MOONDROP MoonRiver 3

The MOONDROP MoonRiver 3 is a portable USB DAC and headphone amplifier built for listeners who want high-resolution audio from a smartphone, tablet, or computer without carrying a larger desktop device. Housed in a precision-milled stainless steel chassis, it combines dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips, independent amplifier stages, and a dedicated multi-stage power architecture to deliver balanced output up to 4Vrms. The MoonRiver 3 supports PCM decoding up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256, while integrated DSP tools, hardware volume control, and Power Delivery charging support extend its functionality beyond basic digital-to-analog conversion.

Dual-DAC architecture with dedicated power regulation

The MoonRiver 3 uses two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips alongside independent dual-channel amplifier circuits. MOONDROP separates power delivery across five dedicated power management chips, allowing the DAC and amplification stages to operate with independent regulation. This approach is intended to reduce power-related interference between circuit sections while maintaining channel separation throughout the signal path.

Balanced output and hardware volume control

The MoonRiver 3 provides both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs. Through the balanced connection, output reaches up to 4Vrms and approximately 500mW of power, giving the device the current and voltage swing needed for many full-size headphones while remaining compact enough for portable use.

Volume adjustment is handled through a 100-step tactile rotary control that communicates directly with the DAC. Because attenuation occurs within the device rather than relying on the source device's software volume control, signal resolution is maintained during lower-level listening. The encoder also functions as a push-button control for playback pause, integrating common playback functions into a single physical interface.

High-resolution decoding and integrated DSP tools

The USB-C audio interface supports PCM audio up to 32-bit/384kHz as well as native DSD256 decoding. When connected to a compatible computer, smartphone, or tablet, the MoonRiver 3 operates as an external DAC, bypassing the source device's internal audio hardware and using its own dedicated conversion circuitry for playback.

MOONDROP's second-generation interactive DSP platform is built directly into the device and can be accessed through the mobile application or a browser interface on compatible versions of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Users can adjust filter types, center frequencies, gain values, and Q parameters through a full parametric equalizer. The DSP platform also integrates with MOONDROP's frequency response database, allowing users to reference measurement data and apply tuning profiles directly to the hardware.

Community tuning ecosystem and portable usability

The integrated community library allows users to upload, share, and download frequency response data and DSP presets. Approved submissions become part of an online reference database, providing baseline correction profiles and tuning options for a wide range of headphones and earphones. Account synchronization between the mobile application, browser interface, and online database keeps DSP settings accessible across devices.

A secondary USB-C port adds Power Delivery charging support while the DAC is in operation. Using the included ddHiFi cable, the MoonRiver 3 can simultaneously handle audio playback and provide charging power to a connected smartphone or tablet. Depending on device compatibility and supported PD protocols, charging capability can reach up to 60W. The stainless steel enclosure incorporates a semi-transparent window that reveals internal components, while the recessed volume control helps prevent accidental adjustments during portable use.

Availability

The MOONDROP MoonRiver 3 is available now on Apos.