Topping D30Pro Review (Balanced DAC)

[raif71]

Simply channel panning. Did I miss something obvious?



Loaded with crap? Those are literally some of the highest performing DACs in the entire planet.. Their performance requires measurement devices to tell apart, because your ears will never be able to do so.. Thankfully you said "probably negatively affects the sound quality", where I hope "probably" = less than a single percentage.

What do you mean also with "laid back smoothed AKM sound"? If the frequency response is identical, and distortion products are below audibility - what is a "load back smoothed" sound even constitute?

Noted on the channel panning

 

[curiouspeter]

Price is a bit higher than expected, however I think I will be buying this to upgrade my shcitt modius. My cowon plenue D2 has cirrus based DACs and I actually do enjoy the sound of it quite a bit, it does seem a bit more detail and tighter than the AKM based dacs I have (JDS OL DAC, Modius).

I do also like the more minimal features of this DAC, it seems like all of these high performance DACs need to be loaded with all kinds of inputs and modules that I will never use. USB-only is 100% good for me, I would be happy even without volume control. I prefer these costs on the BOM go to other things that will actually improve SQ or reliability or reduce price. If this was USB-only and maybe 50$ lower price would be perfect for me.

I just do not understand why we can't have a high end dac with USB-only, all the nice DACs I see like D90 or X16 are loaded with crap I have no use for and probably negatively affects the sound quality. Even more value-oriented DACs like modius feel the need to throw in useless stuff like coax input and instead cut costs and have bad build quality and horrible microUSB connectors.

I have to say I am also getting kind of tired of the laid back smoothed AKM sound and want something a bit more engaging. This looks like it will be an interesting unit and hope I can get my hands on one soon!

I think you can get an MSB Select II with USB only because you can choose the input modules.

Frankly Ethernet, or better yet over optical fibers, would be better than USB.

 

[Rottmannash]

same here, for that amount I will add a bit more and go with the Gustard x16 better in most (or all ) aspects.

Does the X16 measure as well?

 

[HiFidFan]

Yeah, I wish the D30Pro was more like $249 too.

But...

I mean, a SOTA measurements balanced DAC and preamp for $399 is pretty damn fair, IMHO.

Tough crowd

 

[HiFidFan]

Yeah I just jumped on the X16, in my opinion the D30Pro is a little overpriced I would have jumped all over it at $300 - $350 but the X16 performs better or equally, has Bluetooth, MQA support and more inputs (AES and I2S).

Also I know it plays nice with MQA unfolding with the Node 2i coaxial or optical outputs which is the only way to bypass the Node 2i’s DAC. Although the Node 2i has to do the first unfolding.

It's $100 more though, correct?

Fine with me as I don't care about MQA or bluetooth (or any extra inputs)

Doesn't the D30Pro fit the vast majority of users needs?

 

[C0B-1D3-9]

Look nice

 

[yahrightthere]

what is a "load back smoothed" sound even constitute?

Don't know what a load back smoothed sound is, but here's what I consider constitutes a laid back smooth sound Can't find my way home

 

[curiouspeter]

Does the X16 measure as well?

IIRC, the X16 is the second best measured DAC after the Okto.

But it's splitting hair. Does it matter if a DAC has a SINAD of 121, 120, or even 110?

 

[curiouspeter]

It's $100 more though, correct?

Fine with me as I don't care about MQA or bluetooth (or any extra inputs)

Doesn't the D30Pro fit the vast majority of users needs?

What if half the music on streaming sites becomes MQA-only in two years? Unlikely, but entirely plausible.

 

[C0B-1D3-9]

IIRC, the X16 is the second best measured DAC after the Okto.

But it's splitting hair. Does it matter if a DAC has a SINAD of 121, 120, or even 110?

Well, the better the number, the better it sound.

 

[curiouspeter]

Well, the better the number, the better it sound.

The better the number, the more transparent it is. However, past a certain point, the difference is inaudible.

 

[jannek]

I do also like the more minimal features of this DAC, it seems like all of these high performance DACs need to be loaded with all kinds of inputs and modules that I will never use. USB-only is 100% good for me, I would be happy even without volume control. I prefer these costs on the BOM go to other things that will actually improve SQ or reliability or reduce price. If this was USB-only and maybe 50$ lower price would be perfect for me.

