At the moment, we overview the Muse HiFi M5 Extremely DAC/AMP with Bluetooth. The retail worth is $299 USD.
Disclaimer: HiFiGo despatched us the M5 Extremely for this overview. As all the time, I’m right here to share my sincere and unbiased expertise with the product.
Muse HiFi is a comparatively new contender within the audiophile area however has been fairly busy since its inception. The model operates beneath Shenzhen Yunke Acoustic Expertise Co. Ltd., an revolutionary enterprise mixing analysis, improvement, manufacturing, and gross sales of HiFi audio gear.
Muse HiFi’s journey into the audiophile world started with their in-ear monitor, Energy, and has since expanded to incorporate a collection of dongle-type DAC/AMPs. Regardless of solely getting into the market in 2022, they’ve been working continuous, launching a lineup that features the M1, M3, M3-MkII, M4, and now the flagship M5 Extremely.
Along with their DAC/AMP lineup, Muse HiFi additionally gives two IEMs, the ME1 and East 6. Nonetheless, right this moment’s focus is solely on their newest and most superior providing, the M5 Extremely. With its aggressive worth level, the M5 Extremely goals to carry a singular set of options and a few industry-firsts to the desk. Let’s dive in to see if it lives as much as its bold claims. The M5 Extremely is available for 299 USD on HiFiGo.
The Muse HiFi M5 Extremely is a transportable DAC/AMP providing each wired and wi-fi utilization, that includes twin amplification modes utilizing Raytheon vacuum tubes. The design revolves across the twin JAN6418 miniature pentode tubes, that are fairly distinctive on this worth vary. Muse HiFi has built-in these tubes right into a particularly designed audio circuit, enabling customers to modify seamlessly between tube mode for a hotter, extra natural sound signature and transistor/solid-state mode for a extra linear and impartial presentation.
On the coronary heart of the M5 Extremely lies a DAC that we all know just like the again of our fingers. The ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip. At this level, each audiophile is aware of the chip as a result of its large success globe-wide. Nonetheless, for this unit, Muse HiFi collaborated with ESS to create a customized model optimized to work harmoniously with the JAN6418 tubes, compensating for the extra energy calls for of vacuum tube amplification and discovering methods to reduce and eradicate interference, which vacuum tubes are sometimes delicate to.
The spotlight of the M5 Extremely is its wi-fi functionality. So far as I’m conscious, that is the primary wireless-capable system with LDAC that integrates vacuum tubes. With Qualcomm’s QCC5125 Bluetooth chipset, the M5 Extremely is able to the favored audiophile codecs just like the LDAC and aptX Adaptive. Under is a quick overlook of its highlights.
- Customized-tuned model of the ESS ES9038Q2M DAC Chipset
- x2 Raytheon JAN6418 Pentode Vacuum Tubes
- QCC5125 Bluetooth Chipset with LDAC & AptX Adapt.
- Electron Tube Shock Absorber Expertise
- Accusilicon Twin-Unbiased Crystal Oscillators
- Three-Stage Acquire Mode
- Switchable Sound Signature ↓
- Tube and Transistor Twin Amplification Modes
- 10h – 3000mAh Battery with QC4.0+PD Quick-Charging
- Built-in Mic
- Monochrome OLED Show
- Wired & Wi-fi Modes
- Driver is on the market on MuseHiFi.com. If you happen to’re unable to succeed in the positioning, right here’s their X / Twitter account.
Packaging & Equipment
The M5 Extremely is available in a really elegant bundle. The leather-based exterior and good design resemble mid-to-high-end mechanical watch packaging. While you open the field, you’re instantly greeted by the M5 Extremely. I’ve to say that the addition of a shiny black deal with to open the field enhances the premium really feel. It’s a small however considerate element. The entrance of the unit has a clear panel that means that you can see a part of the audio PCB. I really like bare units.
The equipment are cleverly positioned in a drawer-like compartment on the backside of this stunning bundle. Together with the M5 Extremely, you get a navy blue leather-based pouch, which is a really appreciated addition, contemplating its worth vary. I’ve to applaud Muse for together with it within the bundle. Many corporations choose to promote circumstances individually for an additional $10, which I discover fairly cumbersome. Add it to the entire value, save us the effort. On this entrance, Muse deserves credit score.
Along with the leather-based case, the field features a charging cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a Lightning to USB-C cable for older iPhones. They’ve additionally thoughtfully included a USB-A to USB-C adapter to make sure backward compatibility with older units, which is an enormous constructive as many producers moved away from lightning and even USB-A. The interconnect cables are sleeved and have connectors with a stress-relief design for elevated lifespan. The cables are jacketed and reasonably supple.
General, by way of equipment, the M5 Extremely gives a well-thought-out bundle with high-quality equipment. The inclusion of the leather-based case, specifically, earned excessive marks from us.
