Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

[rcstevensonaz]

(See edit above for D10 under Linux)

You will probably find much better help for Linux on the RME Forums. And, getting the Unix drivers to work might also be better moved to its own topic thread.

I suspect the two output device options you see are both referring to the connectivity from the Linux host (output) device to the DAC (input) device, not about the subsequent outputs from the DAC.

But, I am curious to understand why the Linux environment is presenting both Analog Output and a Digital Output device options to the D10B (i.e., from the Linux device). The only input connection on the D10B is USB, which is a digital audio interface.

Edit: regarding you last note... I think these are issues with the routing engine within Mint. And that somehow, the "digital" option includes the capability of modifying the volume setting while the "analog" option is essentially line-level output. And again, I believe the D10B itself will always be routing the same digital input simultaneously to the balanced output (via DAC) as well bridging pass-through to the Coax & Optical outputs.

Edit #2: once you have received the RME ADI-2/4 Pro, you may want to consider just having your computer output at full volume. And then use the auto ref volume capabilities on the RME for inputs / outputs; and equally, do all of your PEQ adjustments on the RME device. That will greatly simplify audio routing management on the host computer side; and takes advantage of the superior audio functionality that is native to the RME.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I suspect the two output device options you see are both referring to the connectivity from the Linux host (output) device to the DAC (input) device, not about the subsequent outputs from the DAC.

I see that with the Hidizs S9 Pro, too: Analog and S/P-DIF. It has single-ended and balanced analogue outputs, but no S/P-DIF.

Edit: regarding you last note... I think these are issues with the routing engine within Mint. And that somehow, the "digital" option includes the capability of modifying the volume setting while the "analog" option is essentially line-level output.

I don’t think so. Until this evening I was always able to change the volume of "Analog Output". It’s just weird.

And again, I believe the D10B itself will always be routing the same digital input simultaneously to the balanced output (via DAC) as well bridging pass-through to the Coax & Optical outputs.

I think that too. In alsamixer there is only one slider for the D10B.

Edit #2: once you have received the RME ADI-2/4 Pro, you may want to consider just having your computer output at full volume. And then use the auto ref volume capabilities on the RME for inputs / outputs; and equally, do all of your PEQ adjustments on the RME device. That will greatly simplify audio routing management on the host computer side; and takes advantage of the superior audio functionality that is native to the RME.

If the ADI-2/4 adjusts the volume of its S/P-DIF outs, I will definitely use that and set the OS volume to 100%. That’s much more convenient/user-friendly than using the mouse wheel over an icon in a panel, or a knob on the keyboard.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

Just for the record: I rebooted the machine, now I can adjust the volume of "Analog Output" again, but everytime I stop (not pause!) playback in fb2k, sound is gone, I have to click on "Analog Output" to get sound back. The sound isn’t going through PulseEffects, even though fb2k shows up as app in PulseEffects.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I got the ADI-2/4 today and set it up to control the volume of S/P-DIF out. All software volume settings are on 100%, now. I have a strange feeling about this, frankly. If for any reason this one setting of the ADI should change, there would be max. volume going to the speakers. Scary.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I got the ADI-2/4 today and set it up to control the volume of S/P-DIF out. All software volume settings are on 100%, now. I have a strange feeling about this, frankly. If for any reason this one setting of the ADI should change, there would be max. volume going to the speakers. Scary.

Suggest you move that aspect of the conversation to a thread for RME devices, since this thread is focused on TOPPING D10 Balanced (D10B).

(On that other thread, I will suggest you should enable Auto Ref on the input and output)

 

[FlyingTeuton]

You’re right, this is OT. I’ll have a look at Auto Ref, thanks.

 

[aamwgm]

I’m using a Scarlett Solo (gen. 3) which also has TRS balanced outputs.

Will I gain something over the Solo with the D10B as far as balanced implementation goes? I know there are gains in SINAD etc.

 

[aamwgm]

And my apologies for necroposting again:

I did buy myself a D10 Balanced and pretty happy with it so far! The DAC is plugged into my "Hi-Fi computer" which remains on 24/7. This morning after it had been on for a while, I saw that the display of the DAC showing dashes followed by a dot. The manual made no mention of this but I assumed it was some sort of a standby indicator.

I played music on the computer (Qobuz on a browser), but this didn't "wake up" the DAC, even after several seconds of playback. In the end, I just power cycled the DAC (unplugging & plugging the USB cable back), but this is pretty cumbersome if I have to do this over and over again. I'd have expected the DAC to pick up the USB signal and wake up.

The manual does mention the standby mode, but nothing about how it is indicated on the display.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

And my apologies for necroposting again:

I did buy myself a D10 Balanced and pretty happy with it so far! The DAC is plugged into my "Hi-Fi computer" which remains on 24/7. This morning after it had been on for a while, I saw that the display of the DAC showing dashes followed by a dot. The manual made no mention of this but I assumed it was some sort of a standby indicator.

I played music on the computer (Qobuz on a browser), but this didn't "wake up" the DAC, even after several seconds of playback. In the end, I just power cycled the DAC (unplugging & plugging the USB cable back), but this is pretty cumbersome if I have to do this over and over again. I'd have expected the DAC to pick up the USB signal and wake up.

The manual does mention the standby mode, but nothing about how it is indicated on the display.

Make sure the USB device settings on your computer are set to not go to sleep to conserve energy, and instead always remain on. I'm not at a PC currently, so I can't past a copy of that setting. Note: this is about the specific USB setting, not about the computer's overall power / sleep setting.

Also to note: I never encountered the issue you mention from either my laptop or my main PC (each connected to separate D10Bs). Even though the computers would go into sleep mode, I never had any issue with the D10B playing audio when they came back to full power.