James critiques the SMSL X MOONDROP DHA15, a collaborative twin CS43198 DAC and seven.5W-capable headphone amplifier with interactive DSP. It’s at the moment priced at $649.99.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or partnerships. Thanks to Shenzhen Audio, MOONDROP, and SMSL for his or her help.
Click on right here to be taught extra concerning the SMSL and MOONDROP merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring tips, which yow will discover in additional element right here.
SMSL X MOONDROP DHA15 Evaluate
Abstract
If you’re on the lookout for a smooth desktop amplifier, or when you simply acquired the MOONDROP Skyland or different planars and need a powerhouse amp that delivers excessive readability, uncooked authority, and headroom, whereas nonetheless permitting future upgrades to be paired with a stronger DAC, the DHA15 is nicely price a attempt.
Execs
Glorious output energy.
Smooth design.
Straightforward-to-use DSP UI.
Cons
Restricted decoding energy.
DSP options favor primarily MOONDROP merchandise.
No Optical/COAX enter help.
The DHA15 is a collaborative desktop DAC and headphone Amplifier from SMSL and MOONDROP priced at $650 USD.
The intention right here is evident: the DHA15 is a robust Class A amplifier and decoder with low output impedance, and {hardware} PMEQ options for its USB enter. It additionally has a library of presets to change between throughout use.
That is precisely what MOONDROP headphones and lots of planars have to sound extra partaking, and it gives extra interactive options than what SMSL sometimes gives in comparable merchandise.
The decoding resolution makes use of twin CS43198 DACs, which is a fairly customary but mature alternative that gives an honest basis for noise and distortion management earlier than the amping stage.
I’ll assess the way it pairs with numerous MOONDROP headphones and different manufacturers, in addition to its general decoding efficiency in comparison with the FiiO K17 and the Luxsin X8 in my full assessment under.
Options
Amplification
The DHA15 is among the sleekest Class A amplifiers within the present market, to not point out it packs in decoders and DSP options.
It includes a discrete Class A circuit, able to outputting 15W per channel on a 16Ω load and 1000mW on a 300Ω load, which suggests there may be loads of energy for nearly each headphone.
The output impedance is near zero as claimed by SMSL, and each SNR and dynamic vary rating 131dB, with wonderful THD+N efficiency as nicely, just about going past human listening to threshold.
In case you hint again to different SMSL merchandise, it’s possible you’ll discover the facility score being fairly just like SMSL’s H400, however the DHA15 appears to supply extra worth with much more options packed in.
The DHA15 works as a pure amplifier. You possibly can hook it up with XLR/RCA cables to a different transport. Word that the DSP options apply solely to the digital enter, because the DSP chip is positioned completely upstream of the decoder chipset.
{Hardware} PMEQ
Powered by the proprietary USB controller chipset MOONDROP UA01, these are what make the DHA15 highly effective and versatile.
You possibly can simply modify the tuning by way of a graphical UI utilizing both the cell app or by an online browser interface, to use numerous curve presets or use customized profiles shared by different members of the neighborhood. And naturally, you can too apply your individual PMEQ with adjustable Q values.
You too can choose your individual headphone’s curve within the database and attempt to mimic the curve of one other headphone by deciding on the opposite headphone’s curve, such because the HD 800. The impact is audible and extra than simply enjoyable.
DAC
The Cirrus Logic decoding resolution is sort of customary and passable for the worth, supporting native DSD256 decoding alongside 32-bit/384kHz PCM playback.
One fascinating commentary is the whole omission of different digital inputs, and the shortage of Bluetooth receiving functionality. That is possible as a result of dimension and price constraints, or just because the gadget is strictly focused at PC customers who will place the DHA15 on a desktop.
It feels virtually like a pure amplifier that was modded to incorporate USB decoding just like these on a dongle, and with DSP capabilities.
The design is focusing closely on its amplification efficiency moderately than a sprawling characteristic set on connectivity, however it could be nicer if the DSP additionally applies to analogue enter.
