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USB-C DONGLE · CS43198 × 2

iBasso Nunchaku

A USB-C dongle with two CS43198 DAC chips, a 4.4 mm balanced and a 3.5 mm output. Weight 50 g.

Manual (PDF) · Manufacturer page · Price history

POWER AT 32 Ω525mW4.4 mm balanced, tube mode, per channel not stated
OUTPUT IMPEDANCENot statedNo data from the manufacturer
SNRNot statedNo data from the manufacturer
PRICE$299Lowest price at HiFiGo and The HiFi Cat
OUTPUTS4.4 mm balanced · 3.5 mm
DAC CHIPCS43198 × 2
PARAMETRIC EQNot statediBasso 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
525mWat 32 Ω
Spec image: 525 mW at 32 Ω, tube mode, per channel or both channels not stated
450mWat 32 Ω
Spec image: 450 mW at 32 Ω, AB mode, per channel or both channels not stated
Output impedance -
3.5 mm
150mWat 32 Ω
Spec image: 150 mW at 32 Ω, tube mode, per channel or both channels not stated
125mWat 32 Ω
Spec image: 125 mW at 32 Ω, AB mode, per channel or both channels not stated
Output impedance -

Not stated: gain, supply voltage, SNR, distortion, crosstalk.

Is it enough for your headphones?

iBasso rates the Nunchaku at 525 mW into 32 Ω from the 4.4 mm balanced output with tube mode. 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. 263 mW at 16 Ω+26 dB
Most IEMsTypical in-ears, 16 to 50 Ω
needs 3.2 mW525 mW at 32 Ω+22 dB
Easy-to-drive headphonesClosed and portable, 32 Ω
needs 16 mW525 mW at 32 Ω+15 dB
Hard-to-drive headphones300 Ω, HD 600 class, hungry for voltage
needs 20 mWest. 56 mW at 300 Ω+4 dB
Most planarsPlanar magnetic, low impedance, need current
needs 50 mW525 mW at 32 Ω+10 dB
Demanding planarsThe hardest loads, desktop territory
needs 251 mWest. 280 mW at 60 Ω+0.5 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 · retail price, checked 16 Oct 2026$299HiFiGo · read 11 Nov 2026$299The HiFi Cat · read 11 Nov 2026$299

Price historyCompare prices on Soundblooms Deals

The device

From iBasso's spec images unless marked
InputUSB-C connection via supplied USB-C cables
FormatsPCM up to 32-bit / 768 kHz, DSD512
DAC chipCS43198 × 2
AppiBasso UAC APP, Android APPmanual
Parametric EQNo data from the manufacturer. Not supported in Contour.
Size65 × 34.6 × 15 mm
Weight50 g

How it stacks up against the competition

Power at 32 Ω · price in US dollars
100 mW200 mW500 mW1 W2 W$200$300$500$700scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+22 dB to spareFiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99iBasso DC07PRO: 430 mW at 32 Ω, $199DC07PROiBasso DC-Elite: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $449DC-EliteQuestyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2:TI: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99FiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99FiiO QX13: 900 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99QX13MOONDROP MOONRIVER3: 250 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99iFi GO bar: 475 mW at 32 Ω, $249FiiO K13 R2R: 2.4 W at 32 Ω, $319.99FiiO JM21: 700 mW at 32 Ω, $259.99iBasso Nunchaku100 mW200 mW500 mW1 W2 W50 mW$200$300$500$700scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+22 dB to spareFiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99KA17FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99KA5iBasso DC07PRO: 430 mW at 32 Ω, $199DC07PROiBasso DC-Elite: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $449DC-EliteQuestyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2:TI: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99MOONRIVER 2:TIFiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99QX11FiiO QX13: 900 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99QX13MOONDROP MOONRIVER3: 250 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99MOONRIVER3iFi GO bar: 475 mW at 32 Ω, $249GO barFiiO K13 R2R: 2.4 W at 32 Ω, $319.99FiiO JM21: 700 mW at 32 Ω, $259.99JM21iBasso Nunchaku
  • Nearby
  • Same DAC chip
  • Most IEMs, 3.2 mW

