Usually, when I see such a behaviour to an electronic device, I'm thinking that the cable itself or the plug might have a problem; sometimes the connector soldered on the PCB might get broken. I have exactly the same situation like yours on a Hikvision NVR on the HDMI connector; it does this since Day1, which was back in 2017. Maybe this year I'll get out the PCB and solder that HDMI connector better...or maybe swap it with a new one.
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Topping D90 Balanced USB DAC Review
- Thread starter amirm
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I tried swapping to many different cables, and the same issue occurs. Also, the same kind of problem occurs with other USB devices, so it likely isn't the D90 either. Rather, the problem is with Apple and flawed detection of connected peripheral devices in general (HDMI connections tend to be more reliable, while USB, bluetooth, etc., are dodgy).
When this happens it might be worth trying restarting core-audio from the terminal. Paste this in:
ps aux | grep 'coreaudio[d]' | awk '{print $2}' | xargs sudo kill
I have a similar problem with my D70s and my Mac Mini. The frequency of the problem is less and a toggle of the rear on/off switch usually solves it.
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Tried this before, but it is not a core audio issue. Instead, there is a deeper issue with Mac and USB peripherals that transcends type of device. There is basically some kind of fundamental flaw in Mac OS when it comes to USB device detection/connection that they never bothered to fix. I have the same issue with USB monitor connections, USB printer connections, USB scanner connections, USB keyboard connections, other types of USB audio devices (MIDI), etc., etc.. I bought my first Mac in 1994 and it had a SCSI connector that worked flawlessly, however, once USB was introduced there was always this same problem across many subsequent generations of Mac computers. It seems to be worse when the computer is frequently disconnected and moved to different environments with different peripherals, but also occurs when the Mac never moves and is always connected to the same USB peripherals. The only solution is unplugging and replugging, and/or cycling power on the connected device(s), and in the worst cases a restart of the computer is needed when it simply refuses to register a USB connection. I often teach in large auditoriums, run events involving many presentations, etc., which usually requires connecting a laptop (often a Mac) to a projector...we always use HDMI in these cases to avoid time-consuming delays/problems in connecting.
I don't have any such problems with USB.
I have had a recent issue with some apps locking up and also disconnecting my DAC - but that has turned out to be a be (I think) with Rogue Amoeba Soundsource - or more likely the ARK support app. Before I diagnosed this my only solution when it happened was a restart.
To be fair to RA - they are claiming the problem is with core audio which causes sound source to lock up and then take down other apps using sound.
I'm currently trialling a pre release version to see if the issues stop.
With the problems you are having with USB, I'd start with turning off all third party plugins, apps, drivers etc. My experience suggests the problems are not inherent to Mac on its own.
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I've been using Apple computers since 1985, an owner of more than a dozen different Macs since 1994, an Apple Developer since 2000, a user of every MacOS that ever existed (even trialed NextOS before Jobs went back to Apple), and I've dealt with tens of thousands of cases of Mac connectivity problems with my students, co-workers, and guests concerning USB peripherals on their Macs over decades. It is an enormous sample size. I never bothered to collect exact statistics, however, I'm not making this up...we learn to deal with it, and move on.
This isn't the only persistent Mac issue that Apple never fixed. One that I find hilarious is the progress bar, the "estimating time remaining..." has always yielded wild forecasts that are often orders of magnitude different from reality. It was this way as far back as I can remember, and still persists today after more than 4 decades. Again, they just never bothered to fix/improve it. Why? I don't know. They simply ignore certain things, including any complaints they might receive. And if one contacts them, they will mutter about "third party plugins, apps, drivers etc." ... passing the buck, which never stops being passed. It isn't something to get upset about, or to waste time trying to solve, just laugh and move on...
Jimster480
Major Contributor
USB is the best on Topping usually. I wouldn't use a cable longer than 3m unless it is really high quality..... I've had some issues with cables that are longer, but if you get a good one 5m is still usable.
stock cable only 1,5m -2m, so max 3m it will be the same sound quality?
stock cable is usb b to usb a 2.0 , if i buy to usb b to usb c or usb a 3.1 is it ok?
