Topping D50 III Balanced DAC with EQ Review

[VientoB]

I had problems with it, too. It's important that you uninstall 1.03 first and then install 1.04.
After that, it worked perfectly for me without any problems.

Sounds awkward. Is it easy to uninstall 1.03?

 

[Calypso1]

@NoXiGER - Use windows add/remove program to remove the configuration and drivers. You will also have to delete the Topping folder in the Program Files directory otherwise it will not start Topping Tune.

 

[xevman]

I had problems with it, too. It's important that you uninstall 1.03 first and then install 1.04.
After that, it worked perfectly for me without any problems.

can confirmed that this worked, cheers

 

[johny_2000]

@NoXiGER - Use windows add/remove program to remove the configuration and drivers. You will also have to delete the Topping folder in the Program Files directory otherwise it will not start Topping Tune.

I had the same thing. And there was no mention of it in the Tune 1.04 installer. It just popped up with an update window, I did that and it wouldn't load after that.
Had to uninstall everything. Went to Program Files / Topping / Topping Tune and deleted everything that was left. Then did a clean install of 1.04 and then it worked.

Bug in 1.04 that it doesn't remember (save) the window layout. I change the aspect ratio of the filters and graph to my liking, save the settings, and it restores the original aspect ratio the next time I load the software. By default, the filter section is very large, and the graph section is small. I like a more balanced aspect ratio, but it doesn't remember my changes after I close it. And it also, randomly, does not remember the frequency response/target curve files that were used before closing.

 

[DeDovla]

There are two bugs I noticed so far with v1.04:

1.) It is impossible to only have one filter in an EQ preset, Topping Tune always adds one more default filter for no reason (it can be turned off though or it is added as off).
2.) Even though someone in this thread mentioned that they implemented 0.1dB steps for filters, when doing so it doesn't save them correctly. For example, if you set -3.7dB preamp and you close the app and open it again, it will show -3dB (it's the same for example -3.5dB will also default to -3dB). For filters the real steps seem to be 0.5dB as when you set 1.1dB and reopen the app it will show 1dB. If you set 1.8dB and restart it will show 1.5dB. So it seems that preamplification steps are 1dB, and filter steps are still 0.5dB (on D50 III at least).

Otherwise everything else is fine with the new version. Reading the thread I also decided to uninstall 1.03 first and install 1.04 after and all was fine.

 

[NoXiGER]

There are two bugs I noticed so far with v1.04:


2.) Even though someone in this thread mentioned that they implemented 0.1dB steps for filters, when doing so it doesn't save them correctly. For example, if you set -3.7dB preamp and you close the app and open it again, it will show -3dB (it's the same for example -3.5dB will also default to -3dB). For filters the real steps seem to be 0.5dB as when you set 1.1dB and reopen the app it will show 1dB. If you set 1.8dB and restart it will show 1.5dB. So it seems that preamplification steps are 1dB, and filter steps are still 0.5dB (on D50 III at least).

This problem doesn't seem to occur for me.
Despite restarting and closing Tune several times,
all settings are as they should be.

 

[DeDovla]

This problem doesn't seem to occur for me.
Despite restarting and closing Tune several times,
all settings are as they should be.

Let me know when you put EQ profile on the device instead of Local Config is it the same as I described or no issues? I had these issues with EQ profiles stored on the device, didn't check the local ones as I tend to prefer my EQ profiles stored on the device itself.

 

[NoXiGER]

Let me know when you put EQ profile on the device instead of Local Config is it the same as I described or no issues? I had these issues with EQ profiles stored on the device, didn't check the local ones as I tend to prefer my EQ profiles stored on the device itself.

You're right. I think it's due to the D50's firmware configuration. Tune doesn't change the device's firmware configuration.
If the firmware only knows 0.5 steps, it can't save 0.1 steps.
I think there will definitely be a firmware update for this in the next few days.

 

[xevman]

There are two bugs I noticed so far with v1.04:

1.) It is impossible to only have one filter in an EQ preset, Topping Tune always adds one more default filter for no reason (it can be turned off though or it is added as off).
2.) Even though someone in this thread mentioned that they implemented 0.1dB steps for filters, when doing so it doesn't save them correctly. For example, if you set -3.7dB preamp and you close the app and open it again, it will show -3dB (it's the same for example -3.5dB will also default to -3dB). For filters the real steps seem to be 0.5dB as when you set 1.1dB and reopen the app it will show 1dB. If you set 1.8dB and restart it will show 1.5dB. So it seems that preamplification steps are 1dB, and filter steps are still 0.5dB (on D50 III at least).

Otherwise everything else is fine with the new version. Reading the thread I also decided to uninstall 1.03 first and install 1.04 after and all was fine.

I have the same issue, I wonder if this is a thing with the other dacs that support topping tune or if a firmware update has been issued for them?

