Topping DM7 8-Channel DAC Review

[ShadowFiend]

I would have bought a DM7. Those that casused this sad situation might try thinking about the consequences of their actions. Simply demanding more & more add-ons to the device to try to suit all scenarios was very short sighted of them. They were, in effect, asking Topping to make a completely different DAC that probably would have cost at least 3 times that of the really nice & elegantly simple DM7.

To be honest, releasing a commercial multichannel DAC with just USB-input in 2021 and expecting to sell a big amount like the normal way of Topping' business model is IMHO too naive. The customer for this product are mostly diyer like me who built active speakers or some enthusiasts who want to get the best out of their ripped 5.1/7.1 content with their PC as a source. So the customer base is very limited from the beginning. Atmos or streaming content is the main driving thing for multichannel sound and they need HDMI input for that, not just USB.

If the multichannel DAC that do not have HDMI Input want to survive in the market, then it must have other features to attract customer. Okto's dac8 PRO offers multichannel AES/EBU Input and USB output to easily integrated with more devices like SACD player, Surround Processor (AltitudeCI) and Receiver to fill the holes in the market.
And if you remember, they even included miniDSP miniSHARC on their dac8 to have onboard DSP before miniDSP discontinued this modules. Not to mention, Okto Research are content with their limited sale of their DAC since they are a small group of people and Okto Research is just their side business.

So DM7 discontinued not because of unreasonable demands from customers, rather their sale is not good due to limited features and small customer base.

 

[manisandher]

The customer for this product are mostly diyer like me who built active speakers or some enthusiasts who want to get the best out of their ripped 5.1/7.1 content with their PC as a source. So the customer base is very limited from the beginning. Atmos or streaming content is the main driving thing for multichannel sound and they need HDMI input for that, not just USB.

Unfortunately, I think you're probably right.

 

[MWC]

To be honest, releasing a commercial multichannel DAC with just USB-input in 2021 and expecting to sell a big amount like the normal way of Topping' business model is IMHO too naive. The customer for this product are mostly diyer like me who built active speakers or some enthusiasts who want to get the best out of their ripped 5.1/7.1 content with their PC as a source. So the customer base is very limited from the beginning. Atmos or streaming content is the main driving thing for multichannel sound and they need HDMI input for that, not just USB.

If the multichannel DAC that do not have HDMI Input want to survive in the market, then it must have other features to attract customer. Okto's dac8 PRO offers multichannel AES/EBU Input and USB output to easily integrated with more devices like SACD player, Surround Processor (AltitudeCI) and Receiver to fill the holes in the market.
And if you remember, they even included miniDSP miniSHARC on their dac8 to have onboard DSP before miniDSP discontinued this modules. Not to mention, Okto Research are content with their limited sale of their DAC since they are a small group of people and Okto Research is just their side business.

So DM7 discontinued not because of unreasonable demands from customers, rather their sale is not good due to limited features and small customer base.

I am exactly that "...some enthusiasts who want to get the best out of their ripped 5.1/7.1 content with their PC as a source." It was ideal for this market.
I can't help but be pissed that people bought the DM7 for other purposes then found it lacking, so they don't even use it any more and here's me wanting one, but they're all gobbled up by 'disatisfied customers'. Moaning minnies that stopped Topping considering making more like the DM7.

 

[dziemian]

Yes. Topping dm7 with usb input is good for stereo plus 4-6 subwoofers nowadays. With present knowledge I need at least 5-7 channels for home cinema and 3-4 for multisub setup which means 10-12 channels at least. With okto you can use two units airh aes inputs and external pcie card for pc to have 16 channels.

 

[MCH]

I am exactly that "...some enthusiasts who want to get the best out of their ripped 5.1/7.1 content with their PC as a source." It was ideal for this market.
I can't help but be pissed that people bought the DM7 for other purposes then found it lacking, so they don't even use it any more and here's me wanting one, but they're all gobbled up by 'disatisfied customers'. Moaning minnies that stopped Topping considering making more like the DM7.

@JohnYang1997 said a few times that the DM7 was discontinued because it didn't sell. Even further, the sales were so poor that it prevented topping from making other multichannel devices:

Post in thread 'Ask me questions.' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ask-me-questions.46113/post-1644004

 

[ShadowFiend]

I am exactly that "...some enthusiasts who want to get the best out of their ripped 5.1/7.1 content with their PC as a source." It was ideal for this market.
I can't help but be pissed that people bought the DM7 for other purposes then found it lacking, so they don't even use it any more and here's me wanting one, but they're all gobbled up by 'disatisfied customers'. Moaning minnies that stopped Topping considering making more like the DM7.

Other people moaned because they have different requirement than yours. It is normal, and even if they didn't moaned, they still didn't buy this DM7. But problem is that there are too few people who have the same requirement as yours. And for Topping, they need to manufacture and sell batch of hundred unit to break even, then a small handful of customer is not enough. Market does not lie and if a product is discontinued, it is just because it does not sell well enough.

 

[Sokel]

The big hit in sales did not came only by its limited use, it also came by the second-hand market, one year old units with unusable screens (that goes for Okto Research as well, unless they fixed it)

There was epic rants about it, screens are important.

 

[dziemian]

Okto still has issues with oled screen and burn outs. They recommend auto dimming

 

[Sokel]

Okto still has issues with oled screen and burn outs. They recommend auto dimming

That's unfortunate, they should have learned by now.
It's a no deal both for the aesthetic and the functional side of things.

There must be a better solution, these cheap OLED may look nice when they are new but they never last.

 

[chelgrian]

That's unfortunate, they should have learned by now.
It's a no deal both for the aesthetic and the functional side of things.

There must be a better solution, these cheap OLED may look nice when they are new but they never last.

Don’t use OLED is the solution use a conventional backlit LCD or a VFD even if the BOM is a bit more you’ll make it back in reduced service costs and increased goodwill.

 

[Music1969]

Even further, the sales were so poor that it prevented topping from making other multichannel devices:

They stopