Power supply can be upgraded with Ifi 5v supply plugged into idefender at usb outlet. OP amp inside unit is also easy to swap with a Burson audio or any other of your choosing. Awesome DAC with these upgrades.
Thanks for this review. You and Darko Audio have a lot of praise for the Topping D10S. For those of us with a specific need to connect a computer to active speakers via toslink, this is the perfect device. It gets its power from USB. I will use it with a Windows laptop, but I think this will work with Chromebooks as well.
When I see a DAC with bluetooth, I don't consider that to be an added quality. The metal case protects the circuit from external noise entering. It baffles me why anyone would want an antenna on their DAC to feed high frequency noise into the case.
A compliment, and then a question: I've seen a lot of reviews for this piece and nobody else has really pointed out that there's no independent power socket. So here's my question: Isn't it a huge pain in the butt to get a windows-10 PC to recognize that it doesn't have to just send USB-Audio2 down the line, but power as well?
Can I use a topping dac connecting it via rca to my active speakers and tv via optical link so that the sound bypasses the internal dac from the speakers?
If I watch 5.1 movie on laptop, use this TOPPING sound card with optical SPDIF to the Denon amplifier, what will happen with the channels? Will Denon get all 5.1 channel?
@iiWi Reviews I have seen that you own both the Schiit Modi Multibit dac and the Topping D10s dac. There is talk that the Modi Multibit's USB implementation is not up to current standards. Can you try using the D10s digital coaxial output to the Multibit input and see if there is a sound quality improvement over the Multibit USB alone? I have the Multibit and am considering getting the D10s just for this, plus it would be cool to have another dac... Thanks!
You can likely hear the difference between the poor existing internal PC DAC in most computer’s headphone out but can you really hear the minimal distortion difference from other well performing external DACs such as the E30 or the Schiit Modi 3+? But I appreciate the video review anyway.
tried it as a spdif link? I have a DIY USB cable that works well it separates VCC from the signal wires to a wall wart so the separate power supply is not an issue.
Good review, but I disagree on the power supply. Laptops, tablets and smartphones without a doubt, but a PC that has a decent power supply is certainly better than any wall power supply because it is stabilized.
thanks for the review! as usual, very clear and useful. I'm looking for a basic, but good as possible sound quality iem dac amp, around a 90-150$. Is there a clear just one candidate? or maybe you'd rec 2 or 3 options depending on details? Your recent review of the FX Audio X6 MKII quite convinced me, specially for the price-quality relation, but maybe I can increase my budget if it's really worhty. Thanks in advance!
Hi. I somehow skipped that info but X6 MKII is not a good choice for IEMs as it has low output impedance and produces background hiss with sensitive IEMs. In that price range, Zen DAC comes to mind, it's good for IEMs and not demanding cans in general. If you can stretch just a bit to Fiio K5 pro, that one is an all rounder that drives anything from sensitive IEMs to big power hungry cans. Also, if you are able to use balanced cables with your earphones, take a look at E1DA Power DAC V2. It's a bit quirky to use but trumps everything I've heard up to $200 in terms of sound quality (costs just $65). Full review coming next week.
@@iiWiReviews thanks so much. I'mlooking for desktop option becuse of the conectivity, so the E1DA is not ideal for me. However, the zen dac and the fiio are too close to my budget limit. No good option that could be interesting inbetween the 70$ X6 MKII and these two more exprensive devices? too bad the FX audio is not a good choice for IEM :((((( because it gets all that I need. I just wanted to check if raising a little my budget I could upgrade the my really basic set up starting from such a good deal... I'm just begining in this hobby, so my iem are right now not really demanding and maybe I'll keep the FX Audio in mind... sorry for the noob doubts!
Fantastic Review, Can you please help to compare the E30 vs the Khadas Tone board considering Sonic differences and soundstage, layering and details being of primary importance.
E30 has more details and wider soundstage. It also sounds more analytical overall. Khadas has narrower soundstage but denser midrange. I'll have a review of SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII next weekend, I believe people that like Khadas would prefer it to E30.
