Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

[Dover Soul]

Hi, guys, I'm having a similar problem as BVa, except that I can't get any sound at all, no matter how many times I unplug it. The display correctly reflects the chosen audio format (e.g., 44.1 or 96.0 PCM). It worked fine for a month, but now no audio.

I'm going from a Windows 10 PC to a powered hub in my monitor, with output to a S.M.S.L. SH-9. I tried the same from a Mac, which also previously worked. I can still use the single-ended inputs to the amp, so I know that the computer, amp, and headphones work. The D10 is my only balanced source, and the SH-9 my only balanced amp, so that's the one connection I can't test separately.

Is there anything else I can try, or should I just send this back? I have until the end of January to return it to Amazon.

Edit: after leaving it unplugged all night, it works this morning. My tech. mantra is: "try again, try another." As Ace Ventura said, there's also: "wait longer."

 

[zenon]

I am considering replacing LM4562 with OPA1612. There are 3 LM4562. 1 for I/V and 2 for balanced/LPF ?

1 x LM4562 - AVCC_LR
2 x LM4562 - I/V + LPF

 

[zenon]

The left channel noise of the topping d10b is strange.
When the output is higher than -30 dbfs, the noise level increases by +3 db.
This can also be found on the Archimago's Musings site.
Can we fix this?
View attachment 179844View attachment 179845

It is not a noise, it is a distortion.
ESS hump.

Intermodulation distortion hump on Topping (and others)?

Hey guys, Bit of a query from a newbie here on the graphs. In the intermodulation distortion graphs the Topping and others (same chip?) have the hump in the middle of the readings. To my uninformed eyes that would look pretty bad - and, (am probably wrong here) being in the mid-levels of the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping E50 has the ESS hump

Just saw L7audiolab’s measurements of the E50. It has a prominent ESS hump unlike the D10B. Wonder why the ‘fix’ wasn’t applied across their engineering side or it may be more complex….

www.audiosciencereview.com

Start point to reduce ESS hump

How to Fix ESS Hump on SGD1 and LA-QXD1

Finally on this sunny Sunday, I scheduled a time to share the ESS hump repair solution. The following method only verifies the two SONCOZ DACs SGD1 and LA-QXD1, both of them using ES9038Q2M DAC chips, and the others are only referrals. To save you time, first put forward the method and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Hee]

It is not a noise, it is a distortion.
ESS hump.

Intermodulation distortion hump on Topping (and others)?

Hey guys, Bit of a query from a newbie here on the graphs. In the intermodulation distortion graphs the Topping and others (same chip?) have the hump in the middle of the readings. To my uninformed eyes that would look pretty bad - and, (am probably wrong here) being in the mid-levels of the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping E50 has the ESS hump

Just saw L7audiolab’s measurements of the E50. It has a prominent ESS hump unlike the D10B. Wonder why the ‘fix’ wasn’t applied across their engineering side or it may be more complex….

www.audiosciencereview.com

Start point to reduce ESS hump

How to Fix ESS Hump on SGD1 and LA-QXD1

Finally on this sunny Sunday, I scheduled a time to share the ESS hump repair solution. The following method only verifies the two SONCOZ DACs SGD1 and LA-QXD1, both of them using ES9038Q2M DAC chips, and the others are only referrals. To save you time, first put forward the method and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Hi~ My d10b has no hump in IMD.
It appears when thd+n and is RMAA stereo measurement. (-3dbfs)
Noise increases only in the left channel.

Is this ess hump, too?

 

[zenon]

Hi~ My d10b has no hump in IMD.
It appears when thd+n and is RMAA stereo measurement. (-3dbfs)
Noise increases only in the left channel.
View attachment 180043

Is this ess hump, too?

In the first screenshot, they measure distortions as far as I can see.

 

[Ingenieur]

For those having the issue: does the little dot on the Topping stay on with the computer powered down?

I use a small form factor computer. It was a pita when it locked up, sometimes FooBar needed restarted. I fixed that by having restart normally when faulted by windows.

I also bought a DC extension cord and power the computer from by AV UPS (TV, cable box, PS3).

So far so good.

 

[Rottmannash]

I've had mine unplugged for a month or so-it was working fine when I disconnected it but may need to plug it back in to make sure it still works...

 

[peniku8]

SINAD of my unit, taken at 192khz sample rate. Ignore the garbage below 1khz, most of it comes from close proximity to other devices and power bricks on my desk.
Measurements coincide with Amir's.

 

[Tansen]

I prefer some TRS (1/4 inch) cables leaving the Topping, and they either have male XLR on the other end, or use a TRS to male XLR adapter for the other end. This reduces the length of stiff metal extending out the back of the Topping by two/thirds. Making it much handier to place somewhere. Balanced TRS cables easy to come by and still offer the benefits of balanced connection.