Design
It is a superbly machined gadget, and the images don’t do it justice. I’m fairly shocked that the construct and design really impress me, because the DHA15 feels very smooth but stable at over 2kg.
All the metallic physique is brushed, which is sort of unusual and feels moderately premium, and the general meeting feels very rugged and dense, but clean to the contact.
The colour scheme gives wonderful distinction, and all of the screws are hidden on the again panel, which retains the design clear.
Since it is a collaboration product with MOONDROP, we even have the mascot lasered onto the entrance glass panel, and collaborative signatures on the higher facet. It’s fairly refined and looks like a pleasant contact that decorates the metallic design.
I/O
As talked about above, the DHA15 focuses extra on the amplification operate and options each XLR and RCA inputs.
It additionally works as a pre-amp, offering RCA and XLR outputs as nicely. Other than that, it features a grounding swap and a USB-C jack for decoding.
Once more, it looks like we’re lacking streaming capabilities and COAX/Optical inputs. Nonetheless, if you don’t use these options and primarily hear from a PC or one other USB supply, such because the Eversolo DMP A6 that doesn’t have a headphone out however helps USB output, this design is extra cost- and space-efficient.
This enables the gadget to focus completely on what it does finest, so this may occasionally not essentially be a caveat.
Controls
You need to use the multi-function knob to regulate most options. When not pressed, it serves as a 99-step quantity management, which is finely stepped for delicate IEMs to work nicely and not using a massive leap in quantity every step.
When short-pressed, it cycles by completely different enter sources and chooses between headphone output and preamp. You too can modify the achieve, the backlit LED dimmer, and the habits of the amount to be softer or extra responsive.
Other than the intuitive single-knob management, one can find a distant within the package deal. I like how they inserted a mute button on it so you may immediately flip off the music when you have to communicate to somebody round.
For quantity management, the entrance knob has an digital relay, and even at low quantity, the L/R channels are nonetheless balanced, which permits it to work higher with very delicate gear.
Packaging & Equipment
Waifu cowl packaging is customary for MOONDROP merchandise, and inside we’ll discover a energy wire, the distant, a USB-C cable that feels fairly sturdy, and consumer manuals.
There may be adequate safety for the package deal, and also you in all probability don’t want the menu to determine the controls, however for the graphical interface, it’s simpler to observe directions within the handbook.
The DHA15 can be pre-installed with rubber legs so that you don’t want to fret about this block of metallic scratching the tabletop.
Software program
Issues get a lot simpler once you don’t want to regulate the Parametric EQ on a tiny display screen. When there are many presets to select from, it’s not very sensible except you already know precisely what flaws you have to repair. To hook as much as a PC, you will have a USB-C cable.
MOONDROP’s software program interface permits changes to be made by way of an online browser or cell app.
It shows a dwell frequency response curve which you could manipulate. This lets you choose goal curves and apply them with only a single click on. That’s the reason they name it one-click-auto-EQ.
The very best half is which you could choose your present headphone’s curve and apply one other headphone’s curve on it.
The net UI can robotically calculate the optimized compensation for this to occur. My unit has the profile names in Chinese language, so I hope they may add English labels sooner or later.
Sound Impressions
I gave the SMSL X MOONDROP DHA15 per week of burn-in, pushing it to the bounds with the MOONDROP COSMO, Skyland, the Sennheiser HD 800S, and different widespread selections of headphones, whereas additionally testing it towards different amplifiers such because the FiiO K17 and Luxsin X8.
Abstract
Regardless of its small dimension, the DHA15 delivers spectacular energy, far more than it seems to be. It offers clear, impactful driving energy over its Class A circuitry.
The bottom tuning is sort of dynamic, but it’d nonetheless really feel a bit impartial and missing coloration within the mids.
Nonetheless, by making use of DSP profiles, it does sound extra vivid and meaty, catching up with the higher vocal penetration energy to ship a extra practical and intimate presentation.
