Tanchjim is best known for in-ear monitors, but the Space Pro sits in a different part of the catalog entirely: a portable USB DAC and headphone amplifier built around dual DAC chips and a genuinely high output power spec. I have been carrying it alongside a phone for a few weeks now, running everything from easy-to-drive earbuds to higher-impedance headphones through it, to see whether the numbers on the spec sheet translate into a real difference at the ear.
Quick Specs
- Model / Applies To: Tanchjim Space Pro portable USB DAC/AMP
- DAC/Amp chips: Dual CS43198 DAC chips, dual ES8262 amplifier chips
- Output power: Up to 618mW at 26 ohms
- Decoding: PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, native DSD256
- Price Tier: Mid-tier portable dongle DAC/AMP segment
- Compatibility: USB-C input for phones and laptops supporting USB audio class; 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs
What the Space Pro Actually Is
This is a dongle-style DAC/AMP, but a more ambitious one than the simple single-chip dongles bundled with phones years ago. Inside is a dual DAC plus dual independent op-amp architecture, built around two CS43198 DAC chips paired with two ES8262 amplifier chips. That dual-chip approach is meant to push signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range higher than a single-chip design typically manages, while giving the amp section enough headroom to drive harder-to-power headphones rather than just efficient IEMs.
- Dual CS43198 DAC chips plus dual ES8262 amplifier chips
- Up to 618mW of output power at 26 ohms
- 131dB dynamic range and 131dB signal-to-noise ratio in balanced mode
- Supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD256 decoding
- 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs, USB-C input
Power and Real-World Drivability
618mW at 26 ohms is a genuinely strong figure for something this size. In practice that means the Space Pro has no trouble at all with easy-to-drive IEMs, obviously, but it also had enough headroom to noticeably improve dynamics and control on a pair of higher-impedance planar headphones I tested it with, which is not something every dongle DAC in this price range can claim. If your listening gear ranges from sensitive IEMs to power-hungry over-ear headphones, this is one of the more versatile portable options I have run across recently.
Gaming Features and the Tactical Perception Mode
One feature that stood out as unusual for a DAC/AMP is a dedicated gaming-oriented mode Tanchjim calls Tactical Perception. It lets you fine-tune specific in-game audio elements, like gunshot direction, footstep clarity, and impact sounds, with customizable parameters aimed at improving spatial awareness during competitive play. It also supports virtual 5.1/7.1 surround decoding and has a microphone input, both clearly aimed at gaming and streaming use cases rather than pure music listening.
Whether that feature matters to you depends entirely on use case. For a strictly music-focused listener it is a nice-to-have that does not get in the way, but for anyone who splits time between music and competitive gaming, it is a genuinely useful differentiator compared to DAC/AMPs built purely around music playback.
Build and Everyday Use
The unit is small enough to clip onto a phone case or slide into a jacket pocket without feeling like a burden, though as with any high-output dongle DAC, heat management under sustained heavy use is worth keeping an eye on, especially when driving demanding headphones for long sessions. USB-C input keeps things simple for most modern phones and laptops, and having both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs on the same unit means you are not locked into buying balanced cables just to use it, or stuck with single-ended if that is what your headphones already use.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| DAC chips | Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 |
| Amplifier chips | Dual ES8262 |
| Output power | Up to 618mW at 26Ω |
| Dynamic range / SNR | 131dB balanced |
| Decoding | PCM 32-bit/768kHz, native DSD256 |
| Outputs | 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Device not recognized when plugged in: try a different USB-C cable or port, since a charge-only cable will not carry the audio data connection the Space Pro needs.
- No sound from the 4.4mm balanced jack: confirm your headphone cable is actually wired balanced, since a single-ended cable plugged into a balanced port will not output correctly.
- Unit runs noticeably warm during long sessions: this is expected under sustained high-output use with demanding headphones, but give it open air rather than leaving it inside a pocket or case while driving hard-to-power gear.
- Alternate path: if the Tactical Perception gaming mode makes music playback sound unnatural, switch it off in the companion app and use the standard music profile instead.
Who Should Consider the Space Pro
- Listeners who own a mix of easy-to-drive IEMs and harder-to-power headphones and want one dongle that handles both well
- Gamers who want spatial audio tuning tools alongside legitimate music-listening performance
- Anyone who wants balanced 4.4mm output without stepping up to a full desktop DAC/AMP setup
For independent measurements and impressions beyond my own listening notes, the writeup at The Indian Audiophile Forum and the discussion on Head-Fi are both worth reading alongside this review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Space Pro need external power?
No, it draws power from the connected phone or laptop over USB-C, though sustained high-output use will draw more from your device’s battery than a low-power single-chip dongle would.
Can it drive full-size headphones, not just IEMs?
Yes, its 618mW at 26 ohms output gives it real headroom for higher-impedance and planar headphones, not just efficient in-ear monitors.
What does the Tactical Perception mode actually do?
It is a gaming-focused audio tuning feature that lets you adjust specific in-game sound elements like footsteps and gunfire for improved positional awareness, alongside virtual surround decoding.
Does it support high-resolution and DSD files?
Yes, it decodes PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD256, well beyond what most streaming services currently deliver.
Conclusion
The Space Pro is a capable, genuinely versatile portable DAC/AMP that backs up its spec sheet with real driving power and clean measured performance, while adding a gaming-focused feature set that is unusual to see paired with serious audio hardware. If you want one small dongle that handles both a sensitive IEM and a harder-to-drive headphone competently, plus a few gaming extras most competitors skip, it earns a place on the shortlist.
I run a small stable of dongle DACs for testing different IEMs and headphones, and the Space Pro has become one of the ones I actually reach for daily rather than leaving in a drawer.
Comparing It to Simpler Dongle DACs
Most bundled or budget single-chip dongles are designed around one goal: getting a decent signal out of a phone that lacks a headphone jack. The Space Pro is built for a different job, closer to a genuinely portable desktop-class DAC/AMP that happens to fit in a pocket. That distinction shows up most clearly when switching between an efficient IEM and a harder-to-drive headphone on the same device, since a basic single-chip dongle will often run out of headroom well before the Space Pro does.
That extra capability does come with a slightly larger footprint than the smallest dongles on the market, so if absolute minimal size is the priority over driving power, it is worth weighing that tradeoff before buying.