Topping D900 DAC Review

[srkbear]

By a stretch, and by Topping rules, is not just a DAC.

It's a DAC plus their pre90, kind off, in a nicer package.

Probably the best of their two worlds in one package.
The funny thing about it is that a combination of their lower cost devices can get there as well.

Yes the analog preamp stage was a nice touch to add to their already top tier DAC architecture. I’m guessing it’s part of the story of why it’s SINAD is lower than my d90se—not that it matters!

 

[boXem]

and what is that chip?

ComTrue CT7302. Excellent teardown by @whydan is linked in the similar threads at the bottom of this page.

 

[amirm]

It's a DAC plus their pre90, kind off, in a nicer package.

It is not though. It has no analog input support. If it did, it would be superb.

 

[delta76]

The only difference among the Topping options is features, and a glitch here or there. My d90se measures better than this behemoth, but has the pesky drop out issue on the coax input for some peripherals. Some support MQA, some don’t. Some are pure DACs, some have integrated amps. Nothing audible between the ESS9038 and the newer 9039, no practical advantage between the XU216 and 316 XMOS. The only thing tempting me to upgrade is the integrated PEQ they introduced in the d50, at a third of the price!

Yeah after a while you realize there is no products strategy, as if products are made by different teams competing with each other

 

[F1Fan72]

It’s a shame that with all the real estate, the screen is that small..

 

[anphex]

Back at it, chinese manufacturers huh?

 

[Linnie]

No, unless you experience mains hum or other ground loop related noises with the Ultra and have an Amp with differential Line in.

I always had a hum problem even with my KH80 (no separate grounding) when I connected them to a RCA out via adapter. Changed to symmetrical connection and gone was all hum.

 

[Jimster480]

So does this have pre-amp support or not? I'm not sure if that is a knob on the front, the device also looks quite large... I guess to support all these inputs and outputs... It is pretty cool to see Topping create a nice 1-bit discrete solution for those who think they need it.... but overall obviously such a device is a waste of money... You can get most of these features from the DX-5 III which is like $300?

 

[staticV3]

So does this have pre-amp support or not? I'm not sure if that is a knob on the front

That is indeed a knob on the front which controls the volume.

A remote control is also included with which you can control the volume as well.

 

[Jimster480]

That is indeed a knob on the front which controls the volume.

A remote control is also included with which you can control the volume as well.

Ah okay, so then it does have full Pre-Amp support which is nice. Atleast they made a total device.

 

[Jcrow]

It’s a shame that with all the real estate, the screen is that small..

I thought the same. I have a DX5ii, which is 1/6 of the cost and maybe 1/2 the width. and it has the same screen!

 

[deitrick]

@amirm, was the firmware version installed on your test unit ever mentioned? Thanks in advance.

 

[WillBrink]

So does this have pre-amp support or not? I'm not sure if that is a knob on the front, the device also looks quite large... I guess to support all these inputs and outputs... It is pretty cool to see Topping create a nice 1-bit discrete solution for those who think they need it.... but overall obviously such a device is a waste of money... You can get most of these features from the DX-5 III which is like $300?

It's a preamp with a DAC. Why people keep referring to it as a DAC I don't know.

 

[WillBrink]

Ah okay, so then it does have full Pre-Amp support which is nice. Atleast they made a total device.

But I don't see sub outs!

 

[staticV3]

It's a preamp with a DAC. Why people keep referring to it as a DAC I don't know.

I reckon most ASR members would agree that an actual Preamp would require at least one analog input, which the D900 doesn't have.

So functionally, the D900 is similar to something like the SMSL D-6S even though the Topping attenuates in analog whereas the SMSL does it digitally.

As such, I'd say "DAC with volume control" is better description.

 

[Steven Holt]

I mean, a repair guarantee for a period of at least 10, ideally 20 years. Ideally with fixed rates or upper limits.

I don't know of any product in this hobby that has a repair guarantee of 10 years, let alone 20. Our cars, which cost $30 000 and up, do not have that. You need to be more realistic.

 

[Scytales]

I don't know of any product in this hobby that has a repair guarantee of 10 years, let alone 20. Our cars, which cost $30 000 and up, do not have that. You need to be more realistic.

Bryston used to provide a 20 years warranty time for some products: https://www.audioadvisor.com/content/pdf/Bryston_Warranty_Information.pdf

But it appears that its warranty policy has recently been revised to restrict it up to 10 years only: https://bryston.com/service-and-warranty/

 

[Roland68]

I don't know of any product in this hobby that has a repair guarantee of 10 years, let alone 20. Our cars, which cost $30 000 and up, do not have that. You need to be more realistic.

You might not understand the difference between a warranty and a guarantee on a repair that the customer pays for.
You might not be familiar enough with electronic components, development, and repairs, but something like this is perfectly possible.

Cars are a completely different example, as they experience high levels of mechanical wear and material fatigue in many areas.

With a device like the D900, the only parts that really wear out are electrolytic capacitors and relays, and these are easy and inexpensive to replace.
The rest could easily be designed to last 20-30 years, or be more repair-friendly, for just €5-10 more in production costs (sales price + approximately €20-50).

 

[Dobert]

While this claims to be a 1-bit DAC, nothing about that R2R section says 1-bit. It looks a lot more like a multi-bit modulator. That would explain that high performance it achieves. I have my doubts about those THD+SNR levels with a pure 1-bit, technical prowess or not, at some point physics wins. A well designed multi-bit modulator though .. that makes total sense.

 

[Steven Holt]

You might not understand the difference between a warranty and a guarantee on a repair that the customer pays for.
You might not be familiar enough with electronic components, development, and repairs, but something like this is perfectly possible.

Cars are a completely different example, as they experience high levels of mechanical wear and material fatigue in many areas.

With a device like the D900, the only parts that really wear out are electrolytic capacitors and relays, and these are easy and inexpensive to replace.
The rest could easily be designed to last 20-30 years, or be more repair-friendly, for just €5-10 more in production costs (sales price + approximately €20-50).

fine, name me a piece of gear that has a 20 year warranty....don't worry, I'll wait