ЦАПы — TOPPING D10s

The D10s is a compact USB digital-to-analogue converter from TOPPING that draws all of its power from the computer it connects to, so no separate mains adapter sits on the desk. It is the updated version of the earlier D10 and combines a single ESS converter chip, an XMOS USB receiver and a socketed output op-amp in a small metal case, with black and silver versions available.

Key specs that matter

A single ESS ES9038Q2M does the conversion - it is a 32-bit Sabre chip from the HyperStream II family. Its USB input accepts PCM from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz at 16 to 32 bits, with DSD64 to DSD256 in native mode and DSD128 via DoP. The analogue line stage uses a Texas Instruments OPA2134 op-amp. The RCA pair delivers 2 Vrms at 0 dBFS from a 20 ohm output impedance. TOPPING rates both SNR and dynamic range at 120 dB, A-weighted at 1 kHz, THD+N below 0.0002%, noise under 2.5 uVrms and channel crosstalk at -135 dB. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.1 dB and 20 Hz to 40 kHz within 0.4 dB. Power is taken from the USB bus at 5 V and 0.5 A. The case measures 103 x 146 x 37 mm and the unit alone weighs 323 g.

Engineering and use context

USB decoding runs through an XMOS XU208 processor. On a computer the interface is USB Audio Class 2 compliant, so it works without extra software on most systems, while a customised Thesycon ASIO driver for Windows unlocks the higher sample rates and DSD playback. Besides the RCA analogue pair, the D10s has optical and coaxial digital outputs, which lets it act as a USB-to-S/PDIF bridge for an older DAC or receiver without a USB port. Through those digital outputs it passes PCM up to 24-bit and 192 kHz and DSD64 over DoP. A customised digital tube display on the front shows the incoming sampling rate and indicates whether the stream is PCM or DSD. The op-amp sits in a socket, so owners can swap it for a different part. Power-up and shutdown follow the host computer without a separate switch.

Pairing

The fixed RCA line output has no volume control, so the D10s suits an integrated amplifier, a headphone amplifier or powered monitors that set the level themselves. Because it relies on bus power, a laptop or desktop with a stable USB port is the natural source, and a second converter elsewhere in the system may take its signal from the S/PDIF sockets.

Alternatives

The TOPPING D10 Balanced is a related desktop DAC from the same series that adds balanced outputs.