*PLEASE READ CAREFULLY* THIS IS A TEST -- With this video, we are trialling a new way of doing things: the comments section below has been switched ON but will be *moderated by a third party*. The upshot? You get to leave a comment below the video and I don't get tied up by comment moderation to stay focussed on making the next video or podcast as well as keeping the Darko.Audio website and Patreon up to date. That means more content for EVERYONE. Our new third-party moderator is under strict instruction not to approve racist or sexist remarks, URLs, (the seeds of) conspiracy theories or the unsubstantiated ramblings of grumpy geezers.

Of course yes. We love to see reviews on budget gear.

It's great that you talk about products in this range of prices, thank you!

Thank you, by covering Schiit like this you are catering for those of us who don’t always have megabucks to spend on everything. Yes I’m into about £4k in my system but I also love a bargain and don’t have cash all the time (being a father) to spend. I have to choose very wisely and when you review budget bargains it helps massively to buy blind. I’m looking to pair the topping DAC with a mini dot tube amp to power my faithful HD600’s whilst working from home

Thank you for reviewing this DAC. I bought one and built a raspberry pi4 streamer using Volumio. It sounds great on my system (Cayin tune integrated amp + Harbeth P3esr.)

So I bought both DACs. I use the Topping for streaming my Amazon HD music from my computer into my NAD 3020. I use the Schiit Modi 3 to stream from my Raspberry Pi 4 (with HiFiBerry hat connected to linear power suppy) also into my NAD 3020. The Topping is truly smoother, while the Schiit seems to give some bite and crunch to my FLAC files...

@shadouxg7150

3 жыл бұрын

Which one do u prefer

Getting my D10s on Thursday , thanks to Darko's review!

Came here to see a review of the Topping as a USB to Coaxial Digital converter, and was not disappointed. Well done for not skipping that part of the review. Personally, I couldn't care less about if it even had a DAC built in. I need the conversion to go from my PC to my Meridian DSP5000 speakers (using digital passthrough for my Meridian 561).

Yay - making audiophile entry easier...thanks for the effort!

got myself a Modi 3+ for apple music in lossless with an iPad and i'm so happy ! it's my first dac and the sound is so so much better than connecting the iPad directly from the jack.

Great style and background music for this kind of review!

Years later I come back to this video and have total understanding of this concept pairing a warm sounding discrete Asgard 3 with ultra clear sounding Sundara is amazing. ❤

I absolutely love my D10S. I'm using a Raspberry Pi 2 running Volumio with a 250gb thumb drive full of music. I was initially concerned that the Raspberry Pi would prove to be the weakest link and it would struggle to feed the DAC without audio issues. But it's been absolutely flawless, not a pop or a click anywhere, even when playing DSD files. It's the best £100 I've ever spent on HiFi.

@honsten

10 ай бұрын

Is it pretty much plug and play with USB dacs on the Pi?

Love your clear explanations of this new tech. It is a goldmine for me - someone who began building speakers as a kid in the 70s! Thank you for all the care, thought and research you put into each video. I was curious why you auditioned these DACs with headphones rather than the Hifi with LS50s and S400s behind you. Is there too much coloration in amp and speakers to do a good comparison? I especially like your point about matching a DAC’s sound to the character of the headphones. Keep up the good work.

@iikatinggangsengii2471

Жыл бұрын

he probably very familiar with the sound so any changes will easily be noticed

got my D10S yesterday and im really pleased with it, its plug and play under Windows 10 and Debian Live though i did install the drivers on windows

Fantastic videos, all of them! Really enjoy watching your content. I wish they gave old CD players a new lease of life by having digital ins so when the laser portion becomes bust, you could make use of the CD player's DAC or even get your TVs TOSLINK out and run it through your CD players DAC. i.e Imagine having your TV's sound coming out of your Marantz CD players DAC and soundstage and then to your amp? World of opportunities

@stevenp.sparks2953

2 жыл бұрын

^^ This!!!!

Great review

I listen to this guy because of the honesty. So many talk about 'hearing' stuff that I am not sure it's possible to hear and I know I certainly can't. So I am not looking to spend a fortune in the short term until I can get to the point I can tell the difference. I have a Raspberry PI 3b I was using but will probably try a Pi 4, just for fun, but wanted a DAC that I could then play with.

Just what I need it! Thanks. ☕

Thank you for this review. I'm running a McIntosh D100 digital preamp in USB which would often chirp as the audio signal dropped on my computer (between tracks or when audio muted on videos). Quite annoying for an otherrwise glorious sounding device. I picked-up the Topping and am running it to convert USB digital to Optical and voilà, problem solved!

Thank you!

Every time John says Schiit, I have to remind my self that he is not saying that the topping is better than the shit.

You can give the Topping a massive upgrade by just swapping the opamp of the output stage. For example a LME49720HA or an OPA1612. For less than 10€.

