Moondrop x S.M.S.L DHA 15 DAC and Amp Review
A desktop DAC and amplifier from Moondrop and S.M.S.L with two CS43198 chips, listed at $552.49 with $649.99 shown crossed out. The page gives 15W+15W into 16 ohm and 7.5W+7.5W into 32 ohm, plus a web-based parametric EQ.

Our verdict
A desktop DAC and amplifier for someone who wants stated power at 16 ohm and 32 ohm, named CS43198 chips and a web-based parametric EQ at $552.49. Look elsewhere if you use an iPhone without an Android device, since the page says EQ settings must be written from Android, or if you need weight and size. The main caveat is that the measured figures are the maker's own and were not checked here.
- Best for
- Someone who wants a desktop DAC and amplifier with stated power at 16 ohm and 32 ohm and a parametric EQ.
- Skip if
- You only own an iOS device, since the page says iOS devices need an Android device to write EQ settings.
The DHA 15 carries both the Moondrop and S.M.S.L names, and the page says it uses two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips with a custom control chip and a fully balanced discrete Class A amplifier. The listing gives 15W+15W into 16 ohm and 7.5W+7.5W into 32 ohm, USB-C, dual 3-pin XLR and dual RCA inputs, and 4.4mm balanced, 6.35mm and 4-pin XLR outputs. The price is $552.49 and the page shows one option.
Options and pricing
The page shows one orderable option at $552.49, with $649.99 crossed out beside it, which is the store's own comparison and not something we checked. No colors or bundles are listed. The page adds that the web EQ tool needs Microsoft Edge version 135.0 or later or Google Chrome version 131.0 or later, and that iOS devices need an Android device to write EQ settings.
How it compares
The FangSound Prometheus costs $560 and its listing text mentions ES9039PRO, while the DHA 15 page names two CS43198 chips at $552.49. The FangSound Silenos is $572 and its listing text mentions planar, a word the DHA 15 page also uses for the planar magnetic headphones it says it drives, and the SMSL H400 MK2 is $539.
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 power at two loads: 15W+15W into 16 ohm and 7.5W+7.5W into 32 ohm
- Both a DAC (two CS43198 chips) and a fully balanced Class A amplifier are listed
- Inputs and outputs are spelled out, including USB-C, XLR, RCA, 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm
- The page describes a web-based parametric EQ, the MOONDROP app, 99-step volume and three gain settings
- A THD+N figure comes with its test conditions: 1kHz and 32 ohm
Worth noting
- The EQ tool needs Edge version 135.0 or later or Chrome version 131.0 or later, and iOS devices need an Android device to write EQ settings, per the page
- The page's measured figures come from the maker's own Audio Precision APx555 test and were not checked here
- The listing text gives no weight or dimensions
- The crossed-out $649.99 is the store's comparison and was not checked
Questions before you buy
How much power does the DHA 15 list?
The page says 15W+15W into 16 ohm and 7.5W+7.5W into 32 ohm from a fully balanced discrete Class A amplifier.
What inputs and outputs does it list?
The page lists USB-C, dual 3-pin XLR and dual RCA inputs, and 4.4mm balanced, 6.35mm and 4-pin XLR outputs plus pre-amp outputs. It says the unit works as a preamplifier, a pure amplifier or a pure DAC.
What does the EQ need?
The page says a web tool on Microsoft Edge version 135.0 or later or Google Chrome version 131.0 or later, or the MOONDROP app, and notes that iOS devices need an Android device for writing EQ settings.
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
- MOONDROP x S.M.S.L DHA 15 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 page's 131dB dynamic range and SNR and 0.00007% THD+N are described as measured with an Audio Precision APx555, which is the maker's claim and was not checked here.
- The page's descriptions of resolution, detail, tonal balance and timbre are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
- The listing text gives no weight, no dimensions and no gain values for the three settings, per the page.
- 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.


