Topping DM7 8-Channel DAC Review

[Kal Rubinson]

Forgive me if this is very obvious a question to ask, but is there any potential to use the Topping as a simple DA 'interface' with Logic Pro for example?
Having the potential for 8 or even 16 outputs at this spec and price would be amazing!

As long as you can supply it with a USB source, sure.

 

[chelgrian]

Possible discontinuation is scary for a product like this that is going to need software updates over time. I have a Motu Ultralite MK5 which has been and has a good community and support and software and firmware updates. It does have a master volume which I find essential, a remote would be nice but for me it is not essential.

I was basing that on several retailers showing it as such however many retailers will show a product as such if it doesn't have delivery date.

 

[boriscrispin]

If you want "lots of outputs" then look into pro audio recording interfaces that have ADAT expansion capability. Some of these offer 8 or 10 analog outputs plus another 8 via ADAT if you run at 48kHz. Some offer even more by having two ADAT banks. If you also use the SPDIF outputs you can get up to 20 analog output channels that way.

Indeed I have had my fair share of dedicated audio interfaces, from Motu as another mentioned, and Antelope - something about the simplicity, price and (comparatively) insane specs of the DM7 got me hoping it could function more like those

 

[boriscrispin]

As long as you can supply it with a USB source, sure.

It seems tantalising, however I have discovered that Logic Pro specifically does not support ASIO, only Apples 'Core Audio'

 

[chelgrian]

It seems tantalising, however I have discovered that Logic Pro specifically does not support ASIO, only Apples 'Core Audio'

ASIO is a Steinberg invention and was historically needed on Windows due to Windows Audio support being utterly terrible. Contemporary Windows has less need for ASIO but it's kind of stuck for various reasons. It's not needed under macOS and even Steinberg's own interfaces support Core Audio on macOS.

 

[boriscrispin]

ASIO is a Steinberg invention and was historically needed on Windows due to Windows Audio support being utterly terrible. Contemporary Windows has less need for ASIO but it's kind of stuck for various reasons. It's not needed under macOS and even Steinberg's own interfaces support Core Audio on macOS.

Then it's understandable that Apple's Logic wouldn't utilise it - I suppose I would have to just wait/hope that Topping released a Core Audio driver, if I didn't want to take a risk to see if it worked natively

 

[Atanasi]

Forgive me if this is very obvious a question to ask, but is there any potential to use the Topping as a simple DA 'interface' with Logic Pro for example?
Having the potential for 8 or even 16 outputs at this spec and price would be amazing!

Unlike professional audio interfaces, DM7 doesn't include word clock input or output, and it cannot synchronize to S/PDIF or ADAT either. Therefore, DM7 cannot be synchronized to the clock of other interfaces like a separate AD interface or an additional DA interface for more channels. This limits the suitable workflows of DM7.

 

[chelgrian]

Then it's understandable that Apple's Logic wouldn't utilise it - I suppose I would have to just wait/hope that Topping released a Core Audio driver, if I didn't want to take a risk to see if it worked natively

It doesn't need one again unlike on Windows Apple's USB Audio Class driver isn't limited. The DM7 is class compliant and uses the built in driver on macOS topping themselves have this to say

'In Windows10 and 11, DM7 can use stereo channel without driver, or install driver to support 8 channels; on MAC, you can plug and play without driver and freely configure the output relationship of different
channels.'

From:

DM7 8CH USB DAC-TOPPING

 

[glc650]

The poor sales was commented in the forum by a topping employee, but discontinued?

Last month Apos told me it was discontinued. Shortly after that stock ran out at most places. Any place with any left in stock (seems like only the silver version) is presumably what they already had on hand and once that is gone it will become completely unavailable. Even Shenzhen Audio shows the black one as sold out with very limited quantities (and at a reduced price) available of the silver one.

 

[sseppala]

It doesn't need one again unlike on Windows Apple's USB Audio Class driver isn't limited. The DM7 is class compliant and uses the built in driver on macOS topping themselves have this to say

'In Windows10 and 11, DM7 can use stereo channel without driver, or install driver to support 8 channels; on MAC, you can plug and play without driver and freely configure the output relationship of different
channels.'