I share the same sentiment. The free Trs adapters are a nice touch but make the whole unit abnormally long and difficult to handle. Although multiple buying options exist for 3 feet and longer cables, 50cm length cables are rare on Amazon. For a D10b to A90 if I use 2 trs to xlr male cables, do I need to ensure that each of the cable is balanced? Would this be compatible.
Confused with “balanced”when 2 separate cables are being used.

Amazon.com

 

[Blumlein 88]

I share the same sentiment. The free Trs adapters are a nice touch but make the whole unit abnormally long and difficult to handle. Although multiple buying options exist for 3 feet and longer cables, 50cm length cables are rare on Amazon. For a D10b to A90 if I use 2 trs to xlr male cables, do I need to ensure that each of the cable is balanced? Would this be compatible.
Confused with “balanced”when 2 separate cables are being used.

Amazon.com

Yes that work fine. The right angle plug is a good idea. Reduces pressure on the plug in the Topping.

 

[BVa]

Another problem occurred: a loud click from the left channel , when changing fs , between different recordings ...

 

[BVa]

It looks (in my case) ,that the onboard switching power supply + 5.65V / -5.6V, which supplies the output analog circuits (3 OA) behind the DAC, fails / does not start ..). That PSU is powered from 5V inputs. The all other onboard sources (3.3V, 1.2V, 1V) start up normally, they are linear (not switched) sources, powered by 5V inputs. It is simply a faulty (unreliable) internal symmetrical switching power supply, consisting of one miniature 12-pin IC ( marked DP0 3V4) and a pair of SMD components (2 inductors, diodes, a pair of resistors and capacitors

 

[fieldcar]

It looks (in my case) ,that the onboard switching power supply + 5.6V / -5.5V, which supplies the output analog circuits (3 OA) behind the DAC, fails / does not start ..). That PSU is powered from 5V inputs. The all other onboard sources (3.3V, 1.2V, 1V) start up normally, they are linear (not switched) sources, powered by 5V inputs. It is simply a faulty (unreliable) internal symmetrical switching power supply, consisting of one miniature 12-pin IC ( marked DP0 3V4) and a pair of SMD components (2 inductors, diodes, a pair of resistors and capacitors

Dang. That could have happened to any of us.
Hopefully you got it from apos. They've got a decent warranty for everything they sell.
If not, I'd reach out to the seller to see if they can help. Linsoul has been pretty good with warranty replacements too.

 

[Deleted member 42764]

Can this be paired with the schiit magni heresy? it's a SE amp. I didn't think it was possible until someone in reddit suggested this DAC to me. If it's possible how would that work? if it's not is the d10 the go-to choice? e30? atom dac+?

 

[Veri]

Can this be paired with the schiit magni heresy? it's a SE amp. I didn't think it was possible until someone in reddit suggested this DAC to me. If it's possible how would that work? if it's not is the d10 the go-to choice? e30? atom dac+?

They probably meant D10S and not D10B. You can't/shouldn't use this one for single ended input, it will give problems.

 

[staticV3]

Can this be paired with the schiit magni heresy? it's a SE amp. I didn't think it was possible until someone in reddit suggested this DAC to me. If it's possible how would that work? if it's not is the d10 the go-to choice? e30? atom dac+?

You can connect the D10B to the Heresy with special cables. 6.35mm Tip connected to RCA Signal, and Sleeve connected to RCA GND. Ring not connected to anything.
Doing so will halve the DAC's output voltage.
I wouldn't use it that way.

 

[Deleted member 42764]

They probably meant D10S and not D10B. You can't/shouldn't use this one for single ended input, it will give problems.

I actually thought so too, but when I asked if they meant the D10S they said "no the D10B".
When I asked how that would work I didn't get a response so I thought either they weren't concentrating or just didn't know what they were talking about. But I could also be wrong so I sent here to make sure.

 

[Deleted member 42764]

You can connect the D10B to the Heresy with special cables. 6.35mm Tip connected to RCA Signal, and Sleeve connected to RCA GND. Ring not connected to anything.
Doing so will halve the DAC's output voltage.
I wouldn't use it that way. D

Yeah I wouldn't use it that way either. Thanks a lot for the explanation! Is there an alternative to the D10 you personally recommend? Atom/E30/Anything else in the price range.

 

[Toku]

Yeah I wouldn't use it that way either. Thanks a lot for the explanation! Is there an alternative to the D10 you personally recommend? Atom/E30/Anything else in the price range.

If you choose from Topping's products, you can use any DAC with RCA output such as D10S E30 E50 D50s.

 

[staticV3]

Yeah I wouldn't use it that way either. Thanks a lot for the explanation! Is there an alternative to the D10 you personally recommend? Atom/E30/Anything else in the price range.

I don't have any experience with standalone DAC's, hence nothing I could personally recommend.