FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
The specs/literature says 5,000 hours.
iBasso Nunchaku: Vacuum Tube DAC/Amp Dongle for Only $299?
- Thread starter Andrew DiMarcangelo
- Start date
208 x 8 = ? In any case, knowing people here, 90% of people will have sold it and moved on within six months.
This208 x 8 = ? In any case, knowing people here, 90% of people will have sold it and moved on within six months.
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
More stunning synergy sister discoveries!
The Nunchaku (Slow roll off, High gain, Tube mode) + OG Tangzu Wu Zetian + Hiby R3 II (transport + CB-19 + power bank), is jaw dropping. There's obviously some kind of synergy happening between the planar magnetic driver of the Wu Zetian and the tubes, because this IEM shines with this source configuration. It's spaciously musical, lively, punchy, with a touch of warmth and incisiveness. I dare say, I might be enjoying this more than my recent purchase, the Wu Zetian's big sister, the Wu Legend (Empress), which is a dual planar IEM. Been having a blast going through my rotations and finding these synergies with the Nunchaku.
The Nunchaku (Slow roll off, High gain, Tube mode) + OG Tangzu Wu Zetian + Hiby R3 II (transport + CB-19 + power bank), is jaw dropping. There's obviously some kind of synergy happening between the planar magnetic driver of the Wu Zetian and the tubes, because this IEM shines with this source configuration. It's spaciously musical, lively, punchy, with a touch of warmth and incisiveness. I dare say, I might be enjoying this more than my recent purchase, the Wu Zetian's big sister, the Wu Legend (Empress), which is a dual planar IEM. Been having a blast going through my rotations and finding these synergies with the Nunchaku.
The Nunchaku is seriously impressive. I've done a little bit of a mobile gamut recently between the iFi Gryphon & Kensei, Cayin RU7 and Qudelix 5K. I love the flexibility between tube and AB mode. Even though the 5K has the amazing app and EQ capability, the Nunchaku has an almost "intoxicating" sound signature. I find myself lost in the music with it time and time again.
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
Yep. Can't deny it. Intoxicating is a great descriptor, and I have the DCE, N3U, DX170, and B4-X, and they are all amazing, but the Nun is it's own special sauce sound.
ToneDeafMonk
Previously known as TheDeafMonk
The Nunchaku is great, DC-ELITE is still champ!
More stunning synergy sister discoveries!
The Nunchaku (Slow roll off, High gain, Tube mode) + OG Tangzu Wu Zetian + Hiby R3 II (transport + CB-19 + power bank), is jaw dropping. There's obviously some kind of synergy happening between the planar magnetic driver of the Wu Zetian and the tubes, because this IEM shines with this source configuration. It's spaciously musical, lively, punchy, with a touch of warmth and incisiveness. I dare say, I might be enjoying this more than my recent purchase, the Wu Zetian's big sister, the Wu Legend (Empress), which is a dual planar IEM. Been having a blast going through my rotations and finding these synergies with the Nunchaku.
The king of synergy
So glad my ears are clear and I can enjoy what you guys are hearing
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
Listening to the DCE as I type this, while my transport charges. Yep, DCE is still a BEAST. Even with the KZ ZA12. I prefer the resonance and the treble extension of the Nunchaku, but there is no denying the bass impact and the midrange fullness of the DCE.
I'm like the USS Enterprise, but in constant search of synergy LOL I want to document every synergy sister in existence! LOLThe king of synergy
So glad my ears are clear and I can enjoy what you guys are hearing
Btw, so glad you're feeling better. Rock the Nuns!!
ToneDeafMonk
Previously known as TheDeafMonk
I asked Paul about the Output Impedance and he said like the DC07 PRO about 1ohm , will test that tonight sort of and see if it changes my testing gear mic on a sensitive iem.
The DCE is now my reference at 0.6 ohm 4.4
The DCE is now my reference at 0.6 ohm 4.4
FreeWheelinAudioLuv2
Headphoneus Supremus
Crazy in love. That's how I can describe my impressions towards the iBasso Nunchaku. It's even with my declaration of the Cayin N3U as the best personal audio purchase of the last year. Now the N3U edges it only because it's a dap, and has more utility as a result, but as a pure value source, they are neck and neck. I prefer this, just sonically from a personal perspective, more than the iBasso DC Elite, the Nunchaku's more famous big brother. Why? Despite the DCE still having the edge in soundstage, imaging, midrange fullness, and bass impact, the Nunchaku aren't that far behind in technicalities (except for bass impact, where the DCE certainly reigns far supreme), while adding little color, but in tube mode, adding those harmonics and resonances that make tube sonics so enchanting, while delivering a precise, clean, and more extended upper midrange/treble response, that's crisper, and more shimmery and airy than it's big brother. As a self-professed treble connoisseur, who also happens to be older, good clear extended treble with plenty of air is more important to me than bass impact, so the Nunchaku delivers that in spades, where the DCE fails. Then the Nunchaku provides solid state mode, so when I want to jump off the tube bandwagon for awhile, I can do just that, and I'm met with a different, neutral sound signature in AB mode, that's similar to a saber dac chip, or eerily similar to the sonic presentation of the iFi Go Link Max, but with an even more refined presentation (I love the GLM, so this is a pleasure) with a broader soundstage. Throw in the filters (which are audible), High pass filter, AB mode, low and high gain, and it's just such a versatile unit for shaping sound signatures, it's wonderous tbqf.
