Topping D90SE Review (Balanced DAC)

[Cortes]

Topping marketing department is working a lot

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/topping-d90se-dac-review/

I guess now, the smart strategy is convince the objectivist and subjectivist community ;-)

 

[sleepyboy69]

I believe that is an aes input, not an output.

AES is a digital format, this is a digital to Analogue converter. it will not provide digital outputs.

oh yeah you're right! Sorry..

 

[mocenigo]

Topping marketing department is working a lot

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/topping-d90se-dac-review/

I guess now, the smart strategy is convince the objectivist and subjectivist community ;-)

It seems that the only thing missing from the D90SE (as with the D90) is an output stage with a better driving capability. Everything else is perfect. And we sort of knew that for the D90 as well. Use a suitable preamp or connect to a power amp with a high-ish input impedance (for instance, not to naked purifi modules) and the DAC problem is solved.

I really would like to see a D90SE-like DAC with more inputs (double USB, Toslink and RCA, not single), that would be what would convince me to upgrade the D90. And without MQA, please.

 

[JohnYang1997]

It seems that the only thing missing from the D90SE (as with the D90) is an output stage with a better driving capability. Everything else is perfect. And we sort of knew that for the D90 as well. Use a suitable preamp or connect to a power amp with a high-ish input impedance (for instance, not to naked purifi modules) and the DAC problem is solved.

I really would like to see a D90SE-like DAC with more inputs (double USB, Toslink and RCA, not single), that would be what would convince me to upgrade the D90. And without MQA, please.

It will drive purifi module input stage with no issue. Our headphone amps have 2k input impedance. Unless you want higher voltage then you need something else.
D90 original one also drives purifi module without issue.

 

[dan2021]

@amirm Can I ask, in terms of pure sound quality (so not considering build, connection or features like MQA), can I ask is there a big difference/any difference between the D90SE with the ESS9038 Pro and the D50S with the ESS9038Q2M?

 

[Matias]

It seems that the only thing missing from the D90SE (as with the D90) is an output stage with a better driving capability. Everything else is perfect. And we sort of knew that for the D90 as well. Use a suitable preamp or connect to a power amp with a high-ish input impedance (for instance, not to naked purifi modules) and the DAC problem is solved.

Just add a Pre90 preamp for their top of the line pair that serves exactly that.

 

[GWolfman]

Thanks!

Oh wow! We have a record breaker here when it comes to SINAD...

But we're not at the standard 4 Volts, so this might provide a slight advantage.

 

[boXem]

Just add a Pre90 preamp for their top of the line pair that serves exactly that.

BTW, @JohnYang1997, do you have measurements of a pre90 driven by the D90SE?
I know a guy searching for an ultra clean signal generator doing more than single tones

 

[Labjr]

Now if you could only do this for $99!

 

[phoenixsong]

Thanks!


But we're not at the standard 4 Volts, so this might provide a slight advantage.

Is there a way to calculate the SINAD contributed by the extra 0.2V?

 

[sq225917]

Can we see numbers with mqa source material?

 

[777]

The clocks are not the same Accusilicon. What clocks are now ?

 

[abdo123]

Thanks!


But we're not at the standard 4 Volts, so this might provide a slight advantage.

since it's distortion limited, which increases as the signal amplitude increases, it would probably be a tiny bit better at 4 Volts.

 

[dmac6419]

just ordered! Getting rid of my SU-9 and most likely it'd take an earth shattering product from SMSL to get my business going forward.

And people wonder why these small stores are charging a restocking fee,don't be mad if you get charged.

 

[GWolfman]

just ordered! Getting rid of my SU-9 and most likely it'd take an earth shattering product from SMSL to get my business going forward.

Where to buy?

 

[JohnYang1997]

BTW, @JohnYang1997, do you have measurements of a pre90 driven by the D90SE?
I know a guy searching for an ultra clean signal generator doing more than single tones

I recommend just using D90se.

 

[GWolfman]

@JohnYang1997 Congrats!

Where's your recommended source to purchase via official channels in the USA?

 

[JohnYang1997]

@JohnYang1997 Congrats!

Where's your recommended source to purchase via official channels in the USA?

Apos I guess.

 

[sam_adams]

No trigger output. @JohnYang1997, I am disappoint.

 

[CelicaGTS]

@JohnYang1997 could you please shred some light on the following:
1. Will A90 pairs nicely with D90SE at 5.2v?
2. Should I wait for A90SE to match perfectly with D90SE at 5.2v?
3. If I use D90SE exclusively with DSD256 (or 512) contents, will it perform at the same SINAD level compares to PCM?
Thank you for this remarkable DAC!