HIFI Audio Decoder Amplifier - Aimpire AD10 MINI USB DAC CSS XMOS XU208 ES9018K2M OPA2134 Audio Amplifier Decoder

I needed this relatively inexpensive DAC to verify that my new music server setup was transferring the music stream at its originally encoded bit rate rather than down sampling it before transmission.What I found was that my old Mac laptop could not be made to accomplish the task, since the third party software for that purpose won't run on the ancient OS I have.Using MusicBee on my old Windows 10 Vaio though, I can send files to the DAC at whatever resolution they were encoded with. Using the display on this DAC verifies that as the track changes to one with a different sampling rate, this DAC seamlessly adapts to the new rate and displays it on the face as "proof."Although I intended to use this DAC just as the diagnostic tool to verify the accuracy of the stream and then switch my music to a more sophisticated (and expensive) DAC for critical listening, I found that direct A /B comparison in my music system revealed no discernible differences between this Topping DAC and my "audiophile" DAC.This is a very competent DAC at all sampling rates and plays beautifully with openness and depth. I never heard any graininess or harshness even at standard CD sampling rates of 44.1KHz and all the way to my highest Rez file at 192KHz.Simple USB power (no wall adapter needed) that works as soon as I open the laptop and has no spurious artifacts when it powers on, this DAC delivers stunning performance for its simple operation (it just works, plug and play) and inexpensive cost!

After listening to computer-based audio for the past 11 years, and doing it exclusively through the computer’s headphone jack, decided that it was time to step things up. Assembled a wish list of affordable and strong performing Schiit-brand components, but wasn’t crazy about spending $500 on it. It then occurred to me that I might already own enough miscellaneous audio gear to put a comparable system together.After scrounging through my odds and ends, found an unused: AudioQuest JitterBug USB filter, AudioQuest Carbon USB cable, AudioQuest Carbon RCA-to-3.5mm cable, and an old and now seldom used C&C BH2 headphone amp (which has only a 3.5mm analog input). All of this is good-to-great gear, but was missing a good-to-great DAC with an RCA output.DACs boasting integrated headphone amps are everywhere, but I needed a pure DAC, meaning no headphone amp. This requirement made the search for a $100 (max) DAC slightly challenging. Despite this, the search ended and everything fell into place when I found the Topping D10. Fortunately, every D10 review that I could find (and there weren’t too many) was flattering and confirmed the value of D10. So, took the plunge and bought it.While I don’t claim to have “golden ears,” my hearing does seem to clue in on audible peculiarities better than many others. Having said that, the D10 (paired with the aforementioned C&C BH2 headphone amp) seems to create a natural, clear, and realistic soundscape with just enough excitement and energy to keep me grinning for hours. I know that you could buy a superior DAC, but not for the same price ($90). I especially love that the D10 is USB powered (no wall wart is necessary), stout in build quality, heavy enough to stay where you place it (no sliding), aesthetically pleasing, requires no special drivers, and that it is certified for high-resolution audio.Am very pleased and contented to have the D10 in my system...and for a tad over $400 less than the Schiit-brand components! Thank you Topping!!

I bought this based on reviews and the fact that it tested ruler flat. I like swapping out Opamps, and this converter has that possibility.Installation was fairly easy. Downloaded the driver. There's a big, bright display which is, well, big and bright. And red. There's no headphone amp, just RCA analog and digital out. There's only USB input.NB: using a Y cable you can drive a pair of headphones no problem, and control the volume on the computer. A good headphone amp will make a tiny difference, depending on the impedance and make of the headphones.(I have maybe listened to 200 converters; I'm a professional audio engineer and videographer)The sound: this is an above average converter, but not a great converter. The bass sound is a bit woolly, and the treble at certain frequencies has a very slight skritch. Other treble notes are fine. It is revealing, but not very revealing. It is reasonably detailed, but not very detailed.The soundstage is a bit small in presentation, which is the first thing I noticed. In addition, the imaging is not the pinpoint imaging that I need for my work. At the same price or lower, the Cambridge XS is better in all respects, but does not have the digital outs.Build quality was good. Mine came in a dented box, but the converter looked perfect. Actually, I don't really care what it looks like. I would prefer a smaller display or no display. A switchable headphone jack would be way more useful than the display.So, it's totally fine, but if you are looking for audiophile on a budget, this is not it.