MuseHiFi M5 Ultra - Tubes Experience On The Go

[@tweed0929]

I love your down-to-Earth approach. Never change, Andy!

[@AndyAudioVault]

I'll do my best, thanks! 🙏

[@tylou4479]

Love mine... Had it for about a week. It is organic and natural. Like a live gig.

[@timbrehead9466]

How does it sound with full size headphones like, the HD 600?

[@Helmond2017]

Such a helpful video. Thanks for describing the output with IEMs with different tonalities.

[@AndyAudioVault]

You are most welcome!

[@AronAddams7]

Finally, an ESS dac. It was so common 1/2 years ago, now you have to look for one.

[@DarenLee]

Wow if it’s a DAC that’s makes listening devices sounds different as options, I am all up for it. Putting it in my bucket list. Hopefully when the funds are hear hope it’s still a top choice 😉. Thanks for the video again Andy 😉

[@AndyAudioVault]

My pleasure bro

[@jamesberryman9893]

Awesome review, Andy! This seems to be an amazing DAC amp!

[@AndyAudioVault]

Thank you!

[@Milo_Molnar]

This is something for me. Thank you Andy.

[@AndyAudioVault]

Very welcome

[@MoosaHosseini]

thank you Andy, good review as alwyas!

[@AndyAudioVault]

My pleasure

[@martinfox2244]

Thank you for another insightful review. I was particularly interested in this item and your opinion.

[@AndyAudioVault]

My pleasure!

[@nusu5331]

interesting device, thank you for the review!

[@hokagoteatimereviews]

They look so good! Thanks for the video andy

[@AndyAudioVault]

No problem 👍

[@mamangrock]

I will definitely get it,all because of 1974 😅 Awesome review boss 😎🤘

[@AndyAudioVault]

🤘🏼

[@쏨땀-l9y]

리뷰 감사합니다. Andy 👍

[@AndyAudioVault]

My pleasure

[@DarenLee]

Hey “1974” happy belated birthday;)

[@fx-studio]

I bet its better than all the Op-Amps from the 70's that still get used in "HiFi" equipment.

[@wongricky9095]

This is really helpful. I am considering these devices - Muses M5 Ultra, Cayin N3 Ultra, KAEI TAP-1, xDuoo XD05T. As I have DX260 and I don't need to carry the device around, so I am leaning towards the later two even though the former two give more convenience. Also, I believe the DAC is DX260 is superior to DAC section of all these devices so the later two probably make more sense to me (I will connect DX260 4.4 Bal LO to them). It looks to me these devices all have similar hybrid design for the amp section so M5 Ultra and TAP-1 are significantly cheaper ... look forward for the XD05T review.

[@AndyAudioVault]

XD05T not too long now I hope

[@ResilientME]

I have XD05T & Colorfly CDA M1P(as known reference.) I prefer the Colorfly. The XD05T has amazing detail performance that beats my desktop DACs but I find it bright and not particularly enveloping. The DAC is the star of the show with the tubes offering a more subtle boost to note/stage weight without changing up the frequency response. I wish it had the richness & dynamics of the dongle DAC honestly. Airy-natural but not warm smooth tube sound.

[@TC-bz8sm]

Always worth the wait to hear your review as The Conclusion! Although Onix Alpha is not in the league, curious how close it can get to Muse Ultra?

[@AndyAudioVault]

Closely matched really when it comes to sheer quality of sound. Just that M5 Ultra does offer more air and sense of space

[@chrisng7596]

Hi Andy, great and details review aways. BTW, what do you think if I pair this to the Volarie and Hifiman Edition XS? Currently, I'm using Onix Alpha. Is it worth upgrading?

[@AndyAudioVault]

The pairing will be great. To me it is more of a variance in sound presentation. ONIX Alpha is an example of top notch solid state sound with great analog timbre. M5 Ultra on the other hand offers that ethereal airy tube sound which to some people like me, an absolute pleasure to listen to

[@chrisng7596]

Thank you for the feedback. I gained quite a lot of knowledge after watching your reviews.

[@albertoghizzardi6939]

Ciao Andy, congrats for this great review! I've a question for you, did you compare M5 ultra with DC06pro? i adore DC06 pro with Kennerton Rognir DD, Audivina and QDC Fusion also and i'd like to try M5 ultra id its not overly warm lacking energy on mids and air on highs :) , again i love dynamic/punchy and resolving bass also! so i'm i ndoubt between BTR17 and M5 ultra

[@AndyAudioVault]

Thanks. DC06Pro and M5 Pro are tuned differently.DC06Pro is energetic and with heavy emphasis on Hi-Fi tuning. M5 Ultra on the other hand is very analog and airy, less aggressive with dynamic transients, smoother too, where DC06Pro is crispy edged. I would even say M5 Ultra is more transparent and uncolored compared to the DC06Pro. Hope this helps

[@albertoghizzardi6939]

@@AndyAudioVault thank you Andy! and something simialr to DC06 pro but more transparent and airy?

