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USB-C DONGLE · CS43198 × 2

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3

A USB-C dongle with two CS43198 DAC chips, a 3.5 mm and a 4.4 mm balanced output.

Manufacturer page · Price history

POWER AT 32 Ωest.250mW4.4 mm balanced, worked out from the stated loads
OUTPUT IMPEDANCENot statedNo data from the manufacturer
SNR131dBas MOONDROP states it
PRICE$186.99Lowest price at HiFiGo, Linsoul, Shenzhen Audio and Apos Audio
OUTPUTS3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
DAC CHIPCS43198 × 2
PARAMETRIC EQYesas MOONDROP states it
CONTOURNot supported

Numbers are the manufacturer's stated figures unless marked as measured; sources linked below. Est. marks a power worked out between the stated loads.

Outputs and power

4.4 mm balanced
500mWat 16 Ω
Spec image: 500 mW at 16 Ω, A-weighted, maximum undistorted output power, AES17:6.4, per channel or both channels not stated
Output impedance -
SNR126 dB (3.5 mm), 131 dB (4.4 mm balanced)

Not stated: gain, supply voltage, distortion, crosstalk.

Is it enough for your headphones?

MOONDROP rates the MOONRIVER3 at 500 mW into 16 Ω from the 4.4 mm balanced output. Below is how much of that is left to spare for each kind of headphones when you listen loud, with peaks at 110 dB. A figure marked est. is worked out from that rating.

Sensitive IEMsMulti-driver sets that hiss on strong sources
needs 0.6 mW500 mW at 16 Ω+29 dB
Most IEMsTypical in-ears, 16 to 50 Ω
needs 3.2 mWest. 250 mW at 32 Ω+19 dB
Easy-to-drive headphonesClosed and portable, 32 Ω
needs 16 mWest. 250 mW at 32 Ω+12 dB
Hard-to-drive headphones300 Ω, HD 600 class, hungry for voltage
needs 20 mWest. 27 mW at 300 Ω+1 dB
Most planarsPlanar magnetic, low impedance, need current
needs 50 mWest. 250 mW at 32 Ω+7 dB
Demanding planarsThe hardest loads, desktop territory
needs 251 mWest. 133 mW at 60 Ω3 dB short

Where to buy

Some shop links are affiliate links: if you buy through one, I may earn a commission. Your price and the order stay the same.

HiFiGo · read 10 Nov 2026$186.99Linsoul · read 10 Nov 2026$186.99Shenzhen Audio · read 10 Nov 2026$186.99Apos Audio · read 10 Nov 2026$186.99HiFiGo · retail price for the Moonriver 3 without case, checked 16 Oct 2026$219.99

Price historyCompare prices on Soundblooms Deals

The device

From MOONDROP's spec images unless marked
InputUSB-C
FormatsPCM up to 32-bit / 384 kHz, DSD256
DAC chipCS43198 × 2
VolumeType: physical knob; steps: 100
AppMOONDROP APP / MOONDROP Online Equalizer Tool, Android only
Parametric EQSupported in MOONDROP's MOONDROP app. Not supported in Contour.

The text specification gives 65 × 26 × 13 mm; the dimension drawing gives 64.60 × 27.20 × 12.60 mm. No hardware revision or measurement convention explaining the difference is identified, so a canonical size is withheld.

How it stacks up against the competition

Power at 32 Ω · price in US dollars
50 mW100 mW200 mW500 mW1 W10 mW$100$200$300$500scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+19 dB to spareFiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99KA5FiiO KA15: 560 mW at 32 Ω, $99.99iBasso DC04PRO: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC07PRO: 430 mW at 32 Ω, $199DC07PROiBasso DC-Elite: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $449DC-EliteQuestyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2:TI: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99MOONRIVER 2:TIFiiO KA3: 235 mW at 32 Ω, $95.94FiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99FiiO QX13: 900 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99iBasso DC06: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC06PRO: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC04 Ultra: 980 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso Nunchaku: 525 mW at 32 Ω, $299Shanling UA3: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $109Shanling UA4: 227 mW at 32 Ω, $99iFi GO bar: 475 mW at 32 Ω, $249JCALLY AP20: 330 mW at 32 Ω, ~$91.88NiceHCK Octave: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $89Muse HiFi M3 Ultra: 480 mW at 32 Ω, $109.99FiiO JM21: 700 mW at 32 Ω, $259.99MOONDROP MOONRIVER350 mW100 mW200 mW500 mW1 W10 mW$100$200$300$500scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+19 dB to spareFiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99KA5FiiO KA15: 560 mW at 32 Ω, $99.99iBasso DC04PRO: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC04PROiBasso DC07PRO: 430 mW at 32 Ω, $199DC07PROiBasso DC-Elite: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $449DC-EliteQuestyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2:TI: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99FiiO KA3: 235 mW at 32 Ω, $95.94FiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99FiiO QX13: 900 mW at 32 Ω, $219.99iBasso DC06: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC06iBasso DC06PRO: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC06PROiBasso DC04 Ultra: 980 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso Nunchaku: 525 mW at 32 Ω, $299NunchakuShanling UA3: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $109UA3Shanling UA4: 227 mW at 32 Ω, $99iFi GO bar: 475 mW at 32 Ω, $249GO barJCALLY AP20: 330 mW at 32 Ω, ~$91.88NiceHCK Octave: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $89Muse HiFi M3 Ultra: 480 mW at 32 Ω, $109.99FiiO JM21: 700 mW at 32 Ω, $259.99MOONDROP MOONRIVER3
  • Nearby
  • Same DAC chip
  • Most IEMs, 3.2 mW

