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Hi I'm running active speakers that have volume control and can accept a balanced input but I'm using my motherboard's DAC(because plebian things). I can't really afford to buy a fancy DAC and amp setup so I guess this d10 balanced would be a nice way to lvl up my audio game on a budget and get rid of that pesky motherboard setup yeah ?
I'm not gonna lie, that actually seems like a real good solution to something I've been thinking about recently. I've been trying to figure out how I can have multiple audio outputs from my computer and wasn't having luck. For the price of this DAC i'd use it just to have an output from all 3 of my PC's to coax and figure out a way to switch that between my speakers and headphones...
Bought the LOXJIE P20 as self present last Christmas & absolutely loving it but using it in RCA IN, now I just bought this Topping D10 Balanced DAC to feed balanced to it instead. I was hoping for you to take out your P20 to try it on this DAC! Thanks for the review man, super informative as always!
I also have the Loxjie P20 coming in and I have to use it RCA in for now, but I plan on getting the Topping D10 to feed it balanced input also. Could you let me know how your experience is switching from RCA sound to balanced sound and if it's worth getting?
@@pk.002 Hey Peter! Of course I'll share my findings, no problem! I don't have balanced headphones as of now, got the DT's 990 PRO 250 Ohm which are single ended (LOVE THEM!). So its going to be fun to try and find the difference between RCA and Balanced IN while keeping unbalanced OUT. Maybe someone with better knowledge can expand this topic because as far as I know Balanced headphones means more power but in therms of fidelity, soundstage, etc i GUESS its the "same" ???
@@pk.002 Hey Peter, just a quick follow up on what we were discussing earlier. Been using the D10 Balanced DAC with my P20 for a week now and here are my thoughts on it. 1- Main reason I bought it was to clean my sound. Before the DAC I was using 3.5 mm to RCA to feed my P20 (directly from back ports of the Motherboard). At first i thought it was fine, but then i started to notice noise, static, ground loop kind of noise and this was only present when my PC was on high load, like gaming, that's when I could clearly hear noise. Its a fairly powerful gaming pc so its not a surprise that when revved up the electrical stuff managed to get inside the audio and add noise. This issue was 100% eliminated with the DAC. Audio is getting OUT my pc digitally THEN converted to analog and sent to the AMP. Which bring me to my 2nd point: In therms of audio quality i honestly can't hear a definitive difference. It sounded amazing before and sounds amazing now, with the added fact that the audio signal is clean and pure. That IS the difference really. Even thought im feeding balanced signals to the P20 im still using the 1/4" single ended out as i dont have balanced headphones, yet. I wish i had the cash to try an buy some HD600's or find someone in my city that can convert the DT's 990 PRO to balanced. Dont know how much of a difference that will make but they are plenty loud as it is. I cannot go more than 15 on the AMP, more than that and starts to hurt lol. Any kind of music sounds so, sooo much better and detailed that ANY headphones i've ever had. More than my SONY XM3's. Gaming is also amazing when using in combination with Dolby Atmos APP in windows. I can hear every single thing on games that have good audio tech. Love them really! I don't think i need to spend any more on audio, for now im all set! Hope this helps, regards!
I’m still running the Drop Grace SDAC ( all balanced) to my 789 , 604 and Loxji 20 amps 🥳 A great little DAC ..thanks for the great advice on it 🍻 The Drop unit is on Amazon 🎊
With the Driver installed you have the option of controlling the Volume although only down (from 0 to -127) and you get a mute button. Additionally you can also controll the preferred ASIO puffersize but i don't know what it does and when you'd be needing it. Been using it together with the L50 and have no complaints.
I don’t know for certain, but I believe people can use ASIO puffersize when recording into a DAW from your desktop. Someone correct me if I’m wrong about that. Not sure what it’s for exactly, but I’m sure someone on the internet knows.
I have the topping Mx3 due to your recommendation loving it at the moment thank you 😀 👍🏽. I also wanted to know if you were ever gonna show the desktop speakers in the car mod that you talked about a while 😀👍🏽
I wish that toppings drivers were more consistent. The D10 is a great DAC, especially for the price, but I had too many issues with drivers stopping or behaving abnormally... And basically any time I unplugged the dac and plugged it back in (to clean my PC) it was a coin flip as to whether or not if have to redo all of my settings.
