Topping D90SE Review (Balanced DAC)

[Toku]

So...What has changed after the update? I haven't seen 1.88 available anywhere. Does anyone have a link?

I think that Ver1.88 is probably not the official version but the undisclosed version that was provided experimentally.
Topping occasionally provides a undisclosed version to users with problems on a trial basis to observe changes in symptoms.
I have previously received an undisclosed version of the D30Pro.

 

[Toku]

I also did not see a changelog on their site and one reason I am hesitant to proceed. So far everything I want on the device works for me.
Check your PM

If you received Ver1.88 from Topping, you can install it without any problem.
If something goes wrong, you can reinstall the original Ver1.87 immediately.

 

[poopy]

Do you know if one of the recent firmwares fixed the problem seen with Filter #1 in the THD+N vs frequency graph?

 

[Veri]

Do you know if one of the recent firmwares fixed the problem seen with Filter #1 in the THD+N vs frequency graph?

What do you mean? The 90kHz BW response of that filter is "as expected", these are the default ESS filters which are not touched upon with firmware.

 

[poopy]

What do you mean? The 90kHz BW response of that filter is "as expected", these are the default ESS filters which are not touched upon with firmware.

Thanks Veri, so clearly there's something I don't understand from Wolf' measurements.

What are those 90kHz bandwidth curves?
Wolf showed a graphic with 2 curves for each filter (1 plain curve and 1 dashed curve). Focusing on dashed curves, filter 3,5,7 show the least distortion at high frequencies. But if you look at the plain curves labelled 90kHz BW for all filters distorsion level is even lower.
What are the meaning of those curves? Which ones to consider in practice, the plain or dashed ones?

Also you're saying that the increase in distortion for high frequencies when using filter 1 for instance is inherent to the implementation of the filter?

 

[Veri]

Also you're saying that the increase in distortion for high frequencies when using filter 1 for instance is inherent to the implementation of the filter?

Yes. These filters are designed around trade-offs after all. Wolf's measurement differs in that he uses multiple bandwidths (currently he has 22k, 40k, 90k) while amir is only done in 90k to point out ultrasonics/leakiness of the filter.

These differences are more academic that not though, as long as all is fine in the audible range. But a proper suppression of artifacts/images is what a good filter should display. The AKM chip filters are noticeably worse compared to the better ESS ones, but they still "sound" fine...

 

[poopy]

Yes. These filters are designed around trade-offs after all. Wolf's measurement differs in that he uses multiple bandwidths (currently he has 22k, 40k, 90k) while amir is only done in 90k to point out ultrasonics/leakiness of the filter.

These differences are more academic that not though, as long as all is fine in the audible range. But a proper suppression of artifacts/images is what a good filter should display. The AKM chip filters are noticeably worse compared to the better ESS ones, but they still "sound" fine...

I got it, thanks for the clarification! I realised too late that in Wolf's graph the dashed curves are the 90kHz BW.

 

[fred38]

Hello,

I have a problem with the preamp/DAC mode (static noise, crackles and popping). The DAC feeding directly my power amp (NAD C275BEE).
I have tested 2 x 90LE and 1 x 90SE, and I still have the same problem.
In simple DAC mode, they work perfectly.

I managed to reproduce the fault at a friend's house, and my dealer confirmed the problem on the 90LE which I sent back.

Can anyone give me feedback on using the 90SE/LE connected directly to a power amp?
I despair, I'm about to give up....

More details: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...e-topping-d90se-and-d90le.36340/#post-1275173

Thanks

 

[Eddy H.]

Hello,

I have a problem with the preamp/DAC mode (static noise, crackles and popping). The DAC feeding directly my power amp (NAD C275BEE).
I have tested 2 x 90LE and 1 x 90SE, and I still have the same problem.
In simple DAC mode, they work perfectly.

I managed to reproduce the fault at a friend's house, and my dealer confirmed the problem on the 90LE which I sent back.