@oioionionone

2 жыл бұрын

ASR tested this and found no audible difference when swapping the OPAmp, and the measured performance was actually ether with the original part

The fact that D10s can be used to convert the USB input to other digital outputs and the downstream device improves because the digital jitters are filtered out, it mean the D10s itself as a DAC is able to handle the jitter better, probably better engineered on the input side, at least.

Very well said 👍

in this review the benefit of the Coax/ SPDIF output is understated. its purely mentioned as a possible USB interface to another DAC. I am using the Coax digital output as direct feed to my Genelec 8330 Speakers (digital input). There is no point using a Dac to feed the analogue input on digital speakers because it triggers an additional A-D-A conversion and saves the cost of a good dac. The quality is good and the additional bass from the speakers is phonemenal.

Love the 'straight-forwardness' of your approach. Have learned a great deal. Q: what would you suggest for a DAC to permit AR powered speakers and/or headphones from a Mac mini to improve audio quality during editing videos. Is the Topping a viable option? Thanks.

I got the D10 because I was curious about updating my desktop setup. Everything is clean and clear paired with a fosi audio v1. I even upgraded to the Sparkos op amp when I found out that the D10 is socketed. It made a difference. Everything was more in your face with a little more detail with the Sparkos. That being said, if I never got the Sparkos op amp, I would have still been happy. This with a pair of old Philips mcd702s ribbon bookshelf speakers is an amazing near field setup for the price. Just make sure to grab the proper D10 drivers and I recommend using the free APO Equalizer software to make slight tweaks to the EQ if needed. The only thing left for me is to find a great deal on a little desktop subwoofer.

Love my Topping D10s! Now all I need it seems is a big door stop to go on top of it!!! 😂I want to see a blind test of this gear (a) without door stops and then (b) with door stops. 😃

@ryanbower9685

9 ай бұрын

did you try it? does the doorstop help?

I've got the dragonfly black since 2016. Wonderfull DAC for this price, i love it. But i've got a Topping E30 for one week now in the same price level +/-... I took the E30 and not the D10s because the is an DC 5V on the E30. Game over. The Topping E30 is so so so much better. Space, details... cristal. And it was a challenge because the dragonfly black is a very good audio DAC. tks for this review about Topping !

@Poraqui

2 жыл бұрын

My next one. I'm pretty sure I'll not need another DAC for a long time.

When you said if we can tell how different these dacs sounded by the chip… I already had guessed the sound difference you described. Absolutely the DAC male a difference. These chips are constantly compared and the results are very consistent. With the ESS being more detailed and thinner while the AKM being a thicker with wider and meatier sound.

You can't go wrong with: "The Topping beats the Schitt" wording! Also: "If we have the Topping intercede between the Pi and the Schitt..."

I have this exact setup the modi3 + and the hersey ,The D10 is a better dac when the hersey is connected directly to the d10 I can leave the amp on low gain and never max out the volume compared to the modi3+ hersey I always have to listen on high gain

Thanks ! I really like your videos. It makes me understand a lot of things and i can improve my audio quality with your explanations that are very clear ! Because of you i have a ifi zen stream with a smsl sm su9 dac in my living room to feed my pro ac studio 130 and now i just buy the topping to feed my marantz mcr612 with my USB output on the iMac. So really thanks you!

The Topping doesn't attenuate anything in the audible range, so if the Schiit sounds beefier then it's not transparent. To get added beef, crunch, etc, parametric EQ might be a more predictable/repeatable option.

Hello from Finland! I been watching your videos with great interest for some time. I bought Topping E30 because I needed USB for computer and Toslink for CD player. What happened to sound? It’s like you been driving with Lada. Then you buy let’s say VW Passat. I don’t know better way to describe difference. It’s much much better! With cd and with Spotify. So thanks for pinpointing this product! Price and quality are in balance with this. German Amazon was good place to buy one with no taxes and no shipping costs to Finland.

I have an older Sim Audio MOON 100 D DAC. It's still a pretty acceptable DAC. I feed it two signals, an Audiolabs 6000CDT transport, and more importantly, on your review, I feed a digital signal from the Topping D10s to the 100 D. I have never enjoyed streamed music from my PC as much as I do ever since watching this review and putting that D10s between the PC and the DAC. Many thanks, m8. Which brings me to a question: After enjoying this combination, and using the D10s as a converter, what do you think about the idea of replacing my MOON 100 D with the Topping D30 Pro DAC?

At first I thought the weights were absolutely massive volume knobs

@beeb666

3 жыл бұрын

Do you know what are those?

@michaelcsizma3996

3 жыл бұрын

@@beeb666 Doorstops.

@ryanshanks4258

3 жыл бұрын

I'm interested where to get those weights also does anyone know??

