Topping D50 III Balanced DAC with EQ Review

[staticV3]

Does it store the EQ settings for the USB input on the device or do you have to keep the software running after setting it?

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.

 

[Koeitje]

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.

Ok nice! My T5V's need a simple correction for which I use EqualizerAPO right now but I'd prefer just having it in the DAC.

 

[JW001]

Not necessary.

For example, take a look at Wooting and their https://wootility.io/ web tool with which you can configure their keyboard via USB.

Yeah, it's javascript. You have to give it an explicit permission to run. Network interface is nicer, you are not stuck at the same computer where the DAC is connected to.

 

[kemmler3D]

This is great to see! Hopefully this is the beginning of an era of super-common PEQ capabilities and easy-to-use apps.

As I've said many times, DSP modules with 10-band PEQ capability are as common as dirt. Almost any bluetooth headphone or speaker you buy actually has it onboard already. Parts cost is not the issue. It's just that companies willing to build (and support!) the firmware and app to open this functionality to the user have been as rare as diamonds, so far.

KEF, are you listening?

 

[Sokel]

We also have to mention that EQ is applied to both channels and (until now) there's no way for different settings on each channel.
That makes Room EQ very difficult but I guess is good news for headphone users.
It's a start though.

Nice, send some shivers down the spine of RME.

Nope,the quality of RME's filters is still out of reach by these companies,including miniDSP which makes stuff like this for a long time.

Otherwise really nice measurements.

Thanks Amir!

 

[thewas]

Can the in total 10 PEQ filters be spread for the left and and right channel, for example 5+5? If not its not really useful for most room correction where there are usually significant asymmetries.

 

[Dunring]

When one manufacturer offered MQA then they all piled on. I hope this is a start of the equalizer competition for DACs instead of paying extra for MQA licenses which don't do anything. Let the DAC parametric EQ arms race begin!

 

[Sokel]

Can the in total 10 PEQ filters be spread for the left and and right channel, for example 5+5? If not its not really useful for most room correction where there are usually significant asymmetries.

As I wrote one post above yours it seems that this can't happen with the existing firmware.
At least that was the conclusion at the other thread ( @Rja4000 's) about it.


We can see it in the app too,no channel mention:

 

[amirm]

Does it store the EQ settings for the USB input on the device or do you have to keep the software running after setting it?

It is stored on the DAC. You don't need the app after the initial configuration.

 

[sq225917]

Peq in a cheap dac. That moves the goalposts for a lot of people. Thanks to neutron player I've had it in my fiio m15 for years.

 

[amirm]

@amirm do you have any way to measure if PEQ ads any delay?

Thank you for the review!

I don't know. I will have to check.

 

[thewas]

As I wrote one post above yours it seems that this can't happen with the existing firmware.
At least that was the conclusion at the other thread ( @Rja4000 's) about it.


We can see it in the app too,no channel mention:

View attachment 364388

Yes, I saw that screenshot and checked also its manual but still had hope it was hidden somewhere, our posts overlapped so I didn't see yours while I was typing mine. Hope they they will implement such a functionality with a firmware update or version IV.

 

[scrubb]

Great! Now I can properly set the EQ, just like on my old system:

 

[kemmler3D]

Great! Now I can properly set the EQ, just like on my old system:

View attachment 364390

 

[Somafunk]

Yeah….yeah Topping, you’ve finally given us peq, but we now want streaming as well - Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon music, and roon ready as well, perhaps an oled screen, nice remote, and finally an app so that we can control it from our phones. All in the same form factor.

Come back when your done,


Only joking…….what a brilliant little dac

 

[georgehifi]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't come with a stand alone power supply?
It can only be powered via a usb socket?
What is a good mains wall wart with usb output? (iphone?)

Cheers George

 

[MacClintock]

I know people here have asked for this a while now, but is there any advantage on using EQ on the DAC stage instead on already at the source?

 

[ChenHui]

Although this EQ seems to be very powerful, I am a little confused about it. I don't understand how to actually use this.

 

[JW001]

I know people here have asked for this a while now, but is there any advantage on using EQ on the DAC stage instead on already at the source?

You can use it on multiple sources (for example, toslink from a TV, USB from foobar2000, spdif from a cd/bluray player).

 

[amirm]

I know people here have asked for this a while now, but is there any advantage on using EQ on the DAC stage instead on already at the source?

It is source independent. In my case I have EQ in Roon but when I play youtube, there isn't one.