Headphones amplifiers — Cayin HA-300 MK3

The HA-300 MK3 is a flagship-tier headphone amplifier from Cayin, the culmination of engineering prowess in high-end audio, built on a distinctive two-block scheme with the power supply housed in a separate chassis for complete isolation of the signal path from electromagnetic interference. The HA-300 MK3 represents Cayin's most ambitious current statement in headphone-amplification engineering.

Key specs that matter

Frequency response spans a wide 12Hz to 35,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. THD is under 1% at 1V RMS into 300 ohms. Signal-to-noise ratio is a solid 100dB. The two-chassis design measures 286 x 368 x 205mm for the amplifier section and 159 x 345 x 205mm for the separate power supply, weighing 16.8kg and 10kg respectively.

Sound and use context

Expect the uncompromising character the two-chassis, electromagnetically isolated power-supply design is specifically engineered to deliver, with the physical separation of amplification and power circuitry reflecting Cayin's flagship-tier engineering ambition.

Pairing

The wide 12Hz-35kHz bandwidth and dual-chassis isolation suit the HA-300 MK3 to demanding headphone loads requiring the cleanest possible signal path.

Alternatives

Cayin's own broader headphone-amplifier catalogue offers related, more compact alternatives within the same considered engineering philosophy.