NEOHIPO DC10 Hi-res Audio DAC

General Information

Product details​

  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 3.9 x 3.54 x 1.57 inches; 6.7 ounces
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ DC10
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ July 17, 2023
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ NEOHIPO


Product Description​

DC10


Do-All, Mini, and Affordable

NEOHIPO DC10 Hi-res Audio DAC​


  • Perfectly balanced between cost-effectiveness and the needs of HiFi audiophiles.
  • Streams Hi-res Audio from Wiim audio streamer and gives you an immersive audio experience.
  • Features USB/OPT/COA inputs, applicable to your Wiim Audio Streamer/PC/Amplifier.

DC10


DC10

DC10

Mini yet Durable​

Despite mini, it is made of aluminum alloy to ensure excellent durability and heat dissipa


DC10

Mini yet Durable Multiple Interface PCM and DSD Vintage Toggle Switch

DC10



Front Panel Back Panel Side Panel Top Panel


DC10

Hi-Performance Chips​

Adopt Texas ES9028Q2M and NE5532 chips, enjoy amazing sound.

DC10


Hi-Performance Chips Hi-Res Audio
DC10
DC10
DC10


HiFi Compont Desktop Device Home Threat

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InputTypeC USB+OPT+COA
OutputRCA
SNR>116dB
THD> 0.0008%
PC-USB Sampling Rates32Bit/768KHz
Optical/Coaxial Sampling Rates24bit/192kHz
Frequency response20Hz-20kHz(±0.01dB)
NOISE6uV
Operation SystemsXP/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/MAC/Linux
UsageWiim, TV, PC, Amplifier and Speakers

Latest reviews

smexxy

New Head-Fier
NEOHIPO DC10 Desktop DAC
Pros: - Lightweight and compact
- Very simple I/O interface
- Metal shell
- USB Type C Powered
- Improves sound staging, imaging and depth.
Cons: - No volume knob
- Does not come with RCA Cable
- Limited options for jacks due to RCA Cable restrictions(very easy to find 3.5mm but difficult to find 4.4mm and Type C)
- Neutral Sounding DAC (Personal Preference)
Quick disclaimer: I don’t know much about the technical aspects of these DACs and AMPs, I’m a complete newbie when it comes to these equipment so please bear with me here. In addition to that, I did not read any reviews or watch videos about the NEOHIPO DC10, all these thoughts and opinions are my own and I’m going in blind here.

Another thing I would like to mention is that I couldn’t test this DAC with all my IEMs due to time constraints so I was only able to test it using the LETSHUOER DZ4 and BQEYZ Cloud.

These were sent to me and have been passed around our local community for a review tour.




So let’s begin.
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The NEOHIPO DC10 is a desktop DAC that is both lightweight and compact, for the price point of $68.99(some sites offer it at a lower price). The DACs has a metal shell with a very simple I/O Interface which makes it an ideal device to add to your setup since it does not take up too much space, not to mention that its design is sleek and simple.

Opening the packaging, you’ll be presented with the following:

  • DC10 Desktop DAC
  • Type C to Type C with USB adapter Cable
  • Instruction Manual

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The unboxing experience was standard, nothing too fancy going on here.

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The front panel has two switches, one for the power and the other is to select from the different sources( USB, OPT and COA) it also has two LEDs that light up when the DSD(Direct Stream Digital) and PCM(Pulse Code Modulation) are being used; when using it with my laptop the PCM LED is constantly ON, I’m not quite sure how the DSD LED turns on but I’m going to assume that when listening to a different audio/streaming format enables it or switching from different sources from the OPT or COA

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Moving onto the back panel, you can see the plugs for the RCA Cable(color coded with White and Red), OPT, COA and lastly the Type C input for power. Sad to say that this DAC did not come with a RCA cable which would have been a huge plus, since the manufacturer should have this idea in mind that what if this is the first desktop DAC that the customer would purchase.

I forgot to mention that the Type C to Type C cable has a USB adapter.
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And now we move onto the sound test.

