Topping D50 III Balanced DAC with EQ Review

[gvl]

Anxiously waiting for the PEQ to expand to the next G5 iteration, hope they call it G6 and not G5 III.

 

[Robert Weide]

Just hope they can develop the iOS version of the software as well. I'm still using Qudelix 5k as the dac and preamp and I will immediately replace it with this if topping tune is available in app store.

 

[TankTop]

Now can someone license one from Topping (DX7 Pro or similar) and from it into a nice stereo class D chassis?

 

[restorer-john]

This thing is tiny and the display must be almost microscopic. I estimate the whole unit is about 5.5" wide and the active part of the display must be barely 1 inch wide!

Topping don't seem to specify the actual size or the weight in their specifications/website unless I missed it.

 

[Doodski]

Nice piece of DAC PEQ kit. It's going to cut into my PEQ webpage results! sigh*

 

[georgehifi]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't come with a stand alone power supply?
It can only be powered via a usb socket?
What is a good mains wall wart with usb output? (iphone?)

Topping even state on their page for this D50 III "It is recommended to add an auxiliary power supply for better performance"

So what the way to go for the best?? iPhone wall wart with usb-c output??

Cheers George

 

[DLS79]

You can use it on multiple sources (for example, toslink from a TV, USB from foobar2000, spdif from a cd/bluray player).

That is incorrect it only works for USB input.

However it will work for any USB input, your phone, you tablet, your pc, etc etc.

 

[Labjr]

Very nice review. I'm glad for the PEQ. I hope this is just the beginning of built-in DSP.

 

[Matias]

I am impressed how well @Rja4000 measurement system compared to Amir's APx555!

Topping D50 III DAC review and measurements

Here is a review and measurements of the recent Topping D50 III DAC The D50 III is a small DAC. From above, it looks like a square of approx 13x13cm . I purchased it new from Audiophonics for around 230€ (pre-release discount included). This is one of the cheapest DACs with balanced and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[AM88]

Does the USB-C socket on the back mean you can connect a USB-C iPhone to it and use the phone as the music source?

 

[DLS79]

Topping even state on their page for this D50 III "It is recommended to add an auxiliary power supply for better performance"

So what the way to go for the best?? iPhone wall wart with usb-c output??

Cheers George

The manual lists power consumption at <2.5W.

2.5W is the maximum specification for usb 2.0, so technically as long as you plug the dac into a usb 3.0 port and use a usb A to C cable (4.5W max), you don't need a wall wart. If you plug it into a usb-c port on your computer you also don't need a wall wart, because the usb-c standards require ports to be able to supply 15W.


This is in the manual, because some phone manufactures don't abide by the standards when it comes to power delivery!

 

[DLS79]

Does the USB-C socket on the back mean you can connect a USB-C iPhone to it and use the phone as the music source?

@Rja4000 confirmed it worked with his android phone, so I assume it should work with an iPhone. With that being said, you might want to wait for someone who has actually tried an iPhone to confirm it.

 

[CleanSound]

All of your complaining about lack of value add EQ was heard and we are finally there.

Amir, you mean to tell me this thing doesn't read REW measurements and perform automatic room correction and they charge $220?!?!?

What kind of nonsense is that?

 

[beeface]

@amirm said:
"What distinguishes the D50 III is what is inside: support for up to 10 filters of different types. The app, called Topping Tune, even has nice features like overlaying a target curve. Focus is on headphone use though as there is no way to assign separate EQ to each channel as you would need for Room EQ. You could use it to correct speaker flaws but would be harder to do so for room effects. I hope the company adds per channel capability."

And neither there is a way to integrate and equalize subwoofer(s), like it is possible with minidsp.

one step at a time, I guess. But we're getting closer and closer to miniDSP functionality with SOTA measured performance

 

[DLS79]

Very nice review. I'm glad for the PEQ. I hope this is just the beginning of built-in DSP.

It's like any other consumer electronics industry. Companies push some feature set as far as technology (within realistic cost constraints) will allow, then they have to push some other feature set if they want to continue selling products and making money.

 

[MacClintock]

That is incorrect it only works for USB input.

However it will work for any USB input, your phone, you tablet, your pc, etc etc.

Ok got it, but all these sources have already easy and generally probably better EQ possibilities.

 

[Angsty]

Topping even state on their page for this D50 III "It is recommended to add an auxiliary power supply for better performance"

So what the way to go for the best?? iPhone wall wart with usb-c output??

Cheers George

Topping would likely suggest the P50 linear power supply.

 

[amirm]

Amir, you mean to tell me this thing doesn't read REW measurements and perform automatic room correction and they charge $220?!?!?

It both reads and exports .csv files. I don't remember if REW's generic export is like this but if not, it is not hard to make it so. But again, their focus is headphone equalization, not room.

On the cost, it would have been that without EQ.

 

[CleanSound]

It both reads and exports .csv files. I don't remember if REW's generic export is like this but if not, it is not hard to make it so. But again, their focus is headphone equalization, not room.

On the cost, it would have been that without EQ.

I was joking! Forgot to put an emoji.

 

[Rja4000]

Thanks Amir

I'm very happy you measured this one in depth too !

I now have a full comparison point and I'll be able to check for differences in our respective measurements and tune mines to match more closely where it's lacking. That will be of great help for me.

Also, the D50 III may now enter the chart officially