Design & Construct High quality
The M5 Extremely encompasses a chassis with tempered glass panels on the back and front, encased in a sandblasted aluminum physique. To showcase the NOS tubes, the left facet has perforated grills that emit a heat glow when the tubes are lively. We noticed an identical design method just lately on the N3 Extremely, and as I discussed then, I’ll repeat now: this peak-into-the-tubes- design is visually interesting and aesthetically satisfying to have a look at and watch. I like it.
On the best facet, you’ll discover the buttons for controlling the system. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the back and front. Each panels are fabricated from curved tempered glass; the entrance encompasses a monochrome OLED show built-in into the higher half. The decrease half is a clear window, permitting you to see the audio PCB inside. At any time when I overview items with clear designs, I all the time point out how a lot I like these “bare” designs. For me, it’s fascinating to see how a tool works -internally- whereas exhibiting off its normally hidden design components.
The again of the M5 Extremely is extra minimalistic, with the MuseHiFi brand, mannequin identify, and varied certification badges on the backside. Word that the management buttons are all on the best facet, which is a superb comfort for right-handed customers. In the meantime, the left facet is sort of totally devoted to the grilles that present a view of the tubes. Moreover, there’s a tiny gap on the left facet that homes an built-in microphone that means that you can take calls when utilizing the system wirelessly. Nonetheless, it doesn’t work in wired mode.
General, I discover the design of the M5 Extremely fairly good-looking, though I do have a number of minor strategies. First, whereas the grill patterns are aesthetically pleasing, they could possibly be relocated to cowl the tubes utterly, as solely about 60% of them are seen now with this design. The tactile suggestions of the buttons and the general materials high quality are spectacular, offering a construct high quality that feels above its worth level.
Having all of the I/O ports on one facet is a sensible selection for portability and pocket use. Nonetheless, utilizing it on a desktop whereas charging can lead to a little bit of cable litter except you’ve got an extended headphone cable (1.5 meters or extra). These are minor quibbles, after all. General, the design and construct high quality of the M5 Extremely exceeded my expectations at this worth level.
Expertise Inside
On the earth of desktop amplifiers, analog tubes are sometimes utilized so as to add heat, a richer timbre, and a definite character to the sound signature. Nonetheless, incorporating miniature NOS tubes just like the JAN6418 into moveable audio units is a comparatively new pattern. We’ve seen them just lately in merchandise just like the N3 Ultra DAP, which, just like the M5 Extremely, gives switchable modes that assist you to have interaction or disengage the tubes for various sound profiles.
Muse HiFi acknowledges that one of the crucial widespread challenges with tube-based amplifiers is sign interference, significantly relating to electromagnetic interference from wi-fi units. To deal with this, Muse HiFi collaborated with the ESS manufacturing unit to customise a “6418” model of the ES9038Q2M DAC chip. This personalized structure is particularly designed to counteract interference from Bluetooth sign transmission, making certain a clear output free from background noise and electrical interference, Muse HiFi claims.
One of many key challenges with utilizing vacuum tubes in moveable gear is that they’re extremely delicate to bodily influence. When the chassis they’re enclosed in is tapped or jostled, the tubes can produce a faint ringing sound. It could possibly be a quick or an extended artifact, relying on the complexity of the carried out suspension system of the tubes. That is particularly widespread in miniature tubes just like the JAN6418. In my expertise with moveable tube units, such because the iBasso PB5 amplifier and Cayin N3 Extremely, producers have carried out suspension methods to scale back this ringing impact, however it’s not totally eradicated.
Muse HiFi, nevertheless, claims to have developed a complete shock absorber resolution for the M5 Extremely, incorporating proprietary rubber stabilizers and suspension mounts to isolate the tubes from exterior vibrations. All the tube-based moveable units I’ve examined exhibited some extent of ringing, some extra pronounced than others. However to my shock, the M5 Extremely doesn’t produce any microphonic noise, even when tapping the chassis immediately on a desk. That is fairly spectacular, as Muse HiFi’s shock absorber know-how seems to offer full buffering and absorption, eliminating any stethoscopic points throughout use.
When it comes to energy output, the M5 Extremely gives three achieve levels (L-M-H), but oddly, the corporate hasn’t supplied any official measurements. We don’t have actual figures for energy supply into a typical 32-ohm load, which is kind of puzzling. Based mostly on my expertise, if the Low setting is roughly +0dB, the Medium setting looks like a +6dB increase, and the Excessive goes as much as about +9dB. As an illustration, it drives my U4s comfortably at round 85-90dB on quantity step 45 in Low achieve mode. After testing it with a number of full-sized headphones, I might estimate its output energy to be within the vary of 300-400mW right into a 32-ohm load. I plan to succeed in out to Muse HiFi for extra exact knowledge and can replace this part accordingly as soon as confirmed.
The overview continues on Web page Two, after the click HERE or through the use of the bounce beneath.
Page 1: Muse HiFi, M5 Extremely, Packaging & Equipment, Design & Construct High quality, Expertise Inside
Page 2: UI & Navigation, Bluetooth & Wi-fi Efficiency, Sound Impressions & Modes, Comparability, Final Phrases
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