Louis opinions the MOONDROP MOONRIVER 3, a Third-gen twin CS43198 dongle DAC with built-in DSP and as much as 500mW of output energy. It’s at present priced at $219.00.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank MOONDROP and Shenzhen Audio for his or her help.
Click on right here to learn extra in regards to the MOONDROP merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
MOONDROP MOONRIVER 3 Evaluation
Abstract
The flagship MOONDROP MOONRIVER 3 dongle DAC has a bullet-proof horny design that’s vitality environment friendly, and throws in a wide-sounding, dynamic, and detailed sound signature.
Professionals
DSP options add worth.
Very low noise flooring and versatile drivability.
Straightforward on battery life.
Cons
No achieve management will appear awkward to some.
A bit hefty in weight in comparison with the earlier model.
MOONDROP not too long ago launched its third-generation MOONRIVER 3 dongle, and I can inform on the floor that they’ve been laborious at work to make this a aggressive dongle in what has grow to be a saturated audio class.
In previous opinions, I coated the MOONRIVER 2 and the MOONRIVER 2: TI. I wasn’t that impressed with the MOONRIVER 2, to be trustworthy, and I believe what did it was the unorthodox physique type it employed.
The MOONRIVER 2: TI not solely sounded higher, however the physique type employed a pleasing boutique aesthetic and a high quality construct with apparent refinements in design.
The MOONRIVER 2: TI turned out to be considered one of my favourite dongles on the time, taking a spot in my prime 5 dongle listing.
The MOONRIVER 3 has one thing that caught my eye as I used to be studying up on it, and that’s the button labeled DSP. That’s one thing that turns this into an fascinating product launch.
Let’s see the way it performs and stacks up in opposition to its predecessor, plus the present competitors, such because the Shanling UA7 and FiiO’s QX13, in my full assessment beneath.
Options
The most important modifications that passed off inside the MOONRIVER 3 didn’t happen with the DAC part, though some further tweaks had been integrated inside this mannequin. It employs the identical twin CS43198 used on the MOONRIVER 2: TI.
This configuration permits the MOONRIVER 3 to run PCM audio codecs of as much as 32-bit/384kHz bit charges, and DSD information at as much as the DSD256 stage of the actual format. No different codecs are declared as working.
One main change that passed off is that on this mannequin, MOONDROP integrated an app that allows you to change the general tonality by way of a classy equalizer, with the power to retailer settings and an added means to share saved curves with others, and even load some from a big consumer financial institution.
Not solely does MOONDROP have an app for the MOONRIVER 3, however additionally they created an internet web page interface that interacts with the dongle in some ways.
I actually just like the Monriver interface as a result of it appears extra highly effective on the subject of sonic tweak capabilities and customization, plus the community-based preset financial institution is killer. It additionally has the facility to drive many headphones because it’s rated at 4V 500mW max on the balanced faucet.
I admit, I like coloration when it’s accomplished proper. The MOONDROP MOONRIVER 3 is without doubt one of the few dongles that let you customise what I name the tip product with a view to acquire a sound signature that pleases the consumer.
The sound-shaping options can be utilized in a corrective method as properly, and never only for enjoyable.
Design
One of many main modifications that passed off on the MOONRIVER 3 is that this time the dongle is provided with a multi-function rotary quantity management that provides the tip consumer a positive 100-step adjustment function, and a push-to-activate function.
To be trustworthy, I’m nonetheless keen on the MOONRIVER 2: TI’s physique type, and though it was a fingerprint magnet, the general design was extra inventive to me. The MOONRIVER 3 is mechanistic, however the extra I have a look at it, the extra I prefer it.
This time, as a substitute of titanium, MOONRIVER used precision-milled stainless-steel for the primary chassis together with a chrome steel, knurled, encased, sideways-mounted quantity knob. Even the DSP toggle swap seems to be product of stainless-steel.
The bottom sports activities a see-through tempered glass that shows some MOONRIVER 3 Waifu art work whereas concurrently permitting you to view a lot of the inside parts. I say most as a result of a few of the circuitry is roofed by the art work itself.
I/O
The MOONRIVER 3 does have some fascinating IO options. MOONDROP integrated two USB-C ports onboard, however the implementation doesn’t give us a turbo function; it’s one thing else.
All this function does is provide the end-user with a PD protocol charging port that helps as much as 60 watts of charging energy when you have the MOONRIVER 3 linked to your cellular system.
The function has one enormous caveat: you should use the provided cable for it to work between your cellular system and the MOONRIVER 3.
I assumed I used to be going to be slick and be the primary to report that you should use your personal cables with this function, however nothing occurred with my present cables. It was a no-go.
This function additionally varies in energy output by {hardware}, and also you solely get 25 watts of charging energy when utilizing an iPhone, and 30 watts max on an Android telephone.
It’s an underwhelming function, to be trustworthy right here, and I’d moderately have a turbo function, or not less than for it to not be depending on a selected cable to operate correctly.
Apart from that, the remainder of the IO is commonplace fare. Two headphone faucets consisting of a 4.4mm balanced connection alongside a 3.5mm single-ended faucet.
I do suggest that dongle makers begin making dongles with a TRRS 3.5mm that’s able to managing a headset microphone. Please?
DSP Mode
I’m a sucker for options like this. After I discovered what that DSP button on the MOONDROP MOONRIVER 3 led to, I virtually popped a fuse.
Once more, I like shade, particularly well-done shade, as a result of I’m partially bored of listening to neutrality on a regular basis. It makes music really feel like work.