[@JoeChang-d1f]

Thank you for this awesome review. Could you compare this amp with Mojo2? Mojo2 sounds so good but the random popping is getting more and more annoying. Or maybe I am just looking for an excuse to buy this amp😂

[@AndyAudioVault]

Thanks. Mojo 2 is a reference for resolution and technicalities. While Mojo 2 is the best in that regard, M5 Ultra sounds more natural, organic and analog with better rendering of air and decays. When I need resolution and don't care about timbre, I would use Mojo 2, but most of the time I always prefer natural timbre over sheer technicalities

[@chinmayrasam]

Hi, have you paired this with the Mega5est which is natural in the first place? How did it change the sound? Secondly, I am looking for an IEM for classical, jazz, movie soundtracks like Avatar, LOTR, etc. Thinking of the Mega5est or Oracle Mk3 + Tube amp. What would you recommend. It seems your preferences and mine align quite well.

[@AndyAudioVault]

I no longer have Mega5EST with me so I have no specifics on it paired with M5 Ultra, but I reckon it will be a very musical and immersive combo. For Classical and Technical Jazz, and you want transparency then try the Tanchjim Origin with M5 Ultra, which will still also be great for movies. Personally I use SIVGA Nightingale 80% of the time (personal preference)

[@chinmayrasam]

@donglemadness in the case I'll be spending much more on the DAC/AMP than the IEM 😅 I'm looking for an IEM in the $500-600 range. Considering the Mega5est for a natural sound.

[@igorzovko5854]

Great review Andy like always. How does transistor mode on M5 can compere sonicaly to Questyle m12i ?

[@AndyAudioVault]

Both are amazingly organic and analog sounding, with M5 Ultra offering a bit more of soundstage width and openness, and more airy too, M12i however does offer denser sound notes similar to FC6

[@igorzovko5854]

@@AndyAudioVault thanks for the replay.

[@albertoghizzardi6939]

@@AndyAudioVault looks M5 ultra sounds more similar to DC06 pro, am i wrong?

[@Rob1966x]

Hello I am subscribed from Spain to your channel, I like it very much. I have the Fiio FH9 and very happy, according to your chart they are the best and I would love to go another level. Do you think I would take the leap to a little better. Best regards

[@AndyAudioVault]

I never tried FH9 yet but if you looking moving up the chain then FA19 is what you want 😁

[@Rob1966x]

@@AndyAudioVault Thanks Andy

[@marcuzchoy7671]

Hi Andy, which shop in Kuala Lumpur selling this Muse Hifi M5 ULTRA?

[@AndyAudioVault]

I am not sure, M5 Ultra just released and seems to be available only from HiFiGo now

[@vincentm9446]

Are you ever gonna review the m15i dongle?

[@AndyAudioVault]

Not so sure yet. So no promise on M15i

[@jeshtchillin259]

Have you tried the new Fiio KA15 dongle? If so, how does it compare with Onix Alpha?

[@AndyAudioVault]

Not yet

[@NetvoTV]

What DAC chips are off the shelf models? Is it matter because some said it is more special or better if it's custom made and in house chips

[@AndyAudioVault]

The majority of DACs are off the shelf, but some like this ES9038Q2M has been customized specifically for M5 Ultra tuning

[@emilioblanca7918]

Hola Andy, cual suena más natural entre el M5 Ultra y el Cayin RU7?

[@AndyAudioVault]

More natural? M5 Ultra tube mode surely. But then both are already natural sounding, just that M5 Ultra a bit more airy and organic due to the tubes

[@ksms8]

Andy I have a question that I have Tanchjim zero which has fixed 3.5 mm cable if I use it with a 4.4 mm male to 3.5 mm female adapter then sound quality would improve more or not ?

[@AndyAudioVault]

Don't do that. Forcing 3.5mm to 4.4mm BAL with an adapter and you risk overheating the DAC/Amp

[@dbji88]

Between this and n3 ultra , which would be your choice?

[@AndyAudioVault]

Sound wise both performs similarly. The differences, one is a DAP and the other a plain portable DAC/Amp. They both uses the same exact Jan 1974 tubes. I personally prefer M5 Ultra for being simpler

[@amanieux]

if you had to pick only one dac/amp which one would be your personal favorite as of today (any form factor but for iems only) ?

