Cayin IHA-8 Headphone Amplifier Review
A desktop headphone amplifier listed at $999 with 6.35mm single-ended, 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR balanced outputs and XLR and RCA inputs. Its pictures rate the balanced output at 7000mW into 16Ω and 1000mW into 300Ω in standard mode, with a Hyper mode listed higher.
Our verdict
A fit for buyers who already have a DAC and want a desktop headphone amplifier with 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR balanced outputs and power rated at five loads, listed at $999. Look elsewhere if you need a built-in DAC, since the pictured table lists analog inputs only, or a named plug type. The transformer rating is shown two ways, and no independent test was checked for this review: every figure is the store's own.
- Best for
- Owners of a separate DAC who want balanced 4.4mm or 4-pin XLR headphone outputs.
- Skip if
- You want a built-in DAC or a figure from an independent test.
Why 3.3/5: Weighed down by a listing with no specification list as text, 11 of its 19 pictures unread, the store's own terms contradicting each other, and figures that are the store's own with no independent test checked for this review.
With three headphone outputs in its spec table, the Cayin IHA-8 is a desktop headphone amplifier that the page lists at $999 in black. The pictured table names a 4Ch discrete MOSFET Pure Class A circuit with a Hyper Mode, 6.35mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced and 4-pin XLR balanced outputs, and XLR and RCA analog inputs, and rates the balanced output at 7000mW into 16Ω in standard mode.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says (text and pictures) |
|---|---|
| Circuit design | 4Ch Discrete MOSFET Pure Class A; Hyper Mode |
| Phone outputs | Single-ended 6.35mm x1; balanced 4pin XLR x1 and 4.4mm x1 |
| Analog inputs | Balanced XLR x2; single-ended RCA x2 |
| Gain | Low Gain; High Gain +12dB |
| Balanced power, standard | 16Ω 7000mW, 32Ω 5400mW, 64Ω 3600mW, 128Ω 2100mW, 300Ω 1000mW |
| Balanced power, Hyper | 16Ω 9500mW, 32Ω 7700mW, 64Ω 5000mW, 128Ω 3000mW, 300Ω 1400mW |
| Single-ended power, standard | 16Ω 2600mW, 32Ω 1800mW, 64Ω 1000mW, 128Ω 560mW, 300Ω 250mW |
| Single-ended power, Hyper | 16Ω 3600mW, 32Ω 2500mW, 64Ω 1460mW, 128Ω 800mW, 300Ω 360mW |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-80kHz ±0.5dB (balanced and single-ended) |
| THD+N, balanced | Standard 0.0018% (High Gain, 1kHz, 530mW); Hyper 0.0020% (750mW) |
| SNR, balanced | Standard 127dB; Hyper 130dB (Low Gain, 32Ω, A-weighted) |
| Output impedance | 0.4Ω balanced; 0.2Ω single-ended |
| Power supply | 75W toroidal transformer (70W in two other pictures); 50,000uF Nichicon capacitors |
| Weight and size | ~5kg; 270x215x70 (mm) (LxWxH) |
Options and pricing
The only option is IHA-8-Black (Max Voltage: 220V), listed at $999 and orderable when the page was read. The name gives a maximum voltage but no plug type, and no in-the-box list or rear panel appears among the pictures that were read. The power tables are given in milliwatts per channel for loads from 16Ω to 300Ω.
How it compares
The xDuoo TA32 is also $999 and is named for a ROHM BD34301 DAC and a tube balance headphone amplifier, while the IHA-8's pictured table lists analog inputs only. The SMSL VMV A1PRO Gallium Nitride Power Amplifer at $495 is named a power amplifier rather than a headphone amplifier. Buyers who already own a DAC can use the IHA-8's XLR and RCA inputs; buyers who want the DAC in the same box should read the TA32 page.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- Three headphone outputs listed: 6.35mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced and 4-pin XLR balanced
- Power rated at five loads from 16Ω to 300Ω on both balanced and single-ended outputs, in standard and Hyper modes
- Output impedance listed as 0.4Ω balanced and 0.2Ω single-ended
- XLR x2 and RCA x2 inputs, plus Low and High (+12dB) gain settings
- THD+N, SNR, dynamic range and channel separation given for both output types
Worth noting
- The transformer is rated 75W in the spec table and 70W in two other pictures
- THD+N, SNR and dynamic range are footnoted as measured with XLR inputs; none is listed for RCA inputs in the pictures read
- Single-ended ratings are lower than balanced ones in the tables, for example 2600mW against 7000mW at 16Ω in standard mode
- 11 of the 19 pictures were not read, the page text has no specification list, and no in-the-box list was among the pictures that were
- The option name gives 220V but no plug type
Questions before you buy
What headphone outputs does the IHA-8 list?
The spec table lists one single-ended 6.35mm output and two balanced outputs, a 4.4mm jack and a 4-pin XLR. Output impedance is listed as 0.4Ω balanced and 0.2Ω single-ended.
How much power does it list at 32Ω and 300Ω?
Balanced, standard mode: 5400mW at 32Ω and 1000mW at 300Ω; Hyper mode: 7700mW and 1400mW. Single-ended, standard mode: 1800mW at 32Ω and 250mW at 300Ω; Hyper mode: 2500mW and 360mW. A footnote says power is measured in milliwatts per channel.
What is Hyper mode?
A picture claims Hyper mode gives the amplification circuit its maximum performance by adjusting static operating current and voltage in the Class A state. The tables give separate Hyper figures, for example 9500mW into 16Ω on the balanced output.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- Cayin IHA-8 Full-Balanced Discrete Headphone Amplifier product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The transformer is rated 75W in the spec table but 70W in two other pictures, and nothing in the pictures read says which is right.
- Hyper Mode, the discrete input buffer and the differential circuit descriptions, including the TI, Toshiba and Vishay parts named, are claims in pictures and are not checked here.
- THD+N, SNR and dynamic range are footnoted as measured with XLR inputs, so none is given for RCA inputs in the pictures read; 11 of the 19 pictures were not read and no in-the-box list was among the others.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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