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AIMPIRE AD10 Mini USB DAC CSS XMOS XU208 ES9018K2M OPA2134 HIFI Audio Decoder Amplifier For Enhanced Audio Performance Review

20

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Very good

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$$$$
Revainrating 4.5 out of 5  
Rating 
4.3
🍿 Home Theater, 🎵 Home Audio

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Description of AIMPIRE AD10 Mini USB DAC CSS XMOS XU208 ES9018K2M OPA2134 HIFI Audio Decoder Amplifier For Enhanced Audio Performance

Customized Thesycon driver + XMOS XU208 + ES9018K2M + OP. Maximum support DSD256, PCM384kHz/32bit. Orange indicator of format & sampling rate. Auto on/off. Exchangeable OP

Reviews

Global ratings 20
  • 5
    14
  • 4
    2
  • 3
    2
  • 2
    1
  • 1
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Type of review

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Good USB to SPDIF/Optical Converter

I am using this not as a DAC but to convert the USB audio output of a small Android TV device (Nvidia Shield) to Toslink optical for input into my 2-channel Music/TV audio system. No complaints; it has been working very reliably, and is bus-powered to boot (one less wire to manage). I've played content with sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 96 and 192 without any trouble. Have not tested with MQA or any multichannel content, as those are not part of my use case.

Pros
  • Auto on/off.
Cons
  • Not ideal for use with low impedance headphones

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Surprisingly solid feeling for the price

Just got my D10 today after browsing affordable DACs here and on Massdrop. I have a reasonably good system with PSB Alpha B1 speakers, Kimber cables, and an Onkyo integrated amp.First impressions on sound:-Sound is transparent, bass in particular sounded better to me than using AUX or Spotify Connect-As expected, no major differences over AUX or my native soundcard, but I did find that I was able to turn it up a bit louder with less of a noise floor-My non audiophile fiancee thought it sounded…

Pros
  • Exchangeable OP
Cons
  • Can be easily damaged if not properly handled

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Strong, simple and high performance USB to SPDIF converter

I bought this little converter after doing a lot of research on how to replace my Peachtree USB to SPDIF converter.There was only another converter that offered both Coaxial and optical output, but that one is $500And the company doesn't provide enough measurements on its performance.I like the design of the Topping D10.The screen is pretty cool, solid, masculine, old school.The screen is not intrusive at all when all the lights are off.I've had no jitters or any shenanigans.Music sounds…

Pros
  • Orange indicator of format & sampling rate.
Cons
  • Limited compatibility with certain operating systems

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Solved a number of mystery problems

This was a "downgrade" for me if you consider the Audioquest Dragonfly Black I replaced is a few bucks more expensive. But I can tell you that I always had a subtle hissing with the Dragonfly and the speakers were never able to go completely quiet. This, even after a spent a bunch on replacing every cable in my setup including a USB Jitterbug from Audioquest. The D10 cleared up every issue I was having right out the box. It wasn't the cables, it wasn't a ground loop hum, the D10 is just better.

Pros
  • The OPA2134 amplifier is designed to provide a clean, transparent and dynamic sound, ensuring that you won't miss any of the fine nuances in your music
Cons
  • Limited usage choices and audio output options

Revainrating 5 out of 5

The best USB to S/PDIF converter currently available

I bought the D10 as a USB to S/PDIF audio converter as my NUC doesn't have a S/PDIF output and I wanted to connect it to a TeddyDAC which is connected to a new Liquid Platinum headphone amplifier.After fiddling a bit with the diminutive D10 and installing the latest drivers and firmware I came to several conclusions. The first and most important is that as long as the D10 is available there is no point buying anything else as a USB to S/PDIF converter. I sincerely doubt if there is any point in

Pros
  • The ES9018K2M DAC chip produces detailed and accurate sound reproduction, making it ideal for audiophiles and music enthusiasts
Cons
  • Can be difficult to operate for novice audio enthusiasts

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Great product! in my review

This is a great product. It does exactly what the description says it will do. Build quality is excellent (and I took it apart), it's a tank! As an Electrical Engineer bny profession, the build checks all the boxes. They should ask double the price. I'm ready to upgrade to a bluetooth streaming model (D50 or so). No way am I paying audiophile prices for a primarily digital product.

