The D10 has arrived!
Hooking it up, using my JDS Element as amp\volume control for this first run. I like the orange display, and it dims a bit after a few seconds of inactivity. Windows 10 provides a driver, and it runs fine at 44.1, but it seems if you want higher rates, you will need to download and install the drivers from Topping. FYI, I had to restart the PC and reinstall the D10 driver after the first installation attempt still showed an Unknown Device in Device Manager. Once it is installed and connected via USB, you will see a small TP icon in the system tray that will allow you to directly access the driver settings.
Another pro-move....they provide the components and instructions needed for FooBar2K if you have not previously set it up for DSD decoding.
Something I had not realized prior to purchase....like the JDS Labs Element, the DAC itself is powered by USB. What this means for SQ remains to be seen, I'm sure Amir will have things to say about that.
All set up, ready to go. I have a few files from the
2L Nordic Sound Test Bench to play with (no, I've not invested one red penny in HiRes other than this DAC) so it's time to get listening. I've noticed that all these files have MQA encoding at some point, and I have grave concerns that MQA is a partially lossy format, and is therefore not suitable for audiophile usage when fully lossless (FLAC, OGG) is even more ubiquitous and is practically as bandwidth efficient. The one thing that sets this page apart is the multiplicity of formats, all of the identical recording, which makes for easier subjective A\B'ing. For the most part the DSD files sound fine, but several runs through present me with snap, crackle and cut-outs.
After running through my suite of test tracks compiled from various sources, I'm convinced that, at least as far as the Topping D10 is concerned, the DSD formats offer nothing that my ears can hear.
Now, as a DAC, the D10 is honestly excellent. Compared to the Element DAC(which I feel is a worthy bedside unit), the D10 easily bests it. It does have a slightly higher output than the on-board DAC, so some fiddling with the knob is needed to match levels. Subjectively , the overall clarity seems higher, and the bass also seems to dig just a bit deeper, but I'm fairly certain that subjective listening reports are about as useful as teats on a boar. Again, however, with my standard run of FLAC files, the D10 would occasionally stutter, crackle and cut out, which is annoying and puzzling.
Signal chain: Synology NAS ->Dell XPS 9560 ->Dell TB16 Dock -> Topping D10 (alt. JDS Labs Element DAC) -> JDS Labs Element amplifier -> Oppo PM-3