From:

DM7 8CH USB DAC-TOPPING

Can any owner confirm that DM7 really requires custom driver to ouput 8-channels in Windows 11 and 10. I find this a little strange, as I could swear 8-channel output works in my Asus Xonar u7 mkII without custom driver. I quess I have to check that Windows has not automatically downloaded something, at least I have not manually installed anything.

Enabling the 8-channel output is very tricky in Windows IMO and custom driver could make it much easier. I think the default usb audio driver in Windows defaults to 2-channel output, even if more channels are available.

 

[Dave Bullet]

I can't recall what I installed, but had no problem accessing all 8 channels in Windows 10 64-bit home edition or whatever basic crappy edition this PC has . I can't recall if DirectSound or ASIO.

For Linux - 8 channels was no problem in a moderately late version of the kernel.... 6.2+ from memory? I'm running Archlinux 6.4 I think and all good.

 

[boriscrispin]

Unlike professional audio interfaces, DM7 doesn't include word clock input or output, and it cannot synchronize to S/PDIF or ADAT either. Therefore, DM7 cannot be synchronized to the clock of other interfaces like a separate AD interface or an additional DA interface for more channels. This limits the suitable workflows of DM7.

True indeed,

It doesn't need one again unlike on Windows Apple's USB Audio Class driver isn't limited. The DM7 is class compliant and uses the built in driver on macOS topping themselves have this to say

'In Windows10 and 11, DM7 can use stereo channel without driver, or install driver to support 8 channels; on MAC, you can plug and play without driver and freely configure the output relationship of different
channels.'

From:

DM7 8CH USB DAC-TOPPING

I wonder if anyone has a DM7 and uses a mac.....and Logic to see if it recognises the device.
The problem mainly i guess is not being able to check it without fully buying!

 

[pos]

Has there been any report of catastrophic failures (like 0dB volume, DC, loud pops, etc.) with the DM7?

 

[boxerfan88]

Has there been any report of catastrophic failures (like 0dB volume, DC, loud pops, etc.) with the DM7?

Nope. My DM7 remembers the set volume across mains OFF-ON cycles (both scenarios: power switch behind the unit & unplugging AC cable). My DM7 volume is set to -3dB. I suspect the volume & other configuration settings are stored in some sort of NVRAM.

No pop/clicks during playback. My DM7 is driven directly by foobar2000, and I’m using only 3 channels.

 

[Mordred]

meh i just wanted to buy one to upgrade my moviesetup. is there any alternative to the dm7?

 

[mdsimon2]

meh i just wanted to buy one to upgrade my moviesetup. is there any alternative to the dm7?

What do you exactly need it to do?

There are lots of 8+ channel USB DACs. Finding ones that offer a display and IR volume control like the DM7 is a bit tricky. Okto dac8 pro is probably the closest alternative, it is more expensive but offers significantly improved I/O.

Michael

 

[Mordred]

my plan was to use a windows machine with a dirac license with the dm7 then go to 4 pa7 plus and my subwoofer. so pretty much turn it into a single source receiver but with acceptable snr

 

[juliangst]

my plan was to use a windows machine with a dirac license with the dm7 then go to 4 pa7 plus and my subwoofer. so pretty much turn it into a single source receiver but with acceptable snr

Why don't you go for a good AVR instead? The DM7 with the PA7 amps will be way more expensive than something like a Denon 3800H and be more complicated with more limited functionality

 

[Mordred]

none of the avrs are even close when it comes to measurements except i go to the realy pricey stuff. also i am a bit paranoid and don't like anything that has alexa in it Oh and i only have one source which would be my pc.

 

[ppataki]

meh i just wanted to buy one to upgrade my moviesetup. is there any alternative to the dm7?

I am pretty sure either Topping or SMSL will come up with a successor
I had an email conversation with Topping where they confirmed that they are discontinuing the DM series but that does not mean that there will be no other series with 8 channels....
@TOPPING-Service
Can you please chime in?
Thank you