Gibbous Selena Glow – TanchJim Luna Silver Sword DAC AMP
TanchJim Luna is a $139 USD portable DAC AMP with a Dual CS43198 DAC pair at the heart, and a dual headphone output, featuring both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs. The maximum output power is 285 mW for a 32 OHM impedance, and it has a non-linear volume control for optimal control. Today we will review the Lina and see how it broadly compares to other devices in the same segment of the market.
Introduction
TanchJim is best known for creating efficient, highly affordable, but good sounding products. We have reviewed a few of their earphones, so I was quite excited to hear that the Anime Girl infused company is now creating DAC AMPs. Luna is the product you might want if you want to stay portable, but also want a good driving power and low background noise.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to TanchJim for providing us with the sample for this review.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/44khyyq
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_onmUrBy
Build Quality – Design
At the heart of the Luna we have a Dual CS43198 DAC combo, and it brags about having a High-Efficiency circuit design with switchable class AB / Class H amplification modes. Class AB creates more heat in the DAC AMP, but it still runs fairly cool, compared to a full class A AMP.
We are reviewing the TanchJim Lina Silver Sword Edition which is the Asano Tanch Mascot version. It has a different outer shell design, different app interface, and looks more cohesive than the base version.
Among the most interesting features that Luna has, we see a dynamic range of 132.5 dB, and a SNR of 132 dB. To access the settings and change the DAC Mode and Class, you have to install the TanchJim app, and this app allos you to change the gain level too, along with setting the Channel Balance.
Format support is extensive, with 32 Bit / 768 kHz and DSD 256 native support, and there is a difference between the 4.4mm balanced output and the 3.5mm SE output.
Subjective Usage – USB DAC
In windows and most operating systems like Android, the volume of the Luna DAC AMP is separate from the software volume of the OS, so in windows you can set the volume to 100%, but the buttons on the Luna set the internal volume of the DAc AMP separately. This is best because it allows for a better sonic quality in general compared to just having software volume control.
Audio Video sync is perfect and there is no delay when using the Luna as a DAC AMP for windows, it works perfectly. USB dac function works equally well in Android environments. Buttons feel clicky and nice, and Luna does not get very hot during usage which is nice, considering the size and driving power. You cannot really use both headphone outputs at the same time due to size constraints, but otherwise everything works perfectly.
Sound Quality
Pairings and Match-up – To test the new TanchJim Luna DAC AMP, I have paired it with both IEMs and Full-Sized Headphones, including Tin HIFI P1 MAx II, HarmonicDyne Devil, and Soundz Flame. The headphone list includes Palma DHS-1, Audeze MM-100, Erzetich Mania V2024, Crosszone CZ-8a Enhanced.
Driving power is ok, enough for Crosszone CZ-8a enhanced and CZ-10 Enhanced, but not quite enough for Mania V2024. For IEMs, it surely has more than enough power for all earphones you might be driving, and it has a low background noise. As we have a non linear volume control, you get more control at lower volumes for IEMs, but volume increases faster up loud for harder to drive headphones.
Overall Signature – TanchJim Luna sounds detailed, clean and neutral in the tuning, with very little coloration, and a high precision / revealing ability. It is the kind of DAC AMP that gives music soul and a bit of extra warmth in the midrange, without making the treble too crisp and too sharp. In fact, it has a smoother treble that combines well with harder, brighter sounding IEMS, perfect to drive aggressive and sharp Chifi IEMs.
Bass – We start with a neutral bottom that has good control, a tight and precise kick / impact, but not a lot of extra warmth and weight as Luna stays cool, controlled and clean. Bass speed is natural towards slightly fast, it is great for resolution, fast music, rock, metal and EDM / Dubstep
Midrange – We have a neutral midrange with a slightly thicker presentation, a bit of extra warmth in the lower midrange, and a smoother, more relaxed upper midrange. This gives the music body, and helps relax the brighter, more aggressive sound of most Chifi IEMS, creating a rather beautiful and enjoyable presentation.
Treble – Luna is mostly neutral, but has a specific smoothing effect in the treble, as it relaxes sound a big, giving music a laid-back tone that’s less aggressive and less fatiguing than most DAC AMPs, it sounds crisp and detailed still, but has less aggressive and harshness than most dongle DAC AMPs.
Dynamics / PRaT / Textures – TanchJim luna has a natural dynamic, but a relaxed texture, it does seem to smooth the textures a bit, creating what can be called a musical approach, with less focus on details and crisp textures, and more focus on delivering a highly organic and musical sound. This helps when IEMs are tuned to be too crisp, too sharp or too dry sounding, as it softens the sound a bit, creating a presentation that is easily likable for most folks.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – TanchJim Luna is rather clean and fluid sounding, it has a non linear loudness saturation gradient, so it starts with a more granular volume control but goes louder much faster. It has a good headroom, and it stays consistent regardless of the volume level, sound is exactly the same at all volumes, even with IEMs that are a bit problematic with keeping the signature and control consistent, Luna does the heavy lifting allowing all IEMS to stay consistent at all volume levels better.
Soundstage – For most of the time, the soundstage is natural, but sometimes we have a song that really makes me wonder if I am wearing any headphones or IEMs, Luna can project a wide and holographic soundstage, but is fairly transparent, it allows music to shine through as it was recorded and mixed mastered.
Value and Conclusion
With a rather affordable price tag, TanchJim Luna is a great deal, it has excellent details, does not get hot and has no delay, plus it has an internal volume control to help you get the most of your IEMs and headphones, while keeping things portable.
At the end of the day, TanchJim Luna is likely the most beautiful looking portable DAC AMP you can own right now, especially the special edition that we’ve reviewed, and out of most companies that use anime girl graphics in their products, I am willing to argue that TanchJim are handling it well, they did not just slap anime graphics on the product, they have a solid product that has a high-end looking graphic on the product, they make reliable and high-quality products. I fully recommend the Luna if you have a pair of IEMS and Headphones that it can drive, it is neutral and color-free, while relaxing the sound slightly, perfect for the Chifi segment and TanchJim own’s IEMs.
PROs
- Affordable, but still high-end
- Beautiful design
- Reliable, does not get hot and has no audible delay
- Excellent build quality
- Two headphone outputs
- Crisp, neutral, clean sound
- Relaxed in the treble
- Fun and dynamic, engaging and cheerful
Cons
- You need to install an app to get access to more advanced settings
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/44khyyq
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_onmUrBy
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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