NuPrime DAC-10H DAC and Headphone Amplifier

A Truly Musical Preamp, DAC, and Headphone Amp

The NuPrime DAC-10H combines leading-edge technology that offers PCM 384K and DSD256 decoding with a high-power balanced headphone amplifier.

The DAC-10H distinguishes itself from the stacks of high performance DACs that are currently cluttering the marketplace. NuPrime recognizes that merely supporting standard sampling rates and hi-res music formats using state-of-the-art chips or proprietary digital signal processing is not sufficient.

To satisfy the most discerning audiophiles, the NuPrime DAC-10H does three things exceptionally well. First, it will drive any headphones with ease. Second, it delivers the utmost detail during a symphony’s quietest passages or a soundtrack’s heart-pounding explosion. Finally, it accomplishes all of this in the most natural sound. It is a truly musical device.

High-end Preamp Section

To meet the requirement of audiophiles who want to eliminate extra components in their system, the DAC-10H incorporates a high-end preamp capable of driving the power amplifier directly. The DAC-10H includes features borrowed from the Reference class P-20 preamp, including an advanced, thin-film switched-resistor ladder network for controlling volume, which provides a single resistor in the signal path at any volume setting. It also has individually adjustable volume on each input for precise source level matching and volume adjustment in 99 precise, 0.5dB increments.

The Heart of the System

As the heart of an audio system, the DAC-10H supports an extensive number of inputs and formats. Utilizing the world’s best performing 32-bit audio DAC is only a first step for designing the ultimate DAC. The experience and proprietary know-how in designing many "Editor’s Choice" and "Product of the Year" award-winning products elevate the NuPrime DAC-10H above the competition.

Notable features include five digital inputs and two stereo inputs for system flexibility. Inputs consist of one USB digital, two coaxial digital S/PDIF, two optical digital S/PDIF, and two analog stereo RCA. Outputs consist of optical digital (up to 24 bit/192 kHz), unbalanced stereo RCA line out, balanced stereo XLR pre-out, balanced headphone out (XLR-4 jack), and unbalanced headphone amplifier out (1/4" jack).

On the output side, it offers unique dual gain settings for RCA with 2V or 4V outputs, XLR with 4V or 8V outputs. Each of the balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs have four different high power output settings.

World's Best 32-bit Audio DAC

The SABRE32 Reference ES9018 from ESS Technology is the world’s best-performing 32-bit audio DAC solution for high-end consumer applications and professional studio equipment. With ESS’s 32-bit Hyperstream™ DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the SABRE32 Reference DAC delivers an unprecedented dynamic range of up to 135 dB and THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise) of -120dB, all of which put the DAC-10H at the industry’s cutting edge.

Symmetrical signal processing with exact signal transmission over the entire frequency spectrum and extremely low harmonic distortion ensures an unadulterated musical presentation. Asynchronous transfer mode delivers extremely low levels of jitter. Ultra-low-noise JFETs in the input stage offer the lowest possible noise level.

The DAC-10H supports DSD native playback by ASIO2.1 (up to 11.2MHz) and DoP (up to 5.6MHz) method and sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz and DSD64 to DSD256.

Top Quality Headphone Amplifier

Today’s best headphones can cost as much as a high-end DAC. Their owners demand a headphone amp that fully exploits their potential. Key features of the DAC-10H headphone amp include a four-pin balanced and a standard 1/4" stereo headphone amplifier outputs. The output circuitry is designed for use with up to two dynamic headphones. Consistent wiring and the use of XLR-4 sockets ensure excellent channel separation. A convenient gain switch offers best performance with in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones.

Other features include a linear power supply with a multi-rail toroidal transformer, independent left/right channel power supplies, a 12V trigger output, and full microprocessor control with memory retention. A wireless remote is included. The DAC-10H is offered in stylish black or silver anodized aluminum finish.

