Great review as always Dave, greetings from Colombia. Love the way u can use those two mods. Have ever listen the Aune Falmingo tube dac? Quite an interesting comparison that could be. thanks again
I've been waiting for something like this for years, I just wish they had a DAP version mixed with like a Hiby m300 so all I need is one device and headphones
yes, the 1990’s are not hard to drive (102db at 1mW). So it only needs 80mW. Not sure how much the Muse M5 Ultra puts out, but any modern dac/amp will drive them fully. Most amps give 500mW-1Watt into 32ohms. Even a good dongle dac can put out more than enough power for the dt1990’s with 150-200mW. Love the dt1990’s. Questyle 5K, any Fiio amp/dac, ifiGo Blu, any Xduoo amp/dac, any tube amp, THX Onyx dongle dac, etc. they’re all good.
yeah. You’d have to open up the unit to be able to tell. Given that it may not be yours I’d understand if you don’t want to take the lid off if you will. 🤝
I like this toy. Right now I have the Akliam PD6 connected to my hiby r4 coupled to the Letshuoer s12 2024 edition. I think this Muse m5 will be another step up and will add that tube goodness in my planar iem. Is this Muse the same size as the Hiby r4 and maybe same thickness?
As mentioned in the video, it does an adequate job for a portable device. Yes, it will get the Arya loud and it sounds good but it isn't as good as the Arya would be off a more powerful desktop amp.
@TheHonestAudiophile then perhaps the Q15 from Fiio is a better choice. It is unclear what the power output of the M5 ultra is. Thank you for your review and answer. Much appreciated
One more question… I’m the guy that has the Muse M4 for commutes via Bluetooth in my pocket. If you keep the M5 ultra in your pocket, would it overheat with the tubes?
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks for the reply. On my long commutes, having my M4 in my one pocket and using bluetooth with my phone in the other pocket is usually how I spend most of my music-listening time while on public transportation. Good to know it doesn't get warm. Quite amazing that they got bluetooth and tubes to play nice.
Emotions aren't there cuz it uses an ESS dac. I have tried devices with ES9038Q2M, 2xES9219C, ES9069Q and none of them sounded that musical or emotional compared to Cirrus logic or AKM or even Cx31993
I politely disagree, I have several ESS Sabre and AKM DAC and have reviewed various others. ESS Sabre are more than capable of emitting emotional connection and the M5 Ultra proves it can with the help of the tubes and it is not boring by any stretch it's just not as emotional as others. It is very musical in both transistor and tube mode.
@@SileDevil It is true in my experience and one cannot go on trying 100s of ESS devices as a regular consumer to check which one sounds emotional and musical. A reviewer can do that but not a regular consumer who needs to buy things, also the meaning of the word emotional or musical may differ from person to person
@@sorcerermax5111 what you describe resembles my experience with cirrus logic which sounds airy and smooth but rolled off bass. Ess to me sounds more, better subass extension, more ounchy and energetic overall.
BT selected as input. Phone as source with volume up. Phone connects to the Muse, Muse does not make the sound go. Same result with selecting USB. No go. Asking hifi go if I can return it. Still bummed. Looks like a great unit and the packaging and accessories are really good. Just no sound.
That is rather PRESUMPTUOUS of you, wouldn’t you agree? Presumption is evil, because when one is PRESUMPTUOUS, one makes a judgement about a matter, despite having insufficient facts to support one’s position.
Ignore this person, always commenting on Dave's reviews in a very negative way. Every time I see a comment from this person (if this is a person) I just roll my eyes and move on. The fact that this person doesn't like any of Dave's reviews and still keeps coming back to comment on them is kind of sad.
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Wow such an interesting portable dac/amp. Saw that you gave it the highest rating, must be really good. The price is very reasonable too!
I like that it has a battery indicator and the music resolution on display.
I only use iem's with these kind of amps. Thank you. I may be getting one soon. Tubes and bluetooth-- yes please😅
Cool! I use the previous MUSE M4 every day with my Koss KPH-40s
Awesome m I haven't heard the M4.
Great review as always Dave, greetings from Colombia. Love the way u can use those two mods. Have ever listen the Aune Falmingo tube dac?
Quite an interesting comparison that could be.
thanks again
Sorry I haven't heard the Aune Flamingo.
Go bills! Looks like a cool device.
I've been waiting for something like this for years, I just wish they had a DAP version mixed with like a Hiby m300 so all I need is one device and headphones
That would be cool.
Great review as always. Can it power the HD600 or the DT1990 via the 3.5mm?
HD600 yes but it's better from the balanced 4.4.
DT1990 I wasn't able to test.
yes, the 1990’s are not hard to drive (102db at 1mW). So it only needs 80mW. Not sure how much the Muse M5 Ultra puts out, but any modern dac/amp will drive them fully. Most amps give 500mW-1Watt into 32ohms. Even a good dongle dac can put out more than enough power for the dt1990’s with 150-200mW. Love the dt1990’s. Questyle 5K, any Fiio amp/dac, ifiGo Blu, any Xduoo amp/dac, any tube amp, THX Onyx dongle dac, etc. they’re all good.
Awesome review ! Hope you can compare to Xduoo Xd05 pro
Thanks for the suggestion
Great review, thanks! Does the Bluetooth work with wireless headphones or is connection only between the source and the device?
Bluetooth receiver only, it doesn't transmit Bluetooth to a headphone or another device.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks for being honest about that. It’s bad news but I can take it. 👍🏼
My pleasure, you're welcome
thats a good looking device
Thank's for the review, do you know de power ouput ?
