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Can I use the Topping E70 with Q Acoustics M20 HD

Morph9683

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Oct 1, 2023
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Hello audio experts. I am very new to the audio tech and I need your expertise here. I have an active speakers (Q Acoustics M20 HD) and I am thinking about buying this DAC -> Topping E70. Is there anything specific that I should be checking for compatibility? Can I connect the DAC and the Speakers using RCA without sacrificing any audio fidelity? What is the Balanced and unbalanced outputs and how do they affect the sound.

I really appreciate your help here.
 
It’s a DSP speaker, meaning there already is a DAC in there. Adding another one will not make it better. You’ll en up with USB -> DAC -> ADC -> DSP -> DAC, instead of USB -> DSP -> DAC. Just use the USB connection that is already available
 
It’s a DSP speaker, meaning there already is a DAC in there. Adding another one will not make it better. You’ll en up with USB -> DAC -> ADC -> DSP -> DAC, instead of USB -> DSP -> DAC. Just use the USB connection that is already available
Thanks for your response. Please correct me if I am wrong, but since I am using 3.5mm jack from my laptop to the speakers, the audio that the speaker receives in this setup is Analog so if I connect the same speakers to the DAC using RCA/XLR, isn't this the same idea, shouldn't this also be Analog audio? Does the DSP work on all input on my speakers even for analog audio?
 
Thanks for your response. Please correct me if I am wrong, but since I am using 3.5mm jack from my laptop to the speakers, the audio that the speaker receives in this setup is Analog so if I connect the same speakers to the DAC using RCA/XLR, isn't this the same idea, shouldn't this also be Analog audio?
Yes, that would be similar to adding an external DAC, except that the Topping will be objectively better.
Does the DSP work on all input on my speakers even for analog audio?
Yes it does. Why not just use the USB input?
 
Yes, that would be similar to adding an external DAC, except that the Topping will be objectively better.

Yes it does. Why not just use the USB input?
Well, I want to have better audio quality and be able to stream tidal hi-res audio, so I thought buying an external powerful DAC will help me achieve this. I am not sure, I guess I am just lost one more question though, in my Windows 11 laptop I am able to select only the 24bit/48khz and I read somewhere that in order to get 96khz and more I have to use the ASIO driver which works with an external DAC, not sure if I will be able to get that using the speakers DAC. Anything you provide me here is going to be beneficial for me and for my learning
 
one more question though, in my Windows 11 laptop I am able to select only the 24bit/48khz
Is that with the M20 HD connected via USB, or via 3.5mm Aux?
When you connect the M20 HD to your laptop via USB, then you should be able to select up to 24bit 192kHz:
Screenshot_20231001-214400_Chrome.png

Does the DSP work on all input on my speakers even for analog audio?
You can test that yourself by toggling the speaker's EQ switch and listening for any changes:
Screenshot_20231001-214620_Chrome.png
If the sound changes even with the analog Aux input, then that means that it is being digitized.

Well, I want to have better audio quality and be able to stream tidal hi-res audio, so I thought buying an external powerful DAC will help me achieve this.
If the M20 HD's analog input is digitized, then the best possible sound quality can be achieved by using its digital inputs (USB/Toslink). A better DAC will not improve things then.
 
Well, I want to have better audio quality and be able to stream tidal hi-res audio, so I thought buying an external powerful DAC will help me achieve this.
Streaming will be no different than direct USB connection. Nor will audio be any better. In fact, usually the ADCs in these devices are the weakest link. It will destroy any gains that you may have gotten from the E70
I am not sure, I guess I am just lost one more question though, in my Windows 11 laptop I am able to select only the 24bit/48khz and I read somewhere that in order to get 96khz and more I have to use the ASIO driver which works with an external DAC, not sure if I will be able to get that using the speakers DAC. Anything you provide me here is going to be beneficial for me and for my learning
It should support 192 kHz over USB. Just make sure to install the driver. ASIO has nothing to do with external DACs. If the standard driver does not support it, you can install ASIO4ALL.
 
@Morph9683
You may have to install the M20 HD's driver to be able to select 24bit 192kHz with it connected via USB.
You can download the driver here: www.qacoustics.co.uk/m20drivers (choose Win10 if you're using 11).

Here's how the user manual describes the install process:
Screenshot_20231001-220043_Drive.png

Lastly, just FYI, the human ear is physically incapable of perceiving higher than 48kHz sample rates.
If you do manage to be able to select 192kHz for the M20 HD, then I would recommend you stick to 44.1 or 48kHz regardless (which one depends on your audio content). That way, Windows will not upsample the audio unnecessarily.
 
Is that with the M20 HD connected via USB, or via 3.5mm Aux?
When you connect the M20 HD to your laptop via USB, then you should be able to select up to 24bit 192kHz:
View attachment 315981


You can test that yourself by toggling the speaker's EQ switch and listening for any changes:
View attachment 315982
If the sound changes even with the analog Aux input, then that means that it is being digitized.


If the M20 HD's analog input is digitized, then the best possible sound quality can be achieved by using its digital inputs (USB/Toslink). A better DAC will not improve things then.
I will give they a try. The m20 HD is connected with 3.5mm jack. Thanks alot for your help
 
Why bother with Windows settings when you can use an audio player (eg foobar2000) and set it to play audio files in native resolution without any upsampling etc.
How about Audrivana?
 
@Morph9683
You may have to install the M20 HD's driver to be able to select 24bit 192kHz with it connected via USB.
You can download the driver here: www.qacoustics.co.uk/m20drivers (choose Win10 if you're using 11).