Hey man, great vid! I notice at the end of the video you mention that you're using the ifi ipower 5v with the E30. Do you know if the 5v Ipower can be used with the Topping D50s as well. I noticed that the Ipower is 5v/2.5A and the D50s is 5v/1A so would the ampage be too much? Thanks
Hi, yes it can. Voltage has to be exact. Ampers are like reserve of power and each DAC takes only the amount it needs... There's only required minimum but no upper limit.
Hi! Nice review. Two questions. A "yes" or "no" would be enough if you please. :) 1 - Does this D10s sounds better than a DAC on the Sony MDS-JB920 minidisc? I have my PC connected to the amplifier, and the MD has a DAC "mode". So the sound goes through the MD DAC. 2 - With the digital output in the D10s, can you record a minidisc (via digital / optical) to a MINIDISC deck? Example: Spotify directly to a MD via optical connection. Thanks and keep on with the good work!
Hi, for the first one, I believe I heard that MD used as a DAC once several years ago. However, I never came close to directly comparing it to any modern DAC. So I'll make an educated guess that D10s is a better sounding, I really believe that to be the case but have no true comparison to back it up. For the second one, if MD accepts digital signal and allows you to record it, I see no reason why D10s to MD via digital output wouldn't work.
Have u tried to use it like transfer ? usb input and output it via optical or coaxial ? does it sound good like that ? i mean...no sound degradation,please check that
I would love your opnion/review on a cheap AmazonBasics Digital Audio Coaxial Cable. have a number of co-axial cables. From £7 Amazon basics ( which actually is the best at the moment) to £20 Fisual pro shielded cable . I use a Hecate LT to Prebox S2 Digital Dac. with Ifi linear power supply. I have noticed a sound quality difference between the cables.
I'll just say that in my experience cables do matter and I use some decent locally made cables in my own system (very easy to reliably tell them apart from generic free cables in a blind test). However, I'm not going to review any of it as most people really hate cable talks and I just don't want to poke that nest right now.
I see on your table the FX audio as well. I am debating between the two. Which one do you recommend for connecting my iPhone to my hifi system to play Apple Music high res lossless audio?
@@iiWiReviews Thank you. Very helpful. And yes I just need a DAC to connect my iPhone to, and connect my DAC to my amp. Trying to listen to lossless audio on my floor standing speakers
I haven't compared them directly but going trough other devices I'd say D10s has some more details and soundstage space. But I don't think it's that big of a difference.
D10s and E30 sound too similar and over the microphone recording basically indistinguishable... So any difference heard on E30 vs Multibit would be exactly the same with D10s.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you for the reply. I was connecting my laptop to my Denon AVR-1909 (I know not the best, but what I have laying around for computer use) via HDMI, but with recent changes I had to undo that configuration forcing me now to use the 3.5mm headphone jack out of the back of the computer monitor. I noticed an immediate decrease in sound quality forcing me to use DynamicEQ and other features of the AVR to compensate. I'm hoping a better external DAC will solve my issue, bring back sound quality equal to the HDMI port I was using.
@@iiWiReviews Please excuse me if this sounds trivial because I'm no expert. But is software sound control bad? Thanks for responding so quickly. Also I have some confusion, I've been asking around and I'll write the same here too, in case you can help. I'm currently using a pair of Qacoustics 3020i passive speakers with Yamaha WXA-50 streaming amplifier being fed from a Mac Mini M1 via 3.5mm to rca cable (I bought these 6months ago and in Indian market these were the only budget options available then). I've recently started to hear static noise on the speakers late at night (not sure if the noise was always there) and found out that it's because of the amp(tried other speakers as well, same result). Interestingly this noise is present when Aux-INPUT is selected on amp, and on bluetooth input the noise is almost reduced to nothing, and on optical the noise is nonexistent. I asked around various forums but nobody could help me so far. I can't afford another expensive amp now. I've decided to get a D10S to use the usb to optical conversion & send it's Toslink output to the yamaha amp. Would you say this is a good decision in my current scenario? Also what should I expect in terms of SQ, better, worse, same?
Software control is usually inferior to a hardware one, also if any glitch and pop in the signal happens after the software control (on cable connection, when DAC turns on and off) that will not be attenuated... So pops and clicks would be very loud. About your Yamaha, I never listened to it personally but heard only good things about it. I don't think you would gain much, if anything, by adding this DAC. Slight static noise is very common with most amps. It should be observable only when you're very close to the speaker but not from one meter... If it's louder than that, you might have some noise issues coming from your analog cable. Cables are also antennas and easily collect EMI noise from the ether. Also, your source connected to that input can be noisy (PCs for example produce noisy signals).
