Marcelo evaluations the MUSE HiFi M6 Double, a brand new dual-mode transistor and JAN6418 tube moveable headphone DAC/amp with a Neon Nixie IN-7 tube show.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in return for my trustworthy 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 and MUSE merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
MUSE HiFi M6 Double Assessment
Abstract
I can see that MUSE HiFi has put a number of effort into making the M6 Double a really particular restricted version merchandise DAC/Amp. Contemplating the value, sound, design, and rarity of the IN-17 show tube, its manufacturing is proscribed to just one,000 items. I’d counsel getting the MUSE HiFi M6 Double when you nonetheless can.
Execs
Can drive excessive impedance headphones fairly nicely.
Clean in transistor mode and smoother in tube mode.
Pleasant IN-17 pixie tube quantity show.
Cons
Not probably the most highly effective for its dimension.
MUSE HiFi is a memorable model to me as a result of the primary overview I did for Headfonics was of the MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely, a extremely nice-sounding tube hybrid Bluetooth DAC amplifier.
I’m now stoked that they launched a Restricted Version Bluetooth DAC amplifier, the MUSE HiFi M6 Double, which sells for $399.
You could ask why they named it Double? It’s as a result of it refers to the usage of IN-17, the smallest Pixie show tube with double digits, as the quantity indicator for the M6 Double, mixed with two JAN 6418, the smallest audio tube, therefore the identify Double.
What makes the M6 Double actually particular is that these IN-17 Pixie tubes are so uncommon that they have to be sourced primarily from Russia and a few from Europe.
These IN-17s have been produced between 1960 and 1970, earlier than LED shows grew to become out there. MUSE HiFi managed to acquire 2,200 tubes and was instructed by the suppliers that these are the final remaining shares, making MUSE HiFi the world’s largest single stockist of the IN-17.
Moreover, MUSE HiFi made the additional effort to make the IN-17 Pixie tubes work with the M6 Double through the use of a personalized energy provide and management system.
This tube requires 170 Volts, which is way increased than the voltage wanted for LEDs. And all of the tubes are mounted on a shock-absorbing platform.
As a result of rarity of the IN-17 tube, MUSE HiFi solely makes 1000 items of the M6 Double, making this product a Restricted Version. My overview pattern is numbered 0000/1000.
However sufficient in regards to the show tube, and ask how the M6 Double sounds? And the way does it evaluate to different Bluetooth DAC amplifiers, together with the MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely and the SMSL DS20? Let’s discover out.
Options
The M6 Double options the most recent DAC from ESS SABRE, an ES9039Q2M DAC chip, personalized to enhance the tube amplifier part throughout tube mode operation. The additionally makes use of two JAN 6418 mini audio vacuum tubes for the tube output mode.
Other than the DAC chip, battery capability, and tubes, MUSE HiFi has by no means revealed different specs, together with the facility output, at the least not on the time of this writing.
That is just like their earlier mannequin, the MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely. Nevertheless, MUSE HiFi indicated that they elevated the facility output on each the three.5mm and 4.4mm output jacks to totally deal with high-impedance headphones.
I’d estimate M6 Double’s 4.4mm output to be round 400mW or extra, as it’s noticeably extra highly effective than its predecessor, the M5 Extremely.
The M6 Double additionally drives my high-impedance headphones to loud volumes with good sound high quality, additional cementing my estimate of its energy output. Nevertheless, it’s not as highly effective as my FiiO M15s DAP, which has a most output of 1,200 mW.
M6 Double helps wi-fi Bluetooth connection as much as aptX and LDAC codecs, and audio decoding for PCM, DSD, and MQA.
Design
I just like the futuristic mecha design characterised by its angular and faceted seems to be. I additionally admire the inclusion of an enormous steel knob quantity management and the perforation on the left aspect, which serves as vents for the tubes and for show.
The chassis is absolutely product of CNC-machined aluminum alloy, with tempered glass sandwiched in the back and front. All of the controls are on the fitting aspect, comprising a knob and 4 buttons.
All of the I/Os are on the backside, consisting of a USB charging port, USB audio port, 3.5mm output jack, and 4.4mm output jack.
There’s a clear portion within the tempered glass on the entrance permitting us to see the PCB; nonetheless, the again solely has an opaque black tempered glass, which is printed with texts and logos.
On the prime, you may see the 1-inch display screen indicating the working situation of the M6 Double, with the IN-17 Pixie tube properly positioned behind a glass in one other window beside the display screen.
M6 Double is barely larger so far as battery-powered Bluetooth DAC amplifiers go; it measures 121.2 x 81.3 x 24.5mm and weighs 285 grams.
Show
MUSE HiFi personalized the one-inch show on the prime to point out the Headfonics brand briefly when turned on, then switches to common mode, displaying the adjustable features and the working situation of the M6 Double.
The show exhibits the enter mode, acquire, filter, battery degree, amplification mode, and shutdown timer, all of which might be managed and adjusted utilizing the buttons on the fitting aspect of the M6 Double. It additionally exhibits the codec, or digital audio sign kind, on the heart.
I/O
All inputs and outputs are neatly situated on the backside. From left to proper are the three.5mm output jack, 4.4mm output jack, USB-C information/audio port, and the USB-C charging port.
There is no such thing as a line-level output operate on the M6 Double. Nevertheless, that characteristic isn’t almost as vital because the USB-C charging port.
