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Topping D10 Balanced

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General Information

PRODUCT FEATURES​

Support DSD256&PCM384 and USB Interface Application​

If you already have a better DAC, you can connect the D10 Balanced's coaxial /optical output to the DAC and let the D10 Balanced serve as the USB interface for your DAC, adding a better USB input to your decoder. When used as an interface, D10 Balanced could output no higher than PCM 24bit 192kHz when served as a USB bridge

Wide compatibility and Customized ASIO Drivers​

D10 Balanced has a wide range of compatibility: Windows(above Win10), MAC, and Linux can all be plug and play. D10 Balanced supports professional ASIO applications. When using ASIO in MAC or Linux, it can be set in the music playback software; when using ASIO with Windows, you can use the customized driver from The sycon, for high-resolution files, especially DSDNative support is better.

Automatic power on/off​

No matter whether the USB interface still has electrical output after the shutdown, D10 Balanced will synchronously power on/off with the PC. Solved part of the USB devices in the computer shutdown still work after the embarrassment.

Audio format and sampling rate indicator​

D10 Balanced can accurately indicate the audio format(PCM or DSD)and a sampling rate of the playing music. Orange LED is soft and not dazzling even at night. DSD playback only displays the sampling rate in ASIO mode

Decoding Applications Optional​

R You can connect D10 Balanced's Line Out output to your active speaker to send better sound directly into the speaker. You can also connect D10 Balanced to your amplifier/headphone amplifier's input to make D10 Balanced one part of your HIFI system, which provides better input for the amplifier/headphone amplifier, greatly improving the overall system performance and sound quality in the case of the USB input.

What is the difference between D10 Balanced and D10s?​

-D10 Balanced is a complement to the D10S decoder.
-For single-ended analog output, choose D10s;
-For balanced TRS/XLR output, choose D10 Balanced.
-Please note that the balanced output of D10 Balanced does not support any adapter to convert to single-ended.

Latest reviews

Archerious

Archerious

Previously known as vampire5003
Topping D10 Balanced - A great value with some compromises
Pros: Incredibly detailed, $139, balanced, comes with adapters and everything needed, excellent drivers, metal build, great screen, DSD support, makes little heat, should have a long lifespan
Cons: Very bright sounding, harsh, even in a blind test it stands out badly. Cannot be run off certain USB sources as it requires power + data from the same cable. Doesn't have great synergy with many headphones or speakers. No remote included. No preamp functions.
Most of Topping's DACs tend to sound very neutral and sometimes ever so slightly warm (D70S), but not this DAC.

This DAC could cost more than $139, it could easily be $249 and would probably still sell massively.

D10 Balanced made my Arya sound even brighter than usual to the point of harsh fatigue, did multiple back and forth comparisons between it and my others DACs (Gumby, Yiggy GS) and come to this conclusion every time. Even SMSL's Sanskrit 10th MK2 is less harsh than this DAC. This is something that we must address, as I'd hate to see someone with a pair of bright sounding cans buying the D10 Balanced, it will likely just fatigue them.

That being said, when paired with HD650 or anything dark, it actually sounds incredible.

Synergy is going to be very important with this DAC, so much so that I'd hesitate to recommend it lightly.

Since this DAC has no preamp unlike the SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK2 or other ChiFi DACs, you'll likely not use this DAC with speakers. For testing though I tried out Wharfedale's EVO 4.2 on them, it was not good. The Evo 4.2 which normally has a laid back warm sound (think HD 599 SE or HD650 to a lesser extent), sounded bright and harsh with the D10 Balanced. I was shocked, and went back and forth between it and my other DACs. Was noticeable which was which every single time even for someone like me that normally cannot hear major differences between DACs.

No remote included while SMSL's Sanskrit 10th MK2 includes a remote.

Zero issues with drivers Topping provides for Windows. The best I've encountered from really any brand. Has excellent instructions for getting DSD working on foobar with their DAC. Really appreciate them going that extra mile.

The D10 Balanced comes with adapters for the balanced outputs, 2x 6.35mm balanced TRS to XLR.

One downside is certain sources cannot work with the DAC easily, the Apple Lightning to Camera adapter which many of us use with our iPhones/iPads to output won't work with D10 Balanced. Had to use a powered USB Hub in the middle to allow me to use the iPad with this DAC. Really wish this extra step wasn't needed.

Really nice to see this DAC run cool and not get warm, my SMSL DAC, Gumby, and Yiggy GS all get noticeably hotter. As a Texan it's nice to see one less item heating up the room.

Summary: This D10 Balanced is not something I'd buy again. It's too bright and comes off as harsh. Synergy will be important with this DAC, it is not a good all rounder that just falls into the background like Topping's D90. Would you buy this DAC at it's $139 pricetag?

Thanks for reading,
Tom.
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J
jmwant
I was considering to get a D10b to use as a preamp for pa3s. Thanks for saving my money. 😀
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Comments

dunring

dunring

1000+ Head-Fier
Ive had one a while, and tried some cables I had laying around both with it on the SMSL SP200 and Drop THX 789. The Amazon Basics and Monoprice Premium XLR cables sounded either bright or a veil over the mids. I tried the Worlds Best XLR and it sounds great with no problems. I did blind testing since it's easy with cables and could hear the cheaper ones, just couldn't distinguish between them most times, but always could tell when I wasn't on the Worlds Best ones. The SP200 has detail for days, and the attack/decay seems like an illusion of a modest sound stage, but in games I can hear a pin drop from 30 yards away. The THX 789 is more fun with drum beats being distinctive from each other and more spacious sounding stage. It doesn't have the micro detail level though.
The Topping D10b is great with the SP200 for production work, critical listening, and gaming too (I'm listening to it now). The Drop THX 789 pairs best for music with the D10s with it's really sharp filter that's ideal for music. Also to use high gain on that with a balanced DAC you have to lower it -7db to avoid internal clipping. It's a really good combo to pair that with the D10s. I have one of these coming in Monday and hunting for a price on the D10s because I miss how good music sounds on it, despite having an SMSL SP200 and D10b right in front of me. For work, the SP200 is better, for play and fun the 789/D10s is fun on a bun, just don't skimp (or overpay) on cables....
 
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