Nobsound Q4 Bluetooth USB DAC (192kHz) Review

The Nobsound Q4 is a compact Bluetooth receiver and digital-to-analog converter priced at $49.99 (a regular $73.99 listing), designed to slot into a home audio system between digital sources and an amplifier or powered speakers. The latest version was upgraded in November 2022 with revised components, wiring and circuitry for lower distortion and a higher signal-to-noise ratio of up to 113dB.

Inputs cover five paths: Bluetooth 5.0, PC-USB, U-disk, optical and coaxial S/PDIF. The Q4 transmits streamed signals bit-perfect at up to 24-bit / 192kHz with low jitter, PC-USB accepts up to 96kHz / 24-bit, and the optical and coaxial inputs go to 192kHz / 24-bit. The USB and U-disk inputs are plug-and-play with no driver or software, and the U-disk port plays lossless audio formats directly. Douk Audio says the PC-USB path also supports OTG-equipped phones, though Android needs an OTG cable and iOS a camera kit, both supplied by the user.

On the output side, stereo RCA jacks feed amplifiers or powered speakers, and an onboard headphone amp circuit drives most 16-300 ohm headphones from the 3.5mm jack. A high-end chip combination keeps distortion at 0.005%, and treble and bass knobs let the Q4 work as a tone-controlling preamp. An output protect circuit guards downstream equipment. In daily use, a coding input selection knob (quieter and longer-lived than a toggle switch, per Douk Audio), independent input indicators and a full-function remote make operation straightforward, all wrapped in a fully metal case with a mirror-finish design.

Two quirks to know: the U-disk input takes priority over Bluetooth, so remove any USB drive before streaming, and the Q4's Bluetooth can only be found and connected when the input is switched to Bluetooth mode. Where the Q4 leads its class, per Douk Audio's own comparison, is offering Bluetooth and U-disk inputs, a remote and independent input indicators that similar DACs often lack.

Specifications

How it compares

At $49.99 the Q4 is $3.00 below the Nobsound Q3 ($52.99). Both list PC-USB at 96K/24Bit, coaxial and optical at 192K/24Bit, RCA and 3.5mm headphone outputs and treble and bass controls at ±6dB. The Q4 adds Bluetooth 5.0, a U-disk input and a remote, with an SNR of 113dB or better, 110mW at 32Ω for 16-300Ω headphones and a ±0.5dB response; the Q3 lists 105dB or better, 100mW for 16-200Ω and ±3dB, and no Bluetooth. The Q4's USB-C power input comes with no adapter in its packing list.

The Douk Audio K5 at $79.99, $30.00 more, drops Bluetooth and the U-disk but lists PCM to 384K and DSD256 over USB, an ESS9038Q2M and 560mW at 32Ω on its 6.35mm jack. The Douk Audio DAC-Q11 at $149.99, $100.00 more, lists two switchable chips and RCA and AUX outputs, but no headphone output. Who it suits: the Q4 fits a living-room or desk system that wants Bluetooth, a U-disk player and a remote on a small budget. The Q3 suits a wired setup at a similar price; the K5 suits higher-resolution USB and demanding headphones; the Q11 suits those who want a two-chip DAC.

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.