iBasso Nunchaku USB DAC/Tube Amp Review

Per its pictures, the iBasso Nunchaku combines dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips, two Raytheon JAN6418 vacuum tubes and a Class AB op-amp output in a USB DAC and amp that the page lists at $299 in grey or red. The pictures also give separate TUBE and AB mode figures, including 525mW at 32Ω from the 4.4mm balanced output in TUBE mode, 450mW in AB mode, and a weight of 50g.

Specifications

Options and pricing

Two colors are listed, Nunchaku Grey and Nunchaku Red, both at $299 and orderable when the page was read. The picture headed Package Components shows the unit, a yellow case, two short cables, a Quick Start Guide booklet, a leaflet and a USB-A adapter. The leaflet text is low resolution but appears to list the Nunchaku, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C to Lightning cable, a USB-C to USB-A converter and a user manual, and it does not name the case.

How it compares

The xDuoo XD05 BASIC2 CS43131 Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier is also $299 and is named a portable DAC and headphone amplifier with a CS43131 chip, while the Nunchaku is named a USB DAC and tube amp. The iBasso DC07PRO CS43131 USB Portable DAC&AMP costs $199, and the xDuoo XD05T Dual ES9039Q2M Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier costs $549. The Nunchaku suits buyers who want a tube option in a USB unit; the DC07PRO suits those who do not need one.

Shipping, returns and warranty

HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.

Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.

HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.

On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.