Topping D10 with a Mac ?

[steve-z]

I’ve been considering getting an inexpensive external DAC for a while now and have looked at the Topping D10 which seems very well liked.
Upon investigating reviews online I’ve come across some users on other forums having difficulty or failing to get the D10 to work with a Mac, is anyone on AOS successfully using a D10 with a Mac ?
I’m running a 2015 series Macmini running the latest OS Catalina. I don’t really relish the prospect of buying the DAC and then it failing to work with the Macmini.


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[AJSki2fly]

I’ve been considering getting an inexpensive external DAC for a while now and have looked at the Topping D10 which seems very well liked.
Upon investigating reviews online I’ve come across some users on other forums having difficulty or failing to get the D10 to work with a Mac, is anyone on AOS successfully using a D10 with a Mac ?
I’m running a 2015 series Macmini running the latest OS Catalina. I don’t really relish the prospect of buying the DAC and then it failing to work with the Macmini.


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You do not say what generation of Mac Mini you have, presumably a more recent one if you have put Catalina on it? The D10 supports USB In, 44.1–384 kHz / 16–32 bit, DSD64–DSD256 (DoP, native)

[steve-z]

It’s a late 2014 generation Macmini although it was bought new by the original owner in mid 2015, it’s the most basic spec from that era, 4GB of soldered in non upgradable RAM,1.4GHZ Dual Core Intel i5 processor. Only thing I have upgraded recently is that I changed the HDD for an SSD which did wonders for the speed.
Edit: it is USB 3.

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[AJSki2fly]

It’s a late 2014 generation Macmini although it was bought new by the original owner in mid 2015, it’s the most basic spec from that era, 4GB of soldered in non upgradable RAM,1.4GHZ Dual Core Intel i5 processor. Only thing I have upgraded recently is that I changed the HDD for an SSD which did wonders for the speed.
Edit: it is USB 3.

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OK here we go, the answer I believe is yes probably, by the way I work for the fruity shop in a technical role. So I checked various online sources, mainly about the Topping D10, but also your late 2014 Mac Mini. To see the images and the video below you may need to be in Safari on AoS and/or on your Mac.

USB D10 Spec

DIGITAL INPUT AND OUTPUT
USB Input PCM 44.1kHz - 384kHz 16-32bits
USB DSD frequnecy DSD64 à DSD256 ( DOP - natif )
SPDIF Coaxial output 24bits max 44.1kHz - 192kHz
SPDIF Optical output 24bits max 44.1kHz - 192kHz
USB compatibility Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (nécessite un driver) Mac OS 10 et Linux


My DAC
USB CAIMAN SEG USB input spec (taken from manual)

The USB input accepts a ‘B-type’ male USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 connector. Use a USB B-to-A cable to connect the Caiman directly to a computer’s USB output. The USB interface is compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports.
The USB input supports 32, 44.1, and 48 kHz sample rates. Maximum word length is 16-bits. The USB interface does not require the installation of any custom drivers or changes to system settings for high quality audio playback.

Windows 7, Vista, 2000 & XP, MAC OS X and Linux

When connecting to a USB port on a computer running the above operating systems, the computer should automatically recognize the presence of the Caiman USB device. Any audio played from the computer will then be routed to the Caiman USB output.

OK so what is the point of the above, well my concern was as follows:

1. Catalina is a pure 64bit operating system, so question is has this changed or impacted the digital output to the USB-3 Port, which both yours and mine have? (It certainly should not as there is a very specific USB-3 worldwide specification and what it is, what it supports and how)

2. Will it work with my DAC which supports only 16 bits, and will it work with Audvirna which will output in native DSD?

3 Will it work in Mac OS 10.15(Catalina) using native Apps i.e. iTunes and Safari?

So just for you Steve I went and hunted out my USB lead, by the way this is a crappy old thing from an 10 year old printer, so I wasn't even sure it would work OK.

