The problem is that such boxes if they exist get panned on sites like this because they didn't measure as well as a $10 dongle which didn't have any of that. Even if no one can hear the difference. Until the evaluations and ratings get some weight for convenience and features, the incentive is to strip down.
Not a comment on Topping but in general the world of audio seems to be headed towards segmentation
- a set of manufacturers that build a box around a reference design for a chip which determines all the functionality. Just focus on doing the reference design well. Lower price points, good measurements close to the theoretical specs of the chip possible, mass-market direct sales, low integration potential. Mostly Asian OEMs.
- a set of manufacturers that do specialized circuitry for a single function and do it well. Don't have the resources to develop or market a lot of functionality but will have best-in-class performance. Not cheap but not very expensive. Remain in niche markets. Like Okta or Topping or even Schiit to some extent. The limiting factor to growth here seems to be software/firmware capabilities of the manufacturer. Most of them more comfortable with hardware development than software.
- a set of manufacturers that design a functional well-integrated box with carefully chosen features and then developing the proprietary circuitry and required software/firmware to deliver on that functional design. The ones who do separates here have an existential crisis because of competition from mass-market all-in-one brands. And this is why those kinds of well-designed separates solutions are going to slowly disappear or stay in high-end niche markets..
Auto sensing input? Seems to be becoming more of a thing these days.
