Nobsound Q3 Mini USB DAC Headphone Amp Review

The Nobsound Q3 is a mini USB digital-to-analog converter priced at $52.99, designed to add a clean analog output to computers, TVs, disc players and phones with OTG support. It measures 73 x 98 x 33mm and weighs 200g, with a black aluminum case suited to home and desktop systems.

Inputs cover three digital paths: PC-USB, optical and coaxial. PC-USB is plug-and-play with no additional driver, processing digital audio at any bit depth up to 24 bits and any sample rate up to 96kHz with high signal-to-noise ratio and low distortion. The optical and coaxial inputs go further, accepting up to 192kHz / 24-bit, so TVs, Apple TVs, DVD/Blu-ray players and CD players can all feed the Q3. The PC-USB path supports Windows XP through 10, MAC and Linux.

Inside, the Q3 pairs a SA9023 USB chip, a CS8412 DAC chip and a 97220 headphone amp chip, with an NE5532 op amp in the analog stage to improve treble and bass sound. Outputs are stereo RCA with a 2.3V level and a 3.5mm headphone jack designed for a wide range of headphones at 16-200 ohm, delivering up to 100mW into 32 ohm. The volume knob adjusts both the headphones and the RCA output, and separate treble and bass controls at plus or minus 6dB let you tune the sound before it reaches your amplifier. Measured performance: SNR of 105dB or better with THD of 0.01%.

The package includes the Q3 DAC, a USB cable, a USB data cable and an optical cable, so the common connections are covered out of the box.

Specifications

How it compares

At $52.99 the Q3 costs $3.00 more than the Nobsound Q4 ($49.99), and the two share PC-USB at 96K/24Bit and coaxial and optical at 192K/24Bit. The Q4 page adds Bluetooth 5.0, a U-disk input and a remote, and lists an SNR of 113dB or better, a distortion figure of 0.0057% against the Q3's 0.01%, 110mW at 32Ω for 16-300Ω headphones and a ±0.5dB response. The Q3 page lists an SNR of 105dB or better, 100mW at 32Ω for 16-200Ω headphones and a ±3dB response. The Q3 is the plainer unit, with no Bluetooth or remote.

The Douk Audio K5 at $79.99, which is $27.00 more, lists an ESS9038Q2M, USB at PCM 384K/32bit with DSD256, two headphone jacks rated 560mW and 370mW at 32Ω and a 16-600Ω range, but no coaxial input. Who it suits: the Q3 fits a TV, console or CD player with an optical or coaxial output that needs a basic DAC with tone controls and a headphone jack for headphones up to 200Ω. The Q4 suits those who want Bluetooth; the K5 suits PC-USB listening at higher resolution and harder-to-drive headphones.

Shipping, returns and warranty

• Shipping: Douk Audio's current shipping page says orders are generally processed no later than the next business day and arrive in 2-8 business days, with duties, taxes and customs fees included in the checkout price unless noted otherwise.
• Older shipping terms are still online: airmail at 10-25 days for parcels under 2 kg, DHL, UPS or FedEx at 5-8 days above that, and a line saying the store is not responsible for import duties. Check the delivery estimate and any duties at checkout.
• Returns: ask within 30 days of delivery and wait for approval before sending anything; an approved return has to ship within 7 days. Items need all packaging and accessories and no excessive wear, or the store can refuse them or refund part of the price. Refunds go to the original payment method after inspection.
• Not refunded: original and expedited shipping, duties, taxes and customs charges, unless the law requires it or the store made the error. The return page does not say who pays return postage, and the older refund page excludes mistaken orders and change-of-mind returns from free after-sale service.
• Warranty: 24 months from purchase for manufacturing defects, with free repair, a replacement unit and free shipping both ways for covered repairs. Drops, liquid, DIY repairs, lightning, extreme temperatures and misuse are excluded (partial fees may apply), and damage from weak packing on the way back may not be covered. The older refund page still says 1 year.
• Seller: the site is run by Shenzhen Anba Technology Co., Ltd (Shenzhen, China) and HONGKONG LONGSHENG Import and Export Trading Co., Limited (Hong Kong); support is by email at [email protected]. These terms cover orders placed on doukaudio.com; other sellers apply their own.

For this product, the page lists shipping to US, UK, EU, AU and Other (a destination list, with no warehouses named) and shows Free Shipping, 2-8 Days Arrival, 30-Day Return and 2-Year Warranty badges near the price.