As mentioned in the video, I was unable to locate the power output numbers.
have you connected this one to a dap such as ibasso or hiby daps ?? i mean is this one compatible to modern day daps using type c connectivity ??
Thanks for the review Dave. Any idea what sort of play time you get off a full charge in tube mode?
Best guess is 8-10 hours.
Question for you,Dave. Are the tubes easily replaceable meaning are the tubes soldered to the PCB board or not?
Thanks a million.
I have no idea
yeah. You’d have to open up the unit to be able to tell. Given that it may not be yours I’d understand if you don’t want to take the lid off if you will. 🤝
@@Nephilim-81 There's no socket for that tube type so they'll be soldered.
How does it pair with warmer or mid-forward iems like the Oracle Mk3 or new meta like Mega5est?
The tube mode makes IEM like the Oracle mkiii sound a little lush and thick.
I like this toy. Right now I have the Akliam PD6 connected to my hiby r4 coupled to the Letshuoer s12 2024 edition. I think this Muse m5 will be another step up and will add that tube goodness in my planar iem. Is this Muse the same size as the Hiby r4 and maybe same thickness?
I don't know about the R4 as I haven't used it. But the R5 Gen 2 is similar in size to the M5 Ultra
I am considering to use this with the original Arya, will it drive it well those planars?
As mentioned in the video, it does an adequate job for a portable device. Yes, it will get the Arya loud and it sounds good but it isn't as good as the Arya would be off a more powerful desktop amp.
@TheHonestAudiophile then perhaps the Q15 from Fiio is a better choice. It is unclear what the power output of the M5 ultra is. Thank you for your review and answer. Much appreciated
Q15 has more power based on my usage experience.
does using tube mode drain the battery faster?
does the tube warmth carry well to the bluetooth mode?
I heard the tube influence on Bluetooth
One more question… I’m the guy that has the Muse M4 for commutes via Bluetooth in my pocket. If you keep the M5 ultra in your pocket, would it overheat with the tubes?
I didn't notice that but I didn't walk around a lot with it in my pocket. I mostly had it on a desk or table.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks for the reply. On my long commutes, having my M4 in my one pocket and using bluetooth with my phone in the other pocket is usually how I spend most of my music-listening time while on public transportation. Good to know it doesn't get warm. Quite amazing that they got bluetooth and tubes to play nice.
For what it's worth @thehonestaudiophile - bought this on hifigo using your link
Thanks
Any idea how does this compare with Cayin N3 Ultra?
Sorry haven't heard Cayin N3 Ultra
what is the best budget dap someone can buy nowdays?
I'm not that experienced with DAP. I have owned a few and reviewed a few more. But I really enjoy the Hiby R5 Gen 2 for the budget minded.
@@TheHonestAudiophile awesome thanks man god bless!
My pleasure, you're welcome
It really depends on your budget but Hiby R4 or Shanling M1 Plus are pretty great DAP's.
@@TheHonestAudiophileis heat a concern in practice? I was going to drop down to the m300 because I heard the R5 runs too warm
How would this compare to a A&K SE300 with Apple Music
Sorry haven't heard A&K SE300
🙂
Emotions aren't there cuz it uses an ESS dac. I have tried devices with ES9038Q2M, 2xES9219C, ES9069Q and none of them sounded that musical or emotional compared to Cirrus logic or AKM or even Cx31993
I politely disagree, I have several ESS Sabre and AKM DAC and have reviewed various others. ESS Sabre are more than capable of emitting emotional connection and the M5 Ultra proves it can with the help of the tubes and it is not boring by any stretch it's just not as emotional as others. It is very musical in both transistor and tube mode.
DAC chips don't make a difference or emotion, they all sound the same . Dumbest reviewer!!!
not true
@@SileDevil It is true in my experience and one cannot go on trying 100s of ESS devices as a regular consumer to check which one sounds emotional and musical. A reviewer can do that but not a regular consumer who needs to buy things, also the meaning of the word emotional or musical may differ from person to person
@@sorcerermax5111 what you describe resembles my experience with cirrus logic which sounds airy and smooth but rolled off bass. Ess to me sounds more, better subass extension, more ounchy and energetic overall.
I am bummed out. I cannot get a sqweak of sound from it. Says it is connected, but no. Tried usb and Bluetooth, but no go.
Is your volume output upon your source? Do you have the M5 Ultra selected as source?
Have you contacted the manufacturer for support?
BT selected as input.
Phone as source with volume up.
Phone connects to the Muse, Muse does not make the sound go.
Same result with selecting USB. No go.
Asking hifi go if I can return it. Still bummed. Looks like a great unit and the packaging and accessories are really good. Just no sound.
I hope you get a working replacement so sorry for your issues.
Oh well, there are always klinkers in anything out there. I hope to---such a nice device.
@tedthomas9809 keep me updated please, I really hope you get to hear it and enjoy it as much as I do.
😇 May God Bless You Always! 😇
Reverend Dr. Thomas,
✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱
That's a big portable amp... 😮
It's not very big, fits in the palm of the hand. It's 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide.
You're shilling because HifiGo slapped you're name on the box and the product.
That is rather PRESUMPTUOUS of you, wouldn’t you agree?
Presumption is evil, because when one is PRESUMPTUOUS, one makes a judgement about a matter, despite having insufficient facts to support one’s position.
You must not know Dave then…
I believe your statement indicates why your user name starts with BS….
Don’t think product engraving or box design effect audio quality, but it’s a nice touch!
Ignore this person, always commenting on Dave's reviews in a very negative way. Every time I see a comment from this person (if this is a person) I just roll my eyes and move on. The fact that this person doesn't like any of Dave's reviews and still keeps coming back to comment on them is kind of sad.