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Review and Measurements of Topping D50 DAC

Krunok

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Well, I don't think ASIO Proxy is obsolete.

Heh, I used the word "obsolete" in the meaning "no longer produced", but I'm anyway aware that my English is far from perfect. :)

I am using it with a genric es9018s DAC now (with the Amanero USB receiver) and it is working fine (with FB2K version 1.3.15).
For some reason, the DSD Transcoder did not work for me either. I downloaded and installed it without problem but just cannot select it in the menu during set up. May be it was something I did wrong but I did not explore further. Similarly, I have installed the DSD Processor plugin and did not encounter any error in setting up. But I do not think it is working either. I do all the upsampling settings under ASIO Proxy 0.9.4 using the Amanero driver as the ASIO device.

Regards,

Anyway, if it works well for you I really see no reason why not to use it. But on the other hand, I also see no reason why not to use DoP instead of Native.
 

skrekk

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I have acquired and installed the Driver of D50 all from Topping's HP in the next step. Is the driver provided by Topping wrong?
I thought that if you were running the "Creator's Edition" on Win10 that you didn't need to install the Topping driver. Is that wrong?
 

Krunok

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I thought that if you were running the "Creator's Edition" on Win10 that you didn't need to install the Topping driver. Is that wrong?

Partly. With Windows 10 you get USB 2.0 Audio driver which gives you exclusive WASAPI output, but if you want ASIO you have to install Topping driver..
 

lotse888

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I have acquired and installed the Driver of D50 all from Topping's HP in the next step. Is the driver provided by Topping wrong?

Topping HP >> SUPPORT >> D50 drivers for Windows 7 or above >> Download from dropbox >> D50 Manual and Driver.zip

My apology if did not make myself clear. I do not mean the driver from Topping. You mentioned that you are using ASIO Proxy 0.7.2, this is a very old version, the most current version 0.9.4 of ASIO Proxy might provide better results.

Regards,
 

Netspirit

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Looks like Topping cannot recommend any particular power supply for D50:

"Sorry yet we do not have a recommended power supply. If you have a good power supply, you can recommend to us, and we will recommend to other user who in need"

Anyone got ideas? This linear PSU has already been mentioned in this thread, it has 50mV ripple (max). Looking for something below $80, considering D50 itself is $200-250.
 

rikm

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Looks like Topping cannot recommend any particular power supply for D50:

Anyone got ideas? This linear PSU has already been mentioned in this thread, it has 50mV ripple (max). Looking for something below $80, considering D50 itself is $200-250.

---
...fwiw I have one of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25W-Ultra-Low-Noise-Linear-Power-Supply-DC5V-USB-for-DAC-DIgital-Interface-Phone/272911590749?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

it has one of those blue 25w toroids that are all over ebay...this one seems well made and has voltage adjustment and display

...would be good to get some actual measurements on one of them I guess, but it seems to work...or maybe a filtering power strip with USB ports?...those are pretty useful too
 

Krunok

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Looks like Topping cannot recommend any particular power supply for D50:

"Sorry yet we do not have a recommended power supply. If you have a good power supply, you can recommend to us, and we will recommend to other user who in need"

Anyone got ideas? This linear PSU has already been mentioned in this thread, it has 50mV ripple (max). Looking for something below $80, considering D50 itself is $200-250.

Considering the measurements Armin made with D50, what exactly makes you think the power supply in D50 needs any improvement?
 

Krunok

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My apology if did not make myself clear. I do not mean the driver from Topping. You mentioned that you are using ASIO Proxy 0.7.2, this is a very old version, the most current version 0.9.4 of ASIO Proxy might provide better results.

Regards,

I don't think it would work with D10 if ASIO Proxy is the problem.
 

dwalme

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Considering the measurements Armin made with D50, what exactly makes you think the power supply in D50 needs any improvement?

Did everyone else's D50 come with a power supply? Mine only came with a second cable with usb to dc barrel plug.

If Amir only used usb power then everyone's results may vary based on their usb power source. Usb power can vary quite a bit between computers or even between ports on the same computer.

That bring said my d50 works quite well from my usb ports but my motherboard does have some special featured usb ports designed for dacs.

