[rustydoglim]

I removed the topic that John posted because I need to confirm that spec and photo next week.
Yes, DAC-10 (MSRP $1495) and DAC-10H (MSRP $1795) are expected to ship late November and these are going to be one of the best DAC on the market.  It is in the half width format (8.5") and good enough to be a matching DAC for ST-10, or Ref 20.

[rustydoglim]

Introduction
 
Following in a long tradition of award-winning excellence, the NuPrime DAC-10H combines leading-edge technology that offers PCM 384K & DSD256 decoding with a high-power balanced headphone amplifier. To excel beyond high performance DACs 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 must do three things exceptionally well: 1) drive any headphones with ease; 2) deliver the utmost detail during a symphony’s quietest passages or a soundtrack’s heart-pounding explosion; and 3) all of this in the most natural sound. Simply put, the DAC-10H is a truly musical device.

A Reference LE Class Preamp

To meet the requirement of customers who want to eliminate extra components in their system, a high-end preamp capable of driving the power amplifier directly is an essential part of the design. The DAC-10H includes features borrowed from the Reference class P-20 preamp:
•   Advanced, thin-film switched-resistor ladder network for controlling volume, i.e., a single resistor in the signal path at any volume setting.
•   Individually adjustable volume on each input for precise source level matching.
•   Volume adjustment in 99 precise, 0.5dB increments.

The Heart

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.  When state-of-the-art solutions are readily available to all vendors, 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. 

Several notable features:

•   Five digital and two stereo inputs for system flexibility.
•   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 135dB 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, ensuring an unadulterated musical presentation.
•   Asynchronous transfer mode.
•   Ultra-low-noise JFETs in the input stage for the lowest possible noise level.
•   Supports DSD native playback by ASIO2.1 and DoP method.
•   Sample Rate Display – 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz and DSD64 to DSD256.
•   Exclusive driver software for Windows.
•   Standard driver software for Mac.

Headphone Amplifier
(available for DAC-10H)

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 headphone amp:
•   A 4-pin balanced and a standard 6.2mm stereo headphone amplifier outputs.
•   Output circuitry designed for use with up to two dynamic headphones. Consistent wiring and the use of XLR-4 sockets ensure excellent channel separation.
•   A gain switch for use with in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones.

Other Features
•   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

The NuPrime Sound

Just one listen confirms the DAC-10H as a true hallmark of audio performance:
•   Vast soundstage
•   Lightning-fast, wide-range dynamics
•   Ultra-low distortion and noise
•   Music emerges from a pristine background, with delicate details and nuances intact.

Specifications

Inputs:
•   1 x USB Digital
•   2 x Coaxial Digital S/PDIF
•   2 x Optical Digital S/PDIF
•   1 x Analog Stereo RCA
 
Outputs:
•   Optical (up to 24 bit/192 kHz)
•   Stereo RCA (Line out)
•   Stereo Balanced (XLR-3 socket pre-out )
•   Balanced headphone amplifier (XLR-4 socket )
•   Unbalanced headphone amplifier (6.5 mm jack socket )

•   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)
•   Dimensions:
•   Weight:
•   Worldwide AC voltage: (90VAC~130VAC // 210VAC~ 250VAC) With Voltage Select Switch
•   AC Fuse: Slow-blow,7A, 250VAC
•   RS232 extension: Smart Home Control & Firmware upgrade

Shipping Dec 2.  Taking orders now.

[kazsud]

I don't know how I missed it had a sabbree dac before 

[rustydoglim]

You can download the manual from https://www.dropbox.com/s/mssw21fzlq47nly/DAC-10H%20Manual%2011_25_2014%20.pdf?dl=0

There is a lot more to a full featured DAC design than a DAC chip.  The result can be dramatically.  The manual went into some details about why DAC-10H is unique. 

[rjclaster]

How would you compare the headphone section of the DAC-10H with the HA-200 headphone amp?

[rustydoglim]

From design, the two headphone amps have the same power and quality. DAC-10H's headphone amp is likely to have lower noise than HA-200. The DAC-10H has unique gain settings that nobody else have. Each of the RCA or XLR outputs can have 3 different gains so it can be used for any headphones and earphones on the market.  Furthermore, the headphone output on DAC-10H is stereo, unlike the mono HA-200. Therefore DAC-10H can use off-the-shelf high end XLR headphone cable.

[srb]

Furthermore, the headphone output on DAC-10H is stereo, unlike the mono HA-200. Therefore DAC-10H can use off-the-shelf high end XLR headphone cable.

Do you possibly mean "the headphone output on DAC-10H is balanced, unlike the single-ended HA-200?  I haven't heard of a piece of equipment having a mono headphone output since the 1950s.

Steve

[rustydoglim]

DAC-10H headphone outputs are balanced and single ended stereo.
Take a look at the amazing gain settings on the manual: http://www.nuprimeaudio.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=359&Itemid=250

[dr.sah]

Does it has,Ht bypass?

[John Casler]

Does it has,Ht bypass?

Yes

[John Casler]

DAC-10 and ST-10

[Louisa0208]

Any professional review for Dac10 + St 10 set?

[Louisa0208]

Is Dac-10 (H) designed for desktop system, AV system or highend  system?
Thanks

[rustydoglim]

The Absolute Sound is reviewing DAC-10H and ST-10, and Inner Fidelity reviewing DAC-10H.
Sold out until mid March.

These are for high-end system.  DAC-10H can also be used for desktop as it is the only DAC on the market today with SIX gain settings so that you can listen to most sensitive IEM and hard to drive over-ear headphones at the same time - set to lowest gain on 6.2mm headphone output and highest gain on XLR headphone out for example.

Sure it can be used for the front L/R main of an AV system so you can have best of both worlds (audiophile 2 channel and home theater).

Jason

[Louisa0208]

Thank you for the reply!!
So the review will be in March or April issue of TAS ?

[rustydoglim]

No, it just started and it usually takes two months to complete and then two months for the print copy to appear.  The review for IDA-16 should be out soon.

[JLM]

Any images/details on the remote?

Any comments regarding the volume control (as digitals have a not so good reputation)?

[KLH007]

Any images/details on the remote?

Any comments regarding the volume control (as digitals have a not so good reputation)?

The DAC-10's volume control is done in the analog domain via a ladder switched resistor network, it has analog inputs and these are not A/D converted because of the analog volume control. It seems that NuPrime has really done a thoughtful approach to a DAC/Preamp and included features and performance at a price that might shock the marketplace.

[John Casler]

Any images/details on the remote?

Any comments regarding the volume control (as digitals have a not so good reputation)?

The photo below is actually the IDA-16 remote, but they look and function the same.

[JLM]

Thanks for the replies folks.