[Andykong]

Sorry, I wasn't sure. To me, the tubes are completely exposed on Cayin HA-300. From the front there is a sort of window frame look into the tubes. I assume that is prevent an accidental touching of the tubes, but more likely it's just for looks.

The HA-300 comes with a set of protection grid, but for demo purpose, we'll remove the grid otherwise the auto-focus of the camera will focused on the grid and the vacuum tubes will be blurred badly.

 

[Andykong]

When is this amp ready for purchase?

We are in the middle of first production batch, this will be 230V exclusively, and 80% were pre-sold beforehand. We are reluctant to take any orders right now because we need several units for internal and show/event usage.

We have scheduled the second production batch in April, and this round will be a mixed 120V and 230V version, expect to ship out by late April or early May.

 

[Andykong]

If you are referring to the ModWright, I assume the fence is for aesthetics. It probably can be removed in order to swap the tubes.

I certainly did' mean to hijack this thread with the ModWright. It starts at $8000, BTW.

Back to the Cayin HA-300. From what I've been able to determine, there are very few 300b headphone amps:

• Woo WA5-LE: $3699
• Woo WA5: $5899 (plus $365-$1900 for option tube upgrades)
• Cayin HA-300: $3,999
• ModWrite HA-300: $8000
• ampsandsound Agatha: $3600-$4250
  
  • GemTune GP-01: $859 - ChiFi crap, but has VU meters!
    
    • Eddie Current Balancing Act: n/a new, ~$3500-$4000 used
    • I think Manley may have made a 300b headphone amp, but not anymore.

A couple of DIY options;

• 
  
  • ELEKit with all upgrades and good, tubes: $2467 (DIY)
  • There are some older ELEKit amps too
  • Transcendent Sound "The Masterpiece": $699 + tubes

Any others?
So the pricing of the Cayin is right in line with the other major 300b players. This is a small club.

If anyone has impressions comparing any of these, it would be great to hear.

This is a very interesting listing of 300B headphone amplifier, thank you very much as I was building a similar list as well. So with the exception of the GemTune GP-01, HA-300 is actually an "entry-model" to the 300B headphone amplifier community. I wish I can quote this when someone email me about the "very high price" of HA-300


Manly has a headphone amplifier MSK8 in their line up but that is not a 300B based amplifier and it is a fairly recent item. I believe you are referring to the Neo Classic 300B preamp with headphone out, SPR at around US$6000.
https://www.ttvjaudio.com/Manley_Neo_Classic_300B_p/man0000069.htm

 

[Andykong]

Hi..

I'm interested in getting this amp. Do you offer or plan to offer in " black faceplate" ? I mean you can attract more customer with this option.

Sorry, we don't have any plan to offer alternative color or finishing option. You suggestion is more complicated then it sounds like because the current finish (of faceplate) does not involve any painting process, if we want ot make it black, or anodized to black colour, we are changing the metal process completely.

Right now we are more concern on the production volume, and steps to improve the efficient of production, so any "alternative requirements" will not be considered in near future.

 

[Dobrescu George]

This amplifier looks like it would rock the world of many people, really liking what I read so far about it

BTW, I was thinking whether there is a set release day when people will be able to get it

 

[Rossliew]

We are in the middle of first production batch, this will be 230V exclusively, and 80% were pre-sold beforehand. We are reluctant to take any orders right now because we need several units for internal and show/event usage.

We have scheduled the second production batch in April, and this round will be a mixed 120V and 230V version, expect to ship out by late April or early May.

Thanks for the update. It's clearer now as i checked with the local authorised dealer but they couldn't confirm the pricing..

This is a very interesting listing of 300B headphone amplifier, thank you very much as I was building a similar list as well. So with the exception of the GemTune GP-01, HA-300 is actually an "entry-model" to the 300B headphone amplifier community. I wish I can quote this when someone email me about the "very high price" of HA-300


Manly has a headphone amplifier MSK8 in their line up but that is not a 300B based amplifier and it is a fairly recent item. I believe you are referring to the Neo Classic 300B preamp with headphone out, SPR at around US$6000.
https://www.ttvjaudio.com/Manley_Neo_Classic_300B_p/man0000069.htm

There is another well regarded 300B amp but its custom built - the Glenn 300B.

 

[reklov]

If you can read Chinese, then you probably notice that the item is marked at NOT FOR SALE (此宝贝已下架) right now.

