Class-A all-in-one DAC/AMP

The S.M.S.L x MOONDROP DHA15 is a desktop DAC/amp built for listeners who need serious power, flexible connections, and precise control in one compact unit. It combines dual CS43198 DAC chips, a fully-balanced discrete Class-A headphone amplifier, support for PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256, and up to 15W + 15W at 16 ohms for demanding planar headphones. With USB-C, dual XLR, and RCA inputs, plus 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm, and 6.35mm outputs, it fits easily into a headphone-focused desk system while giving you room to tailor the sound through MOONDROP’s interactive DSP tools. 

Power for hard-to-drive headphones

The DHA15 is built around a fully balanced discrete Class-A amplifier. Rated at 15W + 15W into 16 ohms and 7.5W + 7.5W into 32 ohms, it gives you the headroom to handle low-sensitivity headphones without running out of steam. 

Dual DAC decoding with high-resolution support

Inside, dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips handle digital conversion, paired with a MOONDROP-custom main control chip. The result is support for PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256, which gives you broad compatibility with modern streaming, downloaded files, and dedicated music libraries. More importantly, it means the DHA15 is equipped to preserve low-level detail, channel separation, and dynamic range.

DSP tools that let you shape the sound

One of the DHA15’s most useful features is MOONDROP’s second-generation online interactive DSP platform. Through a browser-based tuning tool and app support, you can adjust parameters like filter type, frequency, gain, and Q value rather than relying on fixed presets that may or may not suit your headphones. If you like dialing in a better tonal balance for a bright headphone, tightening up low mids, or compensating for a known dip or peak, this feature gives you direct control in hardware instead of leaving everything to playback software.

Auto EQ and shared tuning presets

The DSP platform is also practical for people who want better sound without starting from scratch. The DHA15 includes access to a growing library of headphone frequency response curves, plus one-click Auto EQ tools that can help you move from an original curve toward a preferred target. There is also a built-in sharing community for uploaded tuning files, so you can try settings created by other users and save time when you want a strong starting point for a specific headphone.

Cleaner signal and useful technical performance

The DHA15 posts strong measured performance, including a 131dB signal-to-noise ratio, 131dB dynamic range, and THD+N as low as 0.00007% at 1kHz. In plain terms, that means a very low noise floor, strong separation between quiet and loud passages, and very little added distortion from the electronics themselves.

99-step volume control

The DHA15 gives you 99 steps of volume control and three gain settings, letting it run everything from sensitive IEMs and efficient dynamic headphones to power-hungry planars. Low gain helps keep volume adjustment smoother with sensitive gear, while medium and high gain give you the extra push needed for larger full-size headphones. 

Eight inputs and outputs

The DHA15 is easy to place at the center of a desk system because it gives you three input paths—USB-C, dual 3-pin XLR, and dual RCA—along with three headphone outputs: 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm balanced, and 6.35mm single-ended. Whether your source is a computer, streamer, DAC transport, or another analog component, you have options. 

Useful beyond headphone listening

The DHA15 can also serve as a preamp, pure amp, or pure DAC, which makes it more than a single-purpose headphone box. If your desk includes powered speakers, an external amplifier, or a second device in the chain, the DHA15 stays relevant even as your system changes. 

Protection and grounding features built in

The surge protection design helps protect headphones from current spikes, which is the sort of feature you hope to never think about (but appreciate when expensive gear is involved!). The independent grounding design also allows the use of grounding accessories, which may help reduce unwanted noise in more sensitive systems.

Product highlights

• All-in-one desktop DAC/amp with preamp, pure amp, and pure DAC functions
  
• Fully balanced discrete Class A headphone amplifier
  
• Up to 15W + 15W at 16 ohms
  
• Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips
  
• Supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256
  
• MOONDROP second-generation online interactive DSP
  
• One-click Auto EQ with access to frequency response curve library
  
• Three headphone outputs — 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm balanced, 6.35mm
  
• Three inputs — USB-C, dual 3-pin XLR, dual RCA
  
• 99-step volume control with three gain settings
  
• 131dB SNR and 131dB dynamic range
  
• THD+N as low as 0.00007% at 1kHz
  
• Wireless remote included
  
• Surge protection design for headphone safety
  
• Independent grounding design
• Remote control

Specs

• Inputs:
  • USB-C
    
  • Dual 3-pin XLR
    
  • Dual RCA
    
• Headphone outputs:
  • 4-pin XLR
    
  • 4.4mm balanced
    
  • 6.35mm single-ended
    
• Output power at 16 ohms: 15W x 2
  
• Output power at 32 ohms: 7.5W x 2
  
• Output power at 300 ohms: 1000mW x 2
  
• Output power at 600 ohms: 550mW x 2
  
• SNR: 131dB
  
• Dynamic range: 131dB
  
• THD+N: -122dB, 0.00007% (1kHz, 32 ohms)
  
• Input impedance: 47k ohms
  
• Headphone output impedance: close to 0 ohms
  
• Preamp output impedance, balanced: 44 ohms
  
• Preamp output impedance, single-ended: 22 ohms
  
• Frequency response: 20Hz–50kHz (-0.5dB)
  
• Balanced gain: low -3.5dB, medium 6dB, high 19.7dB
  
• Single-ended gain: low -9.5dB, medium 0dB, high 13.7dB
  
• Power consumption: less than 50W
  
• Standby power consumption: less than 0.5W
  
• Size: 10 x 1.8 x 8.7 in (254 x 46 x 221mm)
  
• Weight: 4.5 lb (2.04kg)

What’s included

• DHA15
  
• USB-C cable
  
• RC-8D remote control
  
• Power cable
  
• Manual
  
• Service card
  
• Guidance card