@@iiWiReviews Yes, I can hear the noise which is very subtle, late at night when my surroundings are absolutely quiet. And to demonstrate the noise to others, any time of the day, I have to tell them to put their ears close to the speakers. I am on a desk setup, so I sit like 80cm away from the speakers on both side of my monitor. And from 1 meter distance the noise is indeed almost not noticeable but I typically don't sit that far away from my computer screen. I hope the D10s servers as a good enough bridge device, because the yamaha has a dac and I want to believe it's an improvement over my mac mini's dac.
@@iiWiReviews cant i just plug in headphone into that RCA or Coax out with a 3.5mm to RCA/Coax converter cable? i see those things are sold online and my headphone have single 3.5mm detachable female plug.
Right? But seriously... You use it to feed an amplifier, or to roll op amps until you either go broke, or you find your preferred sound signature. There are also 2, or maybe 3 people by now who use it as a USB passthrough to either other equipment that only accepts optical or coaxial input, or as a means of electrical isolation like a humbucker in an analog circuit.
@@JeradBenge Yeah, I just saw it from the front! I bought the FX-Audio DAC-X6 MKII from a old LeafAudio DSD Headphone Amp (I have it running under Linux) It is driverless under Linux too - in Windows it requires a driver to function at all!
@@Khyree_Holmes You had me at DAC-X6 MKII. I snagged one of those on release, and it was a great piece of gear. Gave it to a friend who really needs headphones in his life. I demoed them to him using my ThinkPad, which is running Manjaro.
@@Khyree_Holmes Nice. I still use the Cinnamon desktop environment from Mint. It's well done. Warpinator will come in handy for keeping media libraries synced as well.
@@iiWiReviews thanks for the answer I am running 660S with aune x7s at the moment and waiting for little dot MK2 with better tubes replacement, I will actually go for this unit it will not ruin my bank and I can keep my current one as a backup, also I was considering to run different DAC maybe E30 on optical cable from my computer, does USB compared to optical make a huge difference?
It was a long time since I had D10s with me and I never compared it to DH80s directly so this is a tough question. However, going by my memory and some DAC references, I would say that DH80s is a better sounding DAC with fuller tonality and more dynamic sound.
That's a very close call, Hidizs is for sure a warmer and fuller sounding one, and D50s is more analytical. I would personally go with Hidizs probably.
It would be a close call but - Zen has warmer and more laid back presentation, D10s firmer bass notes and more present vocals, probably a bit more dynamics. I believe it would come more to personal preference in this case.
Too close, there's no way to record such small differences. Tried and failed with similar demos several times... So only the ones that are really, really different are possible.
@@iiWiReviews Why does anyone want an optical output from a DAC ? With an optical output you must connect to another DAC, or a component containing a DAC, in order to hear the sound.
Only case it make sense to my mind is if someone is having a really good DAC (better than D10s) but without a USB input (some older model)... So D10 is used to add a USB connectivity to that one. I still think 99% percent of buyers would prefer more digital inputs, and personally I would always go for E30 or SMSL M100 MKII just because they have three digital inputs. But to each their own.
"My favourite Ninja Turtle is Michelangelo..."
You sir are awesome. Thank you again for another stellar review!
Power supply can be upgraded with Ifi 5v supply plugged into idefender at usb outlet. OP amp inside unit is also easy to swap with a Burson audio or any other of your choosing. Awesome DAC with these upgrades.
Didn't know about the OP amp upgrade. Have you upgraded? Where to find the upgrade chip and how do you like it? Thanks.
Really appreciate your no nonsense review and comparison, you answered most of my questions about D10s vs E30. Thank you very much, sir!
Just received a D10s that replaced an original Schiit Modi. Incredible difference ! Thanks for the review that made my decision easier.
Thanks for this review. You and Darko Audio have a lot of praise for the Topping D10S. For those of us with a specific need to connect a computer to active speakers via toslink, this is the perfect device. It gets its power from USB. I will use it with a Windows laptop, but I think this will work with Chromebooks as well.
