Review and Measurements of Topping D50 DAC

[nefilim]

remote troubleshooting a D50 for someone else, could anyone tell me if with the USB input selected but the USB cable not connected to a computer, does the display say "Unlocked"? Or is that only for opt & coax inputs? thanks!

 

[xxie]

remote troubleshooting a D50 for someone else, could anyone tell me if with the USB input selected but the USB cable not connected to a computer, does the display say "Unlocked"? Or is that only for opt & coax inputs? thanks!

It shows 'Unlocked" with USB connected or not connected to host (Raspberry Pi), it shows "locked" whenever host has output.

 

[jacobacci]

Ah. We see the same issue as the Topping DX7s with increased distortion from -40 to -20 level. I continue to suspect that this is due to distortion mitigation feature of this ESS DAC. Hopefully Topping gives us a way to turn that on and off so that we can see if that is the cause or not.

I was wondering if there has been any feedback from Topping on making distortion compensation switchable (like in the pro-ject pre box s2 digital)

 

[yue]

Ah. We see the same issue as the Topping DX7s with increased distortion from -40 to -20 level. I continue to suspect that this is due to distortion mitigation feature of this ESS DAC. Hopefully Topping gives us a way to turn that on and off so that we can see if that is the cause or not.

it's possible to bypass that value. The value is called thb_enb in their datasheet and default to true. Possible to turn it to false by an updated firmware.

But I doubt if it's the cause. by default, the thd_comp_c2 and thd_comp_c3 values are 0, and the thb_enb shouldn't have any effect. unless topping mess up with these values, thb_enb shouldn't take any effect even enabled..

 

[amirm]

it's possible to bypass that value. The value is called thb_enb in their datasheet and default to true. Possible to turn it to false by an updated firmware.

But I doubt if it's the cause. by default, the thd_comp_c2 and thd_comp_c3 values are 0, and the thb_enb shouldn't have any effect. unless topping mess up with these values, thb_enb shouldn't take any effect even enabled..

I forgot we now have the spec for the chip. Seems like those registers need to be specifically configured for the design and it is possible as you say, people are not doing that. Shame there is no performance data in the datasheet.

 

[yue]

I forgot we now have the spec for the chip. Seems like those registers need to be specifically configured for the design and it is possible as you say, people are not doing that. Shame there is no performance data in the datasheet.

But it doesn't explain the regression --- 9018k2m chips without this feature are performing fine. why 9038q2m with thd_comp's = 0 are not.

 

[amirm]

That's a good point.

 

[Vosya]

About a month ago, in response to my request, the topping's support service provided new drivers version 4.43. Subjectively, for me, sound with its much better than with the official 4.14. Nobody asked such a request, did not have more recent drivers? I would not want to disturb them too often.

 

[Toku]

About a month ago, in response to my request, the topping's support service provided new drivers version 4.43. Subjectively, for me, sound with its much better than with the official 4.14. Nobody asked such a request, did not have more recent drivers? I would not want to disturb them too often.

Will drivers version 4.43 be uploaded to the Topping homepage?

 

[Vosya]

Will drivers version 4.43 be uploaded to the Topping homepage?

No. "But unfortunately, we believe that V4.14 has better stability on low configuration PC, so we do not plan to publish V4.43 to the public. "

 

[Veri]

No. "But unfortunately, we believe that V4.14 has better stability on low configuration PC, so we do not plan to publish V4.43 to the public. "

Perhaps upload the 4.43 somewhere (mediafire/etc) if someone here is interested to try?

 

[zephyros]

No. "But unfortunately, we believe that V4.14 has better stability on low configuration PC, so we do not plan to publish V4.43 to the public. "

Do you still have it? Would be interesting to see if they turn off the Compensation in that FW. Perhaps @amirm can spare some time for another measurement of the device?

 

[Vosya]

Do you still have it?

Of course.
Even if I did not notice the improvement of the sound, it would be worth installing at least after reading "Thesycon USB Audio 2.0 Class Driver for Windows. Revision History" for versions more recent then 4.14.
Link from Topping: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0gtfidumxa41e2k/Topping_UsbAudio_v4.43.0-setup.zip?dl=0

 

[FunctionalDoc]

Has anyone tried this 4,14 version with the DX7s ? I think they use the same driver as D50.

I am using Windows 7 Pro and just don't want to mess up perfect working system.

 

[zephyros]

Has anyone tried this 4,14 version with the DX7s ? I think they use the same driver as D50.

I am using Windows 7 Pro and just don't want to mess up perfect working system.

Even if they are the same, why would you need to though? The Dx7s got its own 4.14 update firmware here: http://en.tpdz.net/wdzn_detail/newsId=82.html

 

[FunctionalDoc]

Even if they are the same, why would you need to though? The Dx7s got its own 4.14 update firmware here: http://en.tpdz.net/wdzn_detail/newsId=82.html

Thanks I am already running the 4.14 version.

Is 4.34 still better then 4.14 version better sounding or am looking for trouble?

 

[Toku]

I have already tested V4.43, but it is not good to generate noise in DSD ASIO(Native) playback.

 

[Vosya]

I think they use the same driver as D50.

Drivers match byte by byte.

 

[Krunok]

Is 4.34 still better then 4.14 version better sounding or am looking for trouble?

Don't fix it if it ain't broken.

 

[Zek]

I have already tested V4.43, but it is not good to generate noise in DSD ASIO(Native) playback.

Do you say that v4.43 generate too noise in DSD playback?