COS D10 DAC, preamp, and network player
Review sample supplied by hexagonaudio
Retail prices in the Netherlands including VAT:
D10 without modules: € 5.350
Streaming module: € 1.070
MM/MC Phono preamp module: € 830
D10 complete with both modules: € 7.250
The D10 is a highly versatile control point, built in a modular fashion. As standard, it contains a preamp and DAC. Optionally, one can add a streaming input and a phono preamp. Looking at its exterior, the D10 is not only beautifully finished but also very cleverly constructed and made to extremely high tolerances. All the panels are assembled blindly (no screws in sight) and fit absolutely perfectly and that is something that is not to be taken for granted, not even with the most esoteric high-end brands.
Features
The D10’s preamp section’s volume control is carried out via a precision discrete resistor array that is controlled via magnetic relays which are, in turn, controlled from the front panel’s rotary volume dial, leading to 140 0.5dB steps ranging from -64db to +6dB. There are two XLR inputs and two RCA inputs, and two XLR and RCA outputs.
The D10’s DAC section offers USB, SPDIF BNC, AES/EBU, TOSLink, and I2S HDMI inputs while being capable of processing PCM sample rates of up to 192Khz at 24 bits and DSD rates up to DSD256 (USB) and DSD64 on all other inputs.
COS’s proprietary algorithm with a linear-phase delay FIR filter can up-sample original data to 176.4K or 192K. The D10 stores digital data in a one-second buffer before converting to analog signals, under the coordination of a crystal oscillator with a jitter precision of less than 1ps and dedicated re-clocking circuitry.
The D10 has an NCT internal chassis and an aluminum exterior. This design provides a fortified frame that makes possible lowered noise and minimized interference, plus convenient assembly/disassembly, and not to forget, seamless aesthetics.
The D10 is capable of driving headphones of high and low impedance, via a pair of 3-pin XLR connectors that accommodate two unbalanced headphones or 1 balanced one. An extra 4-pin XLR connector is provided for a balanced headphone.
The optional streaming module provides wired and wireless compatibility with TiDAL, Spotify, Deezer, and Qobuz. In addition, the D10 is compatible with MQA, Roon, and UPnP/DLNA.
Supplied wireless USB adapter and felt sleeve for the remote control unit
The optional phono preamp module provides 5 loading resistors ranging from 470 to 22 ohm and 3 loading capacitors, all selectable from the rear panel’s DIP switches. The 5 resistors work in parallel to enable a very wide array of values, thus accommodating a wide array of phono cartridges. For example, if 470 and 350 ohms are enabled, the overall resistance will be 470 * 350/(470 + 350) = 200 ohms. The same goes for capacitance switching.
Other features include a JFET input stage, on-board low-noise linear regulation, handpicked components for the RIAA curve matching, and no capacitors in the audio signal paths.
The supplied IR remote control is made entirely of aluminum and it has to be one of the best samples that I have seen and used, irrespective of the audio component’s price.
Next: Review Context.
