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iBasso PB6 Macaw Portable Balanced Tube Headphone Amplifier

BH #IBSPB6 • MFR #IBS-PB6
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iBasso PB6 Macaw Portable Balanced Tube Headphone Amplifier
Key Features
  • Four Military-Grade JAN6418 Tubes
  • Selectable Tube and Class-AB Modes
  • Switchable High and Low Bandwidth Modes
  • Up to 2300mW per Side at 32 Ohms
Take the power of audiophile-grade headphone amplification with you anywhere with the iBasso PB6 Macaw, a portable 4-channel headphone amp sporting four military-grade Raytheon JAN6418 tubes for warm, rich sound reproduction. With the option to select between Tube and solid-state Class-AB amp modes, you can experience a lush organic or clean and accurate sound with the push of a button.
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iBasso PB6 Macaw Overview

Take the power of audiophile-grade headphone amplification with you anywhere with the iBasso PB6 Macaw, a portable 4-channel headphone amp sporting four military-grade Raytheon JAN6418 tubes for warm, rich sound reproduction. With the option to select between Tube and solid-state Class-AB amp modes, you can experience a lush organic or clean and accurate sound with the push of a button.

Along with the two amp modes, the PB6 also offers both high- and low-bandwidth modes for your preferred listening style. The 4-channel NJW1195A volume IC chip provides up to a 14 dB boost in 0.5 dB steps. The PB6 supports both 12 VDC power input and the use of the integrated rechargeable 8.4V battery pack which enables 13.5 hours of operation. With the 12 VDC power input, you can get up to 2300mW of output power per side into 32 ohms. An innovative aspect of the PB6 is the inclusion of both 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced inputs and outputs. With the analog inputs, you can connect to analog audio sources and convert unbalanced 3.5mm audio to 4.4mm balanced for a premium listening experience. The PB6 Macaw includes a USB-C to USB-A cable, a 12 VDC power adapter, a 3.5mm TRS audio cable, a balanced 4.4mm TRRRS audio cable, and three pouches for storing your headphone amp, power supply, and cables.

Fully Powered Tubes for Maximum Performance
The PB6 utilizes four military-grade JAN6418 directly heated pentode vacuum tubes manufactured by Raytheon and implemented in a 4-channel fully balanced amplification architecture. iBasso has designed the anode power supply to deliver 22.5V, providing ample headroom and a robust dynamic performance.

All vacuum tubes are meticulously tested and matched by engineers using the APX555 audio testing equipment, ensuring channel consistency and exceptional sound quality. The fully balanced architecture imparts a rich, warm tube character, resulting in a natural listening experience.

Switchable Tube Flavor and Op-Amp Clarity
  • The PB6 supports both Tube and Class-AB output modes
  • In Tube mode, four JAN6418 tubes serve as the amplification cores, delivering a delicate, rich, warm, and smooth sound
  • In Class-AB mode, the PB6 employs a classic OP + BUF headphone amp circuit, utilizing four BUF634A chips for current amplification, offering enhanced resolution and excellent dynamic range
Higher Efficiency and Purer Power
The PB6 utilizes an 8.4V high-voltage polymer battery pack, which markedly improves power efficiency and transient response capabilities. In comparison to conventional designs powered by a single 3.7V battery, this higher voltage configuration provides a significant advantage in minimizing ripple interference typically produced by DC to DC conversion processes, thereby delivering a purer and more stable power supply. This design enables the faithful reproduction of musical nuances and dynamic range, allowing sound details to be fully expressed considerably exceeding that of other portable headphone amplifiers.
Desktop-Grade Performance
This device supports an included external 12 VDC power supply, allowing for a voltage swing of 24V. When connected to this external power source, the PB6's output power reaches 2300mW per side into 32 ohms, thereby unlocking its full drive capabilities. This enables the PB6 to effortlessly power full-sized headphones, achieving performance comparable to that of quality desktop-grade headphone amplifiers.
A Perfectly Matched 4-Channel Output
The PB6 is equipped with a high-precision 4-channel volume control IC—the NJW1195A—which offers fine adjustments with 0.5 dB per step. This hardware-based volume control not only allows for precise volume control but also helps to inherently reduce background noise, resulting in a pitch-black background.

This design effectively addresses the common issue of channel imbalance at low volume levels often associated with conventional carbon potentiometers. Consequently, the PB6 ensures consistent left-right channel balance throughout the entire volume range, for a more accurate and reliable listening experience.