12:50 I've had 100% volume blasting Windows sounds into my powered monitors several times with D10s. Swapping out motherboard and changing USB port for the DAC has triggered volume reset.
This is my main desktop DAC, i like it a lot, with the exception of the click noise i hear every time the unit either gets signal or stops getting signal from the USB, it gets on my nerves.
Hello zeos. Are you able to test if iphone 15pro have enought juice on usb-c port(should be 4.5w) to run that dac? Im building my car and would only need something to get optical out from iphone to hook up my helix dsp
Hi I'm running active speakers that have volume control and can accept a balanced input but I'm using my motherboard's DAC(because plebian things). I can't really afford to buy a fancy DAC and amp setup so I guess this d10 balanced would be a nice way to lvl up my audio game on a budget and get rid of that pesky motherboard setup yeah ?
So if you just wanna dac to hook it up to yamaha speaker amp d10s is better because it's cheaper? In my store they are priced the same. Which should I get?
Happy New Year Zzz, I heard if your equipment changes to balanced and later in the chain again (to unbalanced and back to balanced again) some tech engineer explained to me, that in this case I am better of to have the signal unbalanced the whole chain. He said every time you change to balanced the signal losses quality, exactly what kind of quality I didn't get, but anything true in this explanation? thx Z
I mean you wouldn't change multiple times. Its usually just DIGITAL CONVERTER -- AMP -- HEADPHONE So you really can only go XLR to 1/4 or XLR to Balance or RCA to 1/4 or RCA to Balance.
@@ZReviews yup agree, was my first reaction too. just today I bought (again) the SMSL SP200 on DROP (surprise pay 41 euro's to the postman for Tax) $155 on drop so it's still ok more or less. Bought the set 2 years ago after watching your video about it, sold the SP200 for 250, but missed it since then... you know as well that the balanced circuit in th e SP200 not exactly a closed balanced circuit is, (I am not complaining by the way) In fact is it right what that engineer told me, if you convert balanced to un... and back again you lose quality to noise-floor or DB to noise ratio or other losses... have to say this dude worked at the national radio studio's like BBC radio but I live in the Netherlanda so here we call it NPO radio/TV So it kinda stuck with me in the back of my head..anyway with the sp200 and clean power for now it's more than enough...(this year.. Thx for your reaction by the way... I am flattered ;-) Byn the way I had a setup with Minidsp 8x8 9not balanced) and had DSP Xover and limiter/processor in a experimental period..there the balanced went from un to bal and so on.
Z i have been looking at the Fostex T50RP MK3 and just wanted to ask would they work on a GSX 1000 and a Schitt magni 3+ combo just wanted to try modding headphones and heard thet they were good for modding.
Does anyone know how this DAC compares to the SONCOZ LA-QXD1? They both use the same chipset, so I'm not sure if spending the extra $60 is worth it as far as pure sound quality is concerned (speaker compatibility isn't a huge selling point for me)
Z it´s so easy to get TRS to XLR adapters - every f*ing studio is using dozen of them, they are as common as RCA crap for "us" ... and yeah even the stereo / true XLR ones. There are A__zon Basic ones for 10 bucks.
i mean he doesnt believe in DACs sounding different so wrong person to ask. yes it would be an upgrade but i have yet to see if this DAC sounds harsh like some topping DACs or smooth like their more new stuff with ESS chips. either way it will beat your dongle DAC.
I am having a trouble finding a dac with optical in from pc to dac looking at the jds labs dac with optical, other optical would you suggest to look at thanks
lol I was listening to Z in the background then starting reading a hifiguides thread. Then all of a sudden he busts out are you serious son... son wtf son I'm gonna whoop your arse. I thought Z had a broski in his basement while filming a review and was about to throw fists. Nearly spit my coffee out and broke my keyboard switching between hifig and yt.
Depends on what you want. If you're going balanced, this one is fine coupled with a good solid state amp for PC gaming. You can also use a single ending unbalanced DAC/AMP combo like the Creative G6 Sounblaster X and that is great for PC gaming too. The G6 is a great sounding and extremely versatile device especially for gaming, you just don't get balanced input/output.
