Topping D70 Pro Sabre DAC Review

[MLaranjeiras]

When I try to compare it to the EX5 I bought after the ASR test

Shenzhenaudio Topping EX5 Review (DAC and Headphone Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping EX5 produced exclusively for Shenzhenaudio. The EX5 is slated to cost US $349.99 which it is released. The sample I have is from production run but is awaiting the manual for formal shipments. It was sent to me by Shenzhenaudio. The...

www.audiosciencereview.com

from a purely utilitarian point of view, the buyer is getting:

• marginally (probably inaudibly) better performance
• a fancier display
• no headphone amp (means another expense, if needed)
• for double the price

So, as good as this one is, I rate it as "great", but I would still buy the EX5 for half the price, if I hadn't already.

Or the E50 for 25% of its price

 

[respice finem]

Or the E50 for 25% of its price

Yes, unless you need XLR. indeed, the E50 has TRS

 

[MLaranjeiras]

In the end of the day, all of the same, much hype and here and there a good surprise.

 

[Bob101]

Can I combine the D70 Pro with the E50 or will I have sync issues with this setup?
D70 Pro would be connected to LR. E50 would be connected to 1 or 2 active subs.

You can do this on pc with voicemeeter. It's free software that, among a LOT of other things, lets you send the same signal to two dacs. You will not have sync issues.

 

[soerenssen]

You can do this on pc with voicemeeter. It's free software that, among a LOT of other things, lets you send the same signal to two dacs. You will not have sync issues.

Thank you for the idea, much appreciated!

 

[soerenssen]

D70 Pro Octo with 8x CS43198:

TOPPING D70 PRO OCTO DAC 8x CS43198 XMOS XU316 Bluetooth 5.1 LDAC aptX-Adaptive 32bit 768kHz DSD512 Black - Audiophonics

The DAC Topping D70 PRO OCTO features many refinements specific to a high-end audio product. High-performance chips, ultra-low jitter clocks, latest generation interfaces and great versatility, this DAC offers exceptional performance.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[marekm]

How does the OCTO version differ from regular PRO ?

 

[staticV3]

How does the OCTO version differ from regular PRO ?

Different DAC chips, same sound, $100 lower MSRP (only $15 less expensive with current discounts tho).

 

[Veri]

How does the OCTO version differ from regular PRO ?

D30 Pro > D70 Pro : much more DAC chips used in parallel to achieve higher DR/SNR (?)

 

[marekm]

So what is next ? An AKM version

 

[MBO]

So what is next ? An AKM version

Please do not install any more current DACs from AKM, unfortunately they sound worse than CS43198 or ES9039, several devices have already been compared.

 

[Veri]

several devices have already been compared.

Huh?

 

[marekm]

Any suggestions which version to consider with A70 Pro (regardless of price differences) ?

 

[AdrianusG]

D70 Pro Octo with 8x CS43198:

TOPPING D70 PRO OCTO DAC 8x CS43198 XMOS XU316 Bluetooth 5.1 LDAC aptX-Adaptive 32bit 768kHz DSD512 Black - Audiophonics

The DAC Topping D70 PRO OCTO features many refinements specific to a high-end audio product. High-performance chips, ultra-low jitter clocks, latest generation interfaces and great versatility, this DAC offers exceptional performance.

www.audiophonics.fr

Hi,

Would be interesting to see how it performs/measures against the ESS version.

 

[MBO]

Hi,

Would be interesting to see how it performs/measures against the ESS version.

I am explicitly referring to DAC chip sound quality. I have Amari with 8x CS43198 and SMSL D400Es with ES9039Pro, both DACs are absolutely great in sound, I hadn't heard a better DAC for 30 years. Both CS43198 and ES9039 are extremely good, and differ only in nuances, I would say they are on the same quality level.

 

[marekm]

Waiting to see a full blown comparison by Amirm

 

[AdrianusG]

Waiting to see a full blown comparison by Amirm

Yep,
Me too.

 

[marekm]

In the meantime...

A70 Pro is staying

To keep costs down, I have decided against D70 Pro (at least for now) and use SMSL DO100 DAC instead.

Headphone configuration:

A70 Pro

• XLR - HiFiman Ananda Stealth
• 4,4mm - Meze 109 Pro
• 6,35mm - Grado SR80x

SMSL HO100

• 4,4mm - HD 660S2

____________
Some OCTO info here

 

[Nordling]

Waiting to see a full blown comparison by Amirm

I expect very little difference between D70 PRO SABRE and D70 PRO OCTO. Considering the slightly higher THD+N of the Octo, it will also have a slightly lower SINAD. Maybe somewhere between D70 PRO and E70. But we won't hear the difference anyway.

 

[marekm]

Probably. On the other if two "almost same" devices exist side by side, there is probably a story behind this.

Who knows, may be interesting