I also have an ifi ipower and while it doesn't fare well in a test here it measures well in tests performed on other sites and works well for me when I use it with the D50.
 

Krunok

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Did everyone else's D50 come with a power supply? Mine only came with a second cable with usb to dc barrel plug.

If Amir only used usb power then everyone's results may vary based on their usb power source. Usb power can vary quite a bit between computers or even between ports on the same computer.

That bring said my d50 works quite well from my usb ports but my motherboard does have some special featured usb ports designed for dacs.

I also have an ifi ipower and while it doesn't fare well in a test here it measures well in tests performed on other sites and works well for me when I use it with the D50.

Based on Amir's measurements I'm pretty sure there is a circuit within D50 that filters the power line from USB port and also acts as a linear power supply for DAC and op amps. If I would have any doubts in that I would check it with Topping before thinking of an investment in external linear power supply.
 

Veri

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Did everyone else's D50 come with a power supply? Mine only came with a second cable with usb to dc barrel plug.

If Amir only used usb power then everyone's results may vary based on their usb power source. Usb power can vary quite a bit between computers or even between ports on the same computer.

That bring said my d50 works quite well from my usb ports but my motherboard does have some special featured usb ports designed for dacs.

I also have an ifi ipower and while it doesn't fare well in a test here it measures well in tests performed on other sites and works well for me when I use it with the D50.

Just the barrel plug looking at pictures. And from what amir tested with his laptops, usb power worked fine hence the "why is a separate supply even required" (because people here are die-hard perfectionists, I reckon, lol).

What motherboard is that btw, specially designed usb ports?
 

stalkehard

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Good day to all. This is my first post on this forum, I'm writing through an interpreter, so I apologize for the errors in my text.
There are monitor speakers jbl lsr305, at the moment they are connected by a cable 2xlr-3.5minijack to the player cayin n5. The player is connected to my PC by usb.
Faced with noise in the speakers, especially under the load of the PC, although the motherboard is good asus hero x. It would be desirable to get rid of these awful hindrances in columns.
Acquired on aliexpress dac topping d50 (not yet delivered, en route, April 20 should receive).
Will there be noise through this dac? Or to avoid this it is worth buying:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/300...4.3.44.18f32616A2uSQ5&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0, searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_5722815_10342_10343_10340_5722915_10341_10698_10697_5722615_10696_10084_10083_10618_10307_10301_5722715_5711215_10059_5723015_10534_308_100031_10103_441_10624_10623_10622_5711315_5722515_10621_10620-normal # cfs, searchweb201603_1, ppcSwitch_5 & algo_expid = f32482a9-fbee-4d57-8170-bdd72cdf6392-6 & algo_pvid = f32482a9-fbee-4d57-8170-bdd72cdf6392 & priceBeautifyAB = 0
Will there be a difference in sound between xlr on rca and xlr on xlr, since I wanted to buy dx7s from behind xlr, but the price was biting. Or in my case there will not be a difference in the sound on lsr305?
Thank you for your understanding, and I apologize for the imprints.
 

dwalme

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Just the barrel plug looking at pictures. And from what amir tested with his laptops, usb power worked fine hence the "why is a separate supply even required" (because people here are die-hard perfectionists, I reckon, lol).

What motherboard is that btw, specially designed usb ports?

It's my understanding that laptops have a higher potential for better usb power just based on the power supply / battery tech used in them compared to desktop computers. But this could perhaps be a wrong broad brush generalization. Some laptop USB ports are pure junk based on measurements I've seen posted.

Regardless if the D50 sounds good from whatever power you're using (meaning no obvious issues like ground noise, etc) power is probably not a problem.

The motherboard I have is a Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Gaming 7. I bought it for the performance & part quality / dollar ratio. Not the best, but reasonably priced for top tier quality and performance.

It has a feature called USB DAC Up (Link - scroll half way down for marketing info and image).

"GIGABYTE USB DAC-UP provides clean, noise-free power delivery to your Digital-to-Analog Converter. DACs can be sensitive to fluctuations in power from the other USB ports, which is why GIGABYTE USB DAC-UP takes advantage of an isolated power source that minimizes potential fluctuations and ensures the best audio experience possible."

