NEOHIPO DC10 Stereo DAC Review

[AudioSceptic]

Damn I would so love to see this little DAC included in a blind test of DACs using Darko and a dozen or so of the other clowns that pollute YouTube as evaluators.

Along with the Apple adaptor and a few others.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Along with the Apple adaptor and a few others.

I think it's even more interesting to realize that just about any DAC on the market will deliver far more accurate and resolving sound than any Turntable setup. So an Apple Dongle or the Neohipo DC 10 at $48 will literally crush the sound of the $363,000 OMA K3 turntable which is capable of (optimistically) 11 bits of resolution.

 

[WalterW]

I think it's even more interesting to realize that just about any DAC on the market will deliver far more accurate and resolving sound than any Turntable setup. So an Apple Dongle or the Neohipo DC 10 at $48 will literally crush the sound of the $363,000 OMA K3 turntable which is capable of (optimistically) 11 bits of resolution.

yes, but you won´t get the wow factor, I mean the wow and flutter...

 

[phoenixdogfan]

yes, but you won´t get the wow factor, I mean the wow and flutter...

Yes but you will get to forego the Brutalist look of the Oma K3. Always thought of that school as the preferred building style of totalitarian regimes. Seems like it's all about making the individual look puny and insignificant when put against the power of the state.

 

[AnalogSteph]

As noted, noise contributes to SINAD but taken in context, it easily clears the 16 bit barrier:

That being said, it is over 20 dB short of what an ES9028Q2M should be capable of achieving. A $48 DAC skimping on low-noise Vref regulation? You don't say.

I suppose those armed with (micro)soldering equipment are likely to find this one a good modding candidate. Ironically, it appears the stock 5532 is just fine (maybe helped by an inverting circuit? That alone wouldn't explain the high noise level though, hence why I suspect a noisy DAC Vref).

BTW, the AP does not support a canned frequency response sweep? You'd literally get more comprehensive measurements with RMAA or REW then.

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Looks great. I love the toggle switches. Then there's the price performance ratio.

 

[suttondesign]

Assume a $50 DAC, Tidal+roon (about $350 annually), and whatever old PC or Mac you're using as the roon server. At that point, you have an excellent analog signal to put into a Genelec G5. My point being, the percentage that should go to the amp/speaker combo is now far higher than it was 20 years ago. We've essentially eliminated the source and its conversion as an expense.

 

[amirm]

BTW, the AP does not support a canned frequency response sweep?

It supports async acoustic sweeps but I find accuracy to not be high at either end of the spectrum for electronic devices.

 

[Koeitje]

Performance is fine, but the price makes it great.

 

[GeekyBastard]

If there's no need for Coaxial/Optical input, is Fosi Audio's DS2 with 3.5mm to 2 RCA split cable a better choice? (Or the balanced output, although I don't think that's safe to use.)

 

[VientoB]

Remote, readable screen and symmetrical outputs. Something like the SMSL M300SE ?

The M300SE only has a 3.5mm output for unbalanced signal so this DAC actually betters it in that respect.

 

[JeremyFife]

Nice

 

[Waxx]

Not state of the art, but beyond hearable good so very fine. And the enclosure looks find on photo also. So for that price this is good, we need more of that.

 

[VientoB]

Damn I would so love to see this little DAC included in a blind test of DACs using Darko and a dozen or so of the other clowns that pollute YouTube as evaluators.

Hans Beekhuyzen, IIWI Reviews...

 

[amirm]

Added to the review that the suggested retail price is $80 per company message to me.

 

[mc.god]

Fine device but If retail price is $80 I'd get SMSL SU-1 If I were on the market.
Since i don't need extra extra inputs I'm fine with my dongles and my old and trusty Khadas Tone Board.
Thanks for the review.

 

[somebodyelse]

For those long runs.

Not in a domestic setting. For avoidance of ground related noise issues - assuming it's properly implemented of course.

 

[amper42]

Am I understanding that the unit is powered by USB at the same time as using USB for the input?
When do we get a model with XLR outs for the amp?

 

[amirm]

Am I understanding that the unit is powered by USB at the same time as using USB for the input?

Correct. This is very common in this class of device. As long as power consumption is kept low -- lack of display helps -- it can run from USB power.

 

[AudioSceptic]

I think it's even more interesting to realize that just about any DAC on the market will deliver far more accurate and resolving sound than any Turntable setup. So an Apple Dongle or the Neohipo DC 10 at $48 will literally crush the sound of the $363,000 OMA K3 turntable which is capable of (optimistically) 11 bits of resolution.

Yes, and that's ignoring all the little problems with the LP itself. They are never perfect even when new, and only get worse each time you slide them out of the sleeve and expose them to an atmosphere containing dust and whatever, followed by dragging a tiny rock along the groove. All the same, we all know that vinyl can sound far better than it ought to. That's why so many of us bought things like Linn LP12s!