I like your relaxed, calm voice.
not relaxed at all lmfao
@@loucipher7782 what are you smoking? There is nothing more relaxing than his voice.
When I see a DAC with bluetooth, I don't consider that to be an added quality. The metal case protects the circuit from external noise entering. It baffles me why anyone would want an antenna on their DAC to feed high frequency noise into the case.
A compliment, and then a question: I've seen a lot of reviews for this piece and nobody else has really pointed out that there's no independent power socket. So here's my question: Isn't it a huge pain in the butt to get a windows-10 PC to recognize that it doesn't have to just send USB-Audio2 down the line, but power as well?
good explanation ... you can reduce noise also for usb ... with USB LOW NOISE POWER SUPPLY for example AQVOX
Which is not available, will not be sold anymore, will not be manufactured again.
There are/were linear USB power supplies. Aqvox used to make one, although apparently they stopped. But perhaps there are others as well.
But you can connect it to a raspberry pi which in turn can be connected to a linear power supply such as ifi I power.
Love to see a comparision between d50s and d10s
good review... I have both on my desk....... almost like D10S just because I don't want to play with filters. Still choosing..
So what you choose?
You can also use a power supply witd d10s by using an ifi idefender (or similar)
D10s can do " op amp rolling " try it with lid off and a Sparkos SS3602 dual discrete :)
for the price of E30 + iFi iPower I rather just but Aune X8 with much more great internal, sound and quality. Otherwise just pick D10s
Please do a sound comparison between D10s and sanskrit 10 mk2
Could you use a cheaper power supply for E30? That you Said Is too expensive
thanks for the review :)
Really great review, thanks :-)
Was waiting for this 👍🏻
Can I use a topping dac connecting it via rca to my active speakers and tv via optical link so that the sound bypasses the internal dac from the speakers?
If I watch 5.1 movie on laptop, use this TOPPING sound card with optical SPDIF to the Denon amplifier, what will happen with the channels? Will Denon get all 5.1 channel?
I love your accent
@iiWi Reviews I have seen that you own both the Schiit Modi Multibit dac and the Topping D10s dac. There is talk that the Modi Multibit's USB implementation is not up to current standards. Can you try using the D10s digital coaxial output to the Multibit input and see if there is a sound quality improvement over the Multibit USB alone? I have the Multibit and am considering getting the D10s just for this, plus it would be cool to have another dac... Thanks!
You can likely hear the difference between the poor existing internal PC DAC in most computer’s headphone out but can you really hear the minimal distortion difference from other well performing external DACs such as the E30 or the Schiit Modi 3+? But I appreciate the video review anyway.
tried it as a spdif link? I have a DIY USB cable that works well it separates VCC from the signal wires to a wall wart so the separate power supply is not an issue.
Поздрав Србољубе, да ли вреди комбинација Topping d10 balanced и Topping L50 у односу на E30II и L30II разлика је 30-так евра?
Pozdrav, po meni su bolji E30II i L30II.
Hallo, do you think the D10s or the E30 is an improvement of the internal dac from my Musical Fidelity m5si?
Good review, but I disagree on the power supply. Laptops, tablets and smartphones without a doubt, but a PC that has a decent power supply is certainly better than any wall power supply because it is stabilized.
Is there any difference using it as a digital to digital converter? For ex using from pi4 to this then to Topping E50 vs from Pi 4 to E50 directly?
Hi need suggestions I already have D10 DAC is upgrading to D10s worthed? And is the audio quality difference from D10 to D10s noticable?
thanks for the review! as usual, very clear and useful. I'm looking for a basic, but good as possible sound quality iem dac amp, around a 90-150$. Is there a clear just one candidate? or maybe you'd rec 2 or 3 options depending on details?
Your recent review of the FX Audio X6 MKII quite convinced me, specially for the price-quality relation, but maybe I can increase my budget if it's really worhty. Thanks in advance!
Hi. I somehow skipped that info but X6 MKII is not a good choice for IEMs as it has low output impedance and produces background hiss with sensitive IEMs. In that price range, Zen DAC comes to mind, it's good for IEMs and not demanding cans in general. If you can stretch just a bit to Fiio K5 pro, that one is an all rounder that drives anything from sensitive IEMs to big power hungry cans.
