AIYIMA D20 – Decoding in Development

[SnakeLord]

We’d love to know: which feature excites you the most? Let us know in the comments!
View attachment 479476

Imho i think there is a much bigger market for the compact AiO DAC/HPA combo devices as for separate DACs. Especially for compact desktop and living room solutions. Many of us just want a small nice box on their desk which does it all instead of a huge stack out of bunch of separate devices. Its the next logical step.
We already have too many well made separate DACs at every price point.

Toppings DX5II really needs some competition! At the monent its just unbeatable at 300$ price point while measuring well, offering all the connectivity, 12v trigger, powerful HPA and PEQ! And there is just nobody around to compete with it.

So i would not mind seeing similar type of product made even better (thru adding of analog inputs/pre amp stage similar to "RME ADI-2/4 Pro" as example) by Aiyima.

 

[Totemis]

Yes an headphone is necessary, because most of us are living in apartments , or we are young fathers (or mothers) and at night an headphone is great for Tv, music, gaming... and our childs can sleep in peace.... But for me, a bluetooth listening with headphone or iems will be a real useful and disrupted function with your competitors ! less cables is better !

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Imho i think there is a much bigger market for the compact AiO DAC/HPA combo devices as for separate DACs. Especially for compact desktop and living room solutions. Many of us just want a small nice box on their desk which does it all instead of a huge stack out of bunch of separate devices. Its the next logical step.
We already have too many well made separate DACs at every price point.

Toppings DX5II really needs some competition! At the monent its just unbeatable at 300$ price point while measuring well, offering all the connectivity, 12v trigger, powerful HPA and PEQ! And there is just nobody around to compete with it.

So i would not mind seeing similar type of product made even better (thru adding of analog inputs/pre amp stage similar to "RME ADI-2/4 Pro" as example) by Aiyima.

The Fiio K13 R2R might give a run for its money….

 

[pickyAudiophile]

I would prefer a USB-B jack -still- rather than USB-C jack built into a desktop device. But that's a matter of choice and highly debatable, sure. Yes USB-B of course may wear out, too.

But, importantly, and that's not nice in the drawing: Not all these four RCA jacks hold in place with one single screw at the center. I really don't like these cheap "four-in-one" components assembled onto PCB.
(When using RCA plugs I always take care to widen them just enough to avoid excessive force needed to plug them in. - However, while doing so there is always at least some force and even torque applied onto metal bands from RCA jacks' ground connectors.)
...Not asking for heavy duty, single x4 with inserted nuts both ends... just decent quality. There's so little care taken about IMO.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

I would prefer a USB-B jack -still- rather than USB-C jack built into a desktop device. But that's a matter of choice and highly debatable, sure. Yes USB-B of course may wear out, too.

But, importantly, and that's not nice in the drawing: Not all these four RCA jacks hold in place with one single screw at the center. I really don't like these cheap "four-in-one" components assembled onto PCB.
(When using RCA plugs I always take care to widen them just enough to avoid excessive force needed to plug them in. - However, while doing so there is always at least some force and even torque applied onto metal bands from RCA jacks' ground connectors.)
...Not asking for heavy duty, single x4 with inserted nuts both ends... just decent quality. There's so little care taken about IMO.

I agree, while usb c is a space saver it does not perform any better than usb b in regards to Audio and as you have said, usb c is far less durable. USB B will simply be the far better option for longevity and stability.

 

[pickyAudiophile]

I agree, while usb c is a space saver it does not perform any better than usb b in regards to Audio and as you have said, usb c is far less durable.

...And there seems to be enough space (see drawing).
Maybe a fancy USB-B to Type C cable integrated into contents of delivery would do the job perfectly when it comes to marketing "supports USB C".

That flimsy quadruple RCA connector distresses me. The matching A20 amp features two screws for two RCA connectors (see picture).
The drawing of the D20's DAC back plate indicates one central screw for four RCA connectors.
That's 66.7% less of retaining force if got that right mathematically. As I said, too little care taken of by manufacturers -IMO- since these 4-in-1-components are just widely available and super cheap.

vs.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

...And there seems to be enough space (see drawing).
Maybe a fancy USB-B to Type C cable integrated into contents of delivery would do the job perfectly when it comes to marketing "supports USB C".

That flimsy quadruple RCA connector distresses me. The matching A20 amp features two screws for two RCA connectors (see picture).
The drawing of the D20's DAC back plate indicates one central screw for four RCA connectors.
That's 66.7% less of retaining force if got that right mathematically. As I said, too little care taken of by manufacturers -IMO- since these 4-in-1-components are just widely available and super cheap.