The downloadable app is simply known as MOONDROP. However additionally they give us an internet interface that lets you choose saved EQ curves from an official sound presets listing, or configs from different customers, however you additionally get a piece that allows you to make your personal.
The DSP button ties it collectively in that after you load an EQ profile, both an official variant, from both the user-based financial institution or from your personal, to activate it, you merely put the dongle in DSP mode. With it off, it defaults to the impartial manufacturing facility setting.
The equalizer that’s inside the internet interface is a fancy one which makes use of ten bands and parametric changes that, after getting set good, you’ll be able to then retailer the EQ curve inside the internet interface or domestically, and it even enables you to share it with different MOONRIVER 3 customers.
A number of purists won’t agree with me, however this function is a game-changer.
Consider all of the curves you’ll be able to create and retailer. Some you’ll be able to create only for enjoyable, however you too can apply corrective measures to any headphone or IEM in your assortment.
Should you’re feeling quiescent, you’ll be able to all the time search for and use one other consumer’s curve for a similar headphone.
MOONDROP App
The MOONDROP app is simply as advanced as the net interface, or much more so. The principle options are damaged down into 5 sections, plus a sophisticated mode that lets you entry the advanced equalizer to create profiles that may be saved and used in a while.
The sections are known as official, which is the place you’ll discover all of the official MOONDROP EQ curves, featured profiles, favorites, downloaded, and mine, which is the place those you create are saved. All these options are underneath the net interactive DSP part.
The firmware improve function is upfront once you open the app, together with one other function known as STI, or private sound preferences, which is one other location to retailer EQ curves.
What I did discover was that there was no achieve management, or maybe my eyes didn’t see one. It’s one of many solely dongles on the market that doesn’t have a minimal of two achieve settings, nevertheless it appears to do properly with out one.
Packaging & Equipment
I did have a small snafu with the MOONDROP MOONRIVER 3 packaging, nevertheless it was finally resolved. The dongle comes wrapped in a transparent tape that I’m guessing was used to guard the end of the dongle, which is powerful to explain it in a single phrase.
The tape left some marks on the steel end, however the marks had been gone after rubbing the dongle with some alcohol, and afterwards, a great microcloth buff.
I discovered the included USB-C cable to be distinctive, and I heard it was made by ddHiFi, so it’s no surprise the cable has quirky sq. connectors. ddHiFi tends to suppose exterior the field typically.
The field dimension is beneficiant, and the contents are safely positioned inside. After all, the field is adorned with some Waifu art work, typical of MOONDROP.
Sound Impressions
One of many headphones I selected to make use of with the MOONDROP Monriver 3 is the HIFIMAN Sundara due to its reputation, medium effectivity stage, and its acquainted sonic signature. I additionally used the HEDD Audio HEDDphone D1 and the HIFIMAN Version XV.
To check the MOONRIVER 3 with IEMs, I used the HIFIMAN Svanar, the FiiO FX17, and the Flare Audio Flare Studio to check for residual noise and hiss, and with the DSP mode off. The supply used was my each day driver, a Motorola Edge, and my customized Home windows 11 Professional PC.
Abstract
The MOONDROP MOONRIVER 3 presents the sound to the listener as impartial, dynamic, and with superb decision. It produces textures and element that dongles of yesteryear had been incapable of.
Its clear character produces a darkish background with no hiss current, even when utilizing a unclean USB output with no inline filters. I’m guessing the impartial energy enter is partially chargeable for such a low noise flooring on the output facet.
I used a number of IEMs, and the darkish, silent background was persistent despite the fact that the MOONRIVER 3 doesn’t have a achieve management, nevertheless it appears to just do positive with out one.
I do detect a vibrant facet to the sonic signature, which boosts element, for the reason that Monriver 3 produces a number of it and is maybe one of many dongles that I’ve heard that’s able to producing such excessive ranges of element. I name it a pointy focus signature with an absence of coloration.
There’s additionally a presence facet within the decrease area that makes the bass sound moderately full and poised, which by no means loses composure, or does it grow to be boomy?
Nonetheless, the midrange and bass response maintains good steadiness with the excessive frequencies, and no space of the frequency graph appears missing or emphasised. It’s extra of a reference tune than something.
Bass is produced robustly with a number of physique and sufficient vitality to flourish with most headphones. The midrange is a impartial enterprise in that it’s produced with a sensible tone above all else. The highs are clear and crisp.
The mids have a selected character in that they’re produced expansively with none loss in focus or accuracy as a consequence. What else can I say? Is it a well-composed dongle?
Staging & Dynamics
I’ve to confess that if I needed to suggest a dongle to an audiophile who’s on the lookout for a large, tall-sounding, and generally rear-projecting succesful one, the MOONRIVER 3 will match that invoice properly.
After I first heard the MOONRIVER 3, the tall, huge soundstage was the very first thing I observed. Now and again, it felt like a wrap-around sonic scape that was additionally able to correct microstaging.
The MONDROP MOONRIVER 3 produces what I contemplate a soundstage that doesn’t restrain itself to the confines of your head, and initiatives quite a lot of depth, top, together with a capability to circle the listener.
The MOONDROP MOONRIVER 3 is a technically succesful dongle that reveals this style of audio gear is enhancing, not solely in energy supply and elevated dynamics, however within the general precision in its soundstage and huge panoramic sonic image creation functionality.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my advisable pairings and chosen comparisons.
