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Topping D50 III Balanced DAC with EQ Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
Thanks for the clarification, although I'm not going to pretend I can fully understand those graphs. I'll just have to see if my ears can pick up on these differences when I can.
I was looking over the manual for the A50 III, and I was confused why balanced in/balanced out seems to perform poorly compared to the other combinations. Not sure what would be the ideal way to connect the D50 III to the A50 III. On the D50 III, it seems the TRS balanced performs better than the RCA, so am I supposed to use a TRS mono to RCA cable to connect the two? I'm not even sure if it is safe to try plugging a mono TRS jack into the D50 III. Should I just not care and stick with using TRS to TRS cables to connect the stack? I need the D50 III's RCA outs to connect to my speakers.
I was looking over the manual for the A50 III, and I was confused why balanced in/balanced out seems to perform poorly compared to the other combinations. Not sure what would be the ideal way to connect the D50 III to the A50 III. On the D50 III, it seems the TRS balanced performs better than the RCA, so am I supposed to use a TRS mono to RCA cable to connect the two? I'm not even sure if it is safe to try plugging a mono TRS jack into the D50 III. Should I just not care and stick with using TRS to TRS cables to connect the stack? I need the D50 III's RCA outs to connect to my speakers.
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johny_2000
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Topping D50 III Balanced DAC with EQ Review
That sounds incredible - just like the experience I'd want to have! Do you know if level matching / adjustments are also available - i.e., if in addition to the 5 EQ bands, high/low shelf, can you also set a Pre Amplifying level adjustment? Not sure I understand your question, but the Volume...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Topping D50 III Balanced DAC with EQ Review
That sounds incredible - just like the experience I'd want to have! Do you know if level matching / adjustments are also available - i.e., if in addition to the 5 EQ bands, high/low shelf, can you also set a Pre Amplifying level adjustment? Not sure I understand your question, but the Volume...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Nope, don't do that.
Yes. In this case, the performance is 100% within specifications. See my instrumental measurements.
That's good to know, just seemed weird knowing that the D50 III and A50 III were designed for each other. I'm assuming a TS mono jack would short something in the D50 III.
Just out of curiosity, would a TRS to XLR adapter plugged with an XLR to RCA cable work without introducing a little bit of noise by using the extra adapter?
Just out of curiosity, would a TRS to XLR adapter plugged with an XLR to RCA cable work without introducing a little bit of noise by using the extra adapter?
johny_2000
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Good cables and connectors will not introduce noise into the signal. Another question is, why do you need to use TRS (balanced) -> XLR (balanced) -> RCA (unbalanced)?
Mainly just wanted to know if it would work out of curiosity, since balanced out on the D50 performs the best, while the SE input on the A50 performs better. I'm going to be sticking with TRS for balanced connection since the difference seems unnoticeable.
All the balanced TRS to RCA cables I've seen are ones with two RCA ends, but that's not the case for XLR to RCA cables.
All the balanced TRS to RCA cables I've seen are ones with two RCA ends, but that's not the case for XLR to RCA cables.
johny_2000
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Don't bother with this. Unlike RME, which specifically stipulates that its devices can operate on balanced outputs in balanced or unbalanced connections, Topping does not disclose details about the balanced outputs of its DACs. If they are not built using a servo-balanced circuit, connecting an unbalanced cable will cause excessive overload, overheating, and increased distortion of this output.
This one!
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Ah, I completely forgot that the balanced out is 4V-5V. It's fine to leave the D50 III at 5V so long as I'm careful with my volume right? I'm going to be connecting it to the A50 III and Swan M50W active speakers.
It's killing me that I have everything except a pair of TRS cables, which are currently delayed in shipment.
johny_2000
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Yes, the D50 III 5V mode is normal for the A50 III balanced inputs. There will be no clipping even at maximum DAC volume (0 dbFS) since the A50 III inputs can accept higher signal amplitude (e.g. 7.8Vrms at medium gain).
Been playing around with the filters now. Got to say, it's extremely hard for me to tell if there is much of a difference between the filters. Especially since I am the one changing the filters, I cannot tell if the minute differences I hear is real or just in my head. Might be easier to tell if I just play clips of specific instruments or electronic effects in EDM to do my comparison instead of music.