Here's how the user manual describes the install process:
View attachment 315983

Lastly, just FYI, the human ear is physically incapable of perceiving higher than 48kHz sample rates.
If you do manage to be able to select 192kHz for the M20 HD, then I would recommend you stick to 44.1 or 48kHz regardless (which one depends on your audio content). That way, Windows will not upsample the audio unnecessarily.
Thanks. Just to confirm, isn't the sampling rate more related to how the digital audio is processed rather than how we should be able to hear it? Did you mean the frequency rate? How would I select the 192khz for speakers? You mean in Windows audio sampling/bit rate?
 
Thanks. Just to confirm, isn't the sampling rate more related to how the digital audio is processed rather than how we should be able to hear it?
Sample rate is an essential part of how we store, process, and transmit audio.

Higher sample rates allow for higher audio frequencies to be stored. The highest storable frequency is always 1/2 of the sample rate.

The highest possible frequency that can be stored with a 48kHz sample rate is therefore 24kHz.

Since human ears are not capable of perceiving frequencies above that, all sample rates above 48kHz are 100% pointless for audio playback.
 
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Sample rate is an essential part of how we store, process, and transmit audio.

Higher sample rates allow for higher audio frequencies to be stored. The highest storable frequency is always 1/2 of the sample rate.

The highest possible frequency that can be stored with a 48kHz sample rate is 24kHz.

Since human ears are not capable of perceiving frequencies above that, all sample rates above 48kHz are 100% pointless for audio playback.
Okay gotcha thanks again.
 
@Morph9683 what do you want to accomplish? I didn't know which DAC they used but I don't believe it isn't uper hand old Burr Brown (probably cheaper Ti lower end one) and probably ADC is the same. Those are QA Q3020 speakers with 65W (x2 amp in main unit). All do neither amp or integrated ADC/DSP probably aren't great they are fine (for the purpose and to each other). How does sub out work and is there a high pass? What's a room size and listening position, how loud you want it? For about 400 $/€ you could get even cuple of things to get you to improve perceived sound quality (actually even get you there if you already own a subwoofer...). For example WiiM Mini for a streamer (Toslink to speakers), measurement microphone... From Windows software try EQ-APO and JRiver and learn to use REW.
Standalone multichannel (4 or more) ADC-DSP-DAC (self operated system) with deacent performance would probably cost even more than 400 $/€ (MiniDSP Flex for example).
 
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@Morph9683 what do you want to accomplish? I didn't know which DAC they used but I don't believe it isn't uper hand old Burr Brown (probably cheaper Ti lower end one) and probably ADC is the same. Those are QA Q3020 speakers with 65W (x2 amp in main unit). All do neither amp or integrated ADC/DSP probably aren't great they are fine (for the purpose and to each other). How does sub out work and is there a high pass? What's a room size and listening position, how loud you want it? For about 400 $/€ you could get even cuple of things to get you to improve perceived sound quality (actually even get you there if you already own a subwoofer...). For example WiiM Mini for a streamer (Toslink to speakers), measurement microphone... From Windows software try EQ-APO and JRiver and learn to use REW.
Standalone multichannel (4 or more) ADC-DSP-DAC (self operated system) with deacent performance would probably cost even more than 400 $/€ (MiniDSP Flex for example).
The speakers I have are the QA M20 HD and I am not sure if they use the same DAC as the QA 3020. I am not looking for loud sound, more like low-mid volume listening. I have a study/work room that is ~4.5X4.5 Meters and the speakers position are facing me directly, I have them on a stand (each one of them) next to my monitors, distance is only 1.5M between me and the speakers. I am trying to get the best audio I can get with my current setup, I am new to this tech and I am learning things now so I had to begin with something cheap like the QA M20 HD. My next stop would be getting Passive Speakers and get Standalone/Dedicated DAC/AMP. Since I have the DSP speakers and it uses ADC -DSP > DAC for all inputs then I cannot (or I shouldn't) connect another DAC as it will cause audio quality/performance to degrade (as I understood from the great experts here!) so I have only one option now which is to connect my speakers to my laptop with a Type A/C -> Type B USB cable and take advantage of the internal DAC in my speakers.
 
Streaming will be no different than direct USB connection. Nor will audio be any better. In fact, usually the ADCs in these devices are the weakest link. It will destroy any gains that you may have gotten from the E70

It should support 192 kHz over USB. Just make sure to install the driver. ASIO has nothing to do with external DACs. If the standard driver does not support it, you can install ASIO4ALL.
So, once I connect the USB cable to my speakers and drivers installed, then I should be able to see all Sampling rate available for me (Supported by the driver).
 
So, once I connect the USB cable to my speakers and drivers installed, then I should be able to see all Sampling rate available for me (Supported by the driver).
Correct. Make sure that the right audio device is selected in the settings first.
 
My next stop would be getting Passive Speakers and get Standalone/Dedicated DAC/AMP.
Why? What do you think that will improve? Active speakers are generally regarded as better sounding than passive ones, DAC and amp be damned ;)
Since I have the DSP speakers and it uses ADC -DSP > DAC for all inputs then I cannot (or I shouldn't) connect another DAC as it will cause audio quality/performance to degrade (as I understood from the great experts here!)
Then you misunderstood. First off, by far the greatest influence on sound quality besides the room are the speakers. DAC and amps go all the way to the end of the list. If you want sound quality, spend your money on speakers, not on amps and DACs.
so I have only one option now which is to connect my speakers to my laptop with a Type A/C -> Type B USB cable and take advantage of the internal DAC in my speakers.
That is a great option! Enjoy!
 
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