The Topping D10s is a worthwhile upgrade over the HRT music streamer. It really sounds its best if you can set your media player to WASAPI exclusive mode, and just serve the DAC native bitrate content. For example feeding it native 44.1k sounded much better than feeding it the same music...

I have the V5i coming, so an interested to hear how it compares to the stock Topping D10s op-amp. The extension leads is a good idea by Burson, but I suspect they are adding their own coloration to the sound and its probably not ideal to use them. But at the same time there is no choice on such...

The late Charles Hanson of Ayre once said single ended versions of their amplifier circuits always sounded better than balanced. This was coming from a company that would not even sell a component with single ended input/outputs, it was XLR or nothing. But once you take it off the testbench and...

I just ordered one, intrigued to hear it. I don't need balanced so got the D10s. At that price you cant go wrong. Also it seems these DAC's can accept op-amp rolling. The Burson V5i (Dual x1) look like a good match for this level of product. There is a lot of DAC's in the sub $200 price range...

He is talking about the USB-C to 3.5mm cable? Or going directly to an iphone ?

I like it when people do product comparisons but rating things across 30 categories is a bit absurd.

Its a defective unit, the crackling sound. I tried to recreate it with ANC on various modes and vigorous movement, no crackling.

I read the Superbestfriends thread on the Wavelight and saw a common complaint that the SE output seemed so bad (compared to the XLR) they thought something was wrong with it. But it could have been a bad unit, and they send the same unit on tour to each other. So what have you guys found...

Imagine your wife comes home and a bunch of audiophiles are sitting round a table with lines of white powder and plastic gram bags, talking giddily about the increased transparency.

That sucks to hear about the earpads, as the leather on them looked very decent for $30 replacements.

I think it may be just a certain production batch that could have the issue, not all of them.

Post the links to these spare parts. A few people here saying the headband comes unglued. Mine seems tight and firmly attached.

I still use mine too! Version II+. It must be about 12-13 years old which I use daily for my computer audio setup. It just sound really good and its a shame HRT disappeared just before the wave of interest in little DAC devices hit. They could have been huge. I would be interested in your...

I found the No5909 benefited from about 50 hours of burn in (using Isotek and Tellurium Q discs). Those hissing and popping noises the burn in uses seem to take the slight edge of the highs. Now it sounds quite smooth. I could also just be going deaf, and that's why the highs seems smooth.

Yeah the apk manual install is a great idea and at least will get the app going for you.