@@ccnp2009 That Denon 4700H is still a really nice piece of kit you have, I wish I had something like that in my setup haha. A pre-pro is going to be amazing though and worth the upgrade.
@@pk.002 Thank you Pet. I have my Denon in Pre-Amp mode. Then I have ceiling speakers 🔊. When I’m playing Red Dead Redemption on my PS5. The rain drops sounds like it’s raining above a head. I honestly was a Pre-Pro that can support 13 to 15 speakers..
Want to see these Reviews Early, Get in on Monthly Yard Sales, Hear Sound Demos? Check out...
⚔️www.SubscribeStar.com/Zeos -- Subscribe Star
🥇www.Patreon.com/Zeos -- Check out the Patreon
Hi I'm running active speakers that have volume control and can accept a balanced input but I'm using my motherboard's DAC(because plebian things).
I can't really afford to buy a fancy DAC and amp setup so I guess this d10 balanced would be a nice way to lvl up my audio game on a budget and get rid of that pesky motherboard setup yeah ?
Digital OUT and balanced for $139 ....Pretty amazing.
I'm not gonna lie, that actually seems like a real good solution to something I've been thinking about recently. I've been trying to figure out how I can have multiple audio outputs from my computer and wasn't having luck. For the price of this DAC i'd use it just to have an output from all 3 of my PC's to coax and figure out a way to switch that between my speakers and headphones...
WT actual F??? I stayed up all night researching this DAC, and viola you deliver the review! Well done Z
Bought the LOXJIE P20 as self present last Christmas & absolutely loving it but using it in RCA IN, now I just bought this Topping D10 Balanced DAC to feed balanced to it instead. I was hoping for you to take out your P20 to try it on this DAC! Thanks for the review man, super informative as always!
I also have the Loxjie P20 coming in and I have to use it RCA in for now, but I plan on getting the Topping D10 to feed it balanced input also. Could you let me know how your experience is switching from RCA sound to balanced sound and if it's worth getting?
@@pk.002 Hey Peter! Of course I'll share my findings, no problem! I don't have balanced headphones as of now, got the DT's 990 PRO 250 Ohm which are single ended (LOVE THEM!). So its going to be fun to try and find the difference between RCA and Balanced IN while keeping unbalanced OUT. Maybe someone with better knowledge can expand this topic because as far as I know Balanced headphones means more power but in therms of fidelity, soundstage, etc i GUESS its the "same" ???
@@pk.002 Hey Peter, just a quick follow up on what we were discussing earlier.
Been using the D10 Balanced DAC with my P20 for a week now and here are my thoughts on it.
1- Main reason I bought it was to clean my sound. Before the DAC I was using 3.5 mm to RCA to feed my P20 (directly from back ports of the Motherboard). At first i thought it was fine, but then i started to notice noise, static, ground loop kind of noise and this was only present when my PC was on high load, like gaming, that's when I could clearly hear noise. Its a fairly powerful gaming pc so its not a surprise that when revved up the electrical stuff managed to get inside the audio and add noise.
This issue was 100% eliminated with the DAC. Audio is getting OUT my pc digitally THEN converted to analog and sent to the AMP.
Which bring me to my 2nd point: In therms of audio quality i honestly can't hear a definitive difference. It sounded amazing before and sounds amazing now, with the added fact that the audio signal is clean and pure. That IS the difference really.
Even thought im feeding balanced signals to the P20 im still using the 1/4" single ended out as i dont have balanced headphones, yet. I wish i had the cash to try an buy some HD600's or find someone in my city that can convert the DT's 990 PRO to balanced. Dont know how much of a difference that will make but they are plenty loud as it is. I cannot go more than 15 on the AMP, more than that and starts to hurt lol.
Any kind of music sounds so, sooo much better and detailed that ANY headphones i've ever had. More than my SONY XM3's.
Gaming is also amazing when using in combination with Dolby Atmos APP in windows. I can hear every single thing on games that have good audio tech. Love them really! I don't think i need to spend any more on audio, for now im all set!
Hope this helps, regards!