[@AndyAudioVault]

That would have to be iBasso DC07Pro

[@Procrastinity]

How does this compare to the iFi Go Bar Kensei? I understand they're both completely different types of DAC but from the sound you've described, they sound similar in some ways

[@AndyAudioVault]

M5 Ultra is more airy and "warmer" compared to Kensei. But yes they are pretty much similar

[@jasonmelo9379]

What about this with planars? Arya stealth? No power output info anywhere

[@AndyAudioVault]

I have only tested it with what I have in hand, which are Sundara, Fostex T40RP MK3 and Verum 1 planars. No idea about this and Arya Stealth

[@jasonmelo9379]

@AndyAudioVault why would the manufacture not publish the power output numbers? That's suspect.

[@AndyAudioVault]

I have no idea

[@jasonmelo9379]

@@AndyAudioVault yeah, so I'm not going to bother with this. I doubt it's more powerful than the hiby r4. I got that one on your recommendation. It's good but I need more power.

[@hariotmarriot9347]

How does the tube sound compared to other analog warm dongles like fc6 and ru6? Similar or better?

[@AndyAudioVault]

Different. They all are amazing for what they do. It is not always about which one better over the other. I do feel that M5 Ultra is an improvement over RU6 because both offers very similar sound style, with M5 Ultra offering a wider sense of staging and more open. FC6 on the other hand still is one of the richest sounding with sound texture

[@alexandrosacholos746]

Have you connected this dac/amp to a dap such as ibasso DAPS ?? is it compatible with daps i mean..... i have Oriolus 300BAs tube amp which is compatible to all of my daps and i am wondering if this muse amp is .....

[@AndyAudioVault]

Yes you can. It behaves just like any USB C DAC and will connect without any issue to my DX260 or M23 as an external USB DAC

[@alexandrosacholos746]

@donglemadness thanks man

[@thefunkyphantom69]

how about the bass? can you increase or decrease it?

[@AndyAudioVault]

No option to voost Bass on M5 Ultra. However you can do that on xDuoo XD05T

[@thefunkyphantom69]

@@AndyAudioVault ok. thank you for the reply and recommendation.

[@sujata-n]

How would compare to A&K SE300 with Apple Music?

[@AndyAudioVault]

I have no idea. Haven't tried A&K SE300

[@c.k1523]

How is this compare to Fiio Q15? Would it be worth getting if I have Q15?

[@AndyAudioVault]

If you looking for different sound presentation, the tube mode of M5 Ultra offers more air and wider sense of soundstage. Q15 on the other hand still has the upper hand with overall sound density and richness, a bit more colored too with lower Mids and Bass

[@c.k1523]

@donglemadness thank you.

[@sujata-n]

How does it compare to DC Elite?

[@AndyAudioVault]

DC-Elite is tuned to be flat neutral without any hint of coloration throughout the entire frequency range. M5 Ultra as noted in this video, especially when running on Tube mode, it is audibly colored and warmer sounding which will greatly appeal for those wanting richer and smoother edged sound over what the transparent DC-Elite offers. It's a matter of choice because to me both are equally great with technicalities and I do feel M5 Ultra offers more airy and more open sounding soundstage

[@sujata-n]

@ thank you for the reply!

[@amanieux]

how does it sounds compared to Little Bear B4-X ?

[@AndyAudioVault]

No idea. Never tried Little Bear

[@wilbertvb]

Question here is how to change the tubes when they got end of live?

[@tylou4479]

Tubes can't be changed 5k - 10k hours on these tubes. Muse said to me it is 10k hours.

[@AndyAudioVault]

I wonder too, since these small tubes seem to be quite imbedded into the unit

[@The21okok]

I know you're not rank dac/amp anymore. But what will its star rating be if you rate it?

[@AndyAudioVault]

As you said I don't do rating for dongles anymore. And I never did any rating for battery powered portable DAC/Amps even before this. So I don't have a specific star rating for this one just like how I did with few other portable DAC/Amps before this. All I can say, I like it a lot as it suits my taste and preferences and I intend to use it as much as possible

[@thien2099]

i dont need it i dont need it i dont need it 🙈 (i need it)

[@AndyAudioVault]

🤣

[@bourjuva]

andy Fiio UTWS5 2025 out now lets go maaaan review it plz

[@AndyAudioVault]

I'll try, thanks!

[@bonvi61]

Flac from a computer, with only USB, is the quality saved? Isn't there a digital entrance missing? Please give me this advice, thank you.

[@AndyAudioVault]

FLAC regardless where you place it, will always be consistent as lossless file unless of course you edit or re-encode it to something else like MP4