@SpineSplitter1776

Жыл бұрын

Salt & pepper shakers😕

is an external DAC like the Topping D10s required if my receiver (a yamaha r-n303) already has a built-in dac in it (Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DAC)?

Awesome review, really insightful. But what about even more cheap but still relatively high quality DACs as the Fosi Audio Q4 or Fosi Audio DS1?. Looking for something that makes justice to my HD 58x

John Darko.. .. a Neil Hannon fan.. I have cassettes of his outtakes..

is it possible to output it to headphone via the 2 RCA and Coax out with a adapter cable?

What display are you using for the Pi 4?

This video was what I was looking for. USB to S/PDIF is all I need to connect my laptop to my speakers digitally. So TOPPING D10s is the way to go for 109 euros. PS. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw that the subtitles filter your words every time you say "Schiit"!

Your excellent review prompted me to buy this through Amazon, but I had to return it. The D10s does not work with a 2nd - 5th generation iPad because the Lightning connector does not supply enough power. This is an Apple limitation, not a problem with the DAC. Buying the latest iPad is not possible at present. I am told I need a powered DAC. A bit more research is needed.

@richardhyland4610

10 ай бұрын

It can be done but you need to make a “Frankenstein “ usb cable! Works a treat.

Would either of these be any improvement over my Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 [3rd generation]? 😎🎧

I'm looking at building out a pi streamer. Would either of the DACs here (Topping or Schiit) be a better alternative to a HAT for the pi (like the innomaker PCM5122)? Or alternatively, should I opt for a HAT that supports Toslink/coaxial, and input into the Modi?

Hello, as a complete novice, I’ve watched your videos, .. well done .. now my question, on a budget and wanting to try a DAC between my Mac M1 mini, and tannoy gold studio monitors, will an interface like the Arthurian mini fuse 1, still give me better audio quality than the inbuilt Apple DAC ? ( my choice is a similar cost to your reviewed items, but includes volume control ).

Fun fact: I can´t watch a single of your videos without starting shazam.....

yes comments r back!!!❤❤💯

Please Review The topping D10 Balanced

Bit late in the day but quick question: Why have you put door stops on top of the DAC's. Is it to hold them down while they have cables in?? Thanks in advance.

@johnshore3095

5 ай бұрын

Damping and inertia for lighter items to avoid cable movement.

so D10S has some USB sync features? like AudioQuest Jitterbug (or Cobalt) ?

I am considering buying it as a first dac for a friend. But this friend hasn'nt any audio system yet. So what kind of gear would you recommand with it?

Can I connect my iPhone to the topping with the Apple USB lightning cable adapter?

Do you think a beginning audiophile would be better off with two $100 DACs (to learn about synergy) or one $200 DAC (presuming they are better)?

Why the doorstops on top of the dacs?

The original Topping D10s OpAmp is the best ! I tried others "better" they are not better

@egi1855

3 жыл бұрын

have you tried muses02 and v5i as well?

Hi , I wonder how the compare with ifi zen air dac , great video, regards mark

That was some good Schiit you talked about. Please send the link those music tracks on your video.

Would this be an upgrade to a dilvpoetry x6 dac?

What is this piece.of silver metal with rubber bands on top of the Schitt and topping please?

Would love a comparison between schitt modi vs the 3 dragonflies. Apologies if it's already done and I missed it. Link me up in that case please.

Between Topping D10s: / Schiit Modi 3: / Zen Dac v2 / What will have warmer sound? I just not a fan of ZenDacv2 sound signature, it's too clean / crisp and in some track annoyingly crisp

I want to try a multi bit dac

what's the cylinder on the DACs

can you tell me if the audioquest forest will power the d10 or is it just a data cable

can you please compare with aiyima Dac A6 BT and I would love to see the comparison between the 3 (Aiyima, Schiit, and Topping D10s)

Usually i don't like to many toppings on my pi, i think it's rather schiit

I love Schitty audio for my ears, that's why I cant recommend this Schitt enough.

Dj Nero Batucada 🔊🎧

What settings shoud I use when listening to spotify premium? 24 bits 44.1 PCM or 24 bits 48 PCM? I have this DAC (topping D10s). Thanks!

whats the cylinder tthingy on top of the gear?

Though you are right that the internal components change the sound of a DAC, you are also wrong because the chip does have a certain sound signature. ESS chips are more linear and analytical while an AKM is more colored.

@DarkoAudio

2 жыл бұрын

Ok. But how do you know this?

@DarkoAudio what are the cylindrical items you have sitting on top of your devices? Is this some sort of electrostatic protection?

By any chance did you compare raspberry pi/allo digione coax output/modi with pi usb out/topping with coax/modi? How'd they compare?

Forgive me for being so childish, but everytime he says “the schitt” cracks me hahahaha

I noticed that the topping only powered by the usb input. Can it be powered by a phone usb? Thanks

So you need two dacs to make one sound better?

I don't understand what cable style is used between your source and dac. Headphone jack to usb b?

I luv this channel; balanced, educational & fun. Now, I'm hoping someone can help - I use a Mac Mini to stream Spotify to an Apple Airport which then goes to the amp via 3.mm output. How would I get the audio from the Mini to the Topping DAC ? Thanks

Is it possible to use the topping d10s just as a usb to coaxial converter to connect the laptop (listening position) to an smsl s8s dac 4 meters away from me? Would the dac be bypassed on the topping? What other option do I have on this situation? Douk audio u2 pro? Thank you

What are the cone things on top of the dacs please?

Does a DAC make any difference if not streaming high-res audio? Thanks for your videos, really helpful!

@DarkoAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Yes. Because a DAC can make all music run through it sound better. Its analogue output stage doesn't discriminate.

@danny_p466

3 жыл бұрын

@@DarkoAudio Thanks! Does the upsampling of a DAC also make a difference? I.e. an audio signal @ 44.1kHz upsampled at 192kHz through a DAC. I know at the end of the day you only go as far as the mastering goes, but I just wonder how far that difference (of upsampling) goes. Last question. I recently bought my entry hifi setup, a Marantz pm6007 amplifier and a pair of Klipsch rp-600m. Do you think it's worth investing in a DAC? Would that make a difference? As you said, you first go for basic equipment (amplifier, speakers etc.) and room treatment, then for the others, but I don't have that last option for now (living in a sublease). Greetings from Kreuzberg!

Can I use a topping dac connecting it via rca to my active speakers and tv via optical link so that the sound bypasses the internal dac from the speakers?

What are the weights that are on top

@stuartmcdoniel6226

2 жыл бұрын

Weight ancient Chinese secret!

Love my Modi 3+! . Maybe I missed it but what are the aluminum things on top of both of them? Thanks!

@omannthered

2 жыл бұрын

It's a door stop, he uses them for weight.

Hi Darko, great video, as usual 😊 I have Mi box s and would like to buy the Topping D10s Dac. What would be the best way to connect them?

Hi! Which settings should I use when listening to Spotify premium? 32bits 44.1 or go all the way 32/384? Thanks.

So with something like the Schitt modi 3 and the Topping D10s I could hook up laptop to them via usb and then have it connect to my 5.2 surround system with optical digital and get better sound? Or would my receivers internal DAC override everything? I just want to upgrade the dac in my cheap denon.

My iem has dac built-in the cable

Hi Darko!. Can you help me decide if I'll go with Fiio K3S Dac Amp, iFi Zen Air Dac, or the Topping D10s Dac? My headphone is Philips Fidelio X1S and I will just use it for Desktop Computer (Motherboard Connection). Thank you in advance!

Thank you for sharing the precise details. I want to play Hi-Res lossless from apple music. I am trying to use the same logic (USB-Coaxial conversion) from a Fiio K3. Input source is apple Music on ipad/iphone, but in this case the topping D10 also my Fiio K3 requires a power source. My Fiio K3 has a USB C input, but the in box Lightining to USB - C cable doesn't power on my DAC. Here's how i want my connection Apple Music in iPhone/iPad (Lighting to USB)-> FiIo K3 (Usb to Coax)-> Marantz NR1200 AVR? Do you think there's any way to make this connection possible ? Will this be possible with a Lightning to camera adapter (Which has a lightning port for power simultaneosly)

I just want to use TOpping as a SPDIF convertor from my mac USB to my denon pma 900hne amp, is this a good choice in my case?

What are those gigantic knobs on top of the dacs

I am a technology novice so need a bit of advice. I have a 1980’s hifi that I play my records and cd’s through but would like to send Apple music from my iPhone 8 to it through the aux input by Bluetooth. Do I need more than a DAC to be able to do that? I clicked on this as the Topping would be in my limited price range. I also like the look of the ifi Zen DAC.

@KelvinKamsg

3 жыл бұрын

What you're looking for is some kind of bluetooth receiver, I'd suggest searching/shopping for that. There are quite a few affordable/cheap models I've come across but I can't quite point you at specific models as I'm not in the market for one and simply noticed their existence.

Sorry for being a noob but what function does the Pi serve? What function does the USB serve? Was the music coming from the ipad? If so how was it connected to the DAC?

Still wondering how to control the settings on the Topping.

@jaakanshorter

Жыл бұрын

In my Pi4 running Volumio I can there is the option using the internal volume control of the topping, I have this bypassed and have my stax handle that. Basically you don't.

4:45 lol

What if I were to use the Raspberry Pi 4 as my streaming service, hooked it up by USB to the D10s, and then hooked the D10s with a, opticxal, or a coaxial cable to my amp?

@LorenzoDelmonte0530

2 жыл бұрын

You can!