I’m still running the Drop Grace SDAC ( all balanced) to my 789 , 604 and
Loxji 20 amps 🥳
A great little DAC ..thanks for the great advice on it 🍻
The Drop unit is on Amazon 🎊
With the Driver installed you have the option of controlling the Volume although only down (from 0 to -127) and you get a mute button. Additionally you can also controll the preferred ASIO puffersize but i don't know what it does and when you'd be needing it. Been using it together with the L50 and have no complaints.
I don’t know for certain, but I believe people can use ASIO puffersize when recording into a DAW from your desktop. Someone correct me if I’m wrong about that. Not sure what it’s for exactly, but I’m sure someone on the internet knows.
Ordered my custom Z cable a few days ago! stoked!
I have the topping Mx3 due to your recommendation loving it at the moment thank you 😀 👍🏽. I also wanted to know if you were ever gonna show the desktop speakers in the car mod that you talked about a while 😀👍🏽
I think I show them in my car wash video ua-cam.com/video/ExZNSHl1lxc/v-deo.html
0:21 "This happens to be the 4.4 pentacon."
🤨...you sure about that?
Jojo is really good. I just finished every episode out so far.
I wish that toppings drivers were more consistent. The D10 is a great DAC, especially for the price, but I had too many issues with drivers stopping or behaving abnormally... And basically any time I unplugged the dac and plugged it back in (to clean my PC) it was a coin flip as to whether or not if have to redo all of my settings.
That's a funny looking 4.4 pentacon.
hahah
next year for chrstmas lets get Z some boxers that say I heart my dac or I want to listen to my dac.
What about matching the topping d10 balanced with Xduoo mt-604?
12:50 I've had 100% volume blasting Windows sounds into my powered monitors several times with D10s. Swapping out motherboard and changing USB port for the DAC has triggered volume reset.
XlR to TRS adapter cables don't cost too much at $8 - $10 for a 3ft cable.
Emotiva ERC-4: Balanced DAC, digital signal converter, CD player, all in one.
This is my main desktop DAC, i like it a lot, with the exception of the click noise i hear every time the unit either gets signal or stops getting signal from the USB, it gets on my nerves.
Yeah that's a relay for you..
have D10 in car with iphone camera kit and helix dsp amazing thing
Still using my og d10/atom combo for a few years now. But wonder which I should upgrade next that would be a noticeable upgrade :3
Hello zeos. Are you able to test if iphone 15pro have enought juice on usb-c port(should be 4.5w) to run that dac? Im building my car and would only need something to get optical out from iphone to hook up my helix dsp
Man, I’m sure early today. Maybe I’ll get this DAC or wait for ZEOS to offer it in the yard sale.
I'll probably sell one of my D10s and keep the balanced.
Hi I'm running active speakers that have volume control and can accept a balanced input but I'm using my motherboard's DAC(because plebian things).
I can't really afford to buy a fancy DAC and amp setup so I guess this d10 balanced would be a nice way to lvl up my audio game on a budget and get rid of that pesky motherboard setup yeah ?
got this with my L50 on the assumption it didn't really make a difference.... maybe I'll see someday if it does or not
The E2 is much better according to passion for sound.
So if you just wanna dac to hook it up to yamaha speaker amp d10s is better because it's cheaper? In my store they are priced the same. Which should I get?
Does Zeos still update his reddit recommend list?
Sure Geshelli JNOG is good but I prefer SNOG.
alrighty then, GET A BLACKOUT SHADE for the offending window.
...hifitommy
On a Billy Joel morning ...
Happy New Year Zzz, I heard if your equipment changes to balanced and later in the chain again (to unbalanced and back to balanced again) some tech engineer explained to me, that in this case I am better of to have the signal unbalanced the whole chain. He said every time you change to balanced the signal losses quality, exactly what kind of quality I didn't get, but anything true in this explanation? thx Z
I mean you wouldn't change multiple times. Its usually just DIGITAL CONVERTER -- AMP -- HEADPHONE
So you really can only go XLR to 1/4 or XLR to Balance or RCA to 1/4 or RCA to Balance.
