iBasso DC04 Ultra Dongle DAC - STAINLESS STEEL

The iBasso DC04 Ultra (DC04U) is not just an evolution of the DC04PRO but a complete “Ultra-grade” overhaul: a USB-C dongle DAC and headphone amplifier in a CNC-machined stainless steel body, with up to 980mW per channel from the 4.4mm output, support for microphone calls on the 3.5mm output, a colour display and buttons that control everything without an app. Compared with the DC04PRO it uses just 3.6% more power, yet iBasso says its effective drive power is 2.5 times greater.

Always in “desktop mode”

The DC04U needs no external power to deliver a stable 980mW + 980mW into 32Ω, continuously: in-ear monitors are easy, and full-size headphones are driven effortlessly, all from your phone or computer. Low distortion (−119dB), high output and high dynamic range (132dB) come together in one dongle.

Dual CS43198 DACs

Two Cirrus Logic CS43198 flagship DACs form a four-channel, truly balanced circuit, decoding PCM up to 768kHz and native DSD512 in hardware, with DRE dynamic enhancement to remove distortion at 0dB. iBasso’s years of tuning experience bring out clear sound, an expansive soundstage and a naturally pleasing presentation from this proven chip.

FPGA and femtosecond oscillators

iBasso’s in-house FPGA audio algorithms, paired with two femtosecond oscillators, give unified clock and data reproduction and significantly reduce jitter, for a more authentic, clearer and more natural sound.

A balanced amplifier with adjustable supply

An independent four-channel balanced headphone amplifier with a refined signal path gives superior channel separation and high driving ability. Its power supply can be set from ±4V to ±6V in 0.1V steps, so you can match it precisely to anything from in-ear monitors to full-size headphones.

Top-quality parts

• Monolithic inductors with ultra-low internal resistance and minimal loss.
• A Rubycon electrolytic capacitor for punchy bass and pure sound.
• Dual femtosecond oscillators that significantly reduce phase noise.
• A CNC stainless steel chassis, far stronger than ordinary aluminium alloys, that resists everyday bumps and scratches, with a brushed finish and tempered glass panels.

Control on the device or in the app

The 0.96-inch multi-colour display and three side buttons with clear tactile feedback handle volume, filters, gain, channel balance and more with a single press, without relying on an app. On Android, iBasso’s UAC app opens every setting: 100 hardware volume steps, 5 digital filters, 3 gain levels, 20 steps of channel balance, 3 DRE modes, a 10-band PEQ, 7 preset and 3 custom EQs, and display themes.

Phones, computers and consoles

Switch between UAC 2.0, for iOS and Android phones and tablets and Windows, Mac and Linux computers, and UAC 1.0, which turns it into an external sound card for consoles such as the Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5. The 3.5mm socket also supports a headset microphone (CTIA) for calls and a coaxial S/PDIF output up to 384kHz PCM and DSD128 (DoP), switched on in the settings or the app.

Good to know

• The stainless steel body is heavier than aluminium dongles but very durable.
• In the box: DC04 Ultra, USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter, user manual and warranty card.