TANCHJIM Luna Portable HP Amp & DAC Review

[multiformous]

These were played through ALSA and captured using ADI-2 Pro FS at +13 dBu and 96 kHz sampling rate. Volume levels are: full, -6 dB, -12 dB, -18 dB. The captured files were normalized to -0.1 dBFS.

Tanchjim Space, volume modified in ALSA:

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Tanchjim Space, volume modified using its buttons:

View attachment 409192

Fiio K3 hi-gain:

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Dragonfly Red:

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Samsung dongle:

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JCally JM6:

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Fiio JA11:

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Can't say I've ever heard this using my Tanchjim Space, but it sure looks ugly.

 

[tccalvin]

I did some further testing (SMSL DS100) with some actual music because I wanted to know how "real" the issue is. It's real alright:

Audible? Depends. Unfortunately we are dealing with impulses, and impulses typically have the characteristic of having all the frequencies in them, kinda like white noise. Amplitude seems to be around -80dBFS in this recorded signal so they're definitely in the audible range.

These impulses seem to show up whenever there are high amplitude peaks. So in the case of the song I've measured they happen to mostly coincide with drum hits (which are themselves impulse-like), so not really an issue there.

However, since they seem to mostly be correlated to the amplitude of the underlying signal, it means that the clicks will definitely be audible with low-frequency but high-amplitude continuous signals, just like in the test signal that @danadam analyzed.

So if 100% signal accuracy is your goal, maybe stay away from these Cirrus Logic chips (and the Apple Dongle, apparently).

 

[multiformous]

https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/demo-cs131.php#gsc.tab=0

Just listened to the test clip with a few dongles I have around (Meizu HiFi, Apple, Samsung, JM6/Abigail, Tanchjim Space, and JM12) and the KT02H20 JM12 was the only one I really noticed the clicks on.

 

[tccalvin]

https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/demo-cs131.php#gsc.tab=0

Just listened to the test clip with a few dongles I have around (Meizu HiFi, Apple, Samsung, JM6/Abigail, Tanchjim Space, and JM12) and the KT02H20 JM12 was the only one I really noticed the clicks on.

Interesting. I can definitely notice the clicks on both the SMSL and the Apple Dongle, although I have to play with the volume a bit.

Now that you mentioned this, I looked a bit closer at the graphs for each dongle and indeed, the JCally and the JA11 exhibit the issue too, although the impulses are at lower amplitudes.

I guess this confirms that the problem is more wide spread than we thought.

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

@amirm would it be possible to get TANCHJIM SPACE portable dac/dongle measurements to the chart aswell, as you kindly measured it a while ago?

 

[gatucho]

Hello guys,

Do you think this cable will be fine for connecting the Luna and charging my phone at the same time?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CNGY6GQ4/

View attachment 408536
I know there are other more typical USB C splitters, but this has a male conector, which would avoid an extra cable into the Luna.

What do you think?

What I'm also wondering is that the page says that it supports 18W PD, but my phone uses up to 45W, would this damage the cable or it will limit itself?

Just got it... Didn't work... It would charge the phone, but the DAC disconnects. I don't if it is my phone, the DAC or the cable... Will try different combinations

In addition, cable quality is kind of on the low side...

 

[Bernard23]

Between this and the Fosi Audio DS2 we are really seeing great dongles. @amirm I would love to see a review of the new FiiO KA15 which is a similar sized dongle but with a screen and crucially PEQ.

I've bought the KA17 which also has a PEQ, but uniquely you can power it from a USB-C power source (aka desktop mode). The problem with high power dongles is they're going to drain your phone battery very quickly. However, I've started a bit of a collection of dongles so tempted to add this Tanchjim to it. Didn't compare the KA17 to the 15 at the time, not sure why. However, even in desktop mode, in high gain using more sensitive IEMs you still find yourself well towards the top end of the volume scale, so I'm dubious about fiio's power measurements.

 

[LGD_]

Is it possible to bring up this "app" under Windows ? Or do I have to plug it into my phone with the Tanchjim app on it ? {to change the output modes)
I'm using ASIO and the Tanchim WHQL driver.

