News in Short

• Headphone Zone and Muse HiFi have launched the M3 Ultra in India.
• The portable DAC and headphone amplifier uses two genuine JAN6418 vacuum tubes.
• It combines the tubes with an ES9028Q2M DAC and ES9603Q amplification stage.
• The device offers 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced audio outputs.
• It supports PCM audio up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256.
• The M3 Ultra weighs 55g and measures 65 x 16 x 46.5mm.
• It is priced at Rs. 9,999 and is available through Headphone Zone.

Tube amplifiers have long attracted audiophiles with their distinctive sound. However, traditional tube equipment can be large, expensive and difficult to carry.

Headphone Zone and Muse HiFi now want to change that with the M3 Ultra. The companies have launched the portable vacuum tube DAC and headphone amplifier in India for Rs. 9,999.

The device combines genuine vacuum tubes with modern digital audio hardware. As a result, it aims to bring the character of tube amplification to portable listening without requiring a dedicated desktop setup.

The M3 Ultra uses two JAN6418 military-grade vacuum tubes originally produced by Raytheon. Muse HiFi says it spent years working with the tube technology before integrating it into a compact portable design.

Real Vacuum Tubes in a 55g Device

Unlike devices that digitally simulate tube characteristics, the M3 Ultra uses physical vacuum tubes in its audio circuit.

The company says the tubes add warmth, body and texture to music. Meanwhile, the modern DAC and amplification components aim to retain detail and soundstage.

The M3 Ultra combines an ES9028Q2M DAC with a dedicated ES9603Q amplification stage. It also uses a fully balanced circuit.

For output, users get both a 3.5mm single-ended connection and a 4.4mm balanced connection. The 3.5mm output delivers up to 460mW at 32 ohms. Meanwhile, the 4.4mm balanced output reaches up to 480mW at 32 ohms.

The device also targets high-resolution audio listeners. It supports PCM playback up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256.

Furthermore, its stated specifications include a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 121dB. The manufacturer claims THD+N as low as 0.0003% and a noise floor at or below -115dB.

Designed to Make Tube Audio Portable

Taking tubes outside a desktop setup creates another challenge: vibration.

The M3 Ultra addresses this with what the company calls Triple Anti-Vibration technology. The system works across the circuit, software algorithm and physical structure.

The tubes sit inside a “World Gate” open-frame structure. According to the company, the design protects the tubes while allowing users to see them glow during operation.

Headphone Zone and Muse HiFi also say the device has undergone drop, impact and vibration testing.

Heat is another concern with traditional tube equipment. The M3 Ultra uses a low-power JAN6418 design. The companies claim that its surface temperature stays around 33 degrees Celsius after five hours of listening.

At 55 grams, the device also remains considerably smaller than conventional tube amplifiers. It measures 65 x 16 x 46.5mm, making it suitable for portable use with compatible IEMs and headphones.

USB-C Connectivity and Portable Listening

The M3 Ultra connects through USB-C and works with Android smartphones, PCs and laptops. The companies say users do not need additional drivers or complicated setup.

It also includes independent volume control with power-off memory. This feature remembers the volume level when the device powers down.

The amplifier is primarily designed for IEMs and efficient headphones. Its combination of balanced amplification, high-resolution decoding and physical vacuum tubes gives users a portable way to explore tube-based audio.

“Most people never got that chance” to experience tube sound, said Raghav Somani, Founder and CEO of Headphone Zone. He said the M3 Ultra aims to make that experience accessible through a pocket-sized device at a lower entry price.

Headphone Zone X Muse HiFi M3 Ultra Price in India

The Headphone Zone X Muse HiFi M3 Ultra costs Rs. 9,999 in India. It is available through Headphone Zone.

The product brings together two very different approaches to audio hardware. On one side, it uses traditional JAN6418 vacuum tubes. On the other, it combines them with a modern DAC, high-resolution audio support and balanced amplification.

For listeners curious about tube audio but unwilling to invest in a large desktop amplifier, the M3 Ultra offers a much more portable way to explore the format.