Topping D70 Pro Sabre DAC Review

[Saponetto]

Frankly speaking, I'm ok with the despicable 120dB SINAd value of both D30Pros i currently have in service.
Got for a while a DX7Pro, well-tempted by Amir's fine review but ended sending it back being all that performance not actually fruible in my environment.
Wiil stay at the window, looking for some dacs able to fire up my interest.
And no, this D70 iteration is not among these.

 

[MadMaxx]

Were I not a satisfied owner of an E70V, I'd give the D70 Pro a shot. However, I'd wait for one of Apos Audio's frequent sales that usually offer fairly sizable discounts. I paid $450 for my E70V, but about 2 months later it went on sale for $380.

 

[GPJ]

If I didn't have my E70V, I'd give the D70 Pro a shot. However, I'd wait for one of Apos Audio's frequent sales that usually offer fairly sizable discounts. I paid $450 for my E70V, but about 2 months later it went on sale for $380.

An E70V Certified from Apos with 1 year warranty is $337 currently. I just pick up the Certified E70 for $261 shipped to my door. It's every bit as good as the $699 D70 Pro. Good times for affordable complete transparency.

 

[MadMaxx]

An E70V Certified from Apos with 1 year warranty is $337 currently. I just pick up the Certified E70 for $261 shipped to my door. It's every bit as good as the $699 D70 Pro. Good times for affordable complete transparency.

Even better!!

 

[D700]

That would be my main question here, how much is it going to cost? Would they be able to pull it off at affordable price? Do they want to?
Integration brings a lot of savings, enclosures, packaging and shipment cost a lot. Combination of these 70 series dac, hpa/pre could be sold for the price of the pre alone. Of course building from there is the part where it gets tricky.

What if it had oiled Walnut side panels and a few champagne tipped toggle switches out front, with a default amber VU meter glow...mmmmm

 

[Verig]

What if it had oiled Walnut side panels and a few champagne tipped toggle switches out front, with a default amber VU meter glow...mmmmm

Why stop there. How about some EAR style chrome and gold? With walmut sides option, yes. Copper and gold foil lining inside all the way too.

 

[GPJ]

Frankly speaking, I'm ok with the despicable 120dB SINAd value of both D30Pros i currently have in service.
Got for a while a DX7Pro, well-tempted by Amir's fine review but ended sending it back being all that performance not actually fruible in my environment.
Wiil stay at the window, looking for some dacs able to fire up my interest.
And no, this D70 iteration is not among these.

I also use a couple D30 Pro's and still believe it performs along side any top tier measuring DAC. It's an excellent piece of gear, completely indistinguishable from my E70. People should take a peek back through Amir's measurement of D30 Pro. It's pretty incredible considering its' age.

 

[JimWeir]

More features = More chances for failures.
Do it in software.

My RME ADI-2 adds all kinds of useful features: EQ, Loudness, Bass&Treble & Mode (stereo, Mono Left,Right Reverse.
All in digital (software). I love it.

 

[GPJ]

Even modestly priced AVR's from nearly 20 years ago were loaded with mind boggling, programmed PCB's, and were reliable. (and 100 page user manuals!) I still have a few that work like new. There is no excuse for failure today unless using cheap parts, lousy design, or lousy programming.

 

[Veri]

People should take a peek back through Amir's measurement of D30 Pro. It's pretty incredible considering its age.

Well I mean, still a very recent product no

 

[GPJ]

Well I mean, still a very recent product no

You are right Veri. It was reviewed on Feb. 2021. I've come to think of DAC years like dog years. Year two for a dog equals about nine years for a human.

 

[shauny]

I asked their sales team about hi-res lossless on Apple Music, trying to see if it was similar to the eversolo A6 (which apparently can stream hi-res lossless via its Apple Music app), but the sales team told me that the D70 Pro doesn’t have an equivalent app, and their suggestion was to connect my iPhone over a cable to the D70Pro.

I think this makes the unit “not ideal” for those of us who use Apple Music rather than tidal for their streaming.

 

[D700]

I asked their sales team about hi-res lossless on Apple Music, trying to see if it was similar to the eversolo A6 (which apparently can stream hi-res lossless via its Apple Music app), but the sales team told me that the D70 Pro doesn’t have an equivalent app, and their suggestion was to connect my iPhone over a cable to the D70Pro.

I think this makes the unit “not ideal” for those of us who use Apple Music rather than tidal for their streaming.

Apple could open their Apple Music API to allow skins & 3rd party integration pretty easily. Imagine an iOS McIntosh Streaming App integrated with Apple Music, with Blue VU meters that output lossless over a USB dock that provides power to the iOS device and digital output. Plop in an old iPhone or iPad and Bob's your uncle.

Apple would have to take a break from counting money though to open the API.

 

[Akary]

Will the mqa version of the d70 pro be released?

 

[MadMaxx]

Will the mqa version of the d70 pro be released?

I wouldn't bet on it. Might be in the updated D90, though. What better way to justify a higher price?

 

[MBO]

There is no interest in streaming and MQA at all.
The ES9039 Pro DAC is of such a high class that such perversions as streaming audio or Bluetooth or MQA simply significantly underestimate its quality. Streaming audio is a pure addiction to the internet that doesn't bode well for the near future...

 

[MadMaxx]

There is no interest in streaming and MQA at all.
The ES9039 Pro DAC is of such a high class that such perversions as streaming audio or Bluetooth or MQA simply significantly underestimate its quality. Streaming audio is a pure addiction to the internet that doesn't bode well for the near future...

ESS oughtta hire you for their marketing dept.

 

[Ahmonge]

Streaming audio is a pure addiction to the internet that doesn't bode well for the near future...

Why? Are you betting on the near end of the streaming business or the Internet?

 

[MBO]

ESS oughtta hire you for their marketing dept.

ESS oughtta hire you for their marketing dept.

I have been against ESS in the past. Now having tested new DACs: ES9039 and CS43198/43131, and I can say that these are currently the best DACs in the world audio market, both in terms of quality and parameters.

 

[MadMaxx]

I have been against ESS in the past. Now having tested new DACs: ES9039 and CS43198/43131, and I can say that these are currently the best DACs in the world audio market, both in terms of quality and parameters.

You're gonna need to provide some evidence of your impeccable standing in the world of fine audio along with your record of rigorous and unbiased testing of dac chips if you want your claims to be taken seriously.

Still... hire this guy, ESS!!