E1DA Cosmos Scaler Variable Gain Pre-Amp Review
A variable gain pre-amp from E1DA that the page says is designed for the Cosmos ADC, listed at $129 with 16 gain positions from 0db to 26.078db, two balanced channels in and out and a 3.5mm jack. The listing text gives no headphone output power.

Our verdict
A variable gain pre-amp for someone who has, or plans to use, the Cosmos ADC and wants 16 gain positions from 0db to 26.078db with balanced connections, at $129. Look elsewhere if you want a headphone amplifier with a listed output power, since the listing text gives none and the page describes a pre-amp. The main caveats are a typo in the output impedance line and a distortion figure that the page itself calls an estimate.
- Best for
- Someone who needs a variable gain pre-amp for the Cosmos ADC, with balanced channels and 16 gain positions.
- Skip if
- You want a headphone amplifier with a listed output power and load.
Designed for the Cosmos ADC according to the page, the E1DA Cosmos Scaler is a variable gain pre-amp, and the page names an OPA1612+OPA1656 composite inside. It lists two balanced channels in and out, 16 gain positions from 0db to 26.078db and an Auto position that works as an autoranger. Noise is given as 250nVrms(A) at 26db gain, and the price is $129 for one orderable option.
Options and pricing
There is one orderable option at $129, and the page shows no crossed-out price. The choices sit on the unit itself: 16 knob positions from 0db to 26.078db, and an Auto position in which the page says it acts as an ultra-fast autoranger of 100mS with the left channel targeting 4.5Vrms. The page adds that the autoranger is valid only for the 20Hz-20kHz range, and that short cables from the Cosmos APU fit its input and output.
How it compares
The HiBy BD100 has the same $129 price and comes in aluminum or wood, the xDuoo MH-02 is $126.65 and its listing mentions a CS43131 chip, and the TOPPING DX1 II is $119 and mentions ES9039Q2M. The Cosmos Scaler page names no DAC chip and describes a pre-amp for the Cosmos ADC, so it reads as a different kind of device from those that mention DAC chips.
Shipping
- Methods and costs. The store's shipping page offers Standard Shipping (4PX, Yanwen or Yun Express), free for most countries, and Express Shipping (DHL Express, FedEx or SF Express) at 15-50 USD depending on the country, free for orders over 270 USD in most countries (checked 2026-11-11).
- Large items. The page says headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs count as large items, for which Express is free only for orders over $499.99.
- Delivery times. It says an in-stock order ships within 3 working days, Standard takes about 2 weeks after shipping out (up to 1-3 months for some countries, and the store makes no refund for that transit time) and Express takes about 3-7 days. Festive seasons and other circumstances can change the timing.
- Taxes and fees. The buyer pays any customs, import or processing fees. The page says Standard via YunExpress is tax-inclusive for some countries, that remote areas can carry extra Express charges, and that a parcel refused or left uncollected over taxes is deducted two-way freight and may be destroyed with no refund.
- Where it ships. The page says the store can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to confirm Standard with the team for your country. It cannot ship to PO boxes or APO/FPO addresses and can only use Express to Hawaii. It does not name the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, so confirm before you pay.
- Lost parcels. If a parcel has been in transit for at least 3 months, the page offers a one-time reshipment or a full refund for orders under $50 and a 50% refund for orders above $50.
Returns and warranty
- Returns. The return page allows returning any non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying the shipping. Email [email protected] within that period; the store asks for the return to be shipped within 5 working days of the RMA instructions and in most cases processes a refund within 5 business days of inspecting it (checked 2026-11-11).
- Opened items. A product opened within the first 7 days after delivery can be returned for the price minus a restocking fee of 35% of its retail value, including when it still works properly.
- Refund or credit. The buyer can choose a refund to the original payment method (PayPal or card) or store credit; with no answer within 48 hours of confirmation the default is store credit, which can also be prioritized during promotions, final-sale events and for items 40% or more off retail.
- Not returnable. Customized products, including faceplate designs, are non-refundable, and the page says the same applies to carry cases, cables, ear tips and other accessories, "due to hygiene purposes". If one item in a package is defective, incorrect or missing, the refund or replacement covers only that item.
- Warranty. The page gives a 1-year warranty on products, excluding carry cases, ear tips and other accessories, and 3 months on cables and adapters, from the date of purchase. It covers factory defects that affect proper function, not damage from human error, negligence, accidents, dismantling, water, abuse or modification (checked 2026-11-11).