Using the DC10 for the first time, the first thing I would like to point out is that the volume is immediately bumped to 100% and this should serve as a warning to lower the volume all the way down to 0% and slowly increase the volume since this desktop DAC is no joke when it comes to volume. As I am writing this review, the volume is set to 20% and for me it is already loud but I find the sweet spot would be between 10% to 20%.

When using the LETSHUOER DZ4, what I’ve noticed is that the DC10 is more of a neutral DAC, essentially what this means is that it does not bump up the high and low frequencies and just relies on the drivers that the IEMs are equipped with. But despite this one, there was a big improvement to the sound staging, imaging and depth. It gives the impression that you are in a wide area while listening to any music, you can also say that it gives a holographic effect to your IEMs; big props to that one.

Then moving into the BQEYZ Cloud, it still retains its neutral tonality however the vocals and instruments did gain a significant increase. The Cloud IEMs are known for its air sound signature making vocals and instruments much more lively, the DC10 really brought out the most out of the drivers as the sound staging, imaging and depth are much wider, pleasant shimmer and decay; similar with the DZ4, the Cloud IEMs are much more holographic than before.

Overall, the NEOHIPO DC10 is a great entry level desktop DAC for anyone looking to upgrade their audio setup. The only downside I can say is the lack of a volume control knob and an inclusive RCA Cable, while this definitely is not a deal breaker for all, it would be convenient to those who would want to change the volume levels on the fly or may not have any spare RCA cables lying around.

Blup blup 𓆟 and happy listening!
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Ichos

Reviewer at hxosplus
Entry level desktop DAC
Pros: + Neutral and transparent sound
+ Great technicalities for the category
+ Not too artificial
+ The USB input doesn't need extra power
+ Better than USB DAC dongles of the same category
+ Three digital inputs and RCA output
+ Can roll op-amps
+ Small footprint
+ Well made
+ Very affordable
Cons: - No headphone amplifier or volume control
- Can't compete with pricier offerings
- Not for people who seek organic timbre
- Dry textures and flat soundstage
- Doesn't support OTG
- RCA cable is not included
Introduction

The NEOHIPO DC10 is a mini-sized desktop DAC with three digital inputs and RCA stereo line output. The device supports three digital inputs, USB type-C, coaxial and optical. The DC10 is a pure DAC with a fixed, full scale 2V output without volume control of its own.

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The device is USB bus powered so it doesn't need an external power adapter when it is used as a USB DAC. However in order to use the coaxial or optical inputs you must connect it to a 5V USB charger.

The DC10 features one ES9028Q2M DAC chip to do the audio decoding along with three NE5532 op-amps to handle I/V, LPF and voltage gain duties. These op-amps are socketed for easy user replacement in case you want to experiment with different varieties. In order to do so you must remove the four screws at the rear part of the chassis and pull out the circuit board.

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The DC10 is plug 'n play with Windows Mac and Linux without the need to install drivers and supports decoding up to 768kHz/32bit PCM and DSD256. Android OTG function is not supported.

Non Audio stuff

The NEOHIPO DC10 has a full aluminum enclosure with a smooth black finish. This is a high quality and well made device that weighs 226g and measures 117x30x28mm, so it is compact and lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack.

The NEOHIPO DC10 is simple to use, the front panel houses on/off and digital input selection switches along with two status indicator LEDs. One DSD indicator and one PCM that will light blue for 44.1-48kHz content, green for 88.2-192kHz and red for 352-768kHz. At the rear part you will find the three digital inputs along with the stereo RCA outputs. As this is a lightweight and mini-sized device, don't use heavy cables or you will flip it upside down.

The package includes a USB type-C to C cable with an embedded adapter.

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Audio stuff

The NEOHIPO DC10 is designed “by the book” and as such it has low THD< 0.0008% and high SNR>116dB so it will likely appeal to people who value excellent measurements.

The sound signature is typical for such implementations, neutral, linear, crystal clear and transparent with silent background despite being powered from the PC USB host. The DC10 is not the kind of DAC that you buy for its colorful harmonies or the analog timbre, don't expect such qualities but on the other hand the sound is not clinical or sterile.