 

[GabrielPhoto]

@amirm or anyone with knowledge, if I were to use normal trs to rca adapters to connect an rca cable to the rca inputs of my avr, should I expect better, worse or same results as just using the rca ouputs from the d50 iii?
In the past using xlr to rca always resulted in a drop of like 6dbs and not really any improvement but as I am testing now, I dont detect a drop in spl.
Gonna measure the output to see what I am getting.
My though would be that this should be worse than just rca to rca if measured because its going to clip the signal due to the 5v output?


PS I dont measure any higher output

 

[xevman]

@amirm or anyone with knowledge, if I were to use normal trs to rca adapters to connect an rca cable to the rca inputs of my avr, should I expect better, worse or same results as just using the rca ouputs from the d50 iii?
In the past using xlr to rca always resulted in a drop of like 6dbs and not really any improvement but as I am testing now, I dont detect a drop in spl.
Gonna measure the output to see what I am getting.
My though would be that this should be worse than just rca to rca if measured because its going to clip the signal due to the 5v output?


PS I dont measure any higher output

You are over thinking this. Just use RCA -> RCA to your AVR

 

[GabrielPhoto]

You are over thinking this. Just use RCA -> RCA to your AVR

Not overthinking, just a simple curiosity question

 

[xevman]

You're right. I think it's due to the D50's firmware configuration. Tune doesn't change the device's firmware configuration.
If the firmware only knows 0.5 steps, it can't save 0.1 steps.
I think there will definitely be a firmware update for this in the next few days.

I emailed topping regarding this issue.

Their response was the following:

“Dear Sir

Thank you for contacting TOPPING support. We are happy to assist.
Thank you very much for your feedback. We have tested it for your situation and it is indeed the case. This should not be normal. We will send this issue to R&D to discuss and we will let you know first if we have any results. Sorry for the inconvenience. >.<”

So they are definitely looking into it. Pretty impressed with how quick their response was.

 

[somebodyelse]

Not overthinking, just a simple curiosity question

Back in the days of the D10 Balanced the advice from Topping was "Don't do it." We've had in-depth discussion in other threads about why you need to know the details of the balanced output implementation to determine which pin connections, if any, will make a TRS to RCA work for a specific device. To do it reliably without knowing the details you need to use a transformer or an active converter, not just a cable.

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Back in the days of the D10 Balanced the advice from Topping was "Don't do it." We've had in-depth discussion in other threads about why you need to know the details of the balanced output implementation to determine which pin connections, if any, will make a TRS to RCA work for a specific device. To do it reliably without knowing the details you need to use a transformer or an active converter, not just a cable.

RCA to RCA it is then
Regards

 

[GabrielPhoto]

There's also the D90 Discrete, DX5 II, Centaurus, and D900.

I am guessing if your streamer has one, like the WiiM Ultra, then it does not matter if you if you use the PEQ on the streamer or the DAC or is it recommended to use one over the other, in such a case.
Just curious.
Thanks

 

[staticV3]

I am guessing if your streamer has one, like the WiiM Ultra, then it does not matter if you if you use the PEQ on the streamer or the DAC

Correct.

 

[beaker152]

I noticed one of the firmware updates added IR remote compatibility, so if you have another Topping remote and dont like the bluetooth one you could use that.

My biggest gripe with this DAC is the display. It's too small and you have to get up close to read anything on it. Also it should be orange/red like all good displays are.

do you recall which update that was? mine is on V1.21, and i have been unable to get it to respond to IR at all...

update: just saw it in the changelog for V1.39:
---------------------------------------------------
V1.32 HV:2.5 (July 30, 2024)
---------------------------------------------------
1. Added infrared remote control functionality.
2. Fixed a bug where the Bluetooth settings were not saved correctly in C1/C2 configurations.
3. Optimized some EQ code segments.

interestingly (or not), i got mine in a couple of weeks before this upgrade, but never upgraded, and have always wondered why the DAC never worked when the remote was in IR mode...

i guess it pays to stay current-will upgrade and see if it works...

 

[beaker152]

has anyone tried to upgrade the firmware on their unit and had it fail?
i tried on both windows 10 pro and mac (OS 10.12.6) and was unable to
upgrade with the dac in either regular or DFU mode. Topping tech support said that was "reallma bit strange" and asked for a video. they also said it was "best to change a USB interface" before upgrading... can anyone tell me what that means?

 

[Valvetubehead]

has anyone tried to upgrade the firmware on their unit and had it fail?
i tried on both windows 10 pro and mac (OS 10.12.6) and was unable to
upgrade with the dac in either regular or DFU mode. Topping tech support said that was "reallma bit strange" and asked for a video. they also said it was "best to change a USB interface" before upgrading... can anyone tell me what that means?

Mine failed in one instance… the cable I was using and assumed adequate appears to have been the culprit. Simple fix, but a head scratcher