Also, if you are able to use balanced cables with your earphones, take a look at E1DA Power DAC V2. It's a bit quirky to use but trumps everything I've heard up to $200 in terms of sound quality (costs just $65). Full review coming next week.
@@iiWiReviews thanks so much. I'mlooking for desktop option becuse of the conectivity, so the E1DA is not ideal for me. However, the zen dac and the fiio are too close to my budget limit. No good option that could be interesting inbetween the 70$ X6 MKII and these two more exprensive devices?
too bad the FX audio is not a good choice for IEM :((((( because it gets all that I need. I just wanted to check if raising a little my budget I could upgrade the my really basic set up starting from such a good deal... I'm just begining in this hobby, so my iem are right now not really demanding and maybe I'll keep the FX Audio in mind...
sorry for the noob doubts!
can you compare d50s with e30 pls?
what do u think would be a better choice k3s vs d10s
Fantastic Review, Can you please help to compare the E30 vs the Khadas Tone board considering Sonic differences and soundstage, layering and details being of primary importance.
E30 has more details and wider soundstage. It also sounds more analytical overall. Khadas has narrower soundstage but denser midrange. I'll have a review of SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII next weekend, I believe people that like Khadas would prefer it to E30.
does the windows volume control work with the d10s? As for use with powered monitors.
Hey man, great vid! I notice at the end of the video you mention that you're using the ifi ipower 5v with the E30. Do you know if the 5v Ipower can be used with the Topping D50s as well. I noticed that the Ipower is 5v/2.5A and the D50s is 5v/1A so would the ampage be too much? Thanks
Hi, yes it can. Voltage has to be exact. Ampers are like reserve of power and each DAC takes only the amount it needs... There's only required minimum but no upper limit.
@@iiWiReviews Great! Thank you
Topping L30 + E30 stack review maybe? Would be really nice.
Don't know when exactly, but it's coming since my L30 unit is on the way.
Hi! Nice review. Two questions.
A "yes" or "no" would be enough if you please. :)
1 - Does this D10s sounds better than a DAC on the Sony MDS-JB920 minidisc? I have my PC connected to the amplifier, and the MD has a DAC "mode". So the sound goes through the MD DAC.
2 - With the digital output in the D10s, can you record a minidisc (via digital / optical) to a MINIDISC deck? Example: Spotify directly to a MD via optical connection.
Thanks and keep on with the good work!
Hi, for the first one, I believe I heard that MD used as a DAC once several years ago. However, I never came close to directly comparing it to any modern DAC. So I'll make an educated guess that D10s is a better sounding, I really believe that to be the case but have no true comparison to back it up. For the second one, if MD accepts digital signal and allows you to record it, I see no reason why D10s to MD via digital output wouldn't work.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks a lot for your prompt answer!
Buna ziua cf voi acuma
I think it's supposed to measure basically the same as e30, I ended up going e30 just cause it looks prettier while stacked with the l30 lol
Have u tried to use it like transfer ? usb input and output it via optical or coaxial ? does it sound good like that ? i mean...no sound degradation,please check that
No I haven't but John Darko did and said in his review it works very good that way. I don't have mine with me any more...
Great analysis! Will you review Topping L30 ?
It's supposed to be a great match for E30
Thanks! Yes I will, it's on the way. Not sure about the exact date but it's coming.
I would love your opnion/review on a cheap AmazonBasics Digital Audio Coaxial Cable. have a number of co-axial cables. From £7 Amazon basics ( which actually is the best at the moment) to £20 Fisual pro shielded cable . I use a Hecate LT to Prebox S2 Digital Dac. with Ifi linear power supply. I have noticed a sound quality difference between the cables.
I'll just say that in my experience cables do matter and I use some decent locally made cables in my own system (very easy to reliably tell them apart from generic free cables in a blind test). However, I'm not going to review any of it as most people really hate cable talks and I just don't want to poke that nest right now.
I see on your table the FX audio as well. I am debating between the two. Which one do you recommend for connecting my iPhone to my hifi system to play Apple Music high res lossless audio?
If you only need a DAC then I would go with D10s, it's slightly better. If you need a DAC with a head-amp them FX Audio DAC-X6 MKII is a good choice.
