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USB-C DONGLE · ES9028Q2M

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra

A USB-C dongle with an ES9028Q2M DAC chip, a 3.5 mm and a 4.4 mm balanced output. About 55 g.

Manufacturer page · Price history

POWER AT 32 Ω480mW4.4 mm balanced, per channel not stated
OUTPUT IMPEDANCENot statedNo data from the manufacturer
SNR121dB1 kHz, A-weighted 32Ω load
PRICE$92.39Lowest price at HiFiGo
OUTPUTS3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
DAC CHIPES9028Q2M
PARAMETRIC EQNot statedMuse HiFi lists none
CONTOURNot supported

Numbers are the manufacturer's stated figures unless marked as measured; sources linked below.

Outputs and power

4.4 mm balanced
480mWat 32 Ω
Spec image: 480 mW at 32 Ω, A-weighted, per channel or both channels not stated
Output impedance -
3.5 mm
460mWat 32 Ω
Spec image: 460 mW at 32 Ω, A-weighted, per channel or both channels not stated
Output impedance -
SNR120 dB (3.5 mm), 121 dB
THD+N0.0004% (3.5 mm), 0.0003% (4.4 mm balanced)

Not stated: gain, supply voltage, crosstalk.

Two description images print the power in large display numerals that read 460/490 mW. The lines printed with them ("460mW + 480mW", "3.5:460mw/4.4:480mw"), the Basic Specifications table and the launch post all say 480 mW for the 4.4 mm output. The catalog shows 480 mW.

Is it enough for your headphones?

Muse HiFi rates the M3 Ultra at 480 mW into 32 Ω from the 4.4 mm balanced output. Below is how much of that is left to spare for each kind of headphones when you listen loud, with peaks at 110 dB. A figure marked est. is worked out from that rating.

Sensitive IEMsMulti-driver sets that hiss on strong sources
needs 0.6 mWest. 240 mW at 16 Ω+26 dB
Most IEMsTypical in-ears, 16 to 50 Ω
needs 3.2 mW480 mW at 32 Ω+22 dB
Easy-to-drive headphonesClosed and portable, 32 Ω
needs 16 mW480 mW at 32 Ω+15 dB
Hard-to-drive headphones300 Ω, HD 600 class, hungry for voltage
needs 20 mWest. 51 mW at 300 Ω+4 dB
Most planarsPlanar magnetic, low impedance, need current
needs 50 mW480 mW at 32 Ω+10 dB
Demanding planarsThe hardest loads, desktop territory
needs 251 mWest. 256 mW at 60 Ω+0.1 dB

Where to buy

Some shop links are affiliate links: if you buy through one, I may earn a commission. Your price and the order stay the same.

HiFiGo · read 11 Nov 2026$92.39Muse HiFi store · official store price, checked 10 Nov 2026$109.99

Price historyCompare prices on Soundblooms Deals

The device

From Muse HiFi's spec images unless marked
InputUSB-C
FormatsPCM up to 32-bit / 384 kHz, DSD256
DAC chipES9028Q2M
VolumeButtons
Works withWide Compatibility with Apple, Android, PC, Laptop, etc. Devicesproduct page
BuildDual Military-Grade JAN6418 Electron Tubesproduct page
Parametric EQNo data from the manufacturer. Not supported in Contour.
WeightAbout 55 g

How it stacks up against the competition

Power at 32 Ω · price in US dollars
200 mW500 mW1 W$70$100scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+22 dB to spareFiiO KA13: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99KA13FiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99KA17FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99FiiO KA15: 560 mW at 32 Ω, $99.99KA15iBasso DC04PRO: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $119Questyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP DAWN 4.4: 230 mW at 32 Ω, $69.99FiiO KA3: 235 mW at 32 Ω, $95.94FiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99iBasso DC03PRO: 98 mW at 32 Ω, $69iBasso DC05: 93 mW at 32 Ω, $69iBasso DC06: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC06iBasso DC06PRO: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC04 Ultra: 980 mW at 32 Ω, $119Hidizs S9 PRO: 200 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha: 180 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99Shanling UA2: 195 mW at 32 Ω, $85Shanling UA3: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $109Shanling UA4: 227 mW at 32 Ω, $99iFi GO link Max: 241 mW at 32 Ω, $79CrinEar Protocol Max: 300 mW at 32 Ω, $76.49 (lowest offer on /deals today)JCALLY AP20: 330 mW at 32 Ω, ~$91.88AP20JCALLY Galaxy SONATA: 560 mW at 32 Ω, $79.99Galaxy SONATANiceHCK Octave: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $89Muse HiFi M3 Ultra200 mW500 mW1 W100 mW$70$100scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+22 dB to spareFiiO KA13: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99KA13FiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99KA17FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99FiiO KA15: 560 mW at 32 Ω, $99.99KA15iBasso DC04PRO: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $119Questyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP DAWN 4.4: 230 mW at 32 Ω, $69.99FiiO KA3: 235 mW at 32 Ω, $95.94FiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99iBasso DC03PRO: 98 mW at 32 Ω, $69iBasso DC05: 93 mW at 32 Ω, $69iBasso DC06: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC06iBasso DC06PRO: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC06PROiBasso DC04 Ultra: 980 mW at 32 Ω, $119Hidizs S9 PRO: 200 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha: 180 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99Shanling UA2: 195 mW at 32 Ω, $85Shanling UA3: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $109Shanling UA4: 227 mW at 32 Ω, $99iFi GO link Max: 241 mW at 32 Ω, $79CrinEar Protocol Max: 300 mW at 32 Ω, $76.49 (lowest offer on /deals today)Protocol MaxJCALLY AP20: 330 mW at 32 Ω, ~$91.88AP20JCALLY Galaxy SONATA: 560 mW at 32 Ω, $79.99Galaxy SONATANiceHCK Octave: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $89OctaveMuse HiFi M3 Ultra
  • Nearby
  • Same DAC chip
  • Most IEMs, 3.2 mW

