Topping D70 Pro Sabre DAC Review

[Daviede]

Yes, I have the companion headphone amplifier. Give me another day to test that....

Hello, may I ask if the testing conditions for USB input and RCA output are empty or using a 4 Ω load?

 

[Bleib]

how much is the review of the new d90 to compare it with this one?

Amir delivers

TOPPING D90 III Sabre DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the TOPPING D90 III Sabre balanced stereo DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $899. As you can see, the design is what we have know about most of the Topping products. I do wish at this price that we had a high resolution display that...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[cochinada]

@amirm or whoever can explain it to me please.
In some (older?) reviews, SINAD vs Volume Level shows on the x axis Vrms but in other reviews like for instance this one, the X axis is showing Time and there is also a 2nd Y axis. How to read this?

 

[Billy Budapest]

In terms of performance and feature set, this really is the DAC to beat. The only thing that would make it better (although only useful to a small subset of users) would be I2S over HDMI. I don’t think parametric EQ or room correction are feasible in this kind of product. That’s in the same realm as wishing for Ethernet and streaming/server features. It’s just more appropriate in a different kind of component.

 

[cochinada]

Mine is on its way. I opted for this Sabre model but some dudes on Youtube talk better about the Octo. Sadly it was not reviewed by @amirm

 

[Ahmonge]

I opted for this Sabre model but some dudes on Youtube talke better about the Octo. Sadly it was not reviewed by @amirm

I have the "Quad", as the D30 Pro could have been named. It sounds quite good.

 

[MBO]

Mine is on its way. I opted for this Sabre model but some dudes on Youtube talk better about the Octo. Sadly it was not reviewed by @amirm

I installed a new power supply in the Octo, it now sounds much better than before.

 

[cochinada]

I installed a new power supply in the Octo, it now sounds much better than before.

View attachment 345062

Is this a "regular" power supply or have you considered using ultra capacitors?

 

[MBO]

Is this a "regular" power supply or have you considered using ultra capacitors?

This is a high quality 5V 5A impulse power supply, nothing else. Another thing that Topping probably uses is cheap RC components, which of course affects the sound quality. I have a Amari DAC with a similar structure 8x CS43198, which has better sound quality.

 

[cochinada]

This is a high quality 5V 5A impulse power supply, nothing else. Another thing that Topping probably uses is cheap RC components, which of course affects the sound quality. I have a Amari DAC with a similar structure 8x CS43198, which has better sound quality.

You mean this one costing roughly 5x more?

 

[MBO]

You mean this one costing roughly 5x more?

Yes, Amari costs five times more, but the sound quality is not in relation to the price. I can say that Amari is currently the ultimate in the market, I have hardly heard anything better.
But!! D70 Octo would be a great offer at its price.

 

[Veri]

I installed a new power supply in the Octo, it now sounds much better than before.

View attachment 345062

Doubtful.

Do you need linear power supply for DACs?

Probably the most asked about question about DACs on audio forums is whether an external, usually linear, power supply improves performance. It just makes sense that it would do that. Doesn't it? Well, let's see if we can figure this out. I have been kindly loaned a Wyrd4Sound PS-1 power...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[marcom22]

I installed a new power supply in the Octo, it now sounds much better than before.

View attachment 345062

Adios Warranty

 

[Dunring]

I just got an D70 Pro Octo today. Its 5.2v and all file formats work, no pops or other problems. It's flawless but I'd be willing to bet the slow filters don't roll off like the original AK4499 D90 does. Doesn't run hot or even warm after a few hours. The VU meter is cool for 5 minutes then with the auto off screen to prevent burn in it's just a momentary novelty. Same form factor, so easy to stack with existing A90/D90's etc. If you have an amp that can handle 5(.2) volt mode then I think some reviewers might notice a lower noise floor if they're used to 4v, but other than that it's just like any other 120+ SINAD DAC. I've got another A70 Pro amp coming in a few days. I've had it and on the balanced end it's Ampzilla.
Now I'm going to re-hook up my SMSL DL200 and Topping A30Pro which I got for $300 total, and get back to feeling smug If the HE6se is your white whale, or you just want to stay in low gain mode permanently with anything else on balanced, the A70 Pro/D70 Octo is a solid choice.

 

[Mark K]

Congrats on the new DAC...I myself also placed an order for an Eversolo A8 to use with my A90...

 

[HexWaves]

I just got an D70 Pro Octo today. Its 5.2v and all file formats work, no pops or other problems. It's flawless but I'd be willing to bet the slow filters don't roll off like the original AK4499 D90 does. Doesn't run hot or even warm after a few hours. The VU meter is cool for 5 minutes then with the auto off screen to prevent burn in it's just a momentary novelty. Same form factor, so easy to stack with existing A90/D90's etc. If you have an amp that can handle 5(.2) volt mode then I think some reviewers might notice a lower noise floor if they're used to 4v, but other than that it's just like any other 120+ SINAD DAC. I've got another A70 Pro amp coming in a few days. I've had it and on the balanced end it's Ampzilla.
Now I'm going to re-hook up my SMSL DL200 and Topping A30Pro which I got for $300 total, and get back to feeling smug If the HE6se is your white whale, or you just want to stay in low gain mode permanently with anything else on balanced, the A70 Pro/D70 Octo is a solid choice.

View attachment 346930Hey! As a fellow owner of the D90 / A90 stack, do you find any real sonic differences from the D90 to the D70 Octo? It seems really awesome and I’m looking to maybe getting one soon, ESS has always sounded brighter to me in a side by side with my older SU-8 but it may have just been the implementation of it which is why I’m reluctant to get another ESS DAC. Cheers, I hope to hear from you soon!

 

[judgedredd94]

I just purchased the Topping A70 Pro to replace my old amp, and I use the Denafrips Ares II as a DAC (I know). Will there be any audible difference if I switch the DAC to the Topping D70 Pro ? Or should I stay with the Denafrips ? I have the budget, so the cost isn't an issue.

 

[AdrianusG]

I just purchased the Topping A70 Pro to replace my old amp, and I use the Denafrips Ares II as a DAC (I know). Will there be any audible difference if I switch the DAC to the Topping D70 Pro ? Or should I stay with the Denafrips ? I have the budget, so the cost isn't an issue.

Like many times stated here before, measurable probably yes, (Topping will measure slightly better) Audible, likely no difference, unless 1 of them is under-performing/broken/ malfunctioning in one way or another.

 

[judgedredd94]

OK thanks, I'll keep what I have then.

 

[guyboisvert]

Great dac.

Some mild criticism :
Why implementing bluetooth ? This protocol has nothing to do with high fidelity, - it would have been really great If there was DLNA , Wi-Fi and Airplay compability.

But I guess one cant have it all for this price.

We know it's not the best in audio quality but it's very handy when you have, for example, a friend who wants to play songs for you from his phone / PC / Tablet!