- Not covered or limited. It does not apply to items bought elsewhere (AliExpress, Amazon, local dealers and the like), prize or giveaway items, normal wear or colour change, commercial use, or items that were stolen or went missing. Coverage is limited for products 40% or more off retail, for review units and for items repaired or modified by anyone Linsoul has not authorized.
- Claims. Email [email protected] with the order number, the issue and photos and videos of the fault. The store may ask for the unit back for a replacement. It covers shipping for some defects reported within 7 days of delivery if the fault can be shown on video or photo; after 7 days the buyer ships it back. For wrong or missing items an unboxing video of the whole sealed parcel is required.
Before you buy
Linsoul says it was founded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team to bring Chinese HiFi makers closer to listeners worldwide, and that it now sells other makers' products alongside four brands of its own, THIEAUDIO, Kiwi Ears, ZiiGaat and Tripowin (checked 2026-11-11).
We have not read any independent review of this product or of the store. Ratings and owner reviews shown on the store's own pages are the store's and were not verified.
What we liked
- The page gives figures for gain (16 positions, 0db to 26.078db), noise (250nVrms(A) at 26db gain) and frequency response
- Two balanced channels in and out are listed, with a 3.5mm jack on each side rated up to 20/10Vrms (bal/unbal)
- The page names internal parts: OPA1612+OPA1656, Viking resistors and Murata and Samsung C0G capacitors
- The autoranger is described in figures: 100mS and a 4.5Vrms target on the left channel
- One option at $129, so there is no price difference to weigh
Worth noting
- The listing text describes a pre-amp for the Cosmos ADC and gives no headphone output power or load
- The output impedance line contains a typo (20/10hm), so that figure cannot be read reliably
- The page says precise distortion measurements are challenging and gives only an estimate
- The listing text gives no weight or dimensions
Questions before you buy
What is the Cosmos Scaler designed for?
The page describes it as a variable gain pre-amp designed for the Cosmos ADC, and says short cables from the Cosmos APU fit both its input and its output.
What gain range does it list?
The page lists 16 positions on its knob, ranging from 0db to 26.078db, plus an Auto position where it acts as an autoranger of 100mS with the left channel targeting 4.5Vrms.
What inputs and outputs does it list?
The page lists two balanced channels for input and for output, and a 3.5mm jack on each side that accepts up to 20/10Vrms (bal/unbal). It also describes a mono mode: with only the left input used, the signal is routed to the right channel as well.
Can I return it if I change my mind?
The return page allows returning a non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying shipping. An opened product returned within 7 days carries a 35% restocking fee. Refunds go to the original payment method or to store credit, which is the default if you do not choose.
How long does shipping take?
The shipping page says in-stock orders ship within 3 working days. Standard Shipping takes about 2 weeks after shipping out, up to 1-3 months for some countries, and Express takes about 3-7 days. Standard is free for most countries; Express costs 15-50 USD and is free over 270 USD (over $499.99 for large items such as headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs).
Does Linsoul ship to the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand?
The page says Linsoul can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to ask the team about Standard for your country. It names no restriction for the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, but it does not list them either, and it can only use Express to Hawaii.
What warranty does it have?
The page gives a 1-year warranty on products from the purchase date for factory defects, not for human error, accidents or modification. Coverage is limited for items 40% or more off retail and for review units, and it does not apply to items bought from other sellers.
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- E1DA Cosmos Scaler product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul shipping pageStandard and Express shipping, costs and times, import taxes, lost parcels, couriers, trackingRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul return policy and warranty page30-day returns of sealed items, 35% restocking fee on opened ones, 1-year and 3-month warranties, exclusions, how to claimRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul support FAQThe same shipping, return and warranty rules in question form, plus order changes and cancellationsRead November 11, 2026
- About LinsoulFounded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team; names its own brands; the awards listed there are the store's own accountRead November 11, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- Per the page, the frequency response is .2Hz-570kHz at 26db gain, noise is 250nVrms(A) and crosstalk is -133db and -158db at 1kHz; these are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
- The page's output impedance line reads as 20/10hm (bal/unbal), which looks like a typo, so the figure is not used here.
- The page says the distortion figure of about -175db@1kHz at 0db gain is an estimate because precise measurements are challenging, and the listing text gives no weight or dimensions.
- We have not read an independent review of this product or the store, and the store's own ratings were not verified. We read the store's catalog description only: a specification table or image shown just on the live page was not read.
- The shipping page names no US, Canada, UK, Australia or New Zealand times or fees: its figures are general and we could not confirm them for these countries.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.


