters required.
• • Thoughtful parts selection: Premium ALPS 4‑channel potentiometer, Toshiba audio‑grade FETs, and a low‑resistance MOSFET output stage contribute to smooth control, low noise, and long‑term reliability.
• • Output impedance options done right: The two single‑ended jacks are purpose‑tuned—Low ≈10 Ω and High ≈120 Ω—while the balanced outs are near‑zero, letting you shape synergy (e.g., classic Sennheiser/ZMF on 120 Ω, planars on balanced).
• • Desktop‑friendly build: A dense, resonance‑controlled aluminum chassis with sandblasted finish looks clean in any setup while shielding circuits from interference.

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What’s Included

• • Cayin IHA‑6 amplifier (iHA‑6)
• • Power cable
• • Replacement fuses (x2)
• • User manual and warranty card
  Official package contents may vary by region; this list reflects the manufacturer’s documentation.

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Notes
Product Type	Desktop solid‑state headphone amplifier	Analog RCA/XLR inputs; 6.35 mm and XLR headphone outs.
Architecture	Fully balanced, all‑discrete; independent L/R power supplies	Quadruple‑amplifier design with Current and Gain controls.
Power Output (32 Ω)	SE: 1.1 W/ch (High Current); 2.2 W/ch (Low Current)	Balanced: 5.0 W/ch (High Current); 7.0 W/ch (Low Current). Headroom for planars.
Frequency Response	10 Hz – 80 kHz (+0/‑0.5 dB)	Extended bandwidth for airy treble.
THD+N	≤0.02% (1 kHz, 32 Ω)	Clean, low‑distortion presentation.
S/N Ratio	SE ≥105 dB (A‑wtd); Bal ≥110 dB (A‑wtd)	Low noise floor for sensitive cans.
Output Impedance (headphone)	SE Low ≈10 Ω; SE High ≈120 Ω; Balanced ≈0.15 Ω	Enables intentional damping/voicing via jack choice.
Gain / Current Modes	2‑step Gain; 2‑step Current	Match sensitivity and load behavior.
Inputs	1× RCA (unbalanced), 1× XLR (balanced)	Source‑agnostic analog integration.
Headphone Outputs	2× 6.35 mm (Low/High impedance), 1× 4‑pin XLR, 1× dual 3‑pin XLR	Front‑panel convenience.
Max Power Consumption	30 W	Efficient desktop use.
Dimensions (W×D×H)	240 × 252 × 69 mm	Stackable with iSeries components.
Weight	~3800 g	Solid, resonance‑controlled chassis.

Practical notes:

• The IHA‑6 is a dedicated headphone amplifier with no pre‑amp/line outputs, by design. Pair it with your preferred DAC.

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Professional Recognition

• Reviews
  • The Absolute Sound praised Cayin’s i‑Series as “impressive personal audio components,” noting the IHA‑6’s balanced/SE I/O and flexible High/Low Current + Gain operation.
  • Headfonics highlighted the IHA‑6’s 7 W balanced drive and discrete, fully balanced design, recommending it for planars.
  • Measurement‑driven validation from GoldenSound confirmed near‑zero balanced output impedance and power figures aligning with spec.
• Community feedback
  • Head‑Fi veterans reported the IHA‑6 driving HE‑6 with rare authority for its size; many found balanced “exceptional.”
• Heritage
  • Cayin (Zhuhai Spark) has built Hi‑Fi electronics since the 1990s; the IHA‑6 sits in the brand’s minimalist, stackable i‑Series alongside the iDAC‑6 and iDAP‑6.
• Design details
  • Premium ALPS 4‑channel pot, Toshiba audio‑grade FETs, and a low‑resistance MOSFET output stage underscore the amp’s low‑noise, high‑current intent.

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The Bottom Line

The Cayin IHA‑6 is for listeners who want desktop‑friendly refinement with big‑amp composure. Its combination of honest measurements, real‑world driving power, and connection flexibility builds confidence—especially with planars—without adding coloration or complexity. Choose your gain/current setting, pick the jack that best suits your headphone’s impedance behavior, and enjoy a clear, dynamic window into your music for years to come.

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Notes for amplifier shoppers:

• Inputs/Outputs: RCA and XLR in; headphone outs include dual 6.35 mm (10 Ω/120 Ω), dual 3‑pin XLR, and 4‑pin XLR. No DAC or pre‑out—add your preferred DAC upstream.
• Power and matching: For low‑impedance planars, use balanced outputs and experiment with Current modes; for high‑impedance dynamics (e.g., 300 Ω), High Gain with balanced out provides excellent swing. The 120 Ω jack can add warmth/body to certain classics by design.