Product Features

Overview

High-resolution DAC, premium preamp, powerful headphone amp
Five digital and two stereo inputs for system flexibility.
SABRE32 Reference ES9018 from ESS Technology with 32-bit Hyperstream™ DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator
Symmetrical signal processing with exact signal transmission over the entire frequency spectrum
Asynchronous transfer mode
Ultra-low-noise JFETs in the input stage
Supports DSD native playback by ASIO2.1 (up to 11.2MHz) and DoP (up to 5.6MHz) method
Sample Rate Display – 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz and DSD64 to DSD256
Unique dual gain settings for RCA with 2V or 4V outputs, XLR with 4V or 8V outputs; and each of the balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs with four different high power output settings.
Exclusive driver software for Windows
Standard driver software for Mac
Linear power supply with multi-rail toroidal transformer
Independent left/right channel power supplies
12V trigger output
Full microprocessor control with memory retention
Included remote control for full convenience
Available in stylish black or silver anodized aluminum finish

Preamp

Advanced, thin-film switched-resistor ladder network for controlling volume
Individually adjustable volume on each input for precise source level matching
Volume adjustment in 99 precise, 0.5dB increments

Inputs

1 x USB Digital
2 x Coaxial Digital S/PDIF
2 x Optical Digital S/PDIF
2 x Analog Stereo RCA

Outputs

Optical (up to 24 bit/192 kHz)
Stereo RCA (Line out). Output impedance < 100 Ohms.
Stereo Balanced (XLR-3 socket pre-out ). Output impedance < 100 Ohms.
Balanced headphone amplifier (XLR-4 jack)
Unbalanced headphone amplifier (6.3 mm jack)

Product Specs

USB Sampling Rates: 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz, 176.4KHz, 192KHz, 352.8KHz, 384KHz and DSD 2.8MHz (DSD64) , 5.6MHz (DSD128) 11.2MHz (DSD256)
S/PDIF Sampling Rates: 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96, 176.4KHz, 192KHz
Maximum Sampling Rate: 24-bits
Bit Resolution: 16-24-bits
Frequency Response: 10Hz to 80kHz
Max. output power: 680 mW @ 1 kHz and 600 ohm load at the XLR-4 output
Frequency response: < 10 Hz to > 100 kHz
Crosstalk attenuation: min. 93 dB @ 1 kHz
THD+N: < 0.0003%
Dynamic range: > 115 dB @ 600 ohm load (A-weighted)
Worldwide AC voltage: (90VAC~130VAC // 210VAC~ 250VAC) With Voltage Select Switch
AC Fuse: Slow-blow,T2.5A, 250VAC
Dimensions: 8.5" wide, 2.3" high, 15" deep
Weight: 10.5 lbs.

Product Warranty

1 Year

Parts & Labor

NuPrime Warranty Information

2019, 2020, & 2022 Editors’ Choice Award - The Absolute Sound

"The DAC-10H packs a lot of features and performance into a small package. Inner detail and low-level resolution are as good as Steven Stone have heard through and DAC including the [$5,000] Antelope Audio Platinum."

"Inner detail and low-level resolution through the DAC-10 are as good as SS has heard through any DAC, including the Antelope Audio Plantinum DSD DAC."

- The Absolute Sound, March 2019

"I personally like the NuPrime DAC-10H pretty much. In such a way that I would like to see it permanently in my rack as another piece of work equipment. On the one hand, I like the design, which is both unpretentious and independent. On the other hand, the pragmatic equipment (XLR-Out for power amplifiers / headphones, gain, HiRes / DSD, but no deep, playful operating menu or other feature or housing bling bling) and the solidity that radiates the entire concept of the DAC-10H."

"The NuPrime also offers 'real' multifunctionality: It does not seem compromised in any of its three disciplines, the analog inputs are surprisingly good for a compact digital - both for controlling power amplifiers / active speakers and headphones. Fed via USB, the DAC-10H dims the upper layers slightly - listeners who have strict aversions to 'metallic' digital sound will be given additional security, fans of as much high-frequency air as possible will see this rather critically - without however rounding them off or soften up. One way or another, however, the NuPrime is able to provide involving listening fun, not least because of its dynamic pace."

- Jörg Dames, fairaudio.de, October 2015