Marcus opinions the iBasso Nunchaku, a twin CS43198 dongle DAC with a solid-state and tube amplifier able to as much as 525mW of output energy. It’s at the moment priced at $299.
Disclaimer: I obtained this pattern in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank iBasso for this chance.
Click on right here to learn extra in regards to the iBasso merchandise we’ve got beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
iBasso Nunchaku Assessment
Abstract
The iBasso Nunchaku is a classy-looking, albeit massive dongle DAC with improved controls over the flagship DC-Elite. Its dual-timbre sound system marks it out as probably the most distinctive out of all the firm’s dongle lineup.
Professionals
A number of timbre modes.
Enhanced quantity wheel design.
Improved onboard and UAC app controls
Cons
Liable to microphonic tube ‘ping’.
Some would possibly discover it cumbersome as a dongle.
The iBasso Nunchaku is the newest in iBasso’s collection of high-end dongles, which roughly began with the equally styled DC-Elite.
It packs plenty of options that differentiate the Nunchaku from the DC-Elite, together with a twin tube/strong state timbre mode and a really welcome LCD display screen with operational menu controls.
It additionally boasts a smoother, much less reference-focused sound signature as one would possibly anticipate from a dongle DAC boasting tube amplification.
Priced at $299, it’s cheaper than the DC-Elite however nonetheless very a lot labeled as a premium dongle. As such, it’s mixing firm with the likes of the Cayin RU7 and a few of my older favorites, such because the single-ended R2R HiBy FC6.
How does the Nunchaku stand out from these dongle opponents, and is there sufficient of a distinction from the DC-Elite to perhaps slip each within the bag for travels? I discovered the way it performs and compares in my full overview beneath.
Options
The Nunchaku is each a twin CS43198 DAC and a twin solid-state and tube timbre mode dongle DAC.
Just like the DC-Elite, the Nunchaku is designed to attach through OTG to your iPhone (Lightning or USB-C) or Android smartphone (USB-C) for on-the-go digital audio or sit neatly in your desk as a USB-DAC related to a PC or MAC.
Each of the dongle’s amplification modes are balanced by design, with a Class AB design for the solid-state output and twin Raytheon Jan6418 sub-miniature pentode tubes in a PORON suspension (for stability).
The ability yield from this circuit is eye-catching at as much as 525mW in balanced tube output mode on a 32Ω load, dropping barely to 450mW in Class AB mode on the identical load. That’s lots for any IEM and several other headphones.
The twin DAC implementation is aggressive at as much as 32BIT/768kHz PCM and DSD512 natively through USB. It may well additionally output in S/PDIF output mode with a mini digital coax reference to a most decoding fee of PCM 32BIT/768kHz.
Design
When you’ve got dealt with the DC-Elite, the Nunchaku is a really acquainted design and dealing with expertise. Solely the labeling and the attenuator guard on the DC-Elite differentiate one from the opposite stylistically.
I might fee the Nunchaku as being on the bigger facet of a typical dongle, larger than the RU7 or LP W2, but it surely’s an virtually precise match for the DC-Elite in dimensions. The official weight is 10g lighter, however I actually don’t really feel the distinction.
The Nunchaku is constructed like a brick, with a quasi-fluted mixture of rounded titanium alloy and tempered glass on the again panel, with a brand new discreet LCD display screen on the entrance.
It nonetheless has some sharp corners, however just like the DC-Elite, iBasso has equipped a properly fashioned leather-based case to clean that difficulty out; this time in yellow with a spot for the brand new display screen on the entrance and one on the again to assist you to see a pleasant heat glow from the tubes when activated.
The potentiometer has some restyling, which I’m in favor of, as one among my quibbles with the DC-Elite model was that the encompassing guard was a bit too excessive, making it difficult to simply rotate when on the go.
I think the peeling again of the guard is not only for simpler quantity changes. The Nunchaku dial can also be a multi-function button that brings up the brand new LCD-based menu settings, a characteristic I feel the DC-Elite also needs to have had on the outset.
With the brand new LCD display screen, the Nunchaku can now show the quantity stage indicator on the dial, which addresses my different DC-Elite quibble in regards to the lack of quantity consciousness when switching between delicate and demanding gear.
I/O
The Nunchaku’s enter/output array can also be unchanged from the DC-Elite. That features twin 4.4mm balanced and three.5mm single-ended connections, in addition to a USB-C port beside the multifunction dial on the highest panel for quantity management, OTG, and USB-DAC duties.
The three.5mm output additionally doubles up as an S/PDIF coaxial output, permitting you to bypass the Nunchaku’s amplification and use the dongle as a pure DAC. The S/PDIF mode might be instantly activated by the dongle’s menu settings or through the iBasso UAC app in your cellphone.
Controls
The UAC app might be instantly downloaded from the iBasso web site, as it’s not obtainable through Google Play.
While you’ll be able to function the Nunchaku with out it through its multifunction dial and menu system, the improved display screen actual property from a smartphone and a extra enticing UI make the UAC app vital if you’re utilizing the dongle through OTG.
And since the Nunchaku has a extra in-depth management system in comparison with the DC-Elite, the UAC app will offer you an extended suite of controls and choices.
This contains choices to modify between tube and solid-state mode and atmosphere controls for the display screen, comparable to rotation and sleep timers to scale back cellphone battery drain.
Packaging & Equipment
The iBasso Nunchaku is available in a normal compact, calmly grey-themed retail field with a properly offered double-shelf layer association inside for the unit and equipment.
Equipment embrace two quick, braided 4-core USB-C to USB-C and Lightning cables constructed to a top quality. They’re additionally simply the precise size for hooking as much as reasonably sized smartphones and iPhones.
You additionally get the leather-based case in yellow fairly than the DC-Elite inexperienced, and it suits comparatively tightly, so it’s unlikely to slip off throughout use. Gaps are included for the display screen on the entrance and to permit for a visual tube glow on the rear panel when the tubes are activated.
Other than that, you get a small USB-C to USB-A converter for connecting to your PC or Mac, together with some guarantee and authenticity paperwork.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my sound impressions and really helpful pairings.