So the proof as I say is in the what you see and hear.
My Mac spec, earlier than yours but I7
https://i.postimg.cc/K8VwBFth/IMG-1445.jpg (https://postimg.cc/zyCxYsdx)


Audirvana sees my DAC when I plug in USB lead
https://i.postimg.cc/QC3JrY5z/DBF6-A054-AF40-4-EE9-AEE9-871-E65-A4-DAED.jpg (https://postimg.cc/VrKCqRK9)

Audirvana playing music through USB and DAC out to hifi

https://i.postimg.cc/6Q4r4xfS/DF714323-97-BD-4735-8-C11-15244-DBCCD63.jpg (https://postimg.cc/d7vkgXXm)

Mac OS sees the DAC

https://i.postimg.cc/Wz8gcNsD/C25-E4-BE2-1408-4-C0-E-8-E97-4094-C93904-AE.jpg (https://postimg.cc/2LqV4fbm)

iTunes playing music with DAC select in OS

https://i.postimg.cc/P5xzhwpd/FFB1-C08-F-85-F7-4-CB4-90-A0-6-E5-DFD15-FEB8.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Yh5mzjzP)

In Safari playing Apple iPhone video


https://youtu.be/GclCdq45p3s

So I cannot see why it would not work with your Mac Mini and the Topping D10, so I would say well worth trying.

[steve-z]

Thanks for all the info Adrian, I have to admit not being very computer savvy a lot of what you said went over my head somewhat but I get the gist.
Took me a bit of time to check it out as the Tapatalk app I use on the iPad doesn’t show your photos so I had to bring AOS up via Safari.
From what you’re saying with regard to using the Topping D10 with OS Catalina should be fine, my only slight misgiving is with regard to the powering of the DAC which utilises the USB lead, I’ve read on another forum some users finding the Macmini gives inadequate power so that when the Mac comes out of sleep mode it doesn’t fire up the DAC.
I think what I’ll probably need to do is to buy one from Amazon, try it and if there are any issues return it for a refund.


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[Stryder5]

Thanks for all the info Adrian, I have to admit not being very computer savvy a lot of what you said went over my head somewhat but I get the gist.
Took me a bit of time to check it out as the Tapatalk app I use on the iPad doesn’t show your photos so I had to bring AOS up via Safari.
From what you’re saying with regard to using the Topping D10 with OS Catalina should be fine, my only slight misgiving is with regard to the powering of the DAC which utilises the USB lead, I’ve read on another forum some users finding the Macmini gives inadequate power so that when the Mac comes out of sleep mode it doesn’t fire up the DAC.
I think what I’ll probably need to do is to buy one from Amazon, try it and if there are any issues return it for a refund.


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You have pm that may solve your issues.

Gary

[AJSki2fly]

Thanks for all the info Adrian, I have to admit not being very computer savvy a lot of what you said went over my head somewhat but I get the gist.
Took me a bit of time to check it out as the Tapatalk app I use on the iPad doesn’t show your photos so I had to bring AOS up via Safari.
From what you’re saying with regard to using the Topping D10 with OS Catalina should be fine, my only slight misgiving is with regard to the powering of the DAC which utilises the USB lead, I’ve read on another forum some users finding the Macmini gives inadequate power so that when the Mac comes out of sleep mode it doesn’t fire up the DAC.
I think what I’ll probably need to do is to buy one from Amazon, try it and if there are any issues return it for a refund.


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If you think that is an issue the I would buy either a Topping D30 DAC (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Topping-Decoder-Coaxial-Optical-CS4398/dp/B00J9BG5HS/ref=asc_df_B00J9BG5HS/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=214453842616&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4350979731440496501&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045335&hvtargid=pla-453008400181&psc=1) or http://www.homehifi.co.uk/PP/cartview.html?id=26

[steve-z]

[QUOTE=AJSki2fly;1131588]If you think that is an issue the I would buy either a [QUOTE]

The Caiman looks very nice as does the D50 but they’re both a bit out of my price bracket, being a pensioner I’m not exactly flush with the cash and have to spend carefully, hence my targeting the D10.


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[AJSki2fly]

[QUOTE=AJSki2fly;1131588]If you think that is an issue the I would buy either a [QUOTE]

The Caiman looks very nice as does the D50 but they’re both a bit out of my price bracket, being a pensioner I’m not exactly flush with the cash and have to spend carefully, hence my targeting the D10.


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The D30 that I was suggesting is £24 more than the D10, and comes with

Box Contains
1 x Topping VX1 Amplifier / USB DAC 1 x Power Supply ( 110V - 240V ) 1 x 3.5 to 6.35 converter 1 x 1.5M USB cable 1 × User Manual

[steve-z]

I realise the Topping D30 is only slightly more but the D10 was considered because of the lack of a power lead and PSU brick, all my hifi gear, turntable and phono stage, amp, TV, DVD player, Macmini, wifi router, printer,Hive transmitter, Apple TV all have power leads to be accommodated, I have 14 mains sockets in my living room and they’re all in use already [emoji3525]


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[AJSki2fly]