Compared with

Manufacturers' stated figures; the price is today's lowest

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra vs Shanling UA3

Shanling UA3 is among the dongles in the catalog closest to Muse HiFi M3 Ultra in price: at 32 Ω Muse HiFi M3 Ultra is listed at 480 mW and Shanling UA3 at 210 mW; the lowest prices are $92.39 and $109, $16.61 apart.

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra vs Shanling UA3: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
Muse HiFi M3 UltraShanling UA3
Power at 32 Ω480 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted210 mW4.4 mm balanced, THD+N 0.0003% @ 32Ω, A-Weighting @ 1V
Price today$92.39HiFiGo, 11 Nov$109Shanling store, 16 Oct
DAC chipES9028Q2MAKM AK4493SEQ
InputsUSB-CUSB-C
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
SizeNot stated60 × 25 × 13 mm
WeightAbout 55 gNot stated

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra price history · Shanling UA3 price history

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra vs iBasso DC04 PRO

iBasso DC04 PRO is among the dongles in the catalog closest to Muse HiFi M3 Ultra in price: at 32 Ω Muse HiFi M3 Ultra is listed at 480 mW and iBasso DC04 PRO at 280 mW; the lowest prices are $92.39 and $119, $26.61 apart.

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra vs iBasso DC04 PRO: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
Muse HiFi M3 UltraiBasso DC04 PRO
Power at 32 Ω480 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted280 mW4.4 mm balanced
Price today$92.39HiFiGo, 11 Nov$119iBasso store, 16 Oct
DAC chipES9028Q2MCirrus Logic CS43131 × 2
InputsUSB-CUSB-C
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced4.4 mm balanced · 3.5 mm
SizeNot stated59 × 23.4 × 12.1 mm
WeightAbout 55 g21 g

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra price history · iBasso DC04 PRO price history

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra vs iBasso DC04 Ultra

iBasso DC04 Ultra is among the dongles in the catalog closest to Muse HiFi M3 Ultra in price: at 32 Ω Muse HiFi M3 Ultra is listed at 480 mW and iBasso DC04 Ultra at 980 mW; the lowest prices are $92.39 and $119, $26.61 apart.

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra vs iBasso DC04 Ultra: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
Muse HiFi M3 UltraiBasso DC04 Ultra
Power at 32 Ω480 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted980 mW4.4 mm balanced
Price today$92.39HiFiGo, 11 Nov$119iBasso store, 16 Oct
DAC chipES9028Q2MCS43198 × 2
InputsUSB-CUSB-C connection via supplied USB-C cable
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
SizeNot stated58 × 23.5 × 13.1 mm
WeightAbout 55 g37.2 g

Muse HiFi M3 Ultra price history

More like this

More portable DAC amps

Sources

Checked 10 Nov 2026
Muse HiFi M3 Ultra product page
musehifi.com · the product page
Used for power, noise and distortion, the DAC chip, outputs, controls, compatibility and build
Muse HiFi launch post, 2 June 2026
musehifi.com
Used for power, noise and distortion, formats, the DAC chip, outputs, controls, compatibility, weight and build
Muse HiFi M3 Ultra product page, description image 02
shopify.com · the spec image
Muse HiFi M3 Ultra product page, description image 03
shopify.com · the spec image
Used for build
Muse HiFi M3 Ultra product page, description image 07
shopify.com · the spec image
Used for power
Muse HiFi M3 Ultra product page, description image 08
shopify.com · the spec image
Used for weight
Muse HiFi M3 Ultra product page, description image 09
shopify.com · the spec image
Used for input and the package
Muse HiFi M3 Ultra product page, description image 10
shopify.com · the spec image
Used for power, noise and distortion, formats, the DAC chip, input, outputs and controls