I'll save myself the hassle and just leave it on filter mode 3.
It's my first time using a stack, and I notice it gets a bit toasty. Should I be worried about the heat and get rubber feet to raise them? Part of me is thinking that the chunk of aluminum all these units are enough mass and size to keep the internals cool enough. I do plan to be running them almost all the time though.
I have the A50 III stacked on top of the D50 III since the amp seems to run hotter than the DAC. The P50 runs the hottest, so I just left that to the side of the stack.
I'll save myself the hassle and just leave it on filter mode 3.
It's my first time using a stack, and I notice it gets a bit toasty. Should I be worried about the heat and get rubber feet to raise them? Part of me is thinking that the chunk of aluminum all these units are enough mass and size to keep the internals cool enough. I do plan to be running them almost all the time though.
I have the A50 III stacked on top of the D50 III since the amp seems to run hotter than the DAC. The P50 runs the hottest, so I just left that to the side of the stack.
johny_2000
Addicted to Fun and Learning
You did everything right. Don't worry about heat dissipation. Apart from the power supply (which is normal for linear regulators), the DAC block generates minimal heat. The heat dissipation of a headphone amplifier (A50 III) depends on the output power. It can be higher during playback and then cool down in standby mode. The best strategy is to place it on the DAC unit and away from the power supply.
In order to stop wasting power when I'm just using my speakers, is it fine to turn off the P50, and just rely on the USB power coming through the HS02? I have a spare Apple iPad charger that I can plug into the additional input of the HS02. When I do this, the D50 III does need to restart when I turn off the P50. I'm guessing that this is due to the USB data port is only used for data when the P50 is supplying power.
The main issue I'm wondering about with only depending on the HS02 is that according to the HS02 manual, the power output is only DC5V/800mA(iPad charger is rated for 5V/3A). According to the D50 III's manual, the power input is 5V/1A. However, the D50 III's power consumption is <2.5W, which seems to only draw 500mA at 5V. I don't know too much about electrical engineering, so I'm not sure if there is anything wrong with using this set up long term.
I could also just plug the iPad charger directly into the D50 III's power USB C port, but that would make me question if I should even use the P50. I do like that there is a fuse on it in case of an accident. Mainly have it because I didn't need to pay for it.
The main issue I'm wondering about with only depending on the HS02 is that according to the HS02 manual, the power output is only DC5V/800mA(iPad charger is rated for 5V/3A). According to the D50 III's manual, the power input is 5V/1A. However, the D50 III's power consumption is <2.5W, which seems to only draw 500mA at 5V. I don't know too much about electrical engineering, so I'm not sure if there is anything wrong with using this set up long term.
I could also just plug the iPad charger directly into the D50 III's power USB C port, but that would make me question if I should even use the P50. I do like that there is a fuse on it in case of an accident. Mainly have it because I didn't need to pay for it.
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johny_2000
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Eliminate this.
That's fine.
The P50 has always been some kind of extra device that there was no room for. Keep it where it belongs, otherwise it's useless.
To be clear, you are suggesting that I don't directly plug the iPad charger to the D50 III, and just leave it connected to the HS02?
Thanks a bunch for all the help you've provided.
johny_2000
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Yes.
... and a speaker! Give KEF some competition...
jmz
Member
Until today I used Topping D10s plus Intel NUC 8I5BEH with JRiver Audio software.
My D50 III and P50 arrived today... WOW !!!
This is huge upgrade comparing to D10s... at least in my opinion. Also DAC in my amp Marantz PM6006 UK Edition is no longer competition to my USB DAC.
Maybe more experienced users could explain a bit filters choices and EQ settings for D50 III?
My D50 III and P50 arrived today... WOW !!!
This is huge upgrade comparing to D10s... at least in my opinion. Also DAC in my amp Marantz PM6006 UK Edition is no longer competition to my USB DAC.
Maybe more experienced users could explain a bit filters choices and EQ settings for D50 III?
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jmz
Member
Thanks...
jmz
Member
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