Moondrop MOONRIVER3
The MOONRIVER3 packs a dual-CS43198 DAC, integrated DSP, and up to 500mW output into a compact portable DAC/amp. As covered by Headfonics, this feature-rich dongle is built for listeners who want configurable desktop or mobile playback with potentially substantial headphone-driving headroom in a tidy, travel-ready form.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
50/100
Build Quality
50/100
Features Usability
85/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Combines dual CS43198 DACs, integrated DSP, and up to 500mW output in a portable dongle DAC/amp.
Feature set supports flexible, compact computer or mobile listening.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 50/100
The supplied review extract identifies the MOONRIVER3 as a dual-CS43198 dongle DAC/amp with integrated DSP, but provides no listening impressions. It does not describe clarity, tonal character, dynamics, background noise, or performance with particular headphones.
Transparency Resolution
50/100
The available extract does not report on detail retrieval, separation, clarity, or resolution. The dual-DAC configuration alone does not establish an audible transparency verdict.
Tonal Balance Musicality
50/100
No reviewer comments are provided on tonal balance, timbre, warmth, neutrality, or musical engagement. Its integrated DSP suggests scope for sound tailoring, but the supplied material does not say how it sounds.
Dynamics
50/100
The extract quotes output power of up to 500mW, but gives no account of punch, transient behavior, headroom, or control under demanding loads. There is no reported comparison with difficult headphones or planars.
Noise Floor
50/100
The supplied review content makes no mention of hiss, hum, silence between notes, or use with sensitive IEMs. Noise performance therefore remains unreported.
Headphone Compatibility
50/100
Up to 500mW of output indicates potentially useful drive from a compact dongle, but the extract does not identify the relevant load, gain behavior, output impedance, or successful headphone pairings. It also offers no evidence concerning sensitive IEM usability.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
50/100
No construction, connector, control, chassis, thermal, or long-term durability observations are included in the supplied review extract. The available information is insufficient to characterize build execution.
Features Usability
85/100
The MOONRIVER3 combines a dual-CS43198 DAC section, headphone amplification, and integrated DSP in a portable dongle format. Those are useful functions for computer or mobile listening, although the supplied material does not explain its connections, controls, DSP options, or everyday ergonomics.
Value for Money
85/100
At $219.99, it occupies a competitive upper-budget dongle DAC/amp segment. None of the supplied review material comments on whether its performance and DSP functionality justify that price against alternatives.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
No reviews found yet
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
Manufacturer's Description — Moondrop
Product Name: 「MoonRiver3」 Flagship Miniature Portable DAC/AMP
Size Volume: 65mm x 26mm x 13mm
Earphone Jack: 3.5mm Single-Ended / 4.4mm Balanced Jack
Noise Floor: 3.5mm: 1.2uV / 4.4mm: 1.4uV
SNR: 3.5mm: 126dB / 4.4mm: 131dB
Dynamic Range: 3.5mm: 126dB / 4.4mm: 131dB
LineOut: 3.5mm: 2Vrms / 4.4mm: 4Vrms
THD+N: 3.5mm: 0.00018% / 4.4mm:0.00018%
Crosstalk: 3.5mm: 125dB
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Moondrop MOONRIVER3
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Concierge — online and in-store — England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Emotion — online and in-store — Glenrothes, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- AUDIOPHONICS — in-store — Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (website)
- Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Elise Audio — online and in-store — Paddington, England, United Kingdom (website)
- GEEKWILLS — online and in-store — Beijing, Beijing, China (website)
and 13 more verified dealers