NeoHipo DC10 Mini HiFi Desktop DAC – Fosi Reverberation Converter
NeoHipo DC10 is a $79 USD desktop DAC with a USB, Optical and Coaxial input, and an RCA Line out, here to give you a clean and crisp sound. Today we will review the DC10 and explore whether it is worth integrating in your stereo system.
Introduction
NeoHipo is a new company in our review roster, and they use a package which is basically a Fosi Audio package, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some kind of connection. As this is a whole new company, there is no record of how reliable they are, but as we will explore today, their first product is fairly well made and I expect it to survive usage well. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. A huge thanks to NeoHipo for providing us with the sample for this review.
PROs – Smooth, laid back and relaxed sound, solid build quality, no USB DAC issues, good real-time sound performance, and a very good price / performance ratio.
Cons – Modest detail and resolution, no volume control.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3XVhEbn
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCq1FDJ
Build Quality/Aesthetics
Although a baby on the market, NeoHipo DC-10 works perfectly well, it has enough size to not slide on my desk as it is pulled by the rigid cables I am typically using, but it is sturdy and has two switches at the front, one for on/off and one to select the current input. There is just one output, which is an RCA Single ended output, but inside we have a combination of the ES9028Q2M DAC and the NE5532 OP-AMPs.
NeoHipo DC10 can decode a maximum data rate of up to 768kHz / 32 bit for the PCM stream and up to DSD256 for 1-Bit signals.
The USB DAC function seems to be implemented perfectly, with no USB DAC delay or other problems, and there is no stopping of the sound while no music is playing, amounting to a perfect little DAC in the subjective usage. As it does not grow hot, it does not skip or have any issues, it is what I consider to be perfect subjectively.
There really is not much more info available about the NeoHipo DC10, but I am seeing a large number of NeoHipo products on Aliexpress, so there may be an influx as the company is opening up. As we are departing from reviewing entry-level products, I cannot promise to cover them all, but we will try our best ro review the ones that look interesting.
Sound Quality
Pairings – To test the NeoHipo DC10, we have paired it with a collection of setups, including Feliks Echo 2 driving a pair of Sivga SV023 for the headphones, AIYIMA A70 Stereo Power Amplifier driving a pair of NHT C3 Speakers, Campfire Bonneville driven by Topping A50 III, and Spirit Torino Twin Pulse Beryllium driven by a JDS Labs Atom AMP 2. DC10 is remarkably quiet in the background noise, but offers no volume control, all of it being levied to the AMP.
Overall Signature – NeoHipo DC10 sounds fairly neutral, with a slightly smooth treble and top end, a fairly full and deep bass, and a natural midrange. The sound is not surprisingly deep or wide, but there is no background noise, which is a happy surprise considering the price point, and the Dynamic range is technically rather high at 116dB. As DC10 takes in power from the USB host, I am happy to notice no background noise added by my computer even if I’m watching music videos or playing games.
Bass – Starting with a neutral bass, DC10 provides a satisfying if somewhat slow bass that has a good extension and impact. There is a good sense of depth, but the bass can be somewhat compressed, played at the same level as the midrange, sometimes with a bit of intercrossing between drum hits and voices. This can create an old-school vintage kind of sound that works well for slow rock and older songs, but will make the bass less evident and less agile for metal and faster music.
Midrange – DC-10 has a sweet and clean voiding, having a perfectly linear midrange that emphasizes both male and female voices equally. Resolution and detail is fair, ok for the price point, but not really comparable to the high-end devices I typically review. You will hear a fair separation between the foreground and background, but most music is presented in a middle layer that sits neither too forward nor projected far away from the listener. There is no volume control, the DAC always outputs max signal at max volume, so it will rely on the amplifier to control the volume, with a slight chance of the end sound to be distorted.
Treble – A smooth and lead top end for that vintage kind of sound, DC10 glosses over album mistakes and is very forgiving, but has some treble presence to keep sparkle and interest up in music. The treble is smooth and silky, has modest details, but aids in keeping the sound laid back and lean.
Dynamics / PRaT / Textures – Texture is smooth and impulse response is mostly slow, creating a laid back and relaxed sound that has very little edge or fatiguing elements to it. DC10 is perfect if you’re easily fatigued and if you want to hear most music with a beauty filter over it.
Value and Conclusion
The sound is actually very good considering the price, and performance is fairly high, with no background noise, no issues with the USB DAC function and high resolution support included for an entry-level price. If you have a modest pair of headphones and IEMs, and if you’re okay with a more affordable setup, you’ll love the NeoHipo DC10 for how much it offers for the money.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a smooth, relaxed sound that has zero fatigue and zero edge, but a clean and lean presentation NeoHipo DC10 offers it for a very small price.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3XVhEbn
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCq1FDJ
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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