Headphone Zone and Muse HiFi have launched the M3 Ultra, a portable vacuum tube DAC and headphone amplifier in India. It combines dual JAN6418 military-grade vacuum tubes with an ES9028Q2M DAC, an ES9603Q amplification stage, and a fully balanced circuit.
The two JAN6418 tubes, originally produced by Raytheon, sit behind a “World Gate” open-frame structure. Muse HiFi says it spent years working with the tubes before incorporating them into the compact design.
The M3 Ultra uses Triple Anti-Vibration technology across the circuit, algorithm, and system levels. It combines a fully balanced circuit, a dedicated algorithm, and a patented silicone damper to reduce the microphone effect, ringing, and noise caused by vibration.
The device has been tested for drops, impacts, and vibrations. Its low-power JAN6418 design is claimed to keep the surface temperature at around 33°C after five hours of listening.
The M3 Ultra offers:
- 3.5mm output: Up to 460mW at 32Ω
- 4.4mm balanced output: Up to 480mW at 32Ω
- Audio: PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256
- SNR: Up to 121dB
- THD+N: As low as 0.0003%
- Noise floor: At or below -115dB
It is designed for IEMs and efficient headphones and connects over USB-C to Android phones, PCs, and laptops without requiring drivers or additional setup. The device also has independent volume control and remembers the volume level when powered off. The M3 Ultra measures 65 x 16 x 46.5mm and weighs 55 grams.
Quick specs: Headphone Zone X Muse HiFi M3 Ultra
- Type: Portable vacuum tube DAC and headphone amplifier
- Tubes: Dual JAN6418 military-grade vacuum tubes (Raytheon)
- DAC: ES9028Q2M
- Amplification: ES9603Q
- USB chipset: SA9137L
- Circuit: Fully balanced
- Outputs: 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced
- Output power: 460mW at 32Ω (3.5mm), 480mW at 32Ω (4.4mm)
- Audio: PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, native DSD256
- Audio performance: SNR up to 121dB, THD+N as low as 0.0003%, noise floor ≤ -115dB
- Anti-vibration: Triple Anti-Vibration technology
- Structure: “World Gate” open-frame design
- Durability: Drop, impact, and vibration tested
- Temperature: Around 33°C after five hours
- Controls: Independent volume control with power-off memory
- Connectivity: USB-C; Android, PC and laptop support
- Dimensions: 65 x 16 x 46.5mm
- Weight: 55 grams
Pricing and availability
The Headphone Zone X Muse HiFi M3 Ultra is priced at Rs. 9,999 and is available now through Headphone Zone in India.
Speaking on the launch, Raghav Somani, Founder and CEO, Headphone Zone, said:
For years, if you wanted to hear what a tube does to your music, you needed a big amplifier on a desk and a serious amount of money. Most people never got that chance. That is what makes the M3 Ultra stand out. Two real tubes, in something you can slip into your pocket, at a price that finally makes tube sound something you can just try. Once you hear the difference, it is hard to go back to an ordinary amp.