The range of prices and diverse features of USB-C DAC/Amp dongles can make it challenging to choose the right one. DUNU has now added the DTC480 to the market, further complicating the decision-making process. Let's examine the DUNU DTC480 more closely to determine if it is a worthwhile purchase, as I aim to offer clarity and guidance on the matter.
Purchase (non-affiliate links):
The DUNU DTC480 will set you back $70 from your bank account. For an additional $10 you can purchase the variant with an included Lighting adapter. Box/Contents:
The packaging of the DUNU DTC480 is quite simple. It comes in a blue outer sleeve with DUNU branding at the top and specifications at the back. Additional branding can be found on one side.
Once the outer sleeve is removed, a large foam insert is revealed, which holds the DTC480. Beneath the foam, there is a cutout that perfectly accommodates the cable and USB adapter.
Although the box is significantly larger than necessary for the device, it has an aesthetically pleasing appearance and is well-organized.
Build/Design:
The DUNU DTC480 is a compact piece of aluminum alloy crafted using CNC technology.
It features a smooth top with a slight hump that is comfortable for the thumb.
The back side showcases a DUNU branded "wallpaper" design.
At the top, there is a USB-C input, while at the bottom, you can find single-ended 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone outputs.
On the left side, there is an LED light that indicates the bit rate, gain setting, and blinks for filter swapping.
The right side is equipped with multi-function volume buttons (+ and -); a single press adjusts the volume, pressing both changes the gain, and holding both changes the filters.
The DUNU DTC480 comes in an appealing brownish grey stone color, is compact and lightweight.
The USB-C cable from DUNU is short, covered in fabric, and has a rugged yet flexible feel. The connectors are securely attached to the cable, and I have no issues with it.
It occupies minimal space and can be conveniently carried in a pocket or hung without any inconvenience.
Specifications:
The specification list of the DUNU DTC480 is remarkable given its price and dimensions.
DAC Chipset: CS43198*2
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):
Single-Ended: 125 dB
Balanced: 130 dB
Dynamic Range (DNR):
Single-Ended: 125 dB
Balanced: 130 dB
THD+N: 0.0002%
Power Output:
Single-Ended: 65mW @ 32Ω
Balanced: 150mW @ 32Ω
Decoding Capability:
PCM: 32Bit / 384kHz
DSD: DoP 128 / Native 256
Input Interface: USB Type-C
Output Interfaces:
3.5mm Single-Ended
4.4mm Balanced
Filters/Power:
DUNU has integrated the multi-function buttons for adjusting filters and volume on the DTC480.
The filters can have an impact and can be satisfying to use based on your sonic preferences. I found the non-oversampling filter to be the most faithful in reproducing the original sound.
The DTC480 provides ample power for most IEM models. I tried it with a range of IEMs, from sensitive to more power-hungry ones. When set to high voltage mode, the DTC480 could effortlessly drive even the most demanding planar IEMs using the 4.4 balanced output.
Sonic Impressions:
All of that is fantastic, but how does the DUNU DTC480 sound?
The DUNU DTC480 offers a lot in terms of sound quality by using two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips. This is a dongle that makes a strong impression right from the first time you listen to it. The Westone Mach 60 was the first pair I tried, and it paired beautifully with the DUNU DTC-480.
Bass: The DTC480's bass is meek, powerful and controlled. It delivers impressive impact without overshadowing the overall sound. The sub-bass adds a good rumble and grumble, enhancing the enjoyment while maintaining technical excellence. The DTC480 strikes a nice balance, providing a lively and authentic bass performance.
Mids: The midrange is harmonious and well-balanced. Both vocalists and instruments blend together seamlessly, working in harmony rather than competing for prominence. It offers an organic sound with a mix of note weight, air, and space that sets it apart from other USB dongles. Treble: The treble of the DTC480 is modest yet potent, displaying controlled power. It possesses a strong presence with remarkable clarity, spaciousness, and weight in the notes, without venturing into the risky territory of being too hot or intense. The treble of the DTC480 uniquely conveys energy and sparkle in a vivid and non-fatiguing manner.
Technical Abilities:
The DUNU DTC480 offers a natural soundstage that accurately portrays venue sizes, ranging from small studios to large music halls and even massive stadiums. Its imaging is outstanding, allowing for precise tracking from one side to the other, with excellent placement that is almost laser-focused. The stage has good depth, enabling diagnosis to extend several rows back.
The level of detail extracted from tracks by the DTC480 is remarkable given its price. You will not overlook any details, and there were multiple instances where I noticed nuances that other dongles fail to reveal. The resolution of these details was good for the price, providing a refined, defined, and focused presentation of the intricacies.