I realise the Topping D30 is only slightly more but the D10 was considered because of the lack of a power lead and PSU brick, all my hifi gear, turntable and phono stage, amp, TV, DVD player, Macmini, wifi router, printer,Hive transmitter, Apple TV all have power leads to be accommodated, I have 14 mains sockets in my living room and they’re all in use already [emoji3525]


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Unfortunately this issue is the same for all of us. A DAC powered from and external source will be more stable and should sound better than one powered from a computer USB which can be subject to power fluctuations. I would consider getting a power block with an additional socket, so if you have one with 4 sockets get one that has 6. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Elec-SC205-Extension-Surge-Protection-White/dp/B00DVHLFOE/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=power+extension+lead&qid=1571491634&sr=8-7 its more cost but might be the best way forward.

[steve-z]

Unfortunately this issue is the same for all of us. A DAC powered from and external source will be more stable and should sound better than one powered from a computer USB which can be subject to power fluctuations. I would consider getting a power block with an additional socket, so if you have one with 4 sockets get one that has 6. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Elec-SC205-Extension-Surge-Protection-White/dp/B00DVHLFOE/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=power+extension+lead&qid=1571491634&sr=8-7 its more cost but might be the best way forward.

You’re probably right but I’m at the end of my tether with regards to mains cables and I just don’t want another one, easy enough to accommodate in my bedroom setup but not in the living room.


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[Landloper]

You’re probably right but I’m at the end of my tether with regards to mains cables and I just don’t want another one, easy enough to accommodate in my bedroom setup but not in the living room.


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Hello Steve, I think given the parameters you have set out here the Topping D10 is probably a good choice - it measures very well in spite of being USB powered and the build quality is above average within its price range. Here is a link to a review of the D10 by audioscience:

http://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-d10-dac.2470/

Another option would be to consider a unit powered by a battery - this would increase your choice without having another plug to cater for.

[steve-z]

Hello Steve, I think given the parameters you have set out here the Topping D10 is probably a good choice - it measures very well in spite of being USB powered and the build quality is above average within its price range. Here is a link to a review of the D10 by audioscience:

http://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-d10-dac.2470/

Another option would be to consider a unit powered by a battery - this would increase you choice without having another plug to cater for.

Thanks for that, I have read the ASR review by Amir already and know he rates it highly. I’ve just checked out the specs on the Shenzhen Audio website and it would tend to confirm its usability with Macs.


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[Landloper]

I use a variety of DACs with the Macs I use and so far, fingers crossed, they have all been recognized without difficulty, neither have I had any difficulty using any of them. That said, you're right to check compatibility - there's always a first time.

[steve-z]

I’ve decided to take the plunge and order a Topping D10. After a trawl around on ebay I managed to find one for the ridiculously low price of$19.99 USD delivered, so just under £17, free delivery from the US will probably take weeks, but at that price I don’t really care [emoji846]


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[AJSki2fly]

I’ve decided to take the plunge and order a Topping D10. After a trawl around on ebay I managed to find one for the ridiculously low price of$19.99 USD delivered, so just under £17, free delivery from the US will probably take weeks, but at that price I don’t really care [emoji846]


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Don't forget you may get caught for import duty 20% and handling fee of around £10.

[Edward]

I’ve decided to take the plunge and order a Topping D10. After a trawl around on ebay I managed to find one for the ridiculously low price of$19.99 USD delivered, so just under £17, free delivery from the US will probably take weeks, but at that price I don’t really care [emoji846]


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Wow that is a low price for a D10. Looking around t'internet prices are all over the place.

Regarding no external power input to the D10. You could splice an external power supply into the USB cable. Typically a USB cable will have 4 wires, two of which for power (black negative and red positive). The other wires (white and green) are for data which leave connected as is. So with an external PSU (5v) just splice the negative and positive accordingly into the USB cable leaving the data wires coming from your USB source. This effectively shields you from the noisy power from your computer and, depending on the external PSU, will give a cleaner/stable power supply.

Alternatively get something like an Aqvox power injector.

But you may find the power coming from your computer will be fine.

[steve-z]

Don't forget you may get caught for import duty 20% and handling fee of around £10.

I’ve got stuff from the US several times before and I’ve never had to pay any import charges yet.


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[Edward]

I had a look at the listing for the D10 you got Steve. Although on ebay usa the items are coming from China.

[AJSki2fly]

I had a look at the listing for the D10 you got Steve. Although on ebay usa the items are coming from China.

That's good then, a sounds a bargain.