Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

[Svperstar]

However, DACs have evolved significantly since the D10, so I suggest comparing them with recent models. You can feel the difference even with cheaper models.

Can you give specific examples of "low end" DACs better then the D10 Balanced? I have an RME ADI-2 on my main setup. I got the D10 Balanced just to have a Balanced DAC on my work from home setup.

 

[Toku]

Can you give specific examples of "low end" DACs better then the D10 Balanced? I have an RME ADI-2 on my main setup. I got the D10 Balanced just to have a Balanced DAC on my work from home setup.

That was a long time ago, but when I designed professional equipment for broadcasting stations, I never thought that the sound quality would be different between balanced and unbalanced connections. However, in the world of consumer audio, it is customary to use 2V as the standard for unbalanced and 4V as the standard for balanced. I think it is this difference in voltage that makes the sound quality seem different.
I don't know of any products with balanced outputs in the same price range as the D10b.

 

[propaganda1]

Does anyone know why I cannot connect my Topping D10 Balanced to my laptop using a USB-C to USB-B cable? But USB-C to a USB-A converter then USB-A to USB-B cable works fine. I'd like to minimise the amount of things in my chain. I've used two different USB-C to USB-B cables, both of which do not work.

Any help is appreciated

 

[Mort]

Does anyone know why I cannot connect my Topping D10 Balanced to my laptop using a USB-C to USB-B cable?

You've tried multiple cables? I'm doing A to B and it works.

 

[propaganda1]

You've tried multiple cables? I'm doing A to B and it works.

A to B works fine, C to B is where I'm having issues, and I don't want to use a C to A converter and then have to use A to B. Wow those letters are confusing me lol

 

[kchap]

UGREEN make a USB-C to USB-B Adapter

 

[Svperstar]

...and I am getting a popping noise noise now when the DAC stops making sound. Its delayed a bit. Not immediate. I see other people have had the same issue and it went away when they got a different amp. Wasn't planning on replacing my Stax 717 anytime soon, tho in the interest of testing I might swap it.

Didn't notice this when I was testing it earlier

 

[Svperstar]

Due to the popping noises everytime the D10 Balanced stops playing I was thinking of sending it back and getting this:

Fosi Audio ZD3 Balanced DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio ZD3 balanced stereo DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $179.99. The ZD3 manages at the same time to look elegant/modern and cute! The choice of round display is smart as is displaying the level the largest in the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Anyone have experience with the Fosi? Any other recommendations?

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Due to the popping noises everytime the D10 Balanced stops playing I was thinking of sending it back and getting this:

Fosi Audio ZD3 Balanced DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio ZD3 balanced stereo DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $179.99. The ZD3 manages at the same time to look elegant/modern and cute! The choice of round display is smart as is displaying the level the largest in the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Anyone have experience with the Fosi? Any other recommendations?

For what it is worth, I have two D10B Balanced (D10B) DACS attached to two different computers. Both route into a mixer (Ashly LX-308B), so I have a visual output meter along with the actual audio. And I have NEVER encountered an issue with popping noises on either unit (either through visual meter or audio sound) -- whether starting playing, stopping playing, unplugging / re-plugging USB cable, or even during rebooting the respective computers.

I suggest you send the D10B back since you are not happy with it; or you could contact TOPPING for diagnostic help. But I also request that you do not come here with veiled bashing of product without also including details on diagnostic activities and the result of your working with the vendor to diagnose the issue.

Also, please respect that this thread is a review of the D10B. If you want recommendations for products other than D10B, then open your own thread on that topic.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I got a D10B this week. I searched this thread for Linux, but only briefly. Here is what I found with Mint 21.3 and Mate 1.26.0:

• The device is listed twice, with different outputs: "D10 Balanced Analog Output" and "D10 Balanced Digital Output (S/PDIF)".
• I was getting sound only when I chose "Analog Output", no matter if I was using the balanced output or any of the two S/P-DIF outputs, and no sound when I chose "Digital Output".
• The D10’s display always showed "44.1 PCM", except: When JACK was running and set to 48kHz, the display showed "48.0 PCM".
• Just now, for testing what sample rate was being sent to the D10, I uncommented two lines in /etc/pulse/daemon.conf:
  ; default-sample-rate = 48000
  ; alternate-sample-rate = 44100
  Then I restarted PulseAudio with pulseaudio -k. The D10’s display immediately switched to "48.0 PCM"
• Now, there is no sound with "Analog Output", only with "Digital Output", both on the balanced output and both S/P-DIFs. Even after I reverted all changes in daemon.conf and restarted PulseAudio again. I bet it will be back the other way round after a system restart.

That’s somewhat annoying. I hoped to have sound on the balanced outputs going to my headphone amp only when I choose "Analog Output" and sound on the S/P-DIFs going to my monitors only when I choose "Digital Output". The way it behaves now, I have to turn of the speakers on their backs when I use headphones. For the headphone amp I have to turn the system volume in Linux up to max, while with the speakers I have to use it to adjust the actual volume.