 

[LGD_]

Is it possible to bring up this "app" under Windows ? Or do I have to plug it into my phone with the Tanchjim app on it ? {to change the output modes)
I'm using ASIO and the Tanchim WHQL driver.

Never mind, I found it.
You just press both volume buttons simultaneously.

 

[alter4]

Hi all, two questions.

1. Do I understand correctly that switching to AB mode in the app completely eliminate this possible clipping issue?
2. Do I understand correctly that under windows pressing two volume buttons simultaneously switching the AB/H mode?

 

[potatosalad]

Hi all, two questions.

1. Do I understand correctly that switching to AB mode in the app completely eliminate this possible clipping issue?
2. Do I understand correctly that under windows pressing two volume buttons simultaneously switching the AB/H mode?

1. Likely yes.
2. No, pressing two volume simultaneously will switch gain mode no matter what. You have to use Android app to switch AB/H modes.

 

[alter4]

Dear owners of the device could you please make the simple test that UA3 failed. The test file could be download from https://onlinesound.net/download/audio/treble-tone-freq-17khz. I used windows WASAPI exclusive mode & repeated on Android + Neutron player bundle. When the DAC is doing something wrong you hear it as non clear sine tone.

 

[mc.god]

Dear owners of the device could you please make the simple test that UA3 failed. The test file could be download from https://onlinesound.net/download/audio/treble-tone-freq-17khz. I used windows WASAPI exclusive mode & repeated on Android + Neutron player bundle. When the DAC is doing something wrong you hear it as non clear sine tone.

I don't own the Luna, just took the test out of curiosity on my Kuang Pai Player 3 (dual CS43131 + dual ESS 9601K), nothing wrong with 17 KHz sine tone, I simply hear nothing (I'm aging and barely make to 14.5 KHz using Easyeffects tone generator).

 

[alter4]

Every good DAC should handle this test easily.

 

[Zoide]

So what's the best current dongle for powering headphones like the DCA E3 without faulty op-amps, clicks, etc.?

Maybe the E1DA PowerDAC?

Thanks

 

[AstraZeroZak]

Good afternoon.
I connect my device via usb c to my xiaomi pad 5 tablet, I download android app from official website, the app sees my device, but I can't control it, I can't adjust the volume through the app, I can't switch modes.
Has anyone had such problems?

 

[potatosalad]

Good afternoon.
I connect my device via usb c to my xiaomi pad 5 tablet, I download android app from official website, the app sees my device, but I can't control it, I can't adjust the volume through the app, I can't switch modes.
Has anyone had such problems?

Some Chinese devices block the USB OTG connection by default.

Try to find a setting to enable this feature.

 

[AstraZeroZak]

Some Chinese devices block the USB OTG connection by default.

Try to find a setting to enable this feature.

I don't think that's the reason.
I am connecting to Xiaomi pad 5. The tablet detects my device and music plays without problems, but I can't change settings through the app, volume, AB/H mode, etc.

Is there any other way to change AB/H mode without connecting to Andoid?

 

[Billy Budapest]

Wow, jaw dropping specs from a $120 dongle out of a "who?" company - we truly live in Great Times for audio!

Tanchjim might have been a “who?” company a few years ago, but their track record of producing SOTA products has given them a great reputation and has led to better name recognition.

The spelling of their name might still evoke a “who?” reaction, unfortunately. For marketing purposes in English-speaking countries, I suggest they change the spelling of their name/rebrand to Tanjem or Tangem.

 

[Digidigi]

Has anyone had any issues with occasional popping sounds on Android? This keeps happening my OnePlus 13 maybe once per track on average. I've tried streaming both on Qobuz and on Tidal with similar results.

After some googling I tried to fix this by changing the phone's power plan to max performance but to no effect. Tanchjim's cumbersome app wasn't much help either - Changing the dac mode from class H to AB did nothing and I even tried changing the default high gain down to low.

I have zero issues on Windows so clearly something's going on either on Android software or the phone itself..?

Any suggestions as to what to try next?

Thanks!