Devices with the same DAC chip

CS43198 · 16 devices use it
JCALLYJM98MAX≈195 mW0.65 ΩYes8 bandsSGM8262$34.99≈195 mW · 0.65 Ω · $34.99PEQ Yes, 8 bands · Amp SGM8262
MOONDROPWorks with ContourDAWN PRO 262 mWEstimated0.219 ΩMeasuredWorks with Contour8 bands$59.99est. 62 mW · 0.219 Ω · $59.99PEQ Yes, 8 bands
NiceHCKPureAural210 mWYes10 bandsSGM8262$59.99210 mW · $59.99PEQ Yes, 10 bands · Amp SGM8262
TRUTHEARSHIO$69.99$69.99
CrinEarWorks with ContourProtocol Max300 mWEstimated<0.3 ΩWorks with Contour10 bandsDual SG Micro SGM8262-2$76.49est. 300 mW · <0.3 Ω · $76.49PEQ Yes, 10 bands · Amp Dual SG Micro SGM8262-2
JCALLYGalaxy SONATA≈560 mW0.65 ΩDual SGM8262$79.99≈560 mW · 0.65 Ω · $79.99Amp Dual SGM8262
FiiOWorks with ContourKA15≥560 mW0.65 ΩMeasuredWorks with Contour10 bands$99.99≥560 mW · 0.65 Ω · $99.99PEQ Yes, 10 bands
iBassoDC04 Ultra980 mWYes10 bands$119980 mW · $119PEQ Yes, 10 bands
FiiOKA5≥265 mW<0.3 ΩNo8261 × 2$119.99≥265 mW · <0.3 Ω · $119.99PEQ No · Amp 8261 × 2
MOONDROPMOONRIVER 2:TI280 mW$219.99280 mW · $219.99
FiiOJM21≥700 mW<1 ΩSGM8262 x2$259.99≥700 mW · <1 Ω · $259.99Amp SGM8262 x2
iBassoNunchaku525 mW$299525 mW · $299

All 16 in the finder

Compared with

Manufacturers' stated figures; the price is today's lowest

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 vs FiiO QX13

FiiO QX13 is among the dongles in the catalog closest to MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 in price: at 32 Ω MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 is listed at est. 250 mW and FiiO QX13 at ≥900 mW; the lowest prices are $186.99 and $219.99, $33 apart.

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 vs FiiO QX13: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
MOONDROP MOONRIVER3FiiO QX13
Power at 32 Ωest. 250 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted, maximum undistorted output power, AES17:6.4≥900 mW4.4 mm balanced, high gain, desktop, supply: DC 5V >=1A listed for device; test supply not separately specified
Power at 16 Ω500 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted, maximum undistorted output power, AES17:6.4≥480 mW4.4 mm balanced, high gain, desktop, supply: DC 5V >=1A listed for device; test supply not separately specified
Power at 300 ΩNot stated≥125 mW4.4 mm balanced, high gain, desktop, supply: DC 5V >=1A listed for device; test supply not separately specified
Price today$186.99HiFiGo, 10 Nov$219.99HiFiGo, 16 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2ES9027SPRO
InputsUSB-CUSB-C
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
SizeNot statedAbout 64.2 × 30.7 × 13 mm
WeightNot statedAbout 39.2 g

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 price history · FiiO QX13 price history

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 vs MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI

MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI is among the dongles in the catalog closest to MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 in price: at 32 Ω MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 is listed at est. 250 mW and MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI at 280 mW; the lowest prices are $186.99 and $219.99, $33 apart.

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 vs MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
MOONDROP MOONRIVER3MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI
Power at 32 Ωest. 250 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted, maximum undistorted output power, AES17:6.4280 mW4.4 mm balanced
Power at 16 Ω500 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted, maximum undistorted output power, AES17:6.4Not stated
Power at 300 ΩNot stated53 mW4.4 mm balanced
Price today$186.99HiFiGo, 10 Nov$219.99Apos Audio, 31 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2CS43198 × 2
InputsUSB-CUSB-C
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
SizeNot stated57 × 19.6 × 13.4 mm
WeightNot stated30 g

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 price history · MOONDROP MOONRIVER 2 TI price history

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 vs AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt

AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt is among the dongles in the catalog closest to MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 in price: the lowest prices are $186.99 and $199.95, $12.96 apart.

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 vs AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
MOONDROP MOONRIVER3AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt
Power at 32 Ωest. 250 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted, maximum undistorted output power, AES17:6.4Not stated
Power at 16 Ω500 mW4.4 mm balanced, A-weighted, maximum undistorted output power, AES17:6.4Not stated
Price today$186.99HiFiGo, 10 Nov$199.95AudioQuest store, 20 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2ESS ES9038Q2M
InputsUSB-CUSB-A
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm
SizeNot statedheight: 12; width: 19; length: 57 mm

MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 price history

More like this

More portable DAC amps

Sources

Checked 14 Oct 2026
MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 specifications
moondroplab.com · the spec sheet
Used for output voltage, noise and distortion, outputs and the app
MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 product page
website-files.com · the spec image
Used for the app and parametric EQ
MOONDROP Link app page
moondroplab.com
Used for the app
MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 product page
website-files.com · the spec image
Used for the app
MOONDROP MOONRIVER3 product page
website-files.com · the spec image
Used for power