Topping D90 Balanced USB DAC Review

[hmscott]

I'm not an expert, but can we take D90 and just replace AKM with ESS ? As they do in D90/MQA(AKM) ==> D90SE (ESS)

Same problem, the D90SE was re-engineered from the ground up for the change from AKM to ESS, so no to recreate that you'd simply end up with the D90SE - all over again. Swapping the AKM4499 with the ES9038Pro isn't a simple "drop-in".

 

[JohnYang1997]

Responding to a high demand for mqa?

As common as: 'I may or may not use it, but you have to support it.'

 

[IslandMD]

I wouldn't spend a dime on any device that includes MQA. With the rise of streaming giants such as Apple Music, Amazon Music and the soon to come Spotify lossless, I think that Tidal's future looks shakey.

If Tidal dissapears, so does MQA. I don't see any other streaming service picking up MQA and it's unneeded lossy technology and associated fees.

 

[sq225917]

While I largely agree, ma's on chip inclusion in ess silicon is a big deal commercially. With akm up shit creek it's actually a huge deal.

I hope ess are bleeding mqa for money to include it, not tother way round.

 

[Harmonie]

Maybe some Hifi purist will look in the future for the non MQA, D90. I may sell my D90 then

 

[RichB]

Maybe some Hifi purist will look in the future for the non MQA, D90. I may sell my D90 then

Drop MQA and add a trigger.

- Rich

 

[Nicolaas]

Maybe some Hifi purist will look in the future for the non MQA, D90. I may sell my D90 then

Haha non MQA D90 with linear power supply as an extra bonus...

 

[DeepSpace57]

There is no future for MQA. Apple lossless music (24bit/196kbs) is much cheaper than lossy (arguably 24bit/96kbps) by Tidal.

 

[TheTipRat]

First post !!

Does burn in work ?

Lol

Only poop stirring..

Anyway, I came to this site 3 weeks ago just before my decision to purchase the D90 over RME 2. So just wanna say thank you to all the great advice !

Mine wasn't PnP out of box but had it firing within minutes and my grin was like the Cheshire cat !

Agree with others that inferior recordings or low bit rate sounds like it is.. shit !

Lastly, I was very surprised how good 320kbps sounded , very good indeed !

Old DAC was an old Audio GD.
ME 75 Power Amp
Amcron Straight Line Two PRE Amp
Focal Chorus 716
iFi power
Wyred for Sound Recovery

 

[hmscott]

First post !!...
Anyway, I came to this site 3 weeks ago just before my decision to purchase the D90 over RME 2. So just wanna say thank you to all the great advice !

Mine wasn't PnP out of box but had it firing within minutes and my grin was like the Cheshire cat !

Agree with others that inferior recordings or low bit rate sounds like it is.. shit !

Lastly, I was very surprised how good 320kbps sounded , very good indeed !

Old DAC was an old Audio GD.
ME 75 Power Amp
Amcron Straight Line Two PRE Amp
Focal Chorus 716
iFi power
Wyred for Sound RecoveryView attachment 137451

Congratulations on getting your new Topping D90, and Welcome to ASR!

 

[Bit Perfect]

Now posting in the correct product thread, what do people think of the report that the D90 MQA version utilizes the MQA filter regardless of which filter the user selects? Is this something that Topping is aware of?

 

[RobS]

^ that's something I'd like to know as well since I'm considering purchasing the DAC.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Upsampled, but this is not the "mqa filter". Recommendation from me has always be the same don't get the D90 MQA version if you don't want MQA.
D70s doesn't do the upsampling.

 

[Bit Perfect]

Upsampled, but this is not the "mqa filter".

Can you elaborate John? The report I saw showed the same filter applied regardless of which one was selected. Whether or not this is the MQA filter specifically, shouldn’t the different filters have different results?

 

[JohnYang1997]

Can you elaborate John? The report I saw showed the same filter applied regardless of which one was selected. Whether or not this is the MQA filter specifically, shouldn’t the different filters have different results?

Upsampled so difference of the selective filters only shows over 384khz.

 

[Bit Perfect]

Upsampled so difference of the selective filters only shows over 384khz.

You’re saying this result is due to the upsampling the DAC applies to all tracks? Or you’re saying the content used to test it was upsampled and thus we’d only see differences over 384khz?

 

[JohnYang1997]

You’re saying this result is due to the upsampling the DAC applies to all tracks? Or you’re saying the content used to test it was upsampled and thus we’d only see differences over 384khz?

Pretty much.

 

[Bit Perfect]

Pretty much.

Pretty much which? The DAC itself is doing the upsampling or the content used to test was upsampling before being sent to the DAC?

 

[JohnYang1997]

Pretty much which? The DAC itself is doing the upsampling or the content used to test was upsampling before being sent to the DAC?

Before.

 

[Bit Perfect]

Got it, thanks for confirming John.