Can anyone give me feedback on using the 90SE/LE connected directly to a power amp?
I despair, I'm about to give up....

More details: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...e-topping-d90se-and-d90le.36340/#post-1275173

Thanks

I'm using a pre90 from my D90se because I couldn't stand the static and noises I would get when changing sources in pre mode.

 

[fred38]

I'm using a pre90 from my D90se because I couldn't stand the static and noises I would get when changing sources in pre mode.

My problem is not only when changing tracks. When the defect appears, it is present throughout the song, only stopping the DAC allows to stop it.

 

[Eddy H.]

My problem is not only when changing tracks. When the defect appears, it is present throughout the song, only stopping the DAC allows to stop it.

Do you have noise when nothing is playing?

 

[fred38]

Do you have noise when nothing is playing?

I think so. I did a lot of testing before I went on holiday, but I have my doubts. If it's important, I can do another test.
What I do remember is that even when you turn the sound down very low, the flaws, keep the same sound level.

 

[Eddy H.]

I think so. I did a lot of testing before I went on holiday, but I have my doubts. If it's important, I can do another test.
What I do remember is that even when you turn the sound down very low, the flaws, keep the same sound level.

Sounds like you got a bad unit. Have you tried updating the dac to the latest firmware? Maybe that might help.

 

[fred38]

Sounds like you got a bad unit. Have you tried updating the dac to the latest firmware? Maybe that might help.

I have encountered the problem with 3 different units (2xD90LEs which I sent back, and recently the 1xD90SE which I still own). For one of the D90LEs, my dealer managed to reproduce the fault, and I also reproduced it at a friend's house.
It would be quite a coincidence to have 3 defective units. Unless the problem is present on all the dacs on the market....

Regarding firmware, the D90LE there is none available. The D90SE is not up to date, but I don't dare to do it because I'm considering sending it back.

Did you use the D90SE for a long time before buying the PRE?

 

[Eddy H.]

I have encountered the problem with 3 different units (2xD90LEs which I sent back, and recently the 1xD90SE which I still own). For one of the D90LEs, my dealer managed to reproduce the fault, and I also reproduced it at a friend's house.
It would be quite a coincidence to have 3 defective units. Unless the problem is present on all the dacs on the market....

Regarding firmware, the D90LE there is none available. The D90SE is not up to date, but I don't dare to do it because I'm considering sending it back.

Did you use the D90SE for a long time before buying the PRE?

I got the pre90 a couple months after the dac.

 

[crispynz1]

I use my D90SE (1,87 firmware) into my power amplifier (ATC P1) with no issues at all.

 

[fred38]

I got the pre90 a couple months after the dac.

I use my D90SE (1,87 firmware) into my power amplifier (ATC P1) with no issues at all.

Thank you for your contribution.
What kind of files do you listen to? Because the problem seems to occur when playing DSD / PCM 192 (or higher).

 

[Sheriff1972]

I use my D90SE (1,87 firmware) into my power amplifier (ATC P1) with no issues at all.

I had the same issues.
I bought an old flying mole power amp, and wanted to use it with the d90se, but there was terrible static noise when using it. No noise when being driven by my marantz HD-DAC1.

I have updated the firmware since then and not tried it since...

 

[Eddy H.]

I have encountered the problem with 3 different units (2xD90LEs which I sent back, and recently the 1xD90SE which I still own). For one of the D90LEs, my dealer managed to reproduce the fault, and I also reproduced it at a friend's house.
It would be quite a coincidence to have 3 defective units. Unless the problem is present on all the dacs on the market....

Regarding firmware, the D90LE there is none available. The D90SE is not up to date, but I don't dare to do it because I'm considering sending it back.

Did you use the D90SE for a long time before buying the PRE?

Are you using the balanced connection on the dac?

 

[crispynz1]

Thank you for your contribution.
What kind of files do you listen to? Because the problem seems to occur when playing DSD / PCM 192 (or higher).

Ok, I am not playing High Res files.