ClintonLTo begin, I love my NX4 but the goal usage of the NX4 is for portability and driving it from another portable device like an android phone. Hence the fact it always powers from the internal battery not the USB data cable and audio IO is on the front panel. For those of you who want to use a fine DAC full time on a stationary PC with portability not an issue, the D10 is an excellent low priced DAC that is USB powered. It's specification is not quite the DSD512 capable es9038q2m in the the NX4 but the DSD256 ES9018KAM is also an excellent DAC. On my desk, using the NX4 on my stationary PC creates is a cabling mess. My D10 fits so well.