TANCHJIM Luna Portable HP Amp & DAC Review

[Curupira]

Objection. I thought this was ASR and not Steve Guttenberg. Just kidding.

How's the plankton and blackness?

Nice review, @amirm . Regarding the scene of these new powerful dongles, I wonder if FiiO has sent their new offerings your way, amirm? The KA13 and KA17 are similar types of "monsters" like these Tanchjins, offering desktop level of power, and even built-in PEQ, in a dongle factor:

 

[mc.god]

Here we have another iteration of CS based dongles, advantage versus already great and cheaper Space, DS2, Sonata BHD, Dawn Pro, ecc... is additional opamp at output stage, basically doubling the power without evident impact on measurements, but useful mainly with some full size headphones.
It has an interesting manually switchable AB\H output mode in it's app that could be useful in addressing a potential issue with CS class H mode discussed in other threads:

It uses a Comtrue 7601 usb bridge (like Space) that has a native ASIO driver that could give the right support for AP measurements:

https://www.comtrue-inc.com/doku.php?id=ct7601_files

we already pointed this to @amirm but he sticks using Asio4all, I would understand if he doesn't want to fill his pc with any drivers for every device he test, but installing just Comtrue 7601 and Savitech Bravo HD drivers will cover up for the majority of these dongles.

Output impedance should be near 0 but an official measurements would be welcome.
As always would be nice to know if 4.4 output is actually grounded to use it as a balanced preamp.

Thank you for the review!

 

[shuppatsu]

With the Fosi you tested power draw, if I recall correctly. I’m curious how this one fares.

 

[VientoB]

Is there a reason the Tanchjim Space is not in your comparison table?

 

[Bwaslo]

Does anyone know the supported sample rates of this guy? (For use as test gear, not listening... I know beyond 96k, likely 48k even, won't change the sound to me)

 

[VientoB]

Does anyone know the supported sample rates of this guy? (For use as test gear, not listening... I know beyond 96k, likely 48k even, won't change the sound to me)

PCM 32-bit 768kHz
DSD 256

 

[SoundsGood2Me]

Wow, jaw dropping specs from a $120 dongle out of a "who?" company - we truly live in Great Times for audio! And I thank @amirm and ASR for finding us these treasures, I took advice here on RME, Benchmark and Dan Clark Audio with the reward of many happy hours and a system that has consistently improved with almost every tweak. And to be able to get a true 4V balanced output in your pocket with SOTA measurements has me gobsmacked. And I can get my Waifu engraved! What's not to love? Pic not related.

 

[PJR918BMW]

So if I read this right. This is a fantastic device subject to headphones.
So would I be correct in saying that for instance with the sennheiser HD 620 this device would potentially struggle?

 

[Robbo99999]

How does the anime engraving affect SINAD? Did you test this device both with and without that modification?

Ha, I did think that engraving looked a bit tacky! I'd probably still buy it though if I needed something like this & I thought it was best in class for the money, don't need it though, Apple Dongle is fine

 

[kled]

Where is the Tanchjim space on the charts? That should be #3 now behind the Fosi DS2 and Tanchjim Luna

 

[amirm]

Is there a reason the Tanchjim Space is not in your comparison table?

I often forget that I have a specialized list for dongles. I will add it in next time I am messing with that table.

 

[amirm]

Ha, I did think that engraving looked a bit tacky!

The back side has a very detailed anime engraving. It kind of looks nice and likely appeals to likes of people who watch Z-reviews.

 

[amirm]

So would I be correct in saying that for instance with the sennheiser HD 620 this device would potentially struggle?

It should do well on that headphone. It won't rattle your skull like a desktop amp can . But should be loud enough for everyday listening.

 

[WalterW]

Nice measurements, but strange design and a bit pricey. The older Fiio KA3 has comparable power and most probably no audible downside, and the newer KA13 is still considerably cheaper, but has (according to specs), double the power at 32 Ohm balanced.

 

[amirm]

Nice measurements, but strange design and a bit pricey.

What is strange about it?

 

[WalterW]

What is strange about it?

These etchings or engravings or whatever this is look strange to me.

 

[raif71]

 

[Jimster480]

Seems like 2024 is the year of the Dongle. While this one has good power, it is still not as much as the Fiio KA13 in Desktop mode.
Overall it is really amazing to see this performance today. We went from full size "stereo" devices to small 2-in-1 DAC+Amp Combos to Dongles.
Obviously desktop class stuff still has more power, but it is not as needed anymore with so many good dongles, especially for people who use IEMs.

 

[amirm]

These etchings or engravings or whatever this is look strange to me.

The one for $10 less doesn't have any of that.

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

While this appears excellent, is there any argument for buying it over the DS2?