Devices with the same DAC chip

CS43198 · 16 devices use it
JCALLYJM98MAX≈195 mW0.65 ΩYes8 bandsSGM8262$34.99≈195 mW · 0.65 Ω · $34.99PEQ Yes, 8 bands · Amp SGM8262
MOONDROPWorks with ContourDAWN PRO 262 mWEstimated0.219 ΩMeasuredWorks with Contour8 bands$59.99est. 62 mW · 0.219 Ω · $59.99PEQ Yes, 8 bands
NiceHCKPureAural210 mWYes10 bandsSGM8262$59.99210 mW · $59.99PEQ Yes, 10 bands · Amp SGM8262
TRUTHEARSHIO$69.99$69.99
CrinEarWorks with ContourProtocol Max300 mWEstimated<0.3 ΩWorks with Contour10 bandsDual SG Micro SGM8262-2$76.49est. 300 mW · <0.3 Ω · $76.49PEQ Yes, 10 bands · Amp Dual SG Micro SGM8262-2
JCALLYGalaxy SONATA≈560 mW0.65 ΩDual SGM8262$79.99≈560 mW · 0.65 Ω · $79.99Amp Dual SGM8262
FiiOWorks with ContourKA15≥560 mW0.65 ΩMeasuredWorks with Contour10 bands$99.99≥560 mW · 0.65 Ω · $99.99PEQ Yes, 10 bands
iBassoDC04 Ultra980 mWYes10 bands$119980 mW · $119PEQ Yes, 10 bands
FiiOKA5≥265 mW<0.3 ΩNo8261 × 2$119.99≥265 mW · <0.3 Ω · $119.99PEQ No · Amp 8261 × 2
MOONDROPMOONRIVER 2:TI280 mW$219.99280 mW · $219.99
MOONDROPMOONRIVER3250 mWEstimatedYes$219.99est. 250 mW · $219.99PEQ Yes
FiiOJM21≥700 mW<1 ΩSGM8262 x2$259.99≥700 mW · <1 Ω · $259.99Amp SGM8262 x2

All 16 in the finder

Compared with

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

iBasso Nunchaku vs iFi GO bar

iFi GO bar is among the dongles in the catalog closest to iBasso Nunchaku in price: at 32 Ω iBasso Nunchaku is listed at 525 mW and iFi GO bar at 475 mW; the lowest prices are $299 and $249, $50 apart.

iBasso Nunchaku vs iFi GO bar: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
iBasso NunchakuiFi GO bar
Power at 32 Ω525 mW4.4 mm balanced, tube mode475 mW4.4 mm balanced, RMS
Price today$299HiFiGo, 16 Oct$249Bloom Audio, 16 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2Not stated
InputsUSB-C connection via supplied USB-C cablesUSB-C
Outputs4.4 mm balanced · 3.5 mm3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
Size65 × 34.6 × 15 mmNot stated
Weight50 g28.5 g

iBasso Nunchaku price history

iBasso Nunchaku vs FiiO QX13

FiiO QX13 is among the dongles in the catalog closest to iBasso Nunchaku in price: at 32 Ω iBasso Nunchaku is listed at 525 mW and FiiO QX13 at ≥900 mW; the lowest prices are $299 and $219.99, $79.01 apart.

iBasso Nunchaku vs FiiO QX13: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
iBasso NunchakuFiiO QX13
Power at 32 Ω525 mW4.4 mm balanced, tube mode≥900 mW4.4 mm balanced, high gain, desktop, supply: DC 5V >=1A listed for device; test supply not separately specified
Power at 16 ΩNot stated≥480 mW4.4 mm balanced, high gain, desktop, supply: DC 5V >=1A listed for device; test supply not separately specified
Power at 300 ΩNot stated≥125 mW4.4 mm balanced, high gain, desktop, supply: DC 5V >=1A listed for device; test supply not separately specified
Price today$299HiFiGo, 16 Oct$219.99HiFiGo, 16 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2ES9027SPRO
InputsUSB-C connection via supplied USB-C cablesUSB-C
Outputs4.4 mm balanced · 3.5 mm3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
Size65 × 34.6 × 15 mmAbout 64.2 × 30.7 × 13 mm
Weight50 gAbout 39.2 g

iBasso Nunchaku price history · FiiO QX13 price history

iBasso Nunchaku vs MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI

MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI is among the dongles in the catalog closest to iBasso Nunchaku in price: at 32 Ω iBasso Nunchaku is listed at 525 mW and MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI at 280 mW; the lowest prices are $299 and $219.99, $79.01 apart.

iBasso Nunchaku vs MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
iBasso NunchakuMOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI
Power at 32 Ω525 mW4.4 mm balanced, tube mode280 mW4.4 mm balanced
Power at 300 ΩNot stated53 mW4.4 mm balanced
Price today$299HiFiGo, 16 Oct$219.99Apos Audio, 31 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2CS43198 × 2
InputsUSB-C connection via supplied USB-C cablesUSB-C
Outputs4.4 mm balanced · 3.5 mm3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
Size65 × 34.6 × 15 mm57 × 19.6 × 13.4 mm
Weight50 g30 g

iBasso Nunchaku price history · MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI price history

More like this

More portable DAC amps

Sources

Checked 14 Oct 2026
Nunchaku official product
ibasso.com · the product page
Nunchaku user manual
ibasso.com · the manual, PDF
Used for the app, battery and power source
Nunchaku product page
ibasso.com · the spec image
Used for the app