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It will be the same sound quality at any length until it stops working at all
At which point, the failure to work will most likely be indicated by clicks/pops/crackles/dropouts - or just no sound.
Jimster480
Major Contributor
All USB cables will be the same quality unless they are broken and won't work properly.
archerious
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Not worth it imo.
Instead consider the Topping DX5 II. Gives you a beautiful digital screen, EQ capabilities, excellent amp Dac combo, and costs $299 rather than the insane prices of buying both A90 and D90.
It’s genuinely been getting more use from me than any of my other amps and DACs.
Hello guys. I purchased Topping D90 back in 2020. Sound was amazingly good, but after some time I got a power problem.
When I turn on the switch of D90, it first works fine. But after 10-30 minutes, the power goes down. Display becomes black, and sound output is lost. When I turn it off and quickly turn it on again, power does not come back. When I turn it off, wait for a long time (30 min – several hours) and then turn it on again, the power is back. But after 10-30 minutes, the power goes down again.
Does anyone have a similar problem?
A Chinese colleague of mine kindly brought my D90 to a Topping service center in China when he had a travel home. Topping told him that that D90 is already out of the service period. So, no repair. My colleague looked for a third-party repair shop in China, but no success.
I am a bit worried about the repair policy of this company. D90 is only less than five years after the end of production. Topping still produces all the series of D90 versions. But no service to repair the first version. Audio equipment is different from smart phones. People use audio equipment for a much much longer time and we therefore need longer repair service.
I also purchased a portable G5 in 2021. Its battery swelled and pushed the back panel to open from inside. I was still able to get the battery repaired. But none of my other portable DACs encountered such a problem. Given these two cases, I am suspicious about the quality control of the company.
Subsequent products of D90-series and other Topping DACs continuously have high reputation in sound quality. But I personally wonder whether I should purchase any product again from this company, which produces the product that get broken so often and offers that bad repair service...
I would appreciate your comments on how you managed to solve such problems and how you manage to repair such products.
Also, now I have to purchase a new desktop DAC. Do you have any idea, which company(s) produces the products that have high sound quality AND high durability?
When I turn on the switch of D90, it first works fine. But after 10-30 minutes, the power goes down. Display becomes black, and sound output is lost. When I turn it off and quickly turn it on again, power does not come back. When I turn it off, wait for a long time (30 min – several hours) and then turn it on again, the power is back. But after 10-30 minutes, the power goes down again.
Does anyone have a similar problem?
A Chinese colleague of mine kindly brought my D90 to a Topping service center in China when he had a travel home. Topping told him that that D90 is already out of the service period. So, no repair. My colleague looked for a third-party repair shop in China, but no success.
I am a bit worried about the repair policy of this company. D90 is only less than five years after the end of production. Topping still produces all the series of D90 versions. But no service to repair the first version. Audio equipment is different from smart phones. People use audio equipment for a much much longer time and we therefore need longer repair service.
I also purchased a portable G5 in 2021. Its battery swelled and pushed the back panel to open from inside. I was still able to get the battery repaired. But none of my other portable DACs encountered such a problem. Given these two cases, I am suspicious about the quality control of the company.
Subsequent products of D90-series and other Topping DACs continuously have high reputation in sound quality. But I personally wonder whether I should purchase any product again from this company, which produces the product that get broken so often and offers that bad repair service...
I would appreciate your comments on how you managed to solve such problems and how you manage to repair such products.
Also, now I have to purchase a new desktop DAC. Do you have any idea, which company(s) produces the products that have high sound quality AND high durability?
EdW
Senior Member
RME make a range of DACs and DAC/ADC which have a good reputation borne of many years in the professional studio business. The top of the range ADi 2/4 Pro SE has analog inputs as well as the digital that the D90 has. Tone controls, PEQ , loudness etc. My only concern is that it may due a refresh shortly?
In the UK a five year warranty is included but in other parts of the world the warranty may be less generous
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