John Darko
It’s not new but it’s new to me: iBasso’s Nunchaku is a dongle DAC with a twist. Like many rivals, it receives power and digital audio data from a PC, Mac or smartphone over USB-C. It then outputs an analogue signal via its single-ended 3.5mm socket – that doubles as a digital S/PDIF output – or its balanced 4.4mm socket – that threatens 0.5 Watts into 32 Ohms.
Between input and output sits a DAC circuit built around a pair of Cirrus Logic CS43198 chips whose five user-selectable DAC filters are accessible via the unit’s display and end-stopper volume wheel that doubles as a selector switch. The 1″ OLED display also shows us the incoming sample rate, volume level, hi/lo gain, L/R balance and – here comes the twist – operational mode: solid state or tubes.
Slide the Nunchaku from its supplied yellow leather carry case to expose an aluminium chassis whose underside window reveals a pair of Raytheon JAN6418 tubes. These can be switched in and out of the signal path according to headphone type, listening environment or preference.
iBasso has likely included the Raytheons so that listeners can experience the smoother, warmer sound of tubes whilst out and about. However, a tube’s greater susceptibility to microphony means that if I owned one, I would run the Nunchaku in solid-state mode whilst walking the city streets and click the tubes into the circuit (using the menu system) when sat on public transport or at an office desk. I might also want to know 1) how much the tubes lift the noise floor with sensitive IEMs and 2) how much tube mode impacts the host device’s battery; and before dropping the necessary €299 or US$299.
But consider this: the Nunchaku isn’t only for portable audio use. It’s an affordable way to add a tubed-up DAC to the USB output of an iPad (hello hi-res Apple Music) or the USB output of a CD transport like the Shanling ET3 and Schiit Urd.
Further information: iBasso
