wbh Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 The popular Topping d10s DAC sells for $100. If you search on eBay or Ali, you can get a very similar "generic name" models for roughly 1/2 the price. Anyone directly compare the two? The eBay "Breeze Audio" from chinaaudiostore: -- $56.00 "Mini ES9038Q2M DAC HiFi XMOS XU208 USB ES9038 DSD DAC Soundcard Headphone Out" Some pics of Breeze Audio: Some pics of Topping d10: ================ Obvious diffs: Front display Op-amps Power (d10: USB; Breeze: external 12v) Inputs (USB only for Breeze) Crystal XO size ( larger units used in Breeze) No electro caps in Breeze (seems to use Tantalums instead) ETC........... Link to comment
wbh Posted October 22, 2020 Author Share Posted October 22, 2020 Please note that I was banned from ASR for posting on this topic. Perhaps an understood (and justified) action given the sensitive (= easily offended) nature of that fanboy club ;) Anyway, I did purchase the Breeze Audio device for about $60 from eBay with an approx 3-week delivery. The unit delivered does NOT exactly match the eBay product description. First, the opamp installed is not the OPA2132, but some Chinese off-brand. I had a spare 2132 and noted no real improvement in performance. Second, the "12v" power input is not what the delivered unit is designed for (came with an 8.4v adapter; the Ali product description notes 8.4v power with a WARNING that unit might be damaged with more). The RED led next to "POWER" acknowledges USB input plugged in. The toggle switch switches on analog-section power, but the LED will light when USB is plugged in, regardless of switch position or plugged in adapter. Confusing! There are other issues and notes that I may report if there is enough traffic to this thread. What about the bottom line: sound? Outta the box, with no break in, I'll have to admit I was quite impressed. But then I've been quite fond of the ESS sound since "first ear". There is mod potential here as well: output coupling caps, snubbing regulators and opamp. More bypass caps, etc. And, yeah, that cheap SMPS adapter has gotta go! Link to comment
bogi Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 You would need to have measurements of Breeze Audio one and to compare it with the Topping E30 measurements to judge. Implementation is important, part names don't tell all. This forum is not much about discussing of unknown DAC hardware mods. Try diyAudio forum on this topic. i7 11850H + RTX A2000 Win11 HQPlayer ► Topping HS02 ► 2x iFi iSilencer ► SMSL D300 ► DIY headamp DHA1 ► HiFiMan HE-500 Link to comment
wbh Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 30 minutes ago, bogi said: You would need to have measurements of Breeze Audio one and to compare it with the Topping E30 measurements to judge. Why the E30? Did you see the topic (subject) title? That is (d10) the EXACT model with which to compare the Breeze Audio to, and that your confusion is legitimate. Link to comment
bogi Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 Be it D10s or E30, it does not change the meaning of my answer... I wish you that you find here people wanting to discuss your topic, but knowing the people and topics discussed here in the past, more efficient for you could be to try it also on the diyAudio forum. DuckToller 1 i7 11850H + RTX A2000 Win11 HQPlayer ► Topping HS02 ► 2x iFi iSilencer ► SMSL D300 ► DIY headamp DHA1 ► HiFiMan HE-500 Link to comment
wbh Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 2 hours ago, bogi said: Be it D10s or E30, it does not change the meaning of my answer... I wish you that you find here people wanting to discuss your topic, but knowing the people and topics discussed here in the past, more efficient for you could be to try it also on the diyAudio forum. Call me confused??? Are you suggesting that the topic and/or content of this thread is not appropriate for AS? Link to comment
wbh Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 On 9/29/2020 at 7:54 PM, wbh said: The popular Topping d10s DAC sells for $100. If you search on eBay or Ali, you can get a very similar "generic name" models for roughly 1/2 the price. Anyone directly compare the two? The eBay "Breeze Audio" from chinaaudiostore: -- $56.00 "Mini ES9038Q2M DAC HiFi XMOS XU208 USB ES9038 DSD DAC Soundcard Headphone Out" Some pics of Breeze Audio: Some pics of Topping d10: ================ Obvious diffs: Front display Op-amps Power (d10: USB; Breeze: external 12v) Inputs (USB only for Breeze) Crystal XO size ( larger units used in Breeze) No electro caps in Breeze (seems to use Tantalums instead) ETC........... In the "obvious diffs", I should've been clearer about "op-amps". That a huge diff. between the two! The Topping uses a two-stage output (three op-amps) , and does not use output (dc blocking) caps. The Breeze uses a one-stage output scheme, and 220uF (dc blocking) caps. I shorted the caps and noted about 3.5Vdc; I also used a different opamp (but same 3.5v out).... so I simply upgraded them to some Panasonic FM's (same value). Link to comment
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