Pros
  • I'm just getting back into hi-res audio after years and this is about the best deal you can
Cons
  • Might be too pricey for some customers on a tight budget

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Sounds great for my opinion

I have always used my PC to play music. Recently I spent a nice sum of money upgrading speakers and other components of my sound system. I always thought that to appreciate an outboard DAC, I would need a collection of FLAC files at high bitrates.So I decided to get a DAC that was reasonably priced and compare it to my PC's. Despite using mostly MP3 files for my test and CD's, I can hear an improvement. It's not dramatic but it's there.I run my D10 at 24 bits 192mhz. It sounds great with these…

Pros
  • Maximum support DSD256, PCM384kHz/32bit.
Cons
  • May not be compatible with all audio devices

Revainrating 1 out of 5

Aimpire AD10 is a counterfeit Topping D10!

Note: The ORIGINAL review below was for the genuine Topping D10 DAC. revain is lying when they claim that I am a ‘verified purchaser’ of this "Aimpire AD10.” The Aimpire AD10 is a counterfeit product that has been proven in tests to grossly underperform the genuine Topping D10. My rating is updated to reflect that.Original review of the Topping D10 follows. THE REVIEW BELOW IS *NOT* FOR THE AIMPIRE AD10 COUNTERFEIT PRODUCT SHOWN NOW:—————————-This is probably the finest value in DACs available…

Pros
  • Highly efficient power delivery ensures that the AIMPIRE AD10 DAC provides consistent and reliable sound reproduction, regardless of the conditions
Cons
  • Not recommended for use in audio production or recording environments

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Amazing DAC at this price point.

I had a soundmagic serenade DAC that lasted 4yrs. It had a headphone amp. I was never impressed with the amp itself. I was always impressed with the DAC itself. I ran the dac thru my logitech Z623 speakers which has an headphone amplifer built in. Attached is my audio Technica M50X headphones. So, the D10 is a replacement for my original DAC. This little gem is truely amazing. Incredible sound and options. If you use JRiver Media Center to play your music, it automatically select the correct…

Pros
  • The transparent sound quality of the AIMPIRE AD10 DAC makes it ideal for critical listening, allowing you to hear every detail of your music
Cons
  • May not work well with certain audio genres, such as classical or jazz music

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Awesome Laptop Audio System!

After listening to computer-based audio for the past 11 years, and doing it exclusively through the computer’s headphone jack, decided that it was time to step things up. Assembled a wish list of affordable and strong performing Schiit-brand components, but wasn’t crazy about spending $500 on it. It then occurred to me that I might already own enough miscellaneous audio gear to put a comparable system together.After scrounging through my odds and ends, found an unused: AudioQuest JitterBug USB…

Pros
  • The AIMPIRE AD10 DAC minimizes distortion and noise by utilizing high-quality components, providing a pure and uninterrupted listening experience
Cons
  • May require specialized audio cables for optimal performance

I purchased the DAC AD10 from Ampire knowing that it was a bad clone of Topping D10.After measuring the specs it showed really high noise floor level, around 15dB higher than the original D10.It was a clear indication that there was something wrong, most probably not well filtered supply voltage.I disassembled the DAC and found out that all chips looked fine but the aluminum electrolytic capacitors they used were not good, at least not suitable for that implementation. Just changing two of…

Pros
  • The low power consumption of the AIMPIRE AD10 DAC makes it an energy-efficient option that won't hike up your electricity bills
Cons
  • Not practical for use with multi-speaker audio systems

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Excellent USB to S/PDIF converter

I can't address the DAC function of the unit as I've never tried it for that. I got it and use it as a USB to S/PDIF 192K coaxial converter, which it does flawlessly. It is stable, reliable, and installation in Windows 10/Foobar is as easy as changing an audio cable. This is a $60 (or so) device that adds no coloration to the music. It looks and feels solid. Two picky points: The unit I got was sold as a "Topping D10"; what I got is an "Aimpire AD10", which seems to be the same thing except for

Pros
  • The integrated headphone amplifier is powerful enough to drive virtually any pair of headphones, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music
Cons
  • Might produce unwanted audio glitches on certain audio files

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Received an Australian spec device

This is probably the best budget DAC I've personally owned. I moved to this after experiencing issues with the SMSL M100 and growing a bit tired of it's overly neutral voicing. It may be lacking in some of the features of the M100 but it is far more reliable and the sound quality is exceptionally good. Having said that, the build quality leaves a fair amount to be desired, as you can see from the image, my unit arrived with the face-plate installed upside down. I reached out to Topping and they

Pros
  • The ability to deliver 24-bit/192kHz resolution ensures that you are getting the highest quality sound from your digital files
Cons
  • May not always work well with subpar audio devices