We want to make sure customers will have first-hand experience with this amplifier before they purchase this headphone amplifier., so the HA-300 will not be available through on-line sales channel in China for the moment. We might change this practice later on, but for the moment, I seriously doubt if they can actually deliver the amplifier even after they take the money from you upfront.

It wasn’t “off the shelve” before, so you had it taken off. That’s fine, I respect that. By the way, it’s still on sale on your own Chinese webpage

 

[XVampireX]

If you have the experience to handle the HA-300, you'll love the FENCE. They make life a lot easier when you need to lift the HA-300 from table.

I see that you don't have a worldwide market or dealer market unfortunately so I won't have a chance to listen to it, I've just added to my collection Focal Utopia's and I'm thinking of adding to my amplifier set a tube amp, WA33 is too expensive, I don't think I want to spend that much on an amp, even though I think it looks superior to the HA-300
but HA-300 is in a more decent price range, now the question is how good is it with the utopia's?

 

[Andykong]

Enjoythemusic.com holds very high regards to the audio performance of Cayin HA-300.

"The music was just full-of-life, and it was one of those listening sessions I know will stick with me for a long time." (with Focal Utopia)

"... dynamics were wide-open with a big walloping sense of slam. The sound was very airy and open with fantastic depth projection, layering and transparency." (with HiFiman Susvara)

Please follow the link to find out their full coverage on Cayin HA-300 at CanJam NYC 2018 show.

 

[Andykong]

This amplifier looks like it would rock the world of many people, really liking what I read so far about it

BTW, I was thinking whether there is a set release day when people will be able to get it

First production batch is rolling out gradually, basically sold out to local preorders, local and 230V oversea shop demo.

Second production batch will be available by late April to early May, international availability subject to dealer order date.

 

[Andykong]

Thanks for the update. It's clearer now as i checked with the local authorised dealer but they couldn't confirm the pricing..

There is another well regarded 300B amp but its custom built - the Glenn 300B.

They should be able to confirm the price very soon, we have set the Suggested retail price, but the HA-300 is very heavy, and the logistic cost can be fair high, so the dealer must be very careful in working out the logistic and import tax consequence.

The Glenn 300B is highly customized, so I guess it might sound a bit different among different units, and the cost might varied because of that.

 

[Andykong]

It wasn’t “off the shelve” before, so you had it taken off. That’s fine, I respect that. By the way, it’s still on sale on your own Chinese webpage

I didn't had it taken off, but the time I respond to your post, I click into the link and notice the "off the shelve" status already.

We have it available on our webstie but the 商城 feature is more an online showroom for us. The real transaction are taken place at our Tmall shop, and HA-300 is not listed there:
https://cayin.world.tmall.com/shop/view_shop.htm?shop_id=477721192

By the way, we are flattered to have customer try to hunt down the purchase option for HA-300 when there isn't any solid reviews or audition opportunity. Thank you very much for your support and interest in HA-300.

 

[Andykong]

I see that you don't have a worldwide market or dealer market unfortunately so I won't have a chance to listen to it, I've just added to my collection Focal Utopia's and I'm thinking of adding to my amplifier set a tube amp, WA33 is too expensive, I don't think I want to spend that much on an amp, even though I think it looks superior to the HA-300
but HA-300 is in a more decent price range, now the question is how good is it with the utopia's?

Where are you located? Maybe there is a dealer near you? We have listed most of our dealers in the following link, with the exception of a few pending for update.
http://en.cayin.cn/netword?c=129&ctype=2

Cayin will attend CanJam Singapore (March), AXPONA (illinois, April) and Munich High-end audio show (May), if you plan to attend any on of these shows, you'll be able to audition the HA-300.

I just quoted the CanJam NYC show report from enjoythemusic.com earlier on, and there is a short impression on HA-300 + Utopia.

 

[Jalo]

Andy, I met you last year at SoCal Can Jam, looks like Cayin will not attend this year SoCal CanJam? I am disappointed as I am interested in audition the HA300. Did you say the HA300 is available for audition in your Hong Kong store? I may be there in April.

 

[XVampireX]

Where are you located? Maybe there is a dealer near you? We have listed most of our dealers in the following link, with the exception of a few pending for update.
http://en.cayin.cn/netword?c=129&ctype=2

Cayin will attend CanJam Singapore (March), AXPONA (illinois, April) and Munich High-end audio show (May), if you plan to attend any on of these shows, you'll be able to audition the HA-300.

I just quoted the CanJam NYC show report from enjoythemusic.com earlier on, and there is a short impression on HA-300 + Utopia.

I live in Israel, I do travel sometimes, will be in The Netherlands soon too but even that you don't have