I just do not understand why we can't have a high end dac with USB-only, all the nice DACs I see like D90 or X16 are loaded with crap I have no use for and probably negatively affects the sound quality. Even more value-oriented DACs like modius feel the need to throw in useless stuff like coax input and instead cut costs and have bad build quality and horrible microUSB connectors.

I have to say I am also getting kind of tired of the laid back smoothed AKM sound and want something a bit more engaging. This looks like it will be an interesting unit and hope I can get my hands on one soon!

Same here... USB only is perfectly fine for me. So D10s is perfect. (Also because I need digital out and like to see the resolution displayed)
Even if not highest possible measurements - close enough to transparency.

By the way: There are no measurable proofs of any "laid back" sound of AKM (or any other decent) DACs I know of. Have a look at the rest of your signal chain and try some EQ.

 

[HiFidFan]

What if half the music on streaming sites becomes MQA-only in two years? Unlikely, but entirely plausible.

As doubtful as that is, I'd buy another DAC that is MQA ready. By that time they should be < $200 and have a SINAD of 170.

But still, you evade my point about price. For an extra $100 you can have MQA with the Gustard. It's not like there's a lack of MQA DACs available.

 

[kiyu]

Does the X16 measure as well?

Check the numbers and compare
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/gustard-x16-balanced-mqa-dac-review.17419/
for me it looks amazing and the quality/components are better than d30 pro but is my point of view, also is a bit more expensive as well.
but in SINAD is the second on the "ranking"

 

[Cc-Mode]

As doubtful as that is, I'd buy another DAC that is MQA ready. By that time they should be < $200 and have a SINAD of 170.

But still, you evade my point about price. For an extra $100 you can have MQA with the Gustard. It's not like there's a lack of MQA DACs available.

Well, this is strange to pay 100$ more for something that will reduce the quality.
What happen when all your system will depend on it?
You will continue to pay more money: software, streaming, ...

 

[ceausuc]

Yeah, I wish the D30Pro was more like $249 too.

Tough crowd

Please remember that d50s (SE only, no power section) is 250. The price seems fine. There will be some promotions during 11.11
The problem is not the price... is the Gustard X16 that I consider simply more interesting/appealing even if at 100$ more.
I just wish I could listen to these dacs ...

 

[Fish17]

As doubtful as that is, I'd buy another DAC that is MQA ready. By that time they should be < $200 and have a SINAD of 170.

But still, you evade my point about price. For an extra $100 you can have MQA with the Gustard. It's not like there's a lack of MQA DACs available.

It's not just the MQA support and bluetooth, the X16 measures slightly better (granted Im sure none of it is audible) and has more inputs (IES-H & AES).

I always try to future proof my devices to subside that itch lol.

 

[DeepSpace57]

Many with CS41198 come out https://h5.id.aliexpress.com/item/1005002214566291.html
THD + N: -122dB, 0.00007% (1kHz, 32 Q) THD + N: -117dB, 0.00013% (20- 20kHz, 32 2, -3dB) THD -125dB, 0.00006% (1 kHz, 16 Q, -3dB)

 

[HiFidFan]

It's not just the MQA support and bluetooth, the X16 measures slightly better (granted Im sure none of it is audible) and has more inputs (IES-H & AES).

I always try to future proof my devices to subside that itch lol.

Please remember that d50s (SE only, no power section) is 250. The price seems fine. There will be some promotions during 11.11
The problem is not the price... is the Gustard X16 that I consider simply more interesting/appealing even if at 100$ more.
I just wish I could listen to these dacs ...

Right. And I prefer a minimalist DAC. USB only, no display, don't care about BT or MQA, balanced outputs. Unfortunately, I don't think my DAC exists, at any price. Different strokes. . . Again, the point is that the D30Pro seems pretty well priced for where it sits, feature and performance wise.

Which measurements of the Gustard are compelling in comparison to the D30Pro? They're within 1 SINAD point of one another?

 

[curiouspeter]

Well, this is strange to pay 100$ more for something that will reduce the quality.
What happen when all your system will depend on it?
You will continue to pay more money: software, streaming, ...

The quality will be even worse if they decide to stream MQA only and your DAC is not up for it.

I moved to Qobuz because I thought I could escape the MQA invasion. Lo and behold, some of my favorites on Qobuz turned out to be MQA encoded! Glad both of my DACs are decoders/renderers.