Topping DM7 8-Channel DAC Review

[amirm]

To be clear, I plugged in DM7 into a windows machine and used it. No software was installed. I used ASIO4ALL to talk to it which exposed 8 independent channels. So everything is class compliant so I see no reason Linux would have trouble here.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

What about the video?

Video goes out from the PC via HDMI to the monitor, audio goes to the OCTO or Topping via USB. No problem it works, I have been doing it for years. The Apple MAC 1 Mini will even render HDR 10. And lip sync is not a problem, and the PC can use any number of crossovers, eqs, players, and dsp. Far more flexible than being locked into whatever comes with the receiver. Will handle everything up to 7.1, but no ATMOS, DTS-X, or Auro 3D, alas.

 

[Katji]

TBH I have the budget to pay much more for an Okto, and I would consider it if they were ever in stock. However, I CBA to monitor the company's supply. Okto won't make a wait list or give production predictions for some reason. I emailed the company asking for an estimate of the next production run and got no response.

Okay, then I'll take the other candidate at the efficient frontier of price vs. performance. I ordered my DM7 before Amir posted his review.

I think Topping is in a much better position to cope with component supply problems. Although not a big corporate, they are located right there, with access to contacts and no communications difficulties.

 

[amirm]

They also buy a lot more components so get priority.

 

[glc650]

There is a lot of effort behind Atmos (Amazon etc.) and I'm curious how it will take off.

What are you talking about? Amazon dumped Atmos (and DV) long ago and Atmos has already taken off (for movies/shows anyway). Half of what I watch has an Atmos track. I guess you have never watched anything on Netflix or a movie on Blu-ray?

Then again with your setup:

I now use Apple TV+ that sends the picture to the TV screen and sound to 8 wireless speakers by AirPlay. The DSP in the speakers give an immersive feel with stereo sound rather than using multi-channel sound.

how would you even know when something is recorded in Atmos?

 

[sarumbear]

Video goes out from the PC via HDMI to the monitor, audio goes to the OCTO or Topping via USB. No problem it works, I have been doing it for years. The Apple MAC 1 Mini will even render HDR 10. And lip sync is not a problem, and the PC can use any number of crossovers, eqs, players, and dsp. Far more flexible than being locked into whatever comes with the receiver.

Unless you have a spatial setup. 2D surround is very last decade

Not to mention you don’t have HDMI inputs nor selection.

 

[manisandher]

To be clear, I plugged in DM7 into a windows machine and used it. No software was installed. I used ASIO4ALL to talk to it which exposed 8 independent channels. So everything is class compliant so I see no reason Linux would have trouble here.

The MOTU UltraLite-mk5 is also class compliant, and yet only seems to work with Linux kernels 5.10 and above. Even then, not perfectly. My SOtM sMS-200 has kernel 5.11 loaded - the MOTU works, but only at 44.1 and 48k rates. The MOTU doesn't work at all with the iFi Zen Stream. The Okto has worked out of the box with everything I've tried.

I'd be interested in the DM7 if I knew it worked with Linux as well as the Okto does.

Mani.

 

[MAB]

To be clear, I plugged in DM7 into a windows machine and used it. No software was installed. I used ASIO4ALL to talk to it which exposed 8 independent channels. So everything is class compliant so I see no reason Linux would have trouble here.

Thanks. This answers some of the questions circulating here about use.
I keep thinking that this is some of the basic info that should accompany this product. It certainly isn't in the manual, or on their website.

 

[sarumbear]

how would you even know when something is recorded in Atmos?

Atmos is a delivery format. You know it is used when you see it’s logo.

 

[glc650]

Atmos is a delivery format. You know it is used when you see it’s logo.

I have a 6.3.4 system (I don't run a center) in my living room so I'm well aware what Atmos is. Read my full post and you will see I was responding to the quoted poster's bizarre fake surround sound setup and assumptions about Atmos.

 

[sarumbear]

Thanks. This answers some of the questions circulating here about use.
I keep thinking that this is some of the basic info that should accompany this product. It certainly isn't in the manual, or on their website.

It is on their website and the manual points to it. All you need to do is RTFM.

DM7 user manual and drivers for Windows 10\u0026amp;11-TOPPING

 

[sarumbear]

I have a 6.3.4 system (I don't run a center) in my living room so I'm well aware what Atmos is. Read my full post and you will see I was responding to the quoted poster's bizarre fake surround sound setup and assumptions about Atmos.

And I was answering to your sentence which was in a paragraph of its own. We all communicate better if we explain what we mean clearly.

 

[MAB]

Do you want to be told how a power amplifier work as well? It’s a DAC that has multiple outputs. What else do you want to know?

Actually, yes I do want to be told.
For example:

It would be better for Topping to spell out actual support, with system integration examples. So many of the questions in this thread would be calmly answered by Topping rather than us going around like this...

They don't have to replicate RME or Yamaha or Genelec (for example), but gosh they could do better. Doesn't even have to be in English, most of us understand diagrams!!!

 

[sarumbear]

Actually, yes I do want to be told.
For example:
View attachment 217969
It would be better for Topping to spell out actual support, with system integration examples. So many of the questions in this thread would be calmly answered by Topping rather than us going around like this...

They don't have to replicate RME or Yamaha or Genelec (for example), but gosh they could do better. Doesn't even have to be in English, most of us understand diagrams!!!

A manual is not an education source. There are zillion places to learn how certain audio setups work. I hate to see a diagram like that in a user manual!

 

[glc650]

And I was answering to your sentence which was in a paragraph of its own. We all communicate better if we explain what we mean clearly.

What paragraph? It's a sentence immediately following another quote. I can't make it any more clear than that smart ass. I have no control over how this forum handles quoting and formatting/spacing around said quoting. And did you not notice the colon following the sentence before that last quote? Usually that indicates more to come. Had you just read my full post...

 

[Sokel]

Unfortunate but good to know.

Edit:Forgot to post how you choose:

 

[jtwrace]

The MOTU UltraLite-mk5 is also class compliant, and yet only seems to work with Linux kernels 5.10 and above. Even then, not perfectly. My SOtM sMS-200 has kernel 5.11 loaded - the MOTU works, but only at 44.1 and 48k rates. The MOTU doesn't work at all with the iFi Zen Stream. The Okto has worked out of the box with everything I've tried.

I'd be interested in the DM7 if I knew it worked with Linux as well as the Okto does.

Mani.

I wish I could "love" this post knowing what you went through as I followed along on the Roon forum. That's why I built a NUC and just put it near the Motu and was done. However, a fully Linux compliant unit is the only reason I'd switch at this point so the NUC would be off the shelf and the RPi running RoPieee.

 

[MAB]

It is on their website and the manual points to it. All you need to do is RTFM.

DM7 user manual and drivers for Windows 10\u0026amp;11-TOPPING

Yes, I did RTM!
And, it even means something to me:

Perhaps I am missing something else.
Also, I would like for this to be a less condescending discussion.

 

[sarumbear]

Yes, I did RTM!
And, it even means something to me:
View attachment 217973
Perhaps I am missing something else.
Also, I would like for this to be a less condescending discussion.

 

[monkeyboy]

If your PC is the source this is great. If your TV is the source you either have SPDIF or HDMI eARC that would have to be an input to the PC to then be sent via USB. I haven't been able to find a sound card with HDMI eARC inputs, I believe cards with SPDIF inputs exit....can anyone recommend a specific sound card for SPDIF input?