Kiwi Ears AD1 Pro USB-C DAC Dongle Review
A USB-C DAC dongle from Kiwi Ears in two plug options, Type-C 3.5mm at $16.14 and Type-C 4.4mm at $16.99. The page lists PCM up to 32bit 44.1-384kHz, 30mW+30mW per channel and a THD of 0.003%, but gives no load for the power.

Our verdict
A USB-C dongle for someone who wants a listed power figure, THD and noise floor, with a 3.5mm option at $16.14 or a 4.4mm option at $16.99. Look elsewhere if you need the DAC chip named or the output load stated, since the listing text gives neither. The main caveat is that every figure, including the 60mW total, is the page's claim with no load given, and the 3.5mm balanced port wording does not clearly match the two plug options.
- Best for
- Someone who wants a USB-C dongle with a 3.5mm or 4.4mm plug and a listed power, THD and noise floor.
- Skip if
- You need a named DAC chip or an output load stated for the power figure.
Per the page, the Kiwi Ears AD1 Pro has an upgraded DAC chip, not named in the listing text, with PCM support up to 32bit 44.1-384kHz. The page quotes 30mW+30mW per channel, a total of 60mW to a 3.5mm balanced port, a THD of 0.003% and a noise floor of 2uV. Two plug options are listed, from $16.14, and the page shows $18.99 crossed out beside the starting price.
Options and pricing
Two plug options are listed: Type-C 3.5mm at $16.14 and Type-C 4.4mm at $16.99, so the 4.4mm version costs more. The page shows $18.99 crossed out beside the starting price, which is the store's own comparison and not something we checked. The power text names a 3.5mm balanced port, and the listing text does not say which option that figure belongs to.
How it compares
The MOONDROP ECHO-A costs $18.69 and the EUiU C-01X costs $19, against the AD1 Pro's $16.14 and $16.99, and their sibling entries show no spec lines. The ddHiFi GS35 costs $16.99, the same as the AD1 Pro's 4.4mm option, with no spec line either. The AD1 Pro's own page quotes 30mW+30mW per channel, and the sibling entries show no power figure to set beside it.
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).
This product is from one of those brands, so Linsoul is both the seller and the brand's owner: its descriptions of the product are the brand owner's own claims.
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 lists PCM support up to 32bit 44.1-384kHz.
- The page gives power figures: 30mW+30mW per channel and 60mW in total.
- The page lists a THD of 0.003% and a noise floor of 2uV.
- Two plug options are priced at $16.14 and $16.99.
- The page says it works with Android in-line controls and in-line microphone cables.
Worth noting
- The page gives no load for the 30mW+30mW figure, so it cannot be compared with other output power ratings.
- The page ties the 60mW total to a 3.5mm balanced port, while the options are Type-C 3.5mm and Type-C 4.4mm, so it is unclear which option the figure covers.
- The listing text does not name the upgraded DAC chip.
- The page's audio-quality and web EQ claims are the maker's words and were not checked.
Questions before you buy
What power does the Kiwi Ears AD1 Pro list?
The page says 30mW+30mW per channel, with a total of 60mW output to its 3.5mm balanced port. It gives no load for either figure.
Which sample rates does it list?
The page lists PCM support up to 32bit 44.1-384kHz from an upgraded DAC chip that it does not name.
Which plug options are there?
Type-C 3.5mm at $16.14 and Type-C 4.4mm at $16.99.
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
- Kiwi Ears AD1 Pro 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 audio resolution and lower-distortion descriptions are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
- Per the page, no output load is given for the 30mW+30mW and 60mW figures, so they cannot be compared, and the upgraded DAC chip is not named.
- Per the page, the power text mentions a 3.5mm balanced port while the options are Type-C 3.5mm and Type-C 4.4mm; the listing text does not say which option the figures cover.
- 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.
- Linsoul owns this brand, so the store's descriptions of it are the owner's own claims, which we could not check independently.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.