The Nunchaku is a lean mean sonic machine that's versatile, fun, clean, warm (but not too warm), transparent, and full. For $299.00, it's truly a steal! iBasso keeps redefining what hi end audio performance can be within a more affordable price range (this started with the DCE and DC07), and continues forward with the Nun.
Now there can be faint ringing when bumped, and I have on rare occasion picked up interference, but I've also taken it out with me pocket cruisin', and had no issues with either remnant, so though not infallible, it's certainly rare enough that it's excusable when it does manifest. Also, it's transparent, and not the fullest or impactful note weight out there. Though I wouldn't call it thin, it's not exactly weighty or meaty. Not like the DCE.
Sure, I might still be in the honeymoon phase, but honestly, the Nunchaku has me pondering selling my DCE, as since it arrived, I've hardly touched my DCE (except for one day where I intentionally used the DCE to give the Nun a much needed rest). It elevates the level of performance on my budget gear and mid-fi gear just like the DCE does, but with far more versatility. Now this is merely a pondering, and probably doesn't happen anytime soon, but it's still worth noting, as an indictment not on anything to do negatively with the DCE, but just how strong a performer the Nunchaku actually is.
Early on, I wasn't very thrilled with the synergy between the Nunchaku and my beloved ISN H60, but either through burn in, brain burn, or just a settling of the tubes and internals, this combination is now stellar. Another amazing sounding combo is the Nunchaku and the Tanchjim Bunny. This love is an elevator, and it really does takes things up up up into the sonic stratosphere. No hyperbole. All believe. Or maybe i'm crazy in love? A bit of both?
iBasso Nunchaku + Hiby R3 II (transport) + iBasso CB-19 + power bank + ISN H60
The Nunchaku is a lean mean sonic machine that's versatile, fun, clean, warm (but not too warm), transparent, and full. For $299.00, it's truly a steal! iBasso keeps redefining what hi end audio performance can be within a more affordable price range (this started with the DCE and DC07), and continues forward with the Nun.
Now there can be faint ringing when bumped, and I have on rare occasion picked up interference, but I've also taken it out with me pocket cruisin', and had no issues with either remnant, so though not infallible, it's certainly rare enough that it's excusable when it does manifest. Also, it's transparent, and not the fullest or impactful note weight out there. Though I wouldn't call it thin, it's not exactly weighty or meaty. Not like the DCE.
Sure, I might still be in the honeymoon phase, but honestly, the Nunchaku has me pondering selling my DCE, as since it arrived, I've hardly touched my DCE (except for one day where I intentionally used the DCE to give the Nun a much needed rest). It elevates the level of performance on my budget gear and mid-fi gear just like the DCE does, but with far more versatility. Now this is merely a pondering, and probably doesn't happen anytime soon, but it's still worth noting, as an indictment not on anything to do negatively with the DCE, but just how strong a performer the Nunchaku actually is.
Early on, I wasn't very thrilled with the synergy between the Nunchaku and my beloved ISN H60, but either through burn in, brain burn, or just a settling of the tubes and internals, this combination is now stellar. Another amazing sounding combo is the Nunchaku and the Tanchjim Bunny. This love is an elevator, and it really does takes things up up up into the sonic stratosphere. No hyperbole. All believe. Or maybe i'm crazy in love? A bit of both?
iBasso Nunchaku + Hiby R3 II (transport) + iBasso CB-19 + power bank + ISN H60
Death_Block
Headphoneus Supremus
I’d like to see if they would try desktop gear.
Hi guys,
I'm madly in love with the sound signature of the Nunchaku as well.
The only thing I noticed was a very subtle singular crackle every now and then on the left channel, when playing from streaming sources.
Could that be down to the NOS mode and sampling rates below 192kHz?
I remember a similar issue with the Hifiman ef400 and NOS mode. Crackles appeared only below 192kHz there as well.
Anyone else noticed something similar?
I'm madly in love with the sound signature of the Nunchaku as well.
The only thing I noticed was a very subtle singular crackle every now and then on the left channel, when playing from streaming sources.
Could that be down to the NOS mode and sampling rates below 192kHz?
I remember a similar issue with the Hifiman ef400 and NOS mode. Crackles appeared only below 192kHz there as well.
Anyone else noticed something similar?
meomap
Headphoneus Supremus
Source to Nun?Hi guys,
I'm madly in love with the sound signature of the Nunchaku as well.
The only thing I noticed was a very subtle singular crackle every now and then on the left channel, when playing from streaming sources.
Could that be down to the NOS mode and sampling rates below 192kHz?
I remember a similar issue with the Hifiman ef400 and NOS mode. Crackles appeared only below 192kHz there as well.
Anyone else noticed something similar?
My SR35 + NUN have no crackle sounds so far streaming through Quobuz.
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