MUSE HiFi M3 Ultra Tube DAC/Amp Review
A portable DAC and headphone amp with two JAN6418 vacuum tubes and an ES9028Q2M chip, listed at $104.99 against a crossed-out $109.99. The page gives 460mW on 3.5mm and 480mW on 4.4mm at 32Ω. It suits buyers who want a tube stage and both plugs in a 55-gram body.
Our verdict
A fit for buyers who want a tube-based portable DAC/amp with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs and port-by-port power figures, at $104.99. Look elsewhere if you need a stated power source or power-draw figure, frequency response, output impedance or an outside measurement. The main caveat is that the tube, vibration and sound claims are the page's own.
- Best for
- Those who want a vacuum-tube DAC/amp with 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs and port-specific power figures.
- Skip if
- You need a stated power draw, an output impedance figure or any outside measurement.
Why 3.4/5: Held back by the lack of a specification list as text, by store terms that contradict each other, and by every figure being the store's own, with no independent test checked for this review.
The Muse HiFi M3 Ultra is a portable DAC and headphone amp that places two JAN6418 vacuum tubes in a hollow case, listed at $104.99 with a crossed-out $109.99. The page names an ES9028Q2M DAC, an ES9603Q amp chip and an SA9137L USB chipset, with 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, 32-bit/384kHz PCM, native DSD256 and a weight of 55 grams. The page calls the circuit fully balanced.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says |
|---|---|
| DAC chip | ES9028Q2M |
| Amp chip | ES9603Q |
| USB chip | SA9137L |
| Tubes | Dual JAN6418 vacuum tubes |
| PCM | 32-bit/384kHz |
| DSD | Native DSD256 |
| Headphone outputs | 3.5mm single-ended + 4.4mm balanced |
| Output power | Up to 480mW@32Ω; 460mW on 3.5mm, 480mW on 4.4mm |
| SNR | Up to 121dB |
| THD+N | 0.0003% |
| Volume control | Independent, with power-off memory |
| Weight | 55 grams |
| Compatibility | Apple, Android, PC, laptop devices |
Options and pricing
Two options appear: the M3 Ultra at $104.99, with a crossed-out price of $109.99 shown on the page, and an Orange Case only option at $9.99. The case is an accessory sold alone, so the review price is the M3 Ultra option. Both were orderable when the page was read. The page text does not say what is packed with the M3 Ultra, which cable it uses or how it is powered.
How it compares
The HiBy FC5 2025 With Display Dual CS43198 Portable USB DAC& and the xDuoo LINK10 Dual CS43131 USB DAC & AMP are $99 each and name dual-chip DAC pairs, while the M3 Ultra is $104.99 with an ES9028Q2M and a tube stage. The iBasso DC06 Portable DAC USB Cable Adapter is $119 and its spec line mentions PCM and DSD support without figures. Choose the M3 Ultra for the tube design; the HiBy and xDuoo models, whose titles name no tube stage, suit buyers who want a lower listed price.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- Two JAN6418 vacuum tubes in a fully balanced circuit, as the page describes it
- Power is given per port at 32Ω: 460mW on 3.5mm and 480mW on 4.4mm
- DAC, amp and USB chips are named: ES9028Q2M, ES9603Q and SA9137L
- SNR up to 121dB and THD+N of 0.0003% are listed
- Independent volume control with power-off memory
Worth noting
- The page text names no input connector or cable, and does not say how the tubes are powered or give a power-draw figure
- The page text gives no frequency response, output impedance or headphone impedance guidance
- The page carries a note about electrostatic, piezoelectric and bone conduction drivers that matches nothing the page text lists for this device
- No specification list as text; the figures are scattered through marketing copy
Questions before you buy
How much power does the Muse HiFi M3 Ultra list?
The page lists up to 480mW at 32Ω and splits it by port: 460mW through the 3.5mm output and 480mW through the 4.4mm output at a 32Ω load.
Which tubes and chips does it use?
Two JAN6418 vacuum tubes, an ES9028Q2M DAC, an ES9603Q amplification chip and an SA9137L USB chipset, per the page. The page credits the tubes to Raytheon.
Why does the page mention electrostatic and bone conduction drivers?
The page carries a note about electrostatic, ceramic piezoelectric and bone conduction drivers and says a hum or hiss is normal for them. The page text names none of those parts for the M3 Ultra, so the note's relevance to this device is not explained.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- Muse HiFi M3 Ultra ES9028Q2M Vacuum Tube Portable DAC & Headphone AMP product page: specs, options and priceSpecs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- A note on the page covers electrostatic, ceramic piezoelectric and bone conduction drivers and calls a hum or hiss normal; none of those parts is named for this device in the page text, and the note gives no level for the hum or hiss.
- Claims that the design eliminates the tube microphone effect, that it is the smallest portable DAC/AMP with real vacuum tubes and that the silicone damping is patented come with no evidence given in the page text.
- Power is quoted at 32Ω only; the page text gives no power-draw, frequency response or output impedance figure and does not name the input connector.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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