Customized Sound at Will
With the PB6 headphone amp, you get two modes for the headphone output stage: high bandwidth and low bandwidth, allowing users to customize their preferred sound signature. The high-bandwidth mode delivers excellent transient response, with superior control and sound resolution. The low-bandwidth mode creates a softer, warmer soundstage. The seamless switching between these two modes caters to audiophiles' personalized listening preferences.
Poron Suspension Damping
To suppress microphonic effects, all four tubes are suspended using PORON damping materials, effectively isolating tube vibrations from influencing the sound quality. Additionally, a metal mesh shielding cover is installed externally on the tubes to block external electromagnetic interference within specific frequency bands.
3.5mm and 4.4mm Inputs and Outputs
The PB6 not only offers a 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced output, but also supports both 3.5mm and 4.4mm inputs as well. This dual-interface design enables some innovative applications: it allows the source with only a 3.5mm output to be connected to the PB6, thereby achieving 4.4mm balanced output and benefiting from the high resolution and powerful dynamics characteristic of balanced headphone amplification.

iBasso PB6 Macaw Specs

Key Specs
Number of Headphone Channels
4-Channel
Recommended Headphone Impedance
Not Specified by Manufacturer
Headphone Output Power
Up to 2300 mW
Audio I/O
1/8" (3.5 mm) / 4.4 mm Balanced (Headphone)
1/8" (3.5 mm) / 4.4 mm (I/O)
Digital Audio I/O
No
USB
USB-C
Wireless
No
Power Requirements
AC/DC Power Adapter (Included), Built-In Rechargeable Battery
Form Factor
Portable
Number of Headphone Channels
4-Channel
Recommended Headphone Impedance
Not Specified by Manufacturer
Headphone Output Power
2300 mW per Side into 32 Ohms
Digital Chipset
Not Specified by Manufacturer
Analog Circuitry
Tube:
4x JAN6418

IC:
NJW1195A

Op-Amp:
4x BUF634A
EQ
No
Display
No
Connectivity
Analog Audio I/O
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Unbalanced Headphone Output
1x 4.4 mm TRRRS Balanced Headphone Output
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Unbalanced Line Input
1x 4.4 mm TRRRS Balanced Line Input
Digital Audio I/O
No
USB
1x USB-C
Wireless
No
Performance
Frequency Response
10 Hz to 80 kHz -0.1 dB (Class-AB Mode)
10 Hz to 80 kHz -0.5 dB (Tube Mode)
Gain/Trim Range
+14 dB (High Gain and Tube Modes)
Maximum Output Level
1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone Outputs:
4.6 Vrms (12 VDC)
4.5 Vrms (Battery)

4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Outputs:
9.5 Vrms (12 VDC Input)
8.5 Vrms (Battery)
Dynamic Range
4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Outputs:
125 dB (Class AB Mode)
100 dB (Tube Mode)

1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone Outputs:
110 dB (Tube Mode)
Impedance
1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone Outputs:
0.5 Ohms

4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Outputs:
1.2 Ohms
THD+N
4.4 mm Balanced Headphone:
-112 dB

1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone:
-110 dB
Noise
4.4 mm Balanced Headphone:
2.3 µV

1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone:
1.8 µV
Crosstalk
4.4 mm Balanced Headphone:
135 dB (Class AB Mode)

1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone:
125 dB (Class-AB Mode)
Power
Power Requirements
AC/DC Power Adapter (Included), Built-In Rechargeable Battery
Ground Lift
No
AC/DC Power Adapter
12 VDC
Battery Type
1x Built-In Rechargeable
Physical
Dimensions
5.54 x 3.11 x 0.77" / 14.07 x 7.89 x 1.96 cm
Weight
10.3 oz / 293.0 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.09 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
8.5 x 6.4 x 2.4"

iBasso PB6 Macaw Reviews

Just What I Wanted

By James
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-07-20

I was looking for a portable tube amp for travel and waiting rooms. I have the Cayin c9ii tube amp which performs better as it should for the cost, but it not really portable due to size and weight. The Macaw tames higher frequencies that cause listening fatigue, so that was exactly what I was looking for. I have two excellent DAPs, so the DAC functions weren't necessary. Dynamics remain strong and enjoyable and the tube sound doesn't blanket the sound presentation with excessive warmth. The price is right and so are the results! There are a number of reviews which helped in my decision so I always recommend checking reviews.

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