On top of supposedly cleaner power to these ports if your DAC has external power you can shut off power to these ports. You can also increase or decrease USB 5V voltage in .1v increments.

How much this makes a difference I'm not sure, but I use these ports. I'm very happy with the performance and sound of the D50.
 
OP
amirm

amirm

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Good day to all. This is my first post on this forum, I'm writing through an interpreter, so I apologize for the errors in my text.
There are monitor speakers jbl lsr305, at the moment they are connected by a cable 2xlr-3.5minijack to the player cayin n5. The player is connected to my PC by usb.
Faced with noise in the speakers, especially under the load of the PC, although the motherboard is good asus hero x. It would be desirable to get rid of these awful hindrances in columns.
Acquired on aliexpress dac topping d50 (not yet delivered, en route, April 20 should receive).
Will there be noise through this dac? Or to avoid this it is worth buying:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/300...4.3.44.18f32616A2uSQ5&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0, searchweb201602_3_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_5722815_10342_10343_10340_5722915_10341_10698_10697_5722615_10696_10084_10083_10618_10307_10301_5722715_5711215_10059_5723015_10534_308_100031_10103_441_10624_10623_10622_5711315_5722515_10621_10620-normal # cfs, searchweb201603_1, ppcSwitch_5 & algo_expid = f32482a9-fbee-4d57-8170-bdd72cdf6392-6 & algo_pvid = f32482a9-fbee-4d57-8170-bdd72cdf6392 & priceBeautifyAB = 0
Will there be a difference in sound between xlr on rca and xlr on xlr, since I wanted to buy dx7s from behind xlr, but the price was biting. Or in my case there will not be a difference in the sound on lsr305?
Thank you for your understanding, and I apologize for the imprints.
Welcome to the forum. You should use XLR to XLR because it avoids ground loops (noise/hum). It also allows longer cables which you need for active speakers like LSR305. I use the same combination with LSR305 and it sounds great!
 

RossiMao

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Looks like Topping cannot recommend any particular power supply for D50:

"Sorry yet we do not have a recommended power supply. If you have a good power supply, you can recommend to us, and we will recommend to other user who in need"

Anyone got ideas? This linear PSU has already been mentioned in this thread, it has 50mV ripple (max). Looking for something below $80, considering D50 itself is $200-250.
http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/MPS-30-SPEC-806151.pdf
mps-30-5 , Mean Well Power Supplies , this is good or no good ?
 

rebbiputzmaker

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Check this, LDO chips like this are small, precise and cheap. When implemented properly they can cope with different garbage like noise and voltage fluctuations from USB ports.

http://www.ti.com/power-management/linear-regulators-ldo/products.html

I really recommend spending money on speakers as that is where it makes the most difference for your buck in SQ.
I think if you read the thread some people had noise issues with power from their USB.

Clean power is very important and should not be overlooked, hence the reason people are considering better power supplies.
 

Krunok

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I think if you read the thread some people had noise issues with power from their USB.

Clean power is very important and should not be overlooked, hence the reason people are considering better power supplies.

Unless there is something horribly wrong typical usb port on average computer/notebook will provide +5V that is clean enough for DAC to feed the LDO's inside it and filters will do the rest. If DAC you're powering from your computer's usb port is giving you audible noise issues you should consider swapping the computer instead of buying LDO power supply for your DAC.

Treating the cause instead of the symptom,is IMHO the only reasonable way to look at this.
 

L0rdGwyn

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Received my USB cable today with both 5V and ground disabled. No noise whatsoever, amp is dead silent at max volume :) problem solved!

Update on this - out of the blue, the connection with the power/groundless USB cable stopped working. Checked the cable, data +/- are still intact, so I am back to the stock Topping cable, and a ground loop. The issue is not the cable - covering up the ground pin on the Topping cable yields the same result, Windows is no longer recognizes the DAC.

DAC worked fine without power and ground for about a week, what would cause the handshake to fail after it had worked before? Going to reach out to Topping and see if they have any suggestions.
 
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