With out DSP utilized, the inventory setting feels fairly balanced and impartial in tone when listening with MOONDROP planar headphones. That additionally makes it a superb place to begin for pairing with different decoders on analogue enter.
The 6.3mm output feels much less highly effective, whereas the balanced output delivers firmer, extra textured bass that enhances dynamics.
On a enjoyable notice, the bottom achieve stage is nicely attenuated, so delicate IEMs just like the HiBy Zeta II additionally sound fairly dynamic, articulated, and really quiet within the background.
Timbre
Out of the field, the DHA15 delivers a clear, impartial, and clear signature with respectable extension at each ends of the spectrum. The higher registers are highly effective but well-controlled and non-piercing.
Whereas this inventory presentation is impartial, making use of PMEQ, particularly by pushing up the mid-bass, helps improve dynamics and engagement by suppressing uncooked spikes and enhancing general tonal stability.
On USB decoding, the bass presentation is quick, adequately textured, and agency, although it sits marginally shy of optimum impartial weight.
It really works properly with bassier gears and never a lot for gears with an analytical tuning fashion, as a slight low-end increase gives a extra cohesive general stability.
For the midrange, higher vocals and cymbals have a gradual roll-off that preserves staging air whereas holding harshness in verify.
Excessive-pitched feminine vocalists and common pop tracks sound articulate. Nonetheless, authoritative voices profit from a slight increase within the elementary frequencies, and a quicker vocal roll-off mixed with elevated mid-lows would yield a rounder, extra balanced vocal physique.
Amplification energy is a serious energy with the DHA15. The potent present provide of the Class A output can sufficiently energy demanding planar headphones to ship stable bass punch and a clean higher finish.
This jogs my memory of basic gear just like the Luxman P1, however delivering a sharper focus, a darker background, and intuitive DSP capabilities.
With an exterior DAC, there may be clearly extra potential to unlock. Connected with the FiiO R9 and RME ADI-2 Professional, I get a deeper, extra intricately layered low finish with a stronger sense of density, energy, and depth.
The SMSL D1 with ROHM decoders introduces a smoother, low-end-leaning and extra mellow presentation. Throughout all setups, using balanced inputs and outputs yields sharper picture outlines and superior readability over customary RCA connections, working higher for instrumentals.
Staging & Dynamics
The output delivers numerous energy and good air, benefiting the stage and sounding extra expansive.
The Class A structure and achieve design permit the DHA15 to sound dynamic and layered even on the lowest achieve stage. Nonetheless, you would possibly discover the upper achieve ranges sound meatier with stronger openness, uncooked energy supply, and sharper transients.
With the built-in DAC, the stage is reasonably huge and properly outlined. The vocal has good separation energy and sounds fairly naturally delivered, particularly for lighter, higher-pitched voices, whereas darker voices could seem extra laid-back.
The bass is barely flat in its inventory tuning, particularly on the lowest achieve stage. Nonetheless, after pumping it up with equalizers, the depth feels enhanced.
Typically, there may be passable separation between the vocalist and the backing tracks. The vocalist is at all times positioned very intimately in entrance and has a sharper picture once you swap to a stronger exterior DAC.
The built-in DAC is doing positive, particularly after PMEQ, and with only a few clicks you may apply completely different profiles to make the output extra partaking, which works nicely for informal listening periods.
When you’ve got a stronger DAC, there may be clearly good room for future upgrades on the decoding facet, which might make very audible variations.
For instance, hooking up the RME ADI-2 PRO with the DHA15 permits them to enrich one another superbly. This synergy yields higher bass density and a extra highly effective, cleaner bass assault than the unique outputs from both standalone gadget.
Moreover, the decision and transients are extra clearly introduced, with the vocal picture changing into extra clearly centered, stereophonic, and distinctly separated from the combo.
Click on on web page 2 under for my really useful pairings and chosen comparisons.