 

[Palladium]

I would return the D10B for a D50 III. Its a much better package for not much more.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I hoped to have sound on the balanced outputs going to my headphone amp only when I choose "Analog Output" and sound on the S/P-DIFs going to my monitors only when I choose "Digital Output".

This would be a very interesting capability of the D10S / D10B if that was an option. But I was always under the impression that the D10S / D10B always outputs simultaneously to all three output sources.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I would return the D10B for a D50 III. Its a much better package for not much more.

Can you provide any qualification for why you suggest this? Does it meet the requirements the person shared in a way that cannot be met by the D10B?

From my perspective, the D50 III is "horrible" package that is completely opposite of my requirements (which are a clean front face and no volume control). That is before even considering the fact its "horrible" package is far more expensive. So it is very hard to see how that is a "better package" (from my perspective).

 

[JRowland]

This would be a very interesting capability of the D10S / D10B if that was an option. But I was always under the impression that the D10S / D10B always outputs simultaneously to all three output sources.

The s outputs to all 3 at the same time for sure. I got one recently for the digital conversion (with neat display) to feed my phone into my AVR. Having unused DAC analog outputs I first ran them to a VU meter just to use them for something. Then I added an L30ii, now I can play at a moderate volume through the AVR so my wife can read in the same room while I strap on headphones for more volume if I want while sitting beside her.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I would return the D10B for a D50 III. Its a much better package for not much more.

Where I live it would be 230€ instead of 140€. I wouldn’t call that "not much more". While I’d like to have PEQ in the DAC, the D50 III has no digital outputs, as far as I can tell. I need coax out for the speakers. I’d rather go for one of the D90 III, even though they’re really much more (~900€). They look much better and have LDAC, which I could use sometimes. I would welcome a pre-amp function with a volume knob, too.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I need coax out for the speakers. ... [T]he D90 III ... have LDAC, which I could use sometimes. I would welcome a pre-amp function with a volume knob, too.

You list a few of your user requirements, which helps on selection.

1. Coax (digital) output — must have — D10B / D10S
2. Switched outputs (analog vs. digital) — must have (from earlier note) — [none of the TOPPING]
3. LDAC input — nice to have — D90
4. Volume control — nice to have — D50 and D90

The hardest part is the requirement for digital coax output. The D10B will provide that; but neither the D50 or the D90 offer that capability.

There are other brands that could provide for switched digital / analog output, such as the WiiM Pro or an RME ADI-2 Pro.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

There is an ADI-2/4 on its way. It has a very good headphone amp, so I won’t be using the analogue outputs for now. Anyway …

Edit: Now, there is sound on the D10’s coax out with either "Analog Output" and "Digital Output". Same goes for the balanced outputs. Sure, because, why not …

 

[FlyingTeuton]

(See edit above for D10 under Linux)

 

[rcstevensonaz]

There is an ADI-2/4 on its way. It has a very good headphone amp, so I won’t be using the analogue outputs for now. Anyway …

The RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE is an amazing device — though a tad more expensive than a D10B . I highly doubt you will regret it. And, it can serve as an audio hub as your input and output audio chains grow over time.

In my case, my home office input audio chain includes multiple D10Bs and a WiiM Pro. All of which are routed into a stereo audio mixer (Ashly LX-308B), which in turn is the analog input (XLR|TRS) to an RME ADI-2 Pro FS R. [Which is why I do not want any volume knobs on the DACs, since they are only used as line-level input to the audio mixer... and why the D10B for me is an absolutely perfect device!!!]

I then supply various output audio chains from the RME ADI-2 Pro to support different "listening positions" throughout the room:

• analog output (XLR|TRS) => active speakers (KH120 A) for listening on speakers at my desk
• digital output (Coax) => LS50 Wireless II for listening on speakers from a comfy chair in a different part of the room
• digital output (Optical) => DAC+HP Amp (D90*+A30) for listening on headphones at the comfy chair

* The D90 is massive overkill for this case, but it was repurposed ("leftover device") when I replaced it with the RME ADI-2 Pro as my primary audio hub.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

There must be something seriously broken here. Until a few minutes ago, everytime I paused Youtube, the sound was gone. I had to click on "Analog Output" in the devices list. No sound, neither Youtube nor foobar2000/Wine would go through PulseEffect’s PEQ, even after killing PulseAudio. Now, I am hearing Youtube both via "Analog Output" and "Digital Output", but I can’t turn down the system volume of "Analog Output". I mean, I can turn it down all the way to mute, but there is still coming 0dBFS out of the balanced outputs. When I choose "Digital Output", there is sound, too, but I can lower the volume.

I have come to really hate Mate. I mean, I detest Windows, but Mate has so many bugs now, that it has to go. I hope the sound issues I have right now are purely Mate related.

* The D90 is massive overkill for this case, but it was repurposed ("leftover device") when I replaced it with the RME ADI-2 Pro as my primary audio hub.

I think I am going to keep the D10B, too. It’s a nice little box.