HiBy FC5 USB DAC/Amp Review
A USB DAC/amp from HiBy with two Cirrus Logic CS43198 chips, two SGM8261-5 amplifiers and a 1.1-inch OLED display. The page lists up to 125mW on 3.5mm and up to 245mW on 4.4mm, PCM up to 768kHz/32bit and DSD512; it costs $99 in three colors.

Our verdict
A USB DAC/amp for someone who wants two CS43198 chips, a color display and power listed separately for the 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, at $99. Look elsewhere if you need loads for the power figures or a list of what comes in the package. The main caveat is that the page's sound claims and its MQA and Hi-Res wording are the maker's own and were not checked here.
- Best for
- Someone who wants a USB DAC/amp with two CS43198 chips, a 1.1-inch OLED display and separate power figures for 3.5mm and 4.4mm.
- Skip if
- You need loads for the power figures or a list of what is in the package.
HiBy's FC5 pairs two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips with two SGM8261-5 headphone amplifiers, according to the page, and adds a 1.1-inch OLED display for status and menus. It lists PCM up to 768kHz/32bit and DSD512, a 122dB SNR and 21g, with 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs. The price is $99 for each of three color options.
Options and pricing
The page shows three orderable options, Black, Silver and Purple, all priced at $99, so color is the only choice and the price does not change. No crossed-out price is shown. The page says the unit is driverless on Mac and Windows, lists UAC 1.0 for consoles and handhelds and UAC 2.0 as the other mode, and says holding the Volume - button while connecting by USB switches between them.
How it compares
The ShanLing UA4 is the same $99 and its listing text mentions ES9069Q, while the DDHIFI TC44Pro E3 costs $105.99 and mentions SGM8262 and CS43198. The DDHiFi TC44PRO M3 costs $89.99 and also mentions CS43198, the chip name this FC5 lists as well.
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).
- 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 names two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips and two SGM8261-5 headphone amplifiers
- Power is listed per output: up to 125mW on 3.5mm and up to 245mW on 4.4mm
- PCM up to 768kHz/32bit and DSD512 are listed, with MQA 8x unfolding described
- A 1.1-inch OLED color display and 30-step hardware volume control with volume memory are described
- Three colors at the same $99, and the page lists 6.35mm and RCA connections through adapters
Worth noting
- The listing text gives no load for the 125mW and 245mW figures
- The 6.35mm and RCA connections need an adapter, and the listing text does not say whether one is included
- The listing text gives no dimensions or package contents
- The page leans on maker wording about sound, which cannot be checked from the listing
Questions before you buy
Which chips does the FC5 list?
The page lists two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips and two SGM8261-5 headphone amplifiers.
How much power does the page list?
The page lists up to 125mW on the 3.5mm output and up to 245mW on the 4.4mm balanced output. It gives no load for either figure.
Which sample rates does it list?
The page lists PCM up to 768kHz/32bit and DSD512, and MQA 8x unfolding when the host device decodes MQA 2x.
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
- HiBy FC5 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
- The listing text gives no load for the 125mW and 245mW figures and no dimensions or package contents.
- The page's wording on sound (clarity, detail retrieval, resolution and depth) and its Hi-Res and lossless statements are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
- The page says 9+ preset sound effects and EQ control are available through the HiByMusic app or HiBy USB Master software; the effects themselves were not checked here.
- 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.


