Just tried this little toy from mainland China, already upgrade with caps. Here’s my observation:
Nothing too impressive, with sound similar to an entry level CD-player. An local dealer claim the DAC chip CS4398 is also used by some ‘flagship’ CD player, after some googling, I found that its used in budget player like Marantz CD-6002, too. BTW, 6002’s cost is similar to a modded MD-10.
Apart from the DAC, MD-10 can function as USB soundcard, and have headphone out. Both should be considered better-than-none throw-in, dont expect much.
While provide satisfying clarity, this unit tends to overemphasis on sibilance sound. Coupe with unforgiving cans like AKG K-702 (via lineout of course), the result is nearly unbearable.
And then, resampling. What resampling? Read many post on the internet claim it has resampling, if they mean changing the bit depth, maybe, but that’s not resampling to me.
Anyway, for around $1500 HKD (less than 200 USD), these kind of result isn’t all that bad. The real bad part about this unit is the user interface.
Although the blue LCD screen might look cool, this 3 button setup require user to push many many times for routine settings like changing input source and output. Did I mention line out and headphone out cannot be used simultaneously?
An fully modded MD-10 cost around $3000 HKD. For that kind of money, I would certainly consider Cambridge Audio DacMagic first. Unless you never change your source/output, can live with limited output option, and REALLY HATE/dont need resampling in your DAC.