View attachment 485603 vs. View attachment 485614

Yes, pushing the cable on could ‘flex’ that board inwards quite easily with just a single central screw. I use RCA cables that have a tight grip so that design probably would not last long at all. Even the A20, which I own, would benefit from a further 2 screws, one at the top and bottom of the RCA. I don’t use the RCA on this amp and wouldn’t on the D1 either. I haven’t tested the rigidity of those inputs yet on the A20 so cannot say for sure what strength they hold in receiving the cable but a little finger pressure says they are quite strong on the A20.

 

[esk]

@AIYIMA
Any updates on this product? When is it available?

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

#AIYIMA #10thAnniversary #D20 #HiFi #AudioGear #Bluetooth #Decoding #HiFiCommunity

What’s with the hashtags? Is this twatter??

 

[pickyAudiophile]

I find it better -so far- than what Douk Audio developed in the meantime. But @AIYIMA please don't disappoint us with older Bluetooth audio codes only support.
IMO time has come for bandwith saving aptX Adaptive implementation, which comes with plenty of recent smartphone and tablet releases. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...design-its-updated-version.55680/post-2442673

 

[pickyAudiophile]

Meanwhile, I had a look at the Douk Audio Q1 once again. If I understood the initial post properly, this one here, the D20, is going to be an alternating DAC chipset layout, too. (AKM and ESS). It features just one stereo XLR output so I can't yet figure out whether switching between DAC chipsets would affect the dual stereo RCA outputs only.

BTW @Douk Audio IMHO really screwed it up with the just released Ampapa Q1. https://doukaudio.com/products/ampapa-q1
...I mean, these are no Streaming DACs altogether. These are very "dumb" devices - completely dependent on data transmission from various sources.
So why the heck still releasing a non-LDAC, non-aptX Adaptive featuring Bluetooth receiver in late 2025?
Folks, it's not 2021, it's 2025! aptX HD at maximum was state of the art just in the early 2020s.
...Is it about the licence fee - or what else makes them hestitant to implement?

Hopefully we will learn from Aiyima soon about supported BT audio codes when it comes to their D20 in development.

 

[AIYIMA]

...And there seems to be enough space (see drawing).
Maybe a fancy USB-B to Type C cable integrated into contents of delivery would do the job perfectly when it comes to marketing "supports USB C".

That flimsy quadruple RCA connector distresses me. The matching A20 amp features two screws for two RCA connectors (see picture).
The drawing of the D20's DAC back plate indicates one central screw for four RCA connectors.
That's 66.7% less of retaining force if got that right mathematically. As I said, too little care taken of by manufacturers -IMO- since these 4-in-1-components are just widely available and super cheap.

View attachment 485603 vs. View attachment 485614

Thanks for your feedback! It’s still under development, and the rear panel image is for reference only~~

 

[AIYIMA]

Meanwhile, I had a look at the Douk Audio Q1 once again. If I understood the initial post properly, this one here, the D20, is going to be an alternating DAC chipset layout, too. (AKM and ESS). It features just one stereo XLR output so I can't yet figure out whether switching between DAC chipsets would affect the dual stereo RCA outputs only.

BTW @Douk Audio IMHO really screwed it up with the just released Ampapa Q1. https://doukaudio.com/products/ampapa-q1
...I mean, these are no Streaming DACs altogether. These are very "dumb" devices - completely dependent on data transmission from various sources.
So why the heck still releasing a non-LDAC, non-aptX Adaptive featuring Bluetooth receiver in late 2025?
Folks, it's not 2021, it's 2025! aptX HD at maximum was state of the art just in the early 2020s.
...Is it about the licence fee - or what else makes them hestitant to implement?

Hopefully we will learn from Aiyima soon about supported BT audio codes when it comes to their D20 in development.

It supports APT-X HD and LDAC.

 

[pickyAudiophile]

It supports APT-X HD and LDAC.

Thanks. One more suggestion that comes to my mind. It's an in-depth matter...
Please make sure that Microsoft Windows users can control Windows system volume even when "WASAPI Exclusive Mode" gets activated. And not provide a fixed 100% volume output then, un-attenuable.
I have had older devices by Aiyima with me where it was properly inplemented! It was the "T9 Pro" DAC-amp and the "TUBE T-10" DAC.
(Sometimes that's just neglected by manufacturers and you can't control volume due to improper implementation of WASAPI Exclusive Mode behavior.)
See my thread about that WASAPI Exclusive Mode volume control issue: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...e-mode-volume-control-behavior-windows.67729/

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Meanwhile, I had a look at the Douk Audio Q1 once again. If I understood the initial post properly, this one here, the D20, is going to be an alternating DAC chipset layout, too. (AKM and ESS). It features just one stereo XLR output so I can't yet figure out whether switching between DAC chipsets would affect the dual stereo RCA outputs only.

