This is a review and detailed measurements of the NEOHIPO DC10 budget stereo DAC. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $48. Suggested retail price is $80.
The two switches feel solid and frankly all that is needed in a simple DAC. Back panel follows the same rule:
Let's measure it to see how it performs.
If you are not familiar with my tests, please watch this tutorial on DAC Measurements:
NEOHIPO DC10 DAC Measurements
The DAC seems to advertise itself as a "dongle" class USB audio which means that my analyzer can't correctly drive it. But standard media players can and that is how I tested it with Roon. Testing is limited to static signals but I think they are good enough to get a good sense of DC10 performance starting with our dashboard:
Distortion is below threshold of hearing. Noise combines with it to deliver a competent SINAD:
If you look a few lines above it, you will find DACs costing thousands of dollars!
As noted, noise contributes to SINAD but taken in context, it easily clears the 16 bit barrier:
There are some interference patterns in jitter test but their amplitude is below threshold of hearing once again:
Conclusions
The DC10 seems to be built around what we normally find in a competent dongle but comes in a proper enclosure with richer connectivity. Yet it costs lower than high-end dongles. In my book, that is pretty good. We are talking the price of two fast food meals for two!
I am going to recommend the NEOHIPO DC10 stereo DAC.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
The two switches feel solid and frankly all that is needed in a simple DAC. Back panel follows the same rule:
Let's measure it to see how it performs.
If you are not familiar with my tests, please watch this tutorial on DAC Measurements:
NEOHIPO DC10 DAC Measurements
The DAC seems to advertise itself as a "dongle" class USB audio which means that my analyzer can't correctly drive it. But standard media players can and that is how I tested it with Roon. Testing is limited to static signals but I think they are good enough to get a good sense of DC10 performance starting with our dashboard:
Distortion is below threshold of hearing. Noise combines with it to deliver a competent SINAD:
If you look a few lines above it, you will find DACs costing thousands of dollars!
As noted, noise contributes to SINAD but taken in context, it easily clears the 16 bit barrier:
There are some interference patterns in jitter test but their amplitude is below threshold of hearing once again:
Conclusions
The DC10 seems to be built around what we normally find in a competent dongle but comes in a proper enclosure with richer connectivity. Yet it costs lower than high-end dongles. In my book, that is pretty good. We are talking the price of two fast food meals for two!
I am going to recommend the NEOHIPO DC10 stereo DAC.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
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