My first impression of iBasso – several years ago – was that they provided some of the best price-to-performance ratio in the portable audio space, but in the time since, between their MAX series DAPs and products like DC-Elite they’ve proven that they can simply deliver some of the best audio performance out there, regardless of price. DC-Tonfa is their latest portable DAC/Amp, and aims to offer a similar form factor and experience to the DC-Elite, but with an improved user experience, and a smoother R2R sound. Is Tonfa simply good for the money, or is this a definitive sonic experience?
Build and Design
DC-Tonfa uses the same basic physical design as the iBasso DC-Elite and Nunchaku, with a simple aluminum chassis and single volume knob, and is available in three colors – red, black, and blue. Like Nunchaku, the volume wheel is also a button and there’s a small screen that provides your volume level and some basic configuration including DAC filters, Gain, UAC Version, Coax Mode, and the Backlight level. Tonfa also uses a smoother digital volume control like Nunchaku, rather than the pure analog stepped attenuator of DC-Elite.
In the package, you get USB-C OTG cables, a USB-A adapter, and a MagSafe compatible case. The cables are standard iBasso faire, but the case is a nice add-in, providing an easier, more ergonomic option for using Tonfa with your phone, rather than just having it dangle. The cables are standard iBasso style that get the job done, and maybe look a little nicer than the average OEM cable, but won’t win any awards for style.
Sound and Performance
DC-Tonfa provides a clean, clear presentation with that classic natural, analog sound you’re looking for in an R2R device. The presentation of detail and clarity is excellent for the price, but there’s a little less edge to the treble than most chip-based DACs in this price range, and a very natural timbre. Tonfa doesn’t emphasize the bass, but there seems to be an added sense of weight coming from the lower frequencies.
Tonfa doesn’t have the crisp separation of DC-Elite, but it offers an impressive imaging presentation nonetheless. Expect a balanced delivery of the soundstage and imaging elements, with a good sense of body and weight to instruments and voices, and a sound that’s holographic and three-dimensional, if not exceptionally wide or exaggerated.
In terms of power, Tonfa delivers pretty typical performance for this class, with the main constraint being more of how much battery you want to drain from your phone, rather than a limit on how well the device can drive headphones. Most moderately hard to drive over-ear headphones will be fine, but higher gain and volume levels will have you draining your phone battery very quickly. Tonfa is very good with IEMs, and has plenty of power for the harder to drive options like the Elysian Annihilator or FATfreq Grand Maestro, but also delivers a black background on more sensitive sets.
Comparisons: iBasso DC-Elite, Campfire Audio Relay, iBasso Nunchaku
DC-Elite has become the gold standard for pure sound quality in a dongle DAC format, so it’s definitely worth asking exactly how well DC-Tonfa compares, and if you’re looking for a warmer, more natural sounding option the Campfire Audio Relay has been one of my favorites in its price range – about $100 less than Tonfa. And then of course there’s the other option in iBasso’s current lineup, which also aims for a warmer sound with its tube design: Nunchaku. What’s the best option for you?
There’s no doubt that in terms of pure detail and technical performance, DC-Elite beats DC-Tonfa, but in terms of actually using the device for day-to-day listening, I’d pick Tonfa 9 out of 10 times. The smoother volume control is a big plus, as is the screen and general usability of the device. While DC-Elite is the better choice for picking up microdetails or appreciating the smallest of dynamic shifts in the music, Tonfa’s smoother presentation is a lot easier to just plug in and enjoy.
Relay offers a similar, more natural, and slightly relaxed sound to Tonfa. Between the two, there are moments where I might pick Relay for its rendition of a male vocal line on one track and Tonfa for a different singer on another track, and they generally land in a very similar place tuning-wise, but Tonfa generally feels a little bit thicker and richer than Relay, while also providing a more complete experience with the UI and more robust physical controls.
Nunchaku is a different beast here, as it’s essentially the same physical design and UI to Tonfa, but with a fairly basic Cirrus Logic DAC and NanoTube amplification. Nunchaku in tube mode is significantly warmer and richer sounding than Tonfa, but Tonfa delivers more detail and dynamic sound. Where Nunchaku can get a little too pillowy at times, Tonfa balances those warmer tones, with a higher level of clarity. Nunchaku is also more prone to noise than Tonfa, which can be an issue for some listeners – though it’s rarely little more than a minor annoyance.
The Bottom Line
iBasso has expanded their portable DAC/Amp lineup with an option that lands squarely in the middle of their current offerings, and the market in general. While DC-Tonfa can’t quite match the pure technical highs of DC-Elite, it provides stronger musicality. Where it doesn’t have the smooth warmth of an option like Nunchaku, it has more detail and authority to the sound. For the market it general, Tonfa delivers an impressive R2R option that’s sure to attract listeners with its solid design, and impressively well-balanced sound.
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