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Topping D90 Balanced USB DAC Review

Generic_Bug

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Save your money. Freya+ is an effect box while Ragnarok's amp performs far worse than Heresy and as such you would not be able to utilize D90's full performance. I'd recommend the Massdrop Linear amplifier THX 789 if you need balanced outputs instead

By saying Freya+ is an effect box what you mean exactly ? Heresy is far better than something that costs 15 times it is beyond me… Could you please elaborate ? Have you tried Ragnarok with Speakers ? Or you say that because you only tried headphones with Ragnarok ? Thanks for your contribution !
 

Generic_Bug

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Benchmark AHB2 monoblocks is the answer to this

I 've just read the review from AudioBacon Benchmark AHB2 and I must admit that what you propose seems to be a really high-end speaker amplifier. But 3'700 € seems quite a steep price ! Do you own this amazing piece of equipment ? Do you think that it definitely worths the money ? With what speakers would you pair it ?
 

Matias

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I 've just read the review from AudioBacon Benchmark AHB2 and I must admit that what you propose seems to be a really high-end speaker amplifier. But 3'700 € seems quite a steep price ! Do you own this amazing piece of equipment ? Do you think that it definitely worths the money ? With what speakers would you pair it ?
This is an objective focused forum. Recommendations are based on low distortion and good measurements.
Here are some other good measuring options:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dio-p502-stereo-amplifier-measurements.10909/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...and-measurements-of-hypex-nc400-diy-amp.5907/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nc-374-euro-415usd-for-monoblock-nc500.10885/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/apollon-as1200-review-and-teardown.9373/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-and-measurements-of-nord-one-nc500-amp.7704/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...e-nc1200dm-signature-stereo-amp-review.10261/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-se-1et400a-dual-mono-stereo-amp-review.9938/
 
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Angstrom

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Decided to pick up a Topping D90 to see, will run it into an SPL Phonitor X ( pick up last gen on closeout with there DAC-192) and the new the Tom Christian Audio HPA-1 amp.
 

tellsapfel

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Hi,

what is the output impedance for xlr?

I´ve had an RME DAC and it sounded really wrong connected directly to my active speakers. Going though my preamp (0 Ohm) it sounded ok.

thanks
 

Lordcloud

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I 've just read the review from AudioBacon Benchmark AHB2 and I must admit that what you propose seems to be a really high-end speaker amplifier. But 3'700 € seems quite a steep price ! Do you own this amazing piece of equipment ? Do you think that it definitely worths the money ? With what speakers would you pair it ?

I own a pair of AHB2's, and I received my D90 yesterday and am listening right now.

I heartily recommend the Benchmarks.
 

da Choge

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I own a pair of AHB2's, and I received my D90 yesterday
I assume you're listening to the Benchmarks in bridged mono? -- Very nice !!! Curious as to what speakers you're running (if you don't mind sharing) and your opinion of the D90.
 

Lordcloud

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I assume you're listening to the Benchmarks in bridged mono? -- Very nice !!! Curious as to what speakers you're running (if you don't mind sharing) and your opinion of the D90.

The Benchmarks are indeed running in mono mode.

My speakers are Tempo Electric EP1's. http://www.tempoelectric.com/speaker_ep1.htm

So far.... the D90 sounds a bit flat and threadbare compared to my old DAC (modified MHDT Labs Balanced Pagoda). But I'm giving my ears a chance to acclimate.

I was wanting to move away from a tubed source, and towards a dac that was as neutral and information rich as possible. Not sure if it's a keeper yet, but we'll see.
 

maxxevv

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It's dies after 12 hours.

Depends on the sources quoted. The highest I have come across is that it can persist on certain surfaces under the right conditions for up to 36 hours. Under summer intensity sunlight, about 15 mins max.

Still, not a worry considering that the fastest shipping will take over 72 hours to reach anyone.

If you're really worried, get a spray bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol mixed with 70~80% water and spray on the surfaces of the package before doing anything further with it. Or get a UV lamp and leave it over the package for an hour.
 

Yviena

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@amirm did you measure the dac with the BT module screwed on, i'm curious if measurements will differ with the antenna on/off

Has anyone managed to enter DAC MODE where volume is fixed to 0dBFS? , in the manual of D90 it says there should also be i2s configuration setting, and factory reset settings but i can't find them.
 
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SnowRang3r

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@amirm did you measure the dac with the BT module screwed on, i'm curious if measurements will differ with the antenna on/off

Has anyone managed to enter DAC MODE where volume is fixed to 0dBFS? , in the manual of D90 it says there should also be i2s configuration setting, and factory reset settings but i can't find them.
I believe you have to hold the power button while turning on to get into the menu where you can enable DAC only mode.
 

Yanibm1

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@amirm In another DAC review you provided a comparison showing resolution of "a very low level sine wave at -90 db." I found it informative and wonder why you do not include it for subsequent reviews, including this one. Or is it not really that beneficial?
 

JohnYang1997

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@amirm In another DAC review you provided a comparison showing resolution of "a very low level sine wave at -90 db." I found it informative and wonder why you do not include it for subsequent reviews, including this one. Or is it not really that beneficial?
The SINAD covers that already. Good SINAD will certainly give good sine wave at -90db.
The measurement of -90dB was just another comprehensive test for someone who doesn't want to believe SINAD or doesn't know what it means.
 
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