This Tiny Hi-Fi Gadget Is a Portable Tube Amp for Your iPhone

Bring the warm sound of a tube amp to your iPhone.

Published February 11, 2025

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Updated February 11, 2025

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For audio enthusiasts looking to upgrade the sound quality of their smartphone or laptop, a portable DAC/amp can be a fairly simple and affordable solution.

The tiny hi-fi component plugs into your device and effectively replaces its built-in DAC/amp (which typically isn’t very good), delivering a superior audio signal to your wired headphones.

Nowadays, there are many portable DAC/amps to choose from, ranging from about $50 to well over that. The latest one by the Chinese audio brand iBasso is on the more premium end, but it packs amp technology that promises to excite hi-fi enthusiasts.

iBasso Nunchaku

Two amp modes

iBasso’s Nunchaku is a portable DAC/amp with dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips and, uniquely, two selectable amps: solid state or tube. The latter of which is the more interesting.

That’s right, the Nunchaku houses a pair of Raytheon JAN6418 tubes — which you see glowing through its transparent back — that promise to deliver the warm and more lifelike sound of an analog tube amp. The downside to such a portable tube amp is that it could be more prone to unwanted noise (such as a background hiss).

The solid-state mode is more in line with today’s portable DAC/amp. It promises to deliver a cleaner and more reference-quality sound of modern Class A/B solid-state amplifiers. This is the recommended mode when on the move and used with a smartphone.

Additionally, the Nunchaku has five different DAC filters to fine-tune the sound further.

Aluminum and glass

The Nunchaku is a pocketable device with an aluminum body and tempered glass faces. It has a 0.96-inch OLED display shows various audio stats, including sample rate, volume level, gain (high/low), and the amp mode you’re using. There’s a multi-function knob for navigation.

It’s a highly versatile portable DAC/amp, too. It supports 3.5mm and 4.4mm (balanced) headphones, and it comes with the necessary adapters for connecting to sources via USB-C, USB-A and Lightning. That’s right, it’ll work with both new and old iPhones.

Unlike many portable DAC/amps, the Nunchaku lacks a built-in battery. This means it draws power from your smartphone or laptop, which will have a negative impact on your device’s battery life.