MUSE HiFi M5 Ultra Review — Headfonics

On this function, Marcelo opinions the MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely, a BT-capable moveable ES9038Q2M DAC/Amplifier with twin tube and solid-state resistor output. It’s presently priced at $289.

Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in return for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site that doesn’t have any affiliate hyperlinks. I thank HiFiGO and MUSE HiFi for this chance. 

Click on right here to learn extra about different HiFiGO merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.

This text follows our present scoring guidelines, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.

MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely Overview

Abstract

The MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely moveable amp/DAC delivers a clear, pure, and lifelike sound in tube mode. It might have stopped in need of solely having an amazing sound in that mode, which I initially anticipated, nevertheless it didn’t. The solid-state mode delivers a stellar sound high quality as effectively.

Slide right here so as to add your rating on the gear!34 Votes

8.2

Execs

Superb sound high quality in each the vacuum tube and solid-state mode.

Clear and noise-free when no music is taking part in.

Intuitively designed management system.

Cons

There’s a faint rattling sound produced by the management buttons when shaken.

The battery-powered $289 MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely is the corporate’s largest and costliest Bluetooth DAC/Amplifier providing from their present catalog.

MUSE HiFi is a model identify by a China-based firm known as Shenzhen Yunke Acoustic Know-how Co., Ltd. They do the innovating, designing, producing, advertising, and promoting of HiFi merchandise.

Although that is my first time reviewing a MUSE HiFi product, I learn many nice issues about this firm and their merchandise, and I’m completely happy to report that the MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely didn’t disappoint.

What excites me probably the most concerning the M5 Extremely is the inclusion of the 2 Jan 6418 vacuum tubes as an optionally available amplifier part.

I shall be testing it with varied IEMs and headphones and evaluating it to a equally priced and featured competitor, which is my Topping G5. Does it stand an opportunity in opposition to this venerable however in style moveable amplifier? Discover out in my evaluation beneath.

Options

On the coronary heart of the MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely are two American-made RAYTHEON JAN6418 military-grade mini direct-heated pentode NOS vacuum tubes.  

The tubes are mounted in shock-absorbing mounts with a Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC chipset with a build-in suite of seven user-controlled digital filters.

One factor to notice is that while there may be loads of element on the achieve modes, and it affords SE 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs, there isn’t a point out of any Vrms Lineout numbers or energy specs for varied hundreds when utilizing the M5 Extremely.

From my testing, I might say the ability is nice, maybe as much as 500mW in a daily 32Ω load, however not large, nothing over 1W, for instance.

Wi-fi is an choice additionally with M5 Extremely, utilizing a Qualcomm QCC5125 chip for its Bluetooth connection, supporting as much as LDAC, aptX adaptive HD, in addition to ACC for iPhones.

No hiccups had been discovered after I used it with my cellphone and two digital audio gamers, particularly the FiiO M15s and the Shanling M3X. It labored flawlessly and by no means confirmed any compatibility points.

The M5 Extremely has a 3000mAh capability battery that lasts greater than 10 hours in my precise use. You possibly can recharge through a single USB-C slot with QC4.0+PD Quick-Charging compatibility which is  fairly useful. Most charging occasions is round 2 hours.

Design

It’s a full-metal chassis with angular design and modestly rounded edges that’s sandwiched between tempered glass panels on the back and front, with a pleasant, clear, and fashionable aesthetic.

On the entrance, there’s a large, clear tempered glass window which showcases the properly laid out printed circuit board, in which you’ll be able to look at what elements they use. On the again is the blacked-out tempered glass panel with prints of the model logos and product identify.

Nothing may be seen on high besides an empty and plain steel panel, however you’re going to search out the ports on the backside.

When the M5 Extremely faces you, the controls are on the appropriate aspect, and the superbly designed vents for the 2 Jan 6418 vacuum tubes are on the left aspect.

It’s much more lovely when the provided leather-based safety case is used. The blue coloured leather-based safety case for the M5 Extremely should be used always to guard the tempered glass again of the unit and soften the texture of the perimeters of the unit. It matches completely and exposes the management, vents, I/O, and entrance.

I/O

All of the enter and output connections are situated on the backside of the unit. From left to proper: 3.5mm headphone output jack, the 4.4mm headphone output jack, the USB-C digital audio enter port, and the USB-C charging port.

I seen there was no change in loudness after I switched the plug of my IEM cable from 3.5mm to 4.4mm connection, indicating that the 4.4mm output may not be balanced.

There’s nothing incorrect with this so long as the amplifier can drive your IEMs and headphones to a high-volume degree with good dynamic vary, which the MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely simply does for my examined gear.

You should utilize each the three.5mm and 4.4mm jacks concurrently with solely a little bit in poor health impact on the sound high quality.

There may be solely a small lower in dynamics, which means the sound turned barely compressed, nevertheless it’s barely audible, and I actually suggest utilizing this function for the musical enjoyment of a pair or two folks.

Controls

The very first thing I seen was that the controls are very intuitive to make use of, the buttons are grouped into totally different dimensions and shapes, so controlling with out trying is straightforward although proper aspect dominant.

