Can be bought ready built (USD279) or cheaper as a kit. Tube is 6n23p "Reflektor".

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Comments answered:

- Thanks for the 5751 tube information. Ordered some tubes, including a 5751
- I still prefer the other amps for the Audezes, but not for HE-500. Love the soundstage, vocals and details the combo provides

After several months, I used both the V200 and Burson HA-160D. I find that they both are excellent amps to e.g. K702, LCD-2, HE-300 and HE-500. Last week I decided that the 160D had to go, since I always reverted to the V200 for all these headphones. There is something likeable with the V200 sound signature and build quality.
 
The project86 and WA reviews elaborate further.

 
1) HE-500 sounds darker and smoother than the HE-300. Not the other way around. IMHO.

2) HE-300 articulates better than HE-500 and for some, the HE-300 will feel like fresh air / an opened window to the music compared with the HE-500

3) HE-300 has a bass impact the excels the K70x. They are worlds apart. Generally the K702 is perceived tuned quite brighter through the whole spectrum than the HE-300

4) HE-300 and the HE-500 have both good comfort, the former is best for those appreciating it's net weight and the latter for those finding the HE-300 too light. The HE-500 feels more sturdy

 

Bass impact enough to make all music genres believable = tick

Vocals. Renders male and female vocals beutifully = tick

Treble extention and on the right side of "not harsh" = tick

Weight & comfort = tick

Doesn't need a separate amp = tick

 

Note: The HE-500's renders vocal in a truly beautifull natural way and on that arena, the HE-300 loose the "competition".

 

The stock cable is the same for HE-300 and the HE-500 and should be shortened or replaced by aftermarket / DIY cable. The stock cable is too solid / heavy. Buying an aftermarket cable for almost the same price could be silly, but if you own more than one HiFiMAN; well, why not, if soldering and DIY is not your thing. Just be aware that no extra ear pad, nor extra coax connectors is shipped with the HE-300. The HE-500 includes those spares.

 

 

Used a variety of music genres to get impressions. Country, Techno, Acoustic & Vocal, pure instrumental and Live performances. E.g.

 

- Infected Mushroom "Vicious Delicious"

- Anders Widmark "Waiting for a Train"

- The Rippingtons "Let it Rip"

- Leonhard Cohen "Ten New Songs"

- Kirk Franklin "Hello Fear"

- Josh Turner "Your Man"

- Basshunter "Now you're gone"

- Jennifer Warnes "Famous Blue Raincoat"

- Stanley Clarke "East River Drive"

- a-ha "Ending on a High Note"

 

The HE-300 is a keeper for me. I should note that on some of these recordings, some would probably actually find the HE-300 "too bright", or that may actually just be me (cf. compared to the HE-500 and LCD-2). Anyway; the HE-300 is indeed like fresh air; sound wise and with a high SQ delivery for $300.

 

Bottom-line: The HE-300 is a fun and engaging headphone. This on a V200/HegelHD10 combo, but more important: It is an all-rounder that is also fun driven simply by the iPhone (3G) headphone jack. Unbelievable VFM.

 
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The following are not my reviews, but just wanted to collate external reviews at one place:
 
Headfonia - http://www.headfonia.com/hifiman-he-300-the-dynamic-driverc
Techpowerup - http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Head-Direct/HE-300/