Topping D50 III Balanced DAC with EQ Review

[RichB]

It would be nice to add inter-sample overage measurements with all DACs moving forward, like those provided by Rja4000.

- Rich

 

[Evgeniy]

This is a review and dd measurements of the Topping D50 III balanced stereo DAC with support for parametric equalization.

thanks for this nice review.
Can you measure IMD and multitone with EQ enabled ?

 

[zdykstra]

After a long long wait, my D50 III arrived. Connected to a Lenovo Tiny PC over USB as the source, into a pair of ICEPower 125asx2 boards in a GhentAudio case. I might need to upgrade the amp now that my signal is far far cleaner ....

 

[Robbo99999]

It would be nice to add intrasample overage measurements with all DACs moving forward, like those provided by Rja4000.

- Rich

I agree. Ever since I found out about intersample overs and since I've measured a load of my tracks for intersample overs I worked out that most tracks fell within the bracket of up to +2dB peaks intersample overs with a few just a little above, so I always put in around -3dB extra on the negative preamp (on top of what's required for an EQ) to ensure no intersample overs get through. I suppose the beauty of this measurement you're suggesting means that if you get the right DAC that can deal well with intersample overs then you wouldn't need to go to the trouble of putting in a -3dB negative preamp to avoid potential intersample overs, which means more power available and a bit better SINAD.

 

[DarkKoala]

so what about the topping p50 power supply. can that one be used?

 

[Bleib]

so what about the topping p50 power supply. can that one be used?

Obviously. 5v out. But I doubt it's needed.

 

[staticV3]

so what about the topping p50 power supply. can that one be used?

Sure. It just won't do anything that a phone charger can't.

 

[oscar_dziki]

If I can understand what you are saying,you can see some measurements about what you want in the other review (just before the end of the review) of D50 III here:

(Unofficial) Topping D50 III DAC review and measurements

Here is a review and measurements of the recent Topping D50 III DAC The D50 III is a small DAC. From above, it looks like a square of approx 13x13cm . I purchased it new from Audiophonics for around 230€ (pre-release discount included). This is one of the cheapest DACs with balanced and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Fair point. But we don't want to rely on unofficial measurements in the long run. Also, it kind of proves my point that @Rja4000 found it to be a good idea to include such a measurement. However, in the official version, it should be standardized - same as other measurements are.

 

[Dr.Deadwax]

Is the PEQ also supported by DSD Inputsignal?

 

[OldTimer]

Does anyone find any weakness of this device? I plan to purchase

 

[Sokel]

Fair point. But we don't want to rely on unofficial measurements in the long run. Also, it kind of proves my point that @Rja4000 found it to be a good idea to include such a measurement. However, in the official version, it should be standardized - same as other measurements are.

Agreed,we want to rely on reliable measurements.
@Rja4000 's measurements are such,I for once would rely fully on then specially after the fact that the data agree very closely with Amir's.

What we see here is a good start concerning EQ.
But there's still a lot to be done to be perfect.

 

[Sokel]

Is the PEQ also supported by DSD Inputsignal?

Of course not,if it did something really strange would be at play.

 

[OldTimer]

You can store multiple PEQ presets on the D50 III, and they can be used without Topping Tune running in the background.

That way, you can for example configure the PEQ on a Windows PC, then use it on a Mac.

Does it mean people can’t tune the EQ if don’t have Windows PC?

 

[capslock]

Does it mean people can’t tune the EQ if don’t have Windows PC?

Wait. The PEQ is not implemented in the driver for the Windows PC but somewhere in the box, presumably the XMOS? If so, why not apply it to S/PDIF in, too? In order to use it, one would need to buy an additional S/PDIF to USB device, which seems superfluous.

Now can we have the PEQ (ideally including LP, HP, shelving) in a multichannel DAC such as a successor to the DM7 please?

 

[OldTimer]

Wait. The PEQ is not implemented in the driver for the Windows PC but somewhere in the box? If so, why not apply it to S/PDIF in, too? In order to use it, one would need to buy an additional S/PDIF to USB device, which seems superfluous.

Now can we have the PEQ (ideally including LP, HP, shelving) in a multichannel DAC such as a successor to the DM7 please?

Adding device is not a solution.

 

[capslock]

Adding device is not a solution.

You mean device = cheapo S/PDIF or optical to USB out? If the PEQ is indeed implemented in the XMOS, it should work.

Something like this, though you'd have to find a USB-A female to USB-C male adapter: https://www.amazon.de/Cubilux-Optischer-USB-Empfänger-Schnittstelle-Stereo-Audio-Signal/dp/B0BQQLFQ59

One really has to wonder how the S/PDIF-in on the D50III is routed to the DAC. Or is it an input at all and not an output? The specs don't bother to mention the coaxial and optical interfaces.

 

[somebodyelse]

Wait. The PEQ is not implemented in the driver for the Windows PC but somewhere in the box, presumably the XMOS? If so, why not apply it to S/PDIF in, too? In order to use it, one would need to buy an additional S/PDIF to USB device, which seems superfluous.

Now can we have the PEQ (ideally including LP, HP, shelving) in a multichannel DAC such as a successor to the DM7 please?

Presumably they are routing the coax and toslink direct to the DAC chip's spdif input, rather than via the XMOS. That's what Khadas did with the Tone Board. IIRC the XMOS can be used as an spdif receiver, so it seems like a design choice. It could be as simple as deciding to add the PEQ late in the day, after the hardware design had been done.

The DM7 apparently didn't sell well (too close to interfaces with more features like the Ultralite Mk5 I suspect) and given the extra channels it would need a more capable processor. Rather like the Flex 8 - if only there was a balanced version.

 

[Dr.Deadwax]

Of course not,if it did something really strange would be at play.

For sure ? But then the PEQ isn't suitable as a room correction if it doesn't work with all signals. Could it be that it converts the signals to PCM?

 

[Sokel]

Could it be that it converts the signals to PCM?

I surely hope not.
But user can do it (convert) prior to the DAC input,at the player,etc.

Same goes with software,as an example Mathaudio EQ plug-in for foobar only applies to PCM,when DSD is played no EQ is applied.

 

[DarkKoala]

Sure. It just won't do anything that a phone charger can't.

It will. It. akes me feel cool