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TOPPING D90 III Sabre DAC Review

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 12 3.0%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 32 7.9%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 104 25.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 255 63.3%

  • Total voters
    403
TOPPING has introduced the D90 III Discrete , priced at $999. As the name suggests, the D90 III Discrete is a 1-bit DAC built using discrete components
But still transparent is transparent, being a 1-bit discrete DAC doesn't make it more transparent.
10 band PEQ is a nice touch though. Still $999 is waaaay more than I'm willing to spend on a DAC.
 
But still transparent is transparent, being a 1-bit discrete DAC doesn't make it more transparent.
10 band PEQ is a nice touch though. Still $999 is waaaay more than I'm willing to spend on a DAC.
Now I have Topping dx9 15th Anniversary. Superior dac & pre
 
This was missing on the D90SE/LE
God forbids me, the lack of a 12v trigger is the only reason pushing me to upgrade from my DA90SE. But I will resist...

Or maybe just capitulate for the D90 III Discrete.
 
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But still transparent is transparent, being a 1-bit discrete DAC doesn't make it more transparent.
10 band PEQ is a nice touch though. Still $999 is waaaay more than I'm willing to spend on a DAC.
In terms of specs, I don't see any improvement over the D50 III unit. Different approach (1-bit discrete DAC vs. Hyperstream IV integrated multiple 1-bit DACs), same results.
In terms of price, the 5x difference (D50 III ~$200 vs. D90 III Discrete ~$1000) is not in favor of the D90 III Discrete.

Topping PEQs are a nice thing they recently introduced, but at the moment they slightly degrade the output characteristics of the devices.
Some firmware tweaking may be needed, if that is even possible.
 
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I had Topping D90SE, E70v, SMSL d400ex in my setup. A month ago I purchased Topping dx9 15th Anniversary. I disabled all the features that I don't use. In preamp and DAC mode, I am completely satisfied with this Topping model. The search for a DAC and preamp for my setup is over.
 
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