@@iiWiReviews
Thank you. Very helpful. And yes I just need a DAC to connect my iPhone to, and connect my DAC to my amp. Trying to listen to lossless audio on my floor standing speakers
Judging only by sound quality, would you still prefer Khadas Tone Board over this new D10s ?
I haven't compared them directly but going trough other devices I'd say D10s has some more details and soundstage space. But I don't think it's that big of a difference.
Compare d10s with schiit modi multibit like you done with e30
D10s and E30 sound too similar and over the microphone recording basically indistinguishable... So any difference heard on E30 vs Multibit would be exactly the same with D10s.
Sir, if i can get D10S and D30 for about the same price, Which one should i choose just for the sq? I just need the rca out for my amp
D10s
hello, can i connect this Dac directly to my integrated amplifier?? if yes how can i connect it?thanks
Yes, just use RCA cables and connect the DAC to any input on your amp (usually called CD, AUX, TUN... You can use any of these inputs on the amp).
There is no need to review D10S. He’s the GOAT and Messi comes no where near. He’s even said it himself back in a interview in 2010.
How does this compare to the Schiit Modi 3?
It's been sometimes since I had Modi 3 with me... But going by the memory I'd say they're in the same ballpark.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you for the reply. I was connecting my laptop to my Denon AVR-1909 (I know not the best, but what I have laying around for computer use) via HDMI, but with recent changes I had to undo that configuration forcing me now to use the 3.5mm headphone jack out of the back of the computer monitor. I noticed an immediate decrease in sound quality forcing me to use DynamicEQ and other features of the AVR to compensate. I'm hoping a better external DAC will solve my issue, bring back sound quality equal to the HDMI port I was using.
If you connect it to your computer and use the optical toslink output to your amp, are you able to control the volume using your computer keyboard?
Yes, but that way you rely on software volume control of your operating system.
@@iiWiReviews Please excuse me if this sounds trivial because I'm no expert. But is software sound control bad?
Thanks for responding so quickly. Also I have some confusion, I've been asking around and I'll write the same here too, in case you can help.
I'm currently using a pair of Qacoustics 3020i passive speakers with Yamaha WXA-50 streaming amplifier being fed from a Mac Mini M1 via 3.5mm to rca cable (I bought these 6months ago and in Indian market these were the only budget options available then). I've recently started to hear static noise on the speakers late at night (not sure if the noise was always there) and found out that it's because of the amp(tried other speakers as well, same result). Interestingly this noise is present when Aux-INPUT is selected on amp, and on bluetooth input the noise is almost reduced to nothing, and on optical the noise is nonexistent. I asked around various forums but nobody could help me so far. I can't afford another expensive amp now. I've decided to get a D10S to use the usb to optical conversion & send it's Toslink output to the yamaha amp. Would you say this is a good decision in my current scenario? Also what should I expect in terms of SQ, better, worse, same?
Software control is usually inferior to a hardware one, also if any glitch and pop in the signal happens after the software control (on cable connection, when DAC turns on and off) that will not be attenuated... So pops and clicks would be very loud.
About your Yamaha, I never listened to it personally but heard only good things about it. I don't think you would gain much, if anything, by adding this DAC. Slight static noise is very common with most amps. It should be observable only when you're very close to the speaker but not from one meter... If it's louder than that, you might have some noise issues coming from your analog cable. Cables are also antennas and easily collect EMI noise from the ether. Also, your source connected to that input can be noisy (PCs for example produce noisy signals).
@@iiWiReviews Yes, I can hear the noise which is very subtle, late at night when my surroundings are absolutely quiet. And to demonstrate the noise to others, any time of the day, I have to tell them to put their ears close to the speakers. I am on a desk setup, so I sit like 80cm away from the speakers on both side of my monitor. And from 1 meter distance the noise is indeed almost not noticeable but I typically don't sit that far away from my computer screen. I hope the D10s servers as a good enough bridge device, because the yamaha has a dac and I want to believe it's an improvement over my mac mini's dac.
Between D30 and D10s, which one will you pick? Thanks.
D10s has slight lead in sound quality to my ears.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks
can d10s be used with headphone directly?
