• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Topping D70 DAC

derp1n

Senior Member
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
479
Likes
629
Looking at the advertised THD+N for the DAC chips themselves to give a lower bound:
Code:
ES9038PRO: -122 dB
ES9038Q2M: -120 dB
AK4497EQ:  -116 dB
AK4493EQ:  -113 dB
AK4490EQ:  -112 dB
I guess AKM are a bit behind ESS in this area (or more honest), but it looks like switching chips makes Topping's life a bit harder in terms of improving SINAD.
 

wadec22

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2018
Messages
319
Likes
242
That is their advertised spec:
which is equivalent to 106dB SINAD, most probably A-weighted
I didn't realize you could calculate it based on those percentages. How does the formula work?
 

derp1n

Senior Member
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
479
Likes
629

wadec22

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2018
Messages
319
Likes
242
Looking at the advertised THD+N for the DAC chips themselves to give a lower bound:
Code:
ES9038PRO: -122 dB
ES9038Q2M: -120 dB
AK4497EQ:  -116 dB
AK4493EQ:  -113 dB
AK4490EQ:  -112 dB
I guess AKM are a bit behind ESS in this area (or more honest), but it looks like switching chips makes Topping's life a bit harder in terms of improving SINAD.

The incorporation of XLR should help in this figure as well though, correct? When implemented correctly, it potentially lowers noise right?
 

pos

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 13, 2018
Messages
572
Likes
718
But with no "ESS distortion hump" on lower levels, most likely.
Like the first generation DX7 based on mobile ES9018, or the SMSL M8 compared to the M8A.
I wonder in which area these newer mobile ESS DACs are superior to the older ones. Cost maybe, or ease of implementation?
 

Veri

Master Contributor
Joined
Feb 6, 2018
Messages
9,596
Likes
12,036
So, anyone pre-order yet? Think Amirm would like to review it?
Topping spoke of like March release as far as I know, can take a while. Also Topping sent Amir review samples so far so I'm sure there will be a review sooner or later :)
 
Last edited:

Jmudrick

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Oct 7, 2018
Messages
778
Likes
701
Looks like there is also a $55 coupon -> $544
 

amirm

Founder/Admin
Staff Member
CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Messages
44,368
Likes
234,390
Location
Seattle Area
Also Topping sent Amir review samples so far so I'm sure there will be a review sooner or later :)
If you mean D70, no I don't have any review samples and don't expect any until next year.
 

Veri

Master Contributor
Joined
Feb 6, 2018
Messages
9,596
Likes
12,036
If you mean D70, no I don't have any review samples and don't expect any until next year.
I did mean by its release date of course :) later rather than sooner.
 

peterq

Active Member
Joined
May 9, 2018
Messages
106
Likes
66
For that price ~$600, I could find a bunch of DAC from Chinese manufacturer with dual or single AK4497 or ES9038PRO or ES9028PRO.
Gustard A20H, X20PRO
XRK U10
SMSL M10
and weiliang or some cheap brands.
 

Veri

Master Contributor
Joined
Feb 6, 2018
Messages
9,596
Likes
12,036
@peterq we don't really know how any of them perform though :/ plus this one is named to be superior to D50 which is exciting :D
 

peterq

Active Member
Joined
May 9, 2018
Messages
106
Likes
66
Yes, none of them has measurement and you can only find some user(or seller) reviews from some Chinese forum. I think none of them did EMC or other hardware testing during development. If I need one, I definitely go for some reputable brands such as Chord, Apogee, oppo. Some devices with the latest DAC chip can perform well during testing, but we don't know it's reliability and the quality of the product.
 
Top Bottom