tvrgeek
Major Contributor
Just a quick comment as it's not obvious in their WEB. The Asgard is the Modi-3 DAC USB only in a box with a head amp/preamp. $300 combo. I have one on order.
I think you would have been better off buying the Modi 3 separately. Here's the review for the Asgard + AK4490 combo.Just a quick comment as it's not obvious in their WEB. The Asgard is the Modi-3 DAC USB only in a box with a head amp/preamp. $300 combo. I have one on order.
The Asgard is the Modi-3 DAC USB only in a box with a head amp/preamp.
Not what they said, but if it performs as tested, I will be a happy camper.
Just ordered a Parasound 2145 to go with it. Safe bet.
I hate to say it but the E30 plus the Asgard w/o DAC would have been a killer high power combo. But at least you didnt get the multibit.......
I hate to say it but the E30 plus the Asgard w/o DAC would have been a killer high power combo. But at least you didnt get the multibit.......
After seeing how the L30 blew up your headphones I'd say this chap did himself a favor steering clear of Topping's incompetently designed rubbish. Not to mention their tonedeaf response to the L30 debacle.
Making sweeping statements is hardly justified. There were issues with the L30 that appear to have been rectified. (Granted, not much consolation for those who lost headphones!). Topping make a number of products that are well reviewed and well received on here.After seeing how the L30 blew up your headphones I'd say this chap did himself a favor steering clear of Topping's incompetently designed rubbish. Not to mention their tonedeaf response to the L30 debacle.
Making sweeping statements is hardly justified. There were issues with the L30 that appear to have been rectified. (Granted, not much consolation for those who lost headphones!). Topping make a number of products that are well reviewed and well received on here.
As @Jimbob54 has said, Schiit have had their fair share of engineering blunders, well documented on here. Are we to label their products as "incompetently designed rubbish"? Or are they exempt from such criticisms based on their geographical location?
But we're talking about one product (the L30). Topping's game is already pretty "up" for a producer of relatively cheap units - A50s, A90, D10s, D50s, D70s, D90, E30 etc.We did label Schiit's earlier products as rubbish and rightly so. Their original Asgard dumped DC current into headphone drivers and their DACs sucked. But they responded constructively to the criticism by upping their game. Time will tell if Topping has the desire or wherewithal to the same.
My bias against both Toping and SMSL is not due to single defective products I was lucky enough to get, but their total lack in one case, and arrogant response in another for customer service. I used to be in manufacturing. Ran corrective action as a quality engineer. Things happen, but it is what the company does to stand behind their products and how they treat their customers.
Schiit and JDS were both helpful and responsive. Always got good CS from Parasound for questions. ( never had an actual problem) Focusrite CS was very helpful. In woodworking, I will never buy a Delta product. Great designs, some quality issues, but their customer support is basically "up yours". In school ( one of my degrees is in management) you learn that if you treat a customer well, he will tell someone. Treat him poorly, he will tell ten. Rikon, Laguna, Jet/Baleigh/Powermatic, Grizzly are all so-so. They basically try and eventually will stand behind their product. Ridgid claims a great lifetime warrantee, but makes it impossible to actually get. ( not buying another from them either). Harvey, one of the actual Chinese OEMs had provided very good CS, as has SawStop. I wil never buy another GE appliance due to the way they treated me, and I will never buy another BMW product. When I was industry, I needed to buy some obscure photo-sensitive chemical. Called all the big names you have heard of. Ten layers of phone tag, secretaries, salesmen, know nothings. Finally one technician said "Yea. Kyocera makes that stuff" Called them up. The guy who answered the phone was the plant manager. He said, sure, we make it, what is your use? I explained and he said, sorry, wrong polarity. One layer. Correct answer. As helpful as possible. If I ever needed a chemical again, I would call them FIRST. I had an Accura. 50K warrantee. At 55K, it wiped a cam. Their answer? "That does not happen to Acuras. Here is a loner, we will fix your car" Done. If they had still made a smaller car when I bought my GTI, I would have bought it. I had to pay for replacing defective ignition coils and a defective ignition lock as amazingly enough, they were not covered in the VW. But darn, it is a great car to drive.
Customer service matters. Be it a commodity audio product or an industrial tool. I like doing business with small companies as usually who you talk to has a stake in the company. They tend to care. Yes, it may cost a little more up front, but that is part of the total value.