On the highest is the ability button, which doubles as a screen-off and screen-on button. Under are the volume-up and volume-down buttons.

Under the amount management buttons is the mode button, which controls the options that may be modified.

That is then adopted by two path buttons that time up and down, which usually management the music participant to skip to the subsequent monitor or return to the earlier monitor within the library. It additionally controls the parameters when the mode button is activated.

Bluetooth

It connects with my Android cellphone shortly, similar to most Bluetooth gadgets with the newest chip.

Utilizing it with my Android cellphone through LDAC codec connection, the sound high quality is superb for a Bluetooth audio gadget, and it remained that means even after I went out of my room with 6-inch concrete partitions.

I went to the kitchen and into the subsequent room, and I had a really constant sign reception, besides after I received distant of about 12 meters or about 40 toes away, with a concrete wall in between. Then that’s after I began noticing sign dropouts.

There’s a noticeable delay in sound when taking part in a billiard recreation and different gradual video games on my cellphone.

Whereas it isn’t unhealthy, I would definitely not suggest utilizing the Bluetooth connection when taking part in fast-shooting video games that require the sound to come back as near real-time as potential.

Packaging & Equipment

It got here in a luxurious-looking black cardboard field that capabilities like a jewellery show field. The field has a clamshell-style opening on high that opens to a foam that covers the M5 Extremely Bluetooth DAC/Amplifier.

A drawer close to the underside entrance shops a USB-C to USB-C, C to Lightning, one-meter-long USB-C to USB-A cable, a leather-based safety case, and a handbook.

Sound Impressions

I used my Fiio M15s and my Android cellphone as sources and my IEMs and headphones, which fluctuate in costs from entry-level of round $100 to mid-price of $525. They’re the NF Acous NA20, DUNU Falcon Ultra Ti, Dita Project M, Xenns Mangird Prime, and DROP + Sennheiser HD 6XX.

All through this evaluation, I by no means seen any noise or radio frequency interference by the IEMs or headphones.

There isn’t any crackling, hissing, or popping sound after I plug the USB inputs or the cellphone outputs, or on nearly any event, the M5 Extremely is clear when no music is taking part in.

Abstract

The MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely is a powerful moveable headphone amplifier; it’s virtually noise-free and clean-sounding sounding which lets the music come by as if there have been no electronics in between. It sounds very clear and clear.

The sound signature of the M5 Extremely may be described as impartial, however doesn’t sound dry, lifeless, skinny, analytical, and boring like others, even in its solid-state mode, as a result of it sounds energetic, with large presentation, and has a spacious spatial presentation akin to that of very costly digital audio gamers.

It sounds very clear, detailed, clear, and clear with out being fatiguing in its solid-state mode, however the truth that there’s a tube mode makes the M5 Extremely particular, and I’m not merely speaking about options on paper, however in precise, perceptible sound high quality.

The JAN6418 vacuum tubes are the icing on the cake of this already delicious-sounding DAC/amplifier. The distinction the tube mode affords is delicate at first, you virtually can’t hear it, however when you do, it’s unimaginable to disregard.

In its wi-fi Bluetooth connection, there’s a discount in sound high quality; it loses dynamics and micro-details, however the total sound remains to be excellent and musically pleasurable.

Regardless that there isn’t a printed output energy ranking, I seen that the M5 Extremely by no means lacked in dynamic and energy output.

It could possibly drive the vast majority of IEMs and Headphones out there effortlessly. Until one desires to wreck their listening to, the ability output of the M5 Extremely is greater than sufficient for many use circumstances.

Strong State Mode

The M5 Extremely is virtually coloration-free and impartial in sound signature, but when listened to fastidiously, it sounds brighter in its solid-state mode and hotter in vacuum tube mode.

It’s very clear and excessive in decision that the sound is full to the brim with particulars and micro particulars, the small print are barely ahead of their presentation, however sounds pure, by no means pushed in your face, and there’s a lot of house out there for every instrument.

The instrument’s background decay rendition is so clear that the final echo may be heard within the background of a tune. That is related in efficiency to costly DAPs and DAC/amplifiers.

The soundstage is large and spherical, it’s equally huge as it’s deep and excessive, it is rather pleasant, as a result of it helped within the holography of the pictures, supplied that the partnering IEMs or headphones are able to it.

Its dynamic efficiency didn’t render any music with exaggerated power nor make them torpid. It’s correct on this regard, which is superb for my part.

Vacuum Tube Mode

All the pieces stated within the solid-state part applies, besides that it sounds hotter. There may be extra perceived bass presence, and the sound of snare drums is extra relaxed.

There may be added lushness in all of the devices and vocals, particularly within the midrange area. There may be longer and lusher decay; the treble sounds gentler and has extra finesse, and collectively, they add to the pleasantness when listening on this mode.

There’s a minimal lack of perceived particulars as a result of they’re now pushed again within the musical presentation, however the total feeling of musical engagement and palpability is elevated on account of its pure, clear, sensible, and delightful supply of the music.

Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.

Sharing is caring!