HiBy FD5 Desktop DAC and Headphone Amp Review
A desktop Bluetooth receiver and headphone amplifier from HiBy with four AKM AK4493 DAC chips, listed at $429 as a single option. The page gives a 1523mW output with no load stated, a 3.5mm SE headphone port and a 4.4mm balanced headphone port.

Our verdict
A desktop Bluetooth receiver and amplifier for someone who wants named AK4493 chips, balanced and 3.5mm SE headphone ports and several Bluetooth codecs at $429. Look elsewhere if you need power quoted at a stated load or a full input list, since the listing text gives neither. The main caveat is that the 1523mW output comes with no load and the page's sound and noise descriptions are the maker's own words.
- Best for
- Someone who wants a desktop Bluetooth receiver and amplifier with 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm balanced headphone ports.
- Skip if
- You need output power quoted at a stated load or a full list of inputs.
HiBy's FD5 is a desktop unit that the page describes as a Bluetooth receiver and amplifier built around four AKM AK4493 DAC chips. The listing gives a 1523mW output, a class A/AB amplification switch, a transparent OLED display and a 100-step volume knob, and it names the Bluetooth codecs UAT, LDAC, AAC and SBC. It costs $429 and the page shows a single option. The listing text gives no weight, size or input list.
Options and pricing
The page shows a single orderable option at $429, so there is no color, plug or bundle to choose between. It says a converter cable to 6.35mm is included alongside the 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm balanced headphone ports, for use with IEMs, earbuds and full-size headphones. The listing text names no color or finish and shows no crossed-out price.
How it compares
The FD5 costs $429, which puts it between the xDuoo TA-22 at $415.65, whose listing text mentions ES9038Q2M, and the xDuoo XD05T at $466.65. The SMSL DO400 is $499 and its listing text mentions ES9039MSPRO and Bluetooth 5.1, while the FD5 page names four AK4493 chips and Bluetooth codecs but gives no Bluetooth version.
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 names the DAC setup: four AKM AK4493 chips with a class A/AB amplification switch
- A 3.5mm SE and a 4.4mm balanced headphone port are listed, with matching line-out ports
- A converter cable to 6.35mm is listed as included, per the page
- The page lists PCM and DSD512 support plus several Bluetooth codecs: UAT, LDAC, AAC and SBC
- Plug-and-play support for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android is stated
Worth noting
- The 1523mW output has no load or impedance, so it cannot be compared with power quoted at a stated load
- The listing text gives no weight, size, input list, frequency response or distortion figure
- The page's wording about sound, noise and certification is the maker's claim and cannot be checked from the listing
Questions before you buy
Which DAC chips does the HiBy FD5 list?
The page lists four AKM AK4493 DAC chips, along with an FPGA-based clock system, a class A/AB amplification switch and a discrete headphone amplifier built from 32 hand-matched transistors.
What ports does it have?
The page lists a 3.5mm SE and a 4.4mm balanced headphone port, and 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm balanced line-out ports, with an included converter cable to 6.35mm. For input, the page names Bluetooth reception and plug-and-play support for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android; the listing text gives no further input list.
How much power does it list?
The page says the output is 1523mW and gives no load, so the listing does not show at which impedance that figure applies.
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 FD5 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 1523mW output has no load in the listing text, per the page, so it cannot be set beside power quoted at a stated load, and the claim that it drives all full-size headphones is the maker's.
- The page's hi-res, MQA and certification wording and its noise and sound descriptions are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
- The listing text gives no weight, dimensions, input list or figures for frequency response, distortion and signal-to-noise, and it writes the PCM rate without units.
- 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.