Digital glare is low and while the treble is bright and energetic, it is also polite and not sharp or fatiguing. The bass is impactful, fast, tight and controlled with good clarity and definition for the category but the textures are rather lean and dry without much elasticity. The mid-range is crystal clear and neutral with satisfying resolution and refinement.

The NEOHIPO DC10 is more resolving and refined than similarly priced USB DAC dongles while it does better with detail retrieval and definition. The soundstage is quite grand and open sounding with commendable separation and imaging. Generally speaking, the DC10 offers better audio quality than a USB DAC dongle of the same category and is much more recommended for desktop use as a standalone DAC.

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Conclusion

If you need an entry-level standalone DAC with crystal clear and transparent sound, then the NEOHIPO DC10 is a great choice and a better option than USB DAC dongles of the same category. It offers higher quality sound with blacker background and better technicalities while it also includes more digital inputs than plain USB. For $79.99, the NEOHIPO DC10 is an easy recommendation for everyone seeking an affordable DAC with excellent measurements and very satisfying audio performance.

The device was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. The price of the Neohipo DC10 is $79.99 and you can buy it from the following non affiliate links.

https://amzn.to/4dLrSBb

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkNN5Bz

https://www.ebay.com/itm/405167761521?nordt=
true
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jreqtech

New Head-Fier
A Casual's Review of the DC10
Pros: - Budget-friendly DAC
- Compact desktop amp, can save you some desktop space
Cons: - No volume control
- Requires external power, not mobile device compatible
- Lack of 3.5mm output necessitates extra cables, adding clutter
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Disclaimer
Please note that I am not an audiophile, and this review does not delve into the technical aspects of the IEMs. My impressions are based on my personal preferences, and others may have different experiences with this product. I also have a very limited experience with audio products so please take this review with a grain of salt.

The Neohipo DC10 was lent to me as part of a review tour in the Philippines.

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞: 79.99 USD
𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007425780820.html (non-affiliate)

Part 1: General Product Details

Package Inclusions

  • The DAC/Amp
  • A USB-C to USB-C cable
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The DAC/Amp
  • Made from black-painted aluminum, giving it a sturdy feel.
  • Front panel features toggle switches for power and mode, with LEDs for DSD and PCM indicators.
  • Back panel includes RCA output, Optical input, Coaxial input, and a USB-C port for power/data connection (e.g., PC).
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The Cable
  • A generic-looking USB-C to USB-C cable with an attached USB-C to A adapter. It’s functional, though unbranded.
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Part 2: Subjective Review

The Neohipo DC10 is designed to be paired with an amp and used primarily with a speaker system. Since I don’t have a speaker setup or desktop speakers, my review will focus on its performance as a headphone and mobile device user.

For this review, I’ll compare the DC10 with my daily driver, the iFi Nano iDSD LE.

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General Impressions
  • When connected to a PC, it shows up as either "SPDIF Interface (NEOHIPO DC10)" or "Headphones (2-ROSE RZ500S)."
  • The device feels somewhat hollow, and toggling the switches produces an audible "ping" sound.
  • Be cautious when plugging it into your computer and playing audio as the volume is at its loudest.
  • The lack of a 3.5mm output adds a bit of frustration, as I had to purchase an RCA to 3.5mm adapter separately. An integrated amp or better output options would have simplified the setup.
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Sound Impressions
  • Overall sound quality is on par with my iFi Nano, offering a warm-neutral tuning. It performs well for its price range.
  • The DC10 packs enough power to drive higher-impedance headphones, making it versatile.
  • However, using an RCA to 3.5mm adapter introduced static when moving the wire. This is likely an issue with the adapter itself, but it highlights the importance of a built-in 3.5mm jack.

Final Thoughts

While the Neohipo DC10 is a solid DAC, it struggles to stand out in a competitive market. For standalone use, the lack of features like a 3.5mm jack and volume control detracts from the experience. It could be a good budget option for desktop setups with the right pairing, but I recommend considering it alongside an amp with a proper headphone jack.

One suggestion for Neohipo: If you’re a new brand entering a crowded market, branding and presentation are key. The packaging for this product felt generic and didn’t distinguish itself, which is a missed opportunity to create a stronger brand identity.

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