No. You need a DAC with Headphone amplifier and headphone out for that, such as FX Audio DAC-X6 MKII
@@iiWiReviews cant i just plug in headphone into that RCA or Coax out with a 3.5mm to RCA/Coax converter cable? i see those things are sold online and my headphone have single 3.5mm detachable female plug.
"How do you use this thing?" is what I said when I was looking for a new Headphone DAC.
Right? But seriously... You use it to feed an amplifier, or to roll op amps until you either go broke, or you find your preferred sound signature. There are also 2, or maybe 3 people by now who use it as a USB passthrough to either other equipment that only accepts optical or coaxial input, or as a means of electrical isolation like a humbucker in an analog circuit.
@@JeradBenge Yeah, I just saw it from the front!
I bought the FX-Audio DAC-X6 MKII from a old LeafAudio DSD Headphone Amp (I have it running under Linux) It is driverless under Linux too - in Windows it requires a driver to function at all!
@@Khyree_Holmes You had me at DAC-X6 MKII. I snagged one of those on release, and it was a great piece of gear. Gave it to a friend who really needs headphones in his life. I demoed them to him using my ThinkPad, which is running Manjaro.
@@JeradBenge Mine is going to running under Linux Mint 19.3!
@@Khyree_Holmes Nice. I still use the Cinnamon desktop environment from Mint. It's well done. Warpinator will come in handy for keeping media libraries synced as well.
What if I own and use the original D10 as my main DAC, is it worth upgrading to D10S?
Well, in my opinion it is worth it, but your mileage may vary depending on the rest of the system and its ability to show the difference.
@@iiWiReviews thanks for the answer I am running 660S with aune x7s at the moment and waiting for little dot MK2 with better tubes replacement, I will actually go for this unit it will not ruin my bank and I can keep my current one as a backup, also I was considering to run different DAC maybe E30 on optical cable from my computer, does USB compared to optical make a huge difference?
I was roaming through forums and ppl suggested there is no difference whatsoever between USB and optical
Volume control only via computer?
Yes, that's right. But I would recommend doing volume control on preamp anyway, if possible.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you. Is it just plug and play?
Damn, no optical input? That's a big downside for me
Hi how would you compare it to the dh80s? Thank you
It was a long time since I had D10s with me and I never compared it to DH80s directly so this is a tough question. However, going by my memory and some DAC references, I would say that DH80s is a better sounding DAC with fuller tonality and more dynamic sound.
@@iiWiReviews Have an amazing day man
@@iiWiReviews Sorry for the spam, i have one more question if you dont mind, dh80s vs topping d50s?
That's a very close call, Hidizs is for sure a warmer and fuller sounding one, and D50s is more analytical. I would personally go with Hidizs probably.
Vs zendac with GTO firmware?
It would be a close call but - Zen has warmer and more laid back presentation, D10s firmer bass notes and more present vocals, probably a bit more dynamics. I believe it would come more to personal preference in this case.
Can you please demo d10s VS e30
Too close, there's no way to record such small differences. Tried and failed with similar demos several times... So only the ones that are really, really different are possible.
Having an optical out socket makes no sense. I think that might be a mistake and the label should say " IN ".
It's not a mistake. Only USB input and both SPDIF coaxial and optical are digital outputs. It never made sense to me too but it is made that way.
@@iiWiReviews Why does anyone want an optical output from a DAC ? With an optical output you must connect to another DAC, or a component containing a DAC, in order to hear the sound.
Only case it make sense to my mind is if someone is having a really good DAC (better than D10s) but without a USB input (some older model)... So D10 is used to add a USB connectivity to that one.
I still think 99% percent of buyers would prefer more digital inputs, and personally I would always go for E30 or SMSL M100 MKII just because they have three digital inputs. But to each their own.
@@iiWiReviews You could run your Schiit Modi Multibit from the D10s. Have you tried it? Does the sound quality improve?
One supports dsd256 and the other supports dsd512. I would say E30 is better
where you get content in dsd512? For now, max what I saw it DSD128 rips from vinyl.
This vs D30?
I'd go for D10s if we only talk sound.
@@iiWiReviews I've got an amplifier which has an only 3.5mm input, can I use RCA to 3.5 cable with it?
Yes, you can do that.