Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Muse HiFi Muse 300 DAC review
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Is the new Muse HiFi MUSE300 the best desktop DAC and headphone amp under $500? In this review, I put this highly anticipated MQA-capable DAC through its paces, testing it with flagship headphones like the Audio Technica ATH-ADX7000 and sensitive IEMs.

Featuring the premium ES9039 Ultra DAC chip and three hardware-based sound modes (Balanced, Tube, and ACG), on paper it looks like standard audiophile gear. However, in an honest A/B blind test against competitors like the D&A Alpha and the Luxsin X8, the MUSE300 shocked me with its superior soundstage width, instrument separation, and bass authority.

While I have serious complaints about the clunky custom Muse OS, sluggish VU meters, and side-mounted 4.4mm balanced and 6.3mm single-ended outputs, the pure sound quality is undeniable. If you want high-end hi-fi desktop audio performance at a budget-friendly price, this might be your next upgrade.

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00:00 Muse HiFi Muse 300 review
00:42 Design & features
01:47 Sound quality
05:01 The OS
07:47 Sound modes
11:34 IEMs & use as a DAC
13:33 Final thoughts

#MuseHiFi #Muse300 #DACReview #HeadphoneAmp #Audiophile #HiFiAudio #DesktopAudio #AudiophileReview #PassionForSound