@@ZReviews yup agree, was my first reaction too. just today I bought (again) the SMSL SP200 on DROP (surprise pay 41 euro's to the postman for Tax) $155 on drop so it's still ok more or less. Bought the set 2 years ago after watching your video about it, sold the SP200 for 250, but missed it since then... you know as well that the balanced circuit in th e SP200 not exactly a closed balanced circuit is, (I am not complaining by the way) In fact is it right what that engineer told me, if you convert balanced to un... and back again you lose quality to noise-floor or DB to noise ratio or other losses... have to say this dude worked at the national radio studio's like BBC radio but I live in the Netherlanda so here we call it NPO radio/TV So it kinda stuck with me in the back of my head..anyway with the sp200 and clean power for now it's more than enough...(this year.. Thx for your reaction by the way... I am flattered ;-) Byn the way I had a setup with Minidsp 8x8 9not balanced) and had DSP Xover and limiter/processor in a experimental period..there the balanced went from un to bal and so on.
But Z doesn't it MATTER how the separates LINK together?
Can I connect my DAP to Topping D10 Balanced via USB input, then line in to Topping A90 amp? many thanks!!
Z i have been looking at the Fostex T50RP MK3 and just wanted to ask would they work on a GSX 1000 and a Schitt magni 3+ combo just wanted to try modding headphones and heard thet they were good for modding.
D1O BRANDO wallpaper would be better
Does anyone know how this DAC compares to the SONCOZ LA-QXD1? They both use the same chipset, so I'm not sure if spending the extra $60 is worth it as far as pure sound quality is concerned (speaker compatibility isn't a huge selling point for me)
Z it´s so easy to get TRS to XLR adapters - every f*ing studio is using dozen of them, they are as common as RCA crap for "us" ... and yeah even the stereo / true XLR ones. There are A__zon Basic ones for 10 bucks.
I am done with audio stuff, I have speakers and I have headphones, I don't need a wall of them in my basement. fart
smart
I didnt know Koss is making laptops.
How do you compare a topping d10s to a dongle dac, feeding a schiit magni 3+? Currently using e1da 9038d, shall i switch to d10s?
i mean he doesnt believe in DACs sounding different so wrong person to ask. yes it would be an upgrade but i have yet to see if this DAC sounds harsh like some topping DACs or smooth like their more new stuff with ESS chips. either way it will beat your dongle DAC.
Speaker wall 2022 please.
I am having a trouble finding a dac with optical in from pc to dac looking at the jds labs dac with optical, other optical would you suggest to look at thanks
Schiit Modius is what I use.
lol I was listening to Z in the background then starting reading a hifiguides thread. Then all of a sudden he busts out are you serious son... son wtf son I'm gonna whoop your arse. I thought Z had a broski in his basement while filming a review and was about to throw fists. Nearly spit my coffee out and broke my keyboard switching between hifig and yt.
LOL dirty trick, Z. Your wallpaper is burned, not our screens...
Coaxial is SPDIF, optical is TOSLINK, and I am not shouting LOL
Z. Which DAC do your recommend for Sennheiser 600 headphones for PC gaming?
Depends on what you want. If you're going balanced, this one is fine coupled with a good solid state amp for PC gaming. You can also use a single ending unbalanced DAC/AMP combo like the Creative G6 Sounblaster X and that is great for PC gaming too. The G6 is a great sounding and extremely versatile device especially for gaming, you just don't get balanced input/output.
@@pk.002 Thank You Sir. Now I want to replace my Denon 4700H to a Pre-Pro.
@@ccnp2009 That Denon 4700H is still a really nice piece of kit you have, I wish I had something like that in my setup haha. A pre-pro is going to be amazing though and worth the upgrade.
@@pk.002 Thank you Pet. I have my Denon in Pre-Amp mode. Then I have ceiling speakers 🔊. When I’m playing Red Dead Redemption on my PS5. The rain drops sounds like it’s raining above a head. I honestly was a Pre-Pro that can support 13 to 15 speakers..
The image rention of your monitor should be permanent.
✌❤🎶
Don't buy those Periapt cables, they just look nice, but they are very heavy and microphonic.
won't buy any Topping gear after they became MQA partner.
This is just too much. Can you do up to 5min reviews and be more clear and straitforward
That's not how he operates.