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D50III vs E70 vs DO100 vs D-6s (Need Balanced and Bluetooth)

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Mar 18, 2022
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Hi all,

I'm looking for a fully balanced, Bluetooth DAC and was wondering which of the following I should choose: D50III, E70, DO100, or D-6s.

These are my priorities:
  1. [Priority #1] Balanced out sound quality
  2. [Priority #2] Bluetooth sound quality
  3. [Priority #3] No clicking/popping sound when changing sample rates, etc.

I was initially leaning toward the D50III but read that it has severe issues with optical input, which I think is quite concerning because I do plan on using the DAC with optical occasionally. I don't really care about built-in PEQ, though it would be nice to have.

The DO100 and D-6s seem to have a popping noise when changing bit rates. Seems that this was fixed in the DO200 Pro but Amir hasn't reviewed that unit yet so unsure how it performs.

I'm willing to pay more for a DAC that satisfies all my priorities above and works perfectly as designed and intended (i.e., no catastrophic bugs like with the D50III). I'd prefer a model tested by Amir if possible. Maybe the E70?

Thank you!
 
I was initially leaning toward the D50III but read that it has severe issues with optical input
Where did you read that ?

I reported issues with initial firmware, but, as I wrote in my review, firmware 1.21 fixed them all, and I didn't have any since this upgrade.

The D50 III is an awesome DAC.
 
Where did you read that ?

I reported issues with initial firmware, but, as I wrote in my review, firmware 1.21 fixed them all, and I didn't have any since this upgrade.

The D50 III is an awesome DAC.
Thanks for replying! I read that in a reply by dcolak to Amir's D50III review who said:

"If you plan on using optical input do not buy D50III, it is cutting out 44khz 16bit songs on quiet passages. It simply does not work."

Have you experienced any cutting out during quiet passages for 44.1kHz 16 bit music using optical input? Reading this really concerned me since most of my music is in that format.
 
Hi all,

I'm looking for a fully balanced, Bluetooth DAC and was wondering which of the following I should choose: D50III, E70, DO100, or D-6s.

These are my priorities:
  1. [Priority #1] Balanced out sound quality
  2. [Priority #2] Bluetooth sound quality
  3. [Priority #3] No clicking/popping sound when changing sample rates, etc.

I was initially leaning toward the D50III but read that it has severe issues with optical input, which I think is quite concerning because I do plan on using the DAC with optical occasionally. I don't really care about built-in PEQ, though it would be nice to have.

The DO100 and D-6s seem to have a popping noise when changing bit rates. Seems that this was fixed in the DO200 Pro but Amir hasn't reviewed that unit yet so unsure how it performs.

I'm willing to pay more for a DAC that satisfies all my priorities above and works perfectly as designed and intended (i.e., no catastrophic bugs like with the D50III). I'd prefer a model tested by Amir if possible. Maybe the E70?

Thank you!
I would also suggest the LOXJIE D60 and Loxjie D40 Pro, which are currently on offer at HiFi-Express, if you want to spend that much.
You should also take into account the very good built-in and genuine balanced headphone amplifier. 4.4 watts per channel at 32 ohms measured by Amirm in the very good test of the Loxjie 40D Pro. Given that, it's actually a bargain.
Technically, both are identical, including the SMSL DO400 (one of my favorites), they have a remote control, but different looks and operating concepts.
 
For me the D50iii is very appealing since I keep the DAC in a cabinet and like the idea of being able to switch inputs using the Bluetooth remote.
 
Thanks for replying! I read that in a reply by dcolak to Amir's D50III review who said:

"If you plan on using optical input do not buy D50III, it is cutting out 44khz 16bit songs on quiet passages. It simply does not work."

Have you experienced any cutting out during quiet passages for 44.1kHz 16 bit music using optical input? Reading this really concerned me since most of my music is in that format.

Hi

I just tested.
It's just NOT TRUE for mine.

I still have an output signal when feeding the D50 III with a 16 bits signal at -90.31dBFS through SPDIF optical
This level means only the lowest signficant bit is toggled.
You may hardly go below that in 16 bits !

Here is a snapshot at 6dB higher (more readable, it looks more like a sine wave)
The RME DigiCheck proves that the output signal is 16 bits 44.1kHz.

1731687405922.png
 
If Bluetooth is important to you, don't even consider anything from SMSL. Their startup lag alone is very annoying, while playback on any Topping is instantaneous.

I also prefer Topping over SMSL because the former has way better SQ unrelated QoL features.
 
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