$50 DAC with swappable opamps paired with WIIM MINI run through WOPL 400 and PL3300 preamp.

Sunnbobb

Sunnbobb

Journeyman
Joined
May 25, 2023
Messages
255
Location
Mount Vernon, WA
Tagline
Bikes, baseball and big amps.
I acquired a Neohippo DC10 DAC for around $50 new. It has an impressive quality case, and the sound with the stock ESS 9038Q2N Opamps is quite good. The stock opamps are socketed, so I went ahead and rolled in a set of three Texas Instruments OPA1656 DIP8 opamps for around $20.

I connected the DC10 to a WiiM Mini, and ran some tunes from Tidal. AlI can say is WOW. The sound with the new opamps is worlds ahead of the stock opamps, and better than any opamp I've been able to afford. The WOPL 400 loves this ccombonation.

I got the idea from this video:

op1.jpgop2.jpg
 
I have been running exclusively Schiit DAC's. The cheap ones too. Modi, Modi 2, Modius. I do not think I have ever ran any DAC that cost over 150.00 and probably not even that much not thinking that I could really hear any difference anyhow. Recently I started thinking (and down the rabbit hole we go) that I have tons of gear and have no clue what anything would sound like with anything other than Shiit! Kinda peering around on M.P. I saw a little FiiO K 11 RtR that came recommended by quite a few over the net for 115.00 from a guy that I could tell really took great care of his equipment. It was like new. Box, cables, instructions, power adapter, all like new. Not even a bit of dust in a crevice. I like it. It does sound diferent. more than I expected diferent. I like it. It has the two settings for over sampling or whatever (Resistor to Resistor) set up. I am glad I bought it. It has a nice headphone amp built in and way, way more red green blue and all kinds of flashing bright to low light settings on it that I as an adult do not care for whatever but can be turned off thank god but the unit is weighty and well built as can be. Has plenty of outs and ins. Its very, very nice for the money its actually hard for me to beleive. I have used it with the Jolida with the KT 88's and the Klipsch KG 3.2's I restored and with the Aragon with the B&K Ref. 4420 and Polk SDA 2B's that have been Modded to the hilt and I am impressed. I would not at all mind buying one of the units you have and trying diferent DAC's at this point. I say at least some of them do have a diferent sound in my system.
 
Hell I ain't advertising or anything here but shit this fucker ain't but 39.99 on Amazon right now. You know I ordered one.
Look what Audio Science Review had to say about it.
www.audiosciencereview.com

NEOHIPO DC10 Stereo DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the NEOHIPO DC10 budget stereo DAC. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $48. Suggested retail price is $80. The two switches feel solid and frankly all that is needed in a simple DAC. Back panel follows the same rule: Let's...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
No brainer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top