Controls
All of the controls are on the fitting aspect. From prime to backside, there’s the quantity knob, adopted by the facility button, which additionally features because the show off button.
Beneath that’s the M button, which lets you cycle by means of features on the display screen, adjustable utilizing the up and down buttons. These buttons additionally function skip ahead and backward for the music.
There’s a notable lack of a play pause button. However this isn’t a deal breaker for me, as I primarily use the controls to regulate the settings on the M6 Double and management the music completely on the music participant.
Battery & Charging
The M6 Double contains a 4500mAh battery, which lasted round 13 hours throughout my testing. This was with USB enter utilizing an IEM with a 4.4mm cable, taking part in at my regular listening quantity, which isn’t dangerous in any respect contemplating my ordinary listening degree is kind of loud.
It took me about 4.5 hours to totally cost the M6 Double. Nevertheless, I seen that on the 2-hour mark, the battery indicator was already full, whereas the display screen saved indicating it was charging. I waited it out, and the charging indicator solely stopped at about 4.5 hours.
I’m joyful to report that, though the M6 Double doesn’t have quick charging, the chassis by no means acquired sizzling. It stayed solely faintly heat throughout use and charging, which is nice information if you wish to lengthen the battery’s lifespan.
Packaging & Equipment
The packaging is easy and sensible, but it has a category and class in its design. It’s a onerous black field with the M6 Double photograph on the entrance and a few texts throughout, which measures 170 x 110 x 90 mm.
There may be one other black onerous field that slides out from the aspect, which comprises the M6 Double, a leather-based protecting case, a guide, a USB-C to A adapter, an extended USB-A to C cable, and two quick and straight USB-C to C connectors. I do want one of many quick USB-C connectors have been angled, however having two is okay, too.
Sound Impressions
For vital listening and comparisons, I primarily used my Android cellphone and the FiiO M15S DAP as sources. For IEMs and headphones, I used the DUNU Falcon Extremely, Kiwi Ears Astral, the MOONDROP Horizon, and Sennheiser’s HD 6XX headphones.
I used PowerAmp and UAPP music participant Apps of their default audio settings with out filters, EQ, and audio enhancement. I switched between low, medium, and excessive acquire relying on the pairing and the default F1 filter within the M6 Double.
All of the comparisons are executed with the M6 Double in its transistor mode.
Abstract
Earlier than severely listening to the M5 Double, I spent over 30 hours in transistor mode and 6 hours in vacuum tube mode of burn-in, whereas testing battery life and checking charging occasions. I seen a smoother sound with elevated soundstage after the burn-in, particularly within the tube mode.
That stated, within the transistor mode, the tonality is impartial, that includes prolonged subbass and treble, and with none emphasis on frequency areas that may shade the sound; in different phrases, the M6 Double has a flat frequency response.
Bass has impactful, punchy, and tight traits. But, it by no means shies away from supplying great quantities of subbass vitality, leading to a quick, articulate, and textured sound with a number of energy in reserve for the bottom frequencies.
The midrange is impartial, clean, and flat, with none added traits like heat or emphasis within the higher midrange, which brings the instrument’s presence ahead.
The M6 Double midrange is correct. The identical might be stated for the treble; it’s impartial and clean with no peakiness or coloration.
M6 Double provides good decision and element retrieval, permitting me to listen to many macro and micro particulars within the music, making me really feel like I’m listening to every thing and never lacking something. The micro particulars aren’t fairly pretty much as good as the most effective I’ve listened to, although.
Within the vacuum tube mode, it’s nearly the identical because the transistor mode besides that the tiny main edges of the transients are barely rounded, the bass turns into barely extra boomy, and the decision decreases considerably. But, the treble extension stays impartial and flat, by no means turning into darker.
Switching to the vacuum tube mode ends in an analog-style sound signature the place the last word decision is barely sacrificed for a denser and extra partaking sound that many individuals take pleasure in, together with me.
Coloration
Properly, other than the vacuum tube mode sound coloration described above, which is a deliberate design alternative, there’s not a lot coloration that may be heard within the transistor mode. M6 Double is as coloration-free as a DAC amplifier might be.
Nevertheless, if held at gunpoint to inform the sound coloration of the M6 Double, I’d say the presentation of sound leans in direction of the relaxed aspect.
Staging & Dynamics
Due to M6 Double’s clear and tight sound, there aren’t any points in relation to soundstage. M6 Double’s soundstage is massive in each transistor and vacuum tube modes, providing good width and peak. As a consequence of its clear background rendition, it additionally has superb depth.
M6 Double is rarely quick in provide of spaciousness. There appears to be area between the devices and the listener, and between the devices and the singer.
Relying on the headphones or IEMs used, the M6 Double may sound spatially pure, giving the listener good sound immersion.
Dynamically, M6 Double is in no quick provide as nicely; whatever the headphones or the IEMs used, M6 Double by no means sounds boring, torpid, or useless. It sounds fairly energetic.
There’s a good rendition of the macro and the micro dynamics, due to its strong energy output.
I hear the sudden loudness within the music, like snaps of loud snare drums (macro dynamics) and the variations in how the drummer hits the closed hi-hat (micro dynamics), however the latter isn’t fairly pretty much as good as the most effective I’ve heard.
Click on on web page 2 under for my beneficial pairings, wi-fi efficiency, and chosen comparisons.
