USB is always superior?
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Review and Measurements of New Topping D50s DAC
- Thread starter amirm
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Technically, maybe, but it's not going to make any difference if you're playing MP3. To be honest, I couldn't hear a difference between USB and Bluetooth (using LDAC codec) during some very unscientific listening tests with 24bit/96Khz FLACs.
GeorgeWalk
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I agree with Berwhale. I have a couple of different DACs. I can't hear any difference between them. We are in another golden age of audio. You don't have to spend a ton of money for quality sound. USB, optical, and BT sound the same to me (great).
I chose the D50s because it had the features I wanted, sounded great, it was within my price range, and measured well (in that order). Buy the DAC that is in your price with the features you want; relax listening to great music you enjoy and relishing the thought that you made a fantastic choice.
I chose the D50s because it had the features I wanted, sounded great, it was within my price range, and measured well (in that order). Buy the DAC that is in your price with the features you want; relax listening to great music you enjoy and relishing the thought that you made a fantastic choice.
Hello,
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude towards to ASR and amirm for such complete review and discussion. I recently received my D50s and have been greatly impressed by the build quality. This little box has some real weight to it. Nevertheless, I have one question about connecting the unit to my pc.
Supplied usb cables are quite short and I can‘t reach my computer with them. So, I connected both the usb and the usb power cable to a wall powered TP-Link usb hub, which is connected to the desktop. Is it safe to operate the unit this way? Or should I change the cables for longer ones? I read in this thread that some users are using cellphone charger to power the unit. So, I’m just wondering if I have connected this device properly or should I make changes? My apologies if this question has been answered before.
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude towards to ASR and amirm for such complete review and discussion. I recently received my D50s and have been greatly impressed by the build quality. This little box has some real weight to it. Nevertheless, I have one question about connecting the unit to my pc.
Supplied usb cables are quite short and I can‘t reach my computer with them. So, I connected both the usb and the usb power cable to a wall powered TP-Link usb hub, which is connected to the desktop. Is it safe to operate the unit this way? Or should I change the cables for longer ones? I read in this thread that some users are using cellphone charger to power the unit. So, I’m just wondering if I have connected this device properly or should I make changes? My apologies if this question has been answered before.
solderdude
Grand Contributor
When it functions properly and don't hear hum or other sounds that aren't supposed to be there you can use it this way.
In any case the computer and audio path are not plagued by common mode noise from the computer power supply.
In any case the computer and audio path are not plagued by common mode noise from the computer power supply.
ahh I see. I was hoping you’d say otherwise lol. My only issue with my current setup is hissing when using my IEM
D50S. On par SINAD, but with less harmonic distortion. Better linearity. Better IMD. Very good 32 tones results.
Perfect, thanks for concise sum up. Just wished we now had M300 measurements to compare to.
Is a linea PSU required for the D50s to get the best out of it? If so, any recommended ones (for UK) that don't cost an arm and a leg?
Does the D50s come with a "standard" PSU and is that preferable to running off of USB power from a Macbook Pro?
Thanks
Does the D50s come with a "standard" PSU and is that preferable to running off of USB power from a Macbook Pro?
Thanks
I was disappointed to find out it can't emit bluetooth signal. What is the approach to make it work with a Bluetooth transmitter? If I connect both to the PC do I have to manually turn off the DAC so it doesn't sound on my speakers at the same time? Any driver conflict?
Veri
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No. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...o-you-need-linear-power-supply-for-dacs.7021/
It is clear that whether you use the USB power, or the supplied switching power supply, there is absolutely no audible improvement in the output of the DAC with linear power supplies.
Thanks a lot. SMSL still try to sell you one though! hehe
I read otherwise, personally I won't use any less than a power bank for clean power supply.
Veri
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Yeah it will improve sound at switching frequencies, ultrasonics which no one can hear. Perhaps this results in some really marginal THD increase.
But truly nothing audible.
Veri
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Sigh. Amir did three LPS tests with three times zero audible benefit. This is actually verifiable and repeatable. An actual test.
But yeah let's go with the audiophile-length subjective review as truth. Really in the spirit of audio science
That's just words, show us the measurements.
You don't need a standalone DAC to send audio from your PC via bluetooth to headphones (because the DAC is in the headphones). Just plug the Bluetooth transmitter into the PC.
If you have a BT transmitter and a DAC connected to your PC; both the DAC and the BT headphones will show up as audio output devices, you just pick which one you want to output from within Windows.
I know it was more for convenience to save up 50 more bucks and control it through the remote. I guess I can mute the DAC through the remote. The other issue is transmitters usually use a SPDIF input connection so it introduces jitter compared to USB, specially with a crappy PC sound chip.
USB Bluetooth transmitter...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Bluetooth-Wireless-Headphone-Controller/dp/B01LX6HISL
If you want codecs other than SBC, like AptX HD they get more expensive...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Avantree-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Headphones-Broadcast-Black/dp/B07W5DDZQN
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