BTW @Douk Audio IMHO really screwed it up with the just released Ampapa Q1. https://doukaudio.com/products/ampapa-q1
...I mean, these are no Streaming DACs altogether. These are very "dumb" devices - completely dependent on data transmission from various sources.
So why the heck still releasing a non-LDAC, non-aptX Adaptive featuring Bluetooth receiver in late 2025?
Folks, it's not 2021, it's 2025! aptX HD at maximum was state of the art just in the early 2020s.
...Is it about the licence fee - or what else makes them hestitant to implement?

Hopefully we will learn from Aiyima soon about supported BT audio codes when it comes to their D20 in development.

Picky Audiophile….your complaint seems to contradict your name. APTX - HD is good enough for most users, even some audiophiles apparently. Ldac really is quite over rated imo. I have always found it a little toppy, an treble upper mid-centric sound and certainly not ‘audiophile’ by far.
Also it’s quite a limited codec in respect of devices that actually send an Ldac signal. Mostly smart phone based and on Android mostly.

Dedicated Bluetooth listening is far better catered for with the likes of the iFi Zen Blue, Dento Blue, Fiio, etc. In 2025 Bluetooth on a dedicated dac like the Q1 is more of a complimentary afterthought that no Audiophile would take seriously in the first place.

Even when using the so called primo Ldac it still lacks the body of sound that Airplay provides. It’s just not a quality long term listening prospect by any mean, just a more fancy convenience that sounds half decent till you get home and plug the cables in dude!

The Q1 looks like a very decent dac with an excellent U/I and I/O, well built and with two very good chips at a price that is very competitive with or without Bluetooth. How well everything has been built around those chips is yet to be determined but I do have one on the way so I will be finding out for myself soon.

You could always buy an Fiio bt13 for less than £50 if you want to go Bluetooth and with LDAC.

 

[SMen]

Picky Audiophile….your complaint seems to contradict your name. APTX - HD is good enough for most users, even audiophiles. Ldac really is quite over rated imo. I have always found it a little toppy, an treble upper mid-centric sound and certainly not ‘audiophile’ by far.
Also it’s quite a limited codec in respect of devices that actually send an Ldac signal. Mostly smart phone based and on Android mostly.

Dedicated Bluetooth listening is far better catered for with the likes of the iFi Zen Blue, Dento Blue, Fiio, etc. In 2025 Bluetooth on a dedicated dac like the Q1 is more of a complimentary afterthought that no Audiophile would take seriously in the first place.

Even when using the so called primo Ldac it still lacks the body of sound that Airplay provides. It’s just not a quality long term listening prospect by any mean, just a more fancy convenience that sounds half decent till you get home and plug the cables in dude!

The Q1 looks like a very decent dac with an excellent U/I and I/O, well built and with two very good chips at a price that is very competitive with or without Bluetooth.

You could always buy an Fiio bt13 for less than £50 if you want to go Bluetooth and with LDAC.

and @pickyAudiophile Just by coincidence I spotted this new arrival from FiiO today with Bluetooth 6 - https://www.fiio.com/br15r2r might be interesting ... no idea about Bluetooth 6 ... aptX lossless?

The spec for the d20 here is "High-spec Bluetooth chip" - so that could be 5.0 like the Douk.

 

[AIYIMA]

Hey audio lovers!

Here’s an update on the D20 development!
The hardware design is basically done, and our team is now putting the final touches on the UI software.
The D20 will be meeting you all very soon — stay tuned!

#AIYIMA #D20 #Audiophiles #NewProductComing

 

[SMen]

Interesting ... dropped the bluetooth...

 

[Guddu]

Hey audio lovers!

Here’s an update on the D20 development!
The hardware design is basically done, and our team is now putting the final touches on the UI software.
The D20 will be meeting you all very soon — stay tuned!

#AIYIMA #D20 #Audiophiles #NewProductComing
View attachment 493694

Does it employ ESS or AKM chip? Picture has shown both?

 

[pickyAudiophile]

Does it employ ESS or AKM chip? Picture has shown both?

It's both, as it seems - this one is supposed to compete against the Q1 bei Douk Audio, the Q11's successor. So far it looks fine, a little gimmicky for some tastes with two chipsets maybe... However that's not a real cost driver with these two chipsets, by me at least it's appreciated. I like these sturdy enclosures of Anniversary Series. There is no dual balanced output (that's a major difference to the Q1) but maybe switching relays on the inside for that purpose.