In my review of Topping D10 DAC, I was asked how well the D10 does as a USB to S/PDIF (and Toslink) converter since it has those outputs. I thought I make this review and measurement its own topic.
The Topping D10 is nice and tiny and no bigger than many USB to S/PDIF converters. What's more, it has a nice display which many lack, showing the sample rate:
At $75 including shipping (albeit on Massdrop), it is also price competitive with other such converters.
Let's get into measurements and see how it does. As usual, if you are not familiar with what these graphs are, refer to my tutorial on understanding audio measurements: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/understanding-audio-measurements.2351/
Measurements
For my first test, I used the RME ADI-2 DAC as the test bed. Performance there was identical whether I used RME ADI-2 DAC's own USB input, or going through Topping D10 to drive its S/PDIF. This is high praise as it shows that the USB implementation in Topping D10 is very good. Alternatively it could be that the S/PDIF input on the RME DAC is excellent when it comes to jitter and noise reduction.
So I went the other way and pulled out the Schiit Modi 2 Uber. From prior testing I know that its USB input leaves something to be desired. Let's see how it did with its own USB input versus Topping D10 driving its S/PDIF:
We see that the output is substantially cleaned up. Gone (mostly) are the jitter/distortion spikes below 8 kHz. The reduction in lowest frequencies is quite remarkable to the tune of 25 dB!!!
One key point though: I had to disconnect the USB cable going to Schiit Modi to get the above results. If I left that USB connection to my computer there on Schiit Modi 2 while making the above comparison I get this:
As we see, there is no reduction of distortion or noise whatsoever. The mere connection of USB cable to Schiit Modi 2 Uber, even when using S/PDIF, causes its output to substantially degrade.
The broadening shoulders on our 12 kHz tone remains there in either case indicating a DAC clock source (inside Modi 2 Uber) that has random jitter.
Conclusions
The Topping D10 makes a nice little USB to S/PDIF and Toslink converter for legacy DACs. And for improving DACs with poor USB implementations. Then again in the latter case, you might as well use the DAC inside the Topping D10 as it is likely to perform even better!
-----------------------
As always, questions, comments, corrections, jokes, etc. are all welcome!
----
If you like this review, please consider donating funds for these types of hardware purchase using Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/audiosciencereview), or upgrading your membership here though Paypal (https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...eview-and-measurements.2164/page-3#post-59054).
The Topping D10 is nice and tiny and no bigger than many USB to S/PDIF converters. What's more, it has a nice display which many lack, showing the sample rate:
At $75 including shipping (albeit on Massdrop), it is also price competitive with other such converters.
Let's get into measurements and see how it does. As usual, if you are not familiar with what these graphs are, refer to my tutorial on understanding audio measurements: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/understanding-audio-measurements.2351/
Measurements
For my first test, I used the RME ADI-2 DAC as the test bed. Performance there was identical whether I used RME ADI-2 DAC's own USB input, or going through Topping D10 to drive its S/PDIF. This is high praise as it shows that the USB implementation in Topping D10 is very good. Alternatively it could be that the S/PDIF input on the RME DAC is excellent when it comes to jitter and noise reduction.
So I went the other way and pulled out the Schiit Modi 2 Uber. From prior testing I know that its USB input leaves something to be desired. Let's see how it did with its own USB input versus Topping D10 driving its S/PDIF:
We see that the output is substantially cleaned up. Gone (mostly) are the jitter/distortion spikes below 8 kHz. The reduction in lowest frequencies is quite remarkable to the tune of 25 dB!!!
One key point though: I had to disconnect the USB cable going to Schiit Modi to get the above results. If I left that USB connection to my computer there on Schiit Modi 2 while making the above comparison I get this:
As we see, there is no reduction of distortion or noise whatsoever. The mere connection of USB cable to Schiit Modi 2 Uber, even when using S/PDIF, causes its output to substantially degrade.
The broadening shoulders on our 12 kHz tone remains there in either case indicating a DAC clock source (inside Modi 2 Uber) that has random jitter.
Conclusions
The Topping D10 makes a nice little USB to S/PDIF and Toslink converter for legacy DACs. And for improving DACs with poor USB implementations. Then again in the latter case, you might as well use the DAC inside the Topping D10 as it is likely to perform even better!
-----------------------
As always, questions, comments, corrections, jokes, etc. are all welcome!
----
If you like this review, please consider donating funds for these types of hardware purchase using Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/audiosciencereview), or upgrading your membership here though Paypal (https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...eview-and-measurements.2164/page-3#post-59054).
Last edited:
