The NEOHIPO DC10 was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the NEOHIPO DC10 is $79.99 and you can buy it from Amazon or AliExpress or eBay.
NEOHIPO DC10
The NEOHIPO DC10 is a compact desktop digital-to-analog converter (DAC) featuring three digital input options and an RCA stereo line output. It accommodates USB type-C, coaxial, and optical inputs. The DC10 operates solely as a DAC, providing a fixed output of 2V at full scale, without any built-in volume control. NEOHIPO is a restively unknown brand that is making their first steps into the audio industry.
The device is powered via the USB bus, eliminating the need for an external power adapter when functioning as a USB DAC. However, to utilize the coaxial or optical inputs, it is necessary to connect it to a 5V USB charger.
The DC10 is equipped with a single ES9028Q2M DAC chip for audio decoding, complemented by three NE5532 op-amps responsible for I/V conversion, low-pass filtering, and voltage amplification. These op-amps are mounted in sockets, allowing for straightforward user replacement should you wish to try out various options. To access them, simply remove the four screws located at the back of the chassis and carefully extract the circuit board.
The DC10 offers plug-and-play compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, eliminating the need for driver installation. It supports decoding capabilities of up to 768kHz/32bit PCM and DSD256. Please note that the Android OTG function is not supported.
Design and operation
The NEOHIPO DC10 features a sturdy aluminum casing with an elegant black finish. This device is crafted with high-quality materials, weighing 226g and measuring 117x30x28mm, making it compact and portable enough to fit easily in a backpack.
User-friendly in design, the front panel includes on/off and digital input selection switches, complemented by two status indicator LEDs. The DSD indicator and PCM indicator illuminate blue for 44.1-48kHz content, green for 88.2-192kHz, and red for 352-768kHz. On the rear, you will find three digital inputs alongside stereo RCA outputs. Due to its lightweight and compact nature, it is advisable to avoid using heavy cables, as they may cause the device to flip over.
The package includes a USB type-C to C cable with an embedded adapter.
Listening impressions
The NEOHIPO DC10 is engineered by the book, resulting in a low total harmonic distortion (THD) of less than 0.0008% and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) exceeding 116dB. This makes it particularly appealing to audiophiles who prioritize exceptional technical measurements.
Its sound profile is characteristic of such designs, offering excellent neutrality and linearity while it is both crystal clear and transparent. Despite being powered through a PC USB host, it maintains a remarkably quiet background. While the DC10 is not intended for those seeking rich harmonics or a warm analog sound, it also avoids an overly clinical or sterile presentation.
Digital glare is minimal, and although the treble is lively and vibrant, it remains quite smooth without being harsh or tiring. The bass is powerful, quick, well-defined, and controlled, offering excellent clarity for its class; however, the textures tend to be somewhat lean and dry, lacking in elasticity and depth. The mid-range is exceptionally clear and neutral, providing a pleasing level of resolution and refinement.
The NEOHIPO DC10 surpasses USB DAC dongles in its price range (like the ROSESELSA RS9039) when it comes to resolution, refinement, silence and dynamics. It also presents a spacious and expansive soundstage, featuring satisfying separation and imaging capabilities but lacking in depth and holography. Overall, the DC10 delivers superior audio quality compared to similar USB DAC dongles and is a better option when desktop use as a standalone DAC is desirable.
In the end
For those in search of an entry-level standalone DAC that delivers pristine and transparent sound, the NEOHIPO DC10 stands out as an excellent option, surpassing USB DAC dongles in its class. It provides superior sonic qualities with a blacker background and enhanced technical performance, along with a greater variety of digital inputs and a dedicated line output. Priced at $79.99, the NEOHIPO DC10 is highly recommended for anyone looking for an affordable DAC with impressive specifications and satisfying audio output.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Neutral and transparent
+ Very good clarity and definition
+ Excellent technicalities for the category
+ Not that artificial or clinical sounding
+ Silent background
+ The USB input doesn't need extra power supply
+ Better audio performance than USB DAC dongles of the same category
+ Three digital inputs and RCA line output
+ Minimalistic appearance and small footprint
+ Well made and very affordable
- DAC only without headphone amplifier or volume control
- Can't compete with pricier offerings in resolution
- Not for people who seek organic timbre and similar sound characteristics
- Lean and dry textures without depth or complexity
- Flat soundstage
- Not OTG compatible
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