Topping D90 descaret problem.

[Sallanan sandalye]

Hello. I have the Topping Audio D90 III DISCRETE DAC. When I lower the volume on the XLR output, the sound becomes digital and distorted, producing a wind-like sound. This disappears when I up the volume completely. This occurs at around -50dB. I have to high the volume to -20dB to fix it. There's no such problem with the RCA output. Why is this happening? Is the device faulty?

 

[Curvature]

Have you contacted Topping?

 

[Sallanan sandalye]

Yes. No answer yet.

 

[staticV3]

Some kind of recording of this digital and distorted, wind-like sound would be useful, ideally combined with a recording of the same section of audio above -20dB, where the issue is gone.

 

[Sokel]

Is there a chance that you trying to play DSD?
Don't know much about D90 and its structure but many people have faced this in the past trying to apply volume control to it, newer chips and methods though have find a way to do it.

So maybe irrelevant, maybe not.

Edit: -50dB is enormous though, DSD starts this as soon as -2dB or -3dB normally, probably something else is at play here.

 

[Sallanan sandalye]

This doesn't happen with the RCA output in either DAC or pre-amp mode. It doesn't happen with the XLR output in DAC mode. It only happens in pre-amp mode and when the output is XLR. As the volume drops, the sound around -40db -50db becomes digitalized and resembles wind noise. If I continue to lower the volume, the sound is completely cut off. But the music is also completely cut off.
I don't have DSD recordings. My entire library is 16-bit FLAC.
I like listening to music through studio monitors at night, so I need to fine-tune the volume. So, I don't want to use 0db.

 

[MBO]

It is better to use an external preamplifier with this DAC, otherwise there is little point in it.

 

[Sallanan sandalye]

I have the option to return the device. It was purchased from Amazon, but I love the sound. I don't want to return it. This is the first time I've encountered this. The preamp mode is important to me. I'm wondering if this is a chip or circuit problem in the device, or a software issue. The software is fixable. Therefore, I won't return it. However, if it's a hardware issue, I want to return it before the return period expires.

 

[MBO]

Unfortunately, you misunderstood, this DAC, according to its circuit design, cannot have a full-fledged preamplifier, it would be better if Topping disabled this function altogether. But this is really an incredibly successful high-quality DAC, if you connect it or use it correctly. Therefore, I recommend a high-quality external preamplifier or replace it with something simpler or with D900.

 

[Sallanan sandalye]

Are you saying this is due to the DAC design? I have a monitor controller and a headphone amp, but I don't want to add them.

 

[MBO]

Discrete Topping D90III has a completely different circuitry from other DACs. Take a closer look at this topic.

 

[Sallanan sandalye]

I'm familiar with this circuit design. I read a lot about it on Topping's website, here, and other forums before buying this device. I also like the sound. My question is actually quite simple: If I return it and buy a new one, will I still encounter the same problem? So, is this design causing this?

 

[MBO]

Again, this design does not allow for volume control in the form that Topping did. Topping only got it right in the D900.

 

[Sallanan sandalye]

As seen in this video, there's an XLR cable. I'm using it with a Fiio K9AKM. It works fine there. I've tried other cables. Some increased, some decreased, but these sounds were always there.

 

[wwenze]

Yea, I am also thinking it may be digital signal related.

If the problem suddenly comes on at a slight adjustment of volume, it is digital. If it is continuously variable, it is analogue.

 

[theREALdotnet]

I'd say the device is defective. I would exchange it.

 

[wwenze]

I'm familiar with this circuit design. I read a lot about it on Topping's website, here, and other forums before buying this device. I also like the sound. My question is actually quite simple: If I return it and buy a new one, will I still encounter the same problem? So, is this design causing this?

Any product being recommended here should not be negatively audible functionally. So I would say the unit is defective.

If the design is defective, well, you have an opportunity to help this website improve the review process.

 

[Joe Bob]

As seen in this video, there's an XLR cable. I'm using it with a Fiio K9AKM. It works fine there. I've tried other cables. Some increased, some decreased, but these sounds were always there.

I have a D90 III Discrete running older firmware (0.39) with XLR output and I don't experience this. At -50db the sound is perfectly clean.

[edited] Even down to -70db the sound is clean.

 

[Sallanan sandalye]

I returned the device. Amazon received the refund within three days.

 

[mocenigo]

Again, this design does not allow for volume control in the form that Topping did. Topping only got it right in the D900.

Can you please elaborate? I am curious.