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Outstanding! good for me

Using with my raspberry pi 3 b+. Works with all of the music streaming distributions (volumio, picoreplayer, etc) and is fully compatible with the standard Raspbian distributions as well. There are no drivers. The standard audio from the raspberry pi is awful. Even using the hdmi digital audio output, is terrible. I am using this with the RCA outputs to my integrated amp and it's far superior to any streamer such as Chromecast or Roku when using Spotify premium for example. If you are using a…

Pros
  • The all-metal casing of the AIMPIRE AD10 DAC ensures durability and longevity, ensuring that it will last for many years to come
Cons
  • Might produce unwanted audio lag

Revainrating 3 out of 5

Works, but I guess you get what you pay for

I needed a USB DAC quickly and at low cost, so I got this. Whereas I have no complaints about the clarity of the sound, I feel that the bass response is minimal. With my old hardware, I could mix my music through my monitors and have a really good sense of what it would sound like on other systems. With this, I gotta anticipate that there is actually more bass response in the mix than what I'm hearing through this DAC. That's a real pain. Additionally, I have no idea why, but no matter what…

Pros
  • The ability to adjust the volume and output level enables you to customize your listening experience to your liking
Cons
  • Limited customer service support

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Want a cheaper dac, get this one.

Frankly speaking, sound quality using all the snake oil offerings out there is purely subjective in my opinion. Now one thing I can recognize is build quality and this unit has it. I don't know and won't claim that it's made by anyone else, but, the build quality is on par with what I have seen of the Topping D10's. Take that for what it's worth. I've had no issues with this unit since I have had it and hopefully won't.If you are patient and want to try a DAC to see the difference in sound…

Pros
  • Aesthetically, the AIMPIRE AD10 DAC is a sleek and minimalist design, ensuring that it will look great on your desk or anywhere you place it
Cons
  • Not ideal for use in small spaces due to its large size

Even though revain's search algorithm turns this up, sometimes first, when running a search for Topping D10, and often provides the message that this is the "replacement" or "new model" - IT IS NOT!It has been confirmed via Topping that this is an unapproved clone and test & measurements have demonstrated that it is inferior to the original Topping D10. (audiosciencereview.com)Do not purchase this thinking it is a Topping D10 replacement/equivalent - it is not. It has inferior build quality…

Pros
  • The high-level of precision and accuracy offered by this DAC makes it an excellent choice for professionals in the music industry
Cons
  • Can only handle a limited number of audio channels

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Lets you set up a cheap high-end Roon endpoint quickly

Works like a charm, great build quality, good looks, and amazing value for the money. I built a Roon end point with it using a Raspberry PI-3 (2 works too, I tried it) and the free Raspieee SD card image, it was easy as pie to setup and get running. With the Pie at $35 and the D10 below $90 and old amp/speakers you can setup a High-end streaming zone for less than $125, amazing!The Roon server detects it as a Topping D10. I am feeding SPDIf into my system and it works up to 96KHz. Playing DSD…

Pros
  • The compact size of the AIMPIRE AD10 DAC makes it an incredibly portable, pocket-friendly option for anyone who values quality audio on-the-go
Cons
  • May not be able to handle higher audio frequencies

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Phenomenal for my opinion

I had high expectations going into this DAC. My first taste of high res was a mod for the wolfson DAC on an older samsung phone that opened up the potential of digital files. I later purchased a cirrus logic generic DAC, which for $30 I paid for it was not bad. Next up was a hifimediy Sabre DAC. I loved this one, gave me an appreciation for what the chip is capable of. It served me well many years until one day, it quit. I went back to the cirrus DAC, I was sorely disappointed. Enter D10. Man…

Pros
  • The USB interface of this DAC ensures that it can be easily integrated into any digital audio system, making it a convenient and versatile option for all users
Cons
  • May take up additional space on user's desk or audio system rack

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Amazing sound quality and features for the price

I can't say anything about objective sound quality, but there are experimental tests online which show it to be top-notch. This is probably the best DAC at this price point.Subjective-wise, I find the quality to be amazing. Sound is crystal clear. The DAC packs amazing features: front panel with cool orange color that shows the current audio format and sample rate, supports 32-bit audio up to 384 Khz, 32-bit hardware-level volume control for maximum accuracy.I am using this as a desktop DAC…

Pros
  • The AIMPIRE AD10 DAC offers an unbeatable combination of features, versatility, and affordability, making it a smart choice for anyone looking to enhance their audio performance
Cons
  • Limited usage options for streaming audio platforms