The DUNU DTC480 excels in its tone and timbre, offering a distinct organic and natural quality to the rendition of instruments and vocals.
vs Periodic Audio Rhodium: The Periodic Audio Rhodium is priced at $50 and does not come with filters, gain, or volume control. It features a Realtek ALC5686 DAC chip and delivers 30mw per channel. In terms of output power, the Rhodium, single-ended only, is quite comparable to the DTC480. Nevertheless, the clear difference between the two is that Rhodium lacks the same level of refinement, definition, and resolution focus. While both share similar tone and timbre, the DTC480 offers slightly more note weight and better detail retrieval capabilities compared to the Rhodium. The staging on the DTC480 shows a slight improvement, offering a bit more depth and layering. Generally speaking, both are versatile options for listening, with the DTC480 slightly outperforming in terms of technical capabilities.
vs Hiby FC3:
Comparing the DUNU DTC480 with the Hiby FC3, which is priced similarly and features the ES9281Pro DAC chip, shows similarities in tone, timbre, and note weight. The FC3 offers a bit more sparkle and energy in the highs, with similar detail retrieval but slightly better resolution. While the FC3 has a more precise and distinct staging, the DTC480 is not far behind in this aspect. The FC3 is solely single-ended; however, it does possess a slightly higher power output. The Hiby FC3 leans towards a vivid, analytical sound, whereas the DUNU DTC480 is neutral, natural presentation.
vs Fosi Audio DS2:
Priced at $60, the Fosi Audio DS2 provides a significantly more powerful, yet comparable sound performance. The Fosi Audio DS2 features dual ESS ES9018k2M quad DAC chips, providing a balanced output power of 250mw. It delivers a slightly fuller and thicker sound, with added energy and sparkle in the higher frequencies. The presentation is controlled and tempered, minimizing aggression for the most part. The stage width and depth of the DS2 are comparable to the DTC480, with imaging being slightly more accurate. It is very challenging to differentiate between the two in terms of detail retrieval and resolution. The tone and timbre on the DTC480 sounds marginally more natural. The two products are very similar, with the main difference being the preference for the neutral, natural, all-purpose presentation of the DTC480 compared to the neutral, analytical presentation of the DS2.
Conclusion: I have a genuine appreciation for the DUNU DTC480. If you seek a USB-C dongle that excels with any IEM and delivers across all aspects of sound reproduction, I would advise looking into the DUNU DTC480. Its natural tone, timbre, exceptional staging, detail retrieval, and resolution make it an ideal choice for everyday use. While there are other options for a neutral, analytical dongle, the DUNU DTC480 stands out for its musical and enjoyable listening experience. I wholeheartedly recommend it and believe you will not be disappointed.
I am Dave the Honest Audiophile. Thanks for reading, and I will catch you in the next one. Don't forget to enjoy the music and that honesty is the BEST policy! I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research. I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear. I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.
Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.
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Test Tracks: https://www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/does-your-music-preference-impact-your-sound-impressions
Amazon playlist: https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/afb5506483ba4ae3be17c2184797ebb6sune?ref=dm_sh_ycUHvBw1lOkeqCrwPFcc45NAl
Tidal Playlists:Jazz: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/ea7f58ba-f05d-466f-9714-936d0ab7fa0f
Recommended Gear:
Audeze LCD-5: https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-5
Rosson Audio Design RAD-0: http://www.rossonaudiodesign.com/
Meze Empyrean: https://mezeaudio.com/products/meze-empyrean
Hifiman Ananda: https://hifiman.com/products/detail/290
Sennheiser HD660s2: https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-US/p/hd-660s2/clcrij55r0b570bw9bubufphu/
Austrian Audio Hi-X60: https://austrian.audio/headphones/hi-x60/
Audeze LCD 2 Closed: LCD-2 Closed Back (audeze.com)
CTM Da Vinci X: https://cleartunemonitors.com/products/da-vinci-x-universal
Westone Mach 60: https://westoneaudio.com/product/mach-60/
Tin Hifi T2: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-t2?_pos=1&_sid=7cddd72dc&_ss=r&variant=34447375302811
Sony NW-A105: https://electronics.sony.com/audio/walkman-digital-recorders/walkman-mp3-players/p/nwa105-b
Sony NW-WM-1a: https://electronics.sony.com/audio/walkman-digital-recorders/walkman-mp3-players/p/nwwm1a
Mytek Liberty DAC ii: https://mytek.audio/shop/lbrt-dac-ii-287#attr=Mytek Liberty THX HPA: https://mytek.audio/shop/liberty-thx-285#attr=
HeadAmp GSX-Mini: https://www.headamp.com/products/gs-x-mini
Tor Audio Roger: https://toraudio.com/main.html#
Schiit Audio BiFrost 2: https://schiit.com/products/bi-frost-1
Massdrop THX AAA 789:
Massdrop THX AAA One Linear: https://drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-one-linear-amplifier?utm_source=linkshare&referer=FTSS2S
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kiwi allergo mini vs dtc480 vs fc3 vs fosi ds2?