I have the "Quad", as the D30 Pro could have been named. It sounds quite good.
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.
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.
Doubtful.
www.audiosciencereview.com
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.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
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!
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.
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!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.
Digital audio is a well mastered field in electrical engineering for quite a long time now. Not to downplay their merit, it's a matter of putting time / effort, doing the right things to offer attractive / competitive products for the market you're seeking. Electronic components are evolving, production gets better, etc. Information and measurements like we find in this website change the consumer perception of quality and help diminish influence of marketing hype and lies. As engineers, we know actual audio quality doesn't have a direct relationship with price, contrary to what the industry wants you to believe!
It's the standard remote control they all use, and it's good enough IMHO. I find it comfortable and responsive.
It would be good indeed, i'd like to do Room EQ directly in the DAC. This would probably translate into a higher price though, as XMOS XU platform doesn't do DSP IIRC.
