Review on 🎧 Linsoul Topping D10S HiFi USB DAC: Ultimate Sound Quality with ES9038Q2M Chip, Analog Digital Output (Silver) by Jerardo Phi

Preface to my comments, I want to say that I blog quite a bit about various audio gear, especially components under $250 or so. Most of the gear I usually blog about and review includes components like DACs, preamps, and of course headphones. As such, it becomes a special treat when one discovers a component (or components) that are reasonably priced but offer sonic performance that rivals many of the larger (much more expensive) components on the market today. Coating D10S. A very simple device - has only one USB input - indicating that most of them are used from a PC or laptop (hey, that's not a problem since many of us hear sound on a desktop or laptop in close proximity to the PC). I connected this D10S via USB to my 64 gigabit Lenovo desktop system with Audioquest USB cables and connected it to the iFi USB Purifier (it's a phenomenal device to connect between your DAC and your PC. Link too about this iFi USB conditioner / purifier that can make the world different: https://www.amazon.com/iPurifier2-Audio-Signal-Filter-Connector/dp/B018H0JK28/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=iFi+USB +conditioner&qid=1624977251& sr=8-18 I then hooked up the RCA cables to an awesome xDuoo MT-602 hybrid tube preamp (also on a $100 budget) And folks, I wasn't ready to hear what I heard. I let the D10S warm up for a good 24 hours (I usually leave all my gear on) and when that time was up I began listening to a variety of classical (chamber and full orchestra), jazz and other instrumental bands. I discovered long ago that to really appreciate audio hardware, to see how they handle the tone/timbre of different musical instruments, it is necessary to run many types of sounds through these components. With this combination, which I highly recommend, i.e. the D10S and the xDuoo MT-602 Hybrid Tube/Preamplifier, I have come to the following conclusions. Now remember that in many cases combining a solid state DAC with a tube or hybrid tube preamp/preamp will put a smile on your face to get the best sonic results.1. General Orchestral Presence/Depth/Imagery: Through the use of high-quality recordings, streaming and high-resolution CDs, I was greeted with music of exceptional presence, but beyond that, genuine musicality. By musicality I mean that your attention is immediately captured, like a live performance. The instrumental timbre was excellent and the image was crisp, making it possible to tell where each musician was. The depth was amazing. The uniqueness of this particular combination lies in the fact that although the music is more "direct" in nature, the tubes in the MT-602 flatten the sound a bit, and both units offer excellent dynamics and (depending on the recording) 3D-like depth. I dare say that based on my experience with many DACs over $500, the musical output of this duo rivals it. By the way, xDuoo MT-602 can be found here (just copy and follow this Revain link): https://www.amazon. com/MT-602-Transistor-Performance-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B08SR3VTCP/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=xDuoo+MT-62&qid=1624975601&sr=8-22. Bass performance: This combination results in excellent, tight and dynamic bass. Now it doesn't give you bass where there isn't (I think it's called fidelity) but when it's present in a good recording the bass sounds with dynamic authority, excellent timbre and density, which are often missing in some other DACs. / Preamp Blocks. Instruments such as shell/bass drum, double bass strings, etc. sound with an authority that other comparable units sometimes lack. MF: With this combination, the middle frequencies are not colored at all. Instruments like brass of all kinds (again) have a dynamic impact with that realistic tonality (without harshness) that one would experience in a live performance. Treble/Treble: Remember that the capabilities of your audio equipment are limited by the source material used. On excellent recordings (again, the main thing) high frequencies like strings, cymbals, bells/triangles, etc. sound silky smooth, making you pay attention to them. When you listen to a full symphony orchestra playing a Beethoven symphony, the strings sound so silky it just puts a smile on your face. Now some of you are probably thinking "This guy is really testing the xDuoo MT-602, not the D10S". Nothing is further from the truth. Topping D10S has exceptional resolution with a very "full" sound for any orchestra or musical group. This is a budget DAC with a smooth yet very detailed sound. Combined with devices like the MT-602, they form a synergistic duo to create a delightful musical experience, and unless you tell people the true price of both, they'd probably think the combination is high-end. audiophile equipment. So yes, I'm impressed. I keep the D10S because it does a lot of things right no mains plug required and is built like a small tank. Another plus is that it has a digital output, which means that even though you've connected it to a USB device, you can run a digital cable to, for example, a TV etc. Again, all reviews are subjective. . My thoughts are based on my experience. I used the following gear to complete this review: 1. Topping D10S and xDuoo MT-602.2 tube and preamp combo. Cables used: Audioquest Pearl USB cable connected to iFi USB air conditioner. The RCA cables used to connect the xDuoo preamp and powered speakers are from World's Best Cables RCA Interconnects.3. Active monitors used: Presonus E5 XT with Mackie CR8S-XBT 8" Active subwoofer mounted under my desk. The Presonus E5 XT is a 5" powered monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my extended 32" color monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments) and I sat 4-5 feet apart of them in the near-field listening evaluation.RCA cables used to connect the xDuoo preamp and powered speakers are from World's Best Cables RCA Interconnects.3.Powered monitors used: Presonus E5 XT with Mackie CR8S-XBT 8" powered subwoofer mounted under my desk. The Presonus E5 XT is a 5" active monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my extended 32-inch color monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments) and I sat about 4-5 feet apart. away from them in the near-field hearing evaluation. The RCA cables used to connect the xDuoo preamp and powered speakers are from World's Best Cables RCA Interconnects.3. Active monitors used: Presonus E5 XT with Mackie CR8S-XBT 8" powered subwoofer mounted under my desk. The Presonus E5 XT is a 5" powered monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my extended 32-inch color monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments) and I sat about 4-5 feet apart. away from them in the near-field hearing evaluation. active monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. active monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. active monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. active monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. active monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening. active monitor with unbalanced and balanced cable inputs. The speakers were placed on either side of my 32-inch widescreen monitor (which I use for professional photo adjustments), and I sat about 4-5 feet from them to evaluate near-field listening.