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!!

Despite other reviews, I believe I purchased the original product. But:It uses USB power, which is great if you're looking for fewer cables. It's bad if the power coming over USB isn't clean. It was humming! I got a third part (Jitterbug) USB power filter and it did the trick... for 9 months.On the day I'm writing this review it developed noise in the right channel. It sounds like wind and popping noises. In addition the audio coming from my PC is boosted in the right channel compared to the left.Warranty information states that I'd have to send it back to the manufacturer in China, cover the cost of shipping back and they also reserve the right to honor the warranty or not. I think I'm done with them.Fortunately it has Coax and Optical outputs and using my old Radio Shack DAC, so I'm still able to listen to my PC. It's just that I don't like extra cables or devices and now I'm using only 48kHz.UPDATE:After a weekend spent with my computer off, it magically started working again with no noise in the right channel. Not that I hadn't tried restarting, unplugging and general troubleshooting as of my review above.However with that, I see reliability as an issue, so I'm leaving it with one star.UPDATE 2:The noise in the right channel returned.