iBasso unveils Nunchaku USB DAC with selectable tube and Class AB amplifiers

iBasso has launched the Nunchaku portable USB-DAC with dual selectable amplifiers and dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips. The aluminum body has dual tempered glass faces, with one protecting the 0.96-inch OLED display. A multi-function control dial is used to select settings. The iBasso Nunchaku has an MSRP of $299 and is initially available in gray or red.

The digital amplifier supports high-resolution PCM (32-bit at 768 kHz) and DSD512 music streams with a signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB and THD+N of -119 dB over its 4.4 mm balanced headphone output. An adjustable low- and high-pass filter allows for tuning of the sound profile.

The analog amplifier supports the warm reproduction of music in an authentic analog listening experience using dual Raytheon JAN6418 tubes with a signal-to-noise ratio of 107 dB. The tubes are shock-mounted with Poron polyurethane to reduce the noise caused by vibrations and handling of the Nunchaku. Each tube is driven by a 22.5 volt anode power supply to output up to 525 mW at 32 ohms, easily handling most high-power headphones.

The iBasso Nunchaku measures 65 x 34.6 x 15 mm (2.56 x 1.36 x 0.59 in.) and weighs 50 g (1.76 oz.). The unit can be used as an external USB-DAC with Android smartphones and tablets, and Linux, Mac, and Windows computers, and an optional Android app enables remote control of the Nunchaku. The package ships with a USB-C to USB-C, USB-A, and Lightning connectors.

Readers who don't care for noise in their music playback can look at USB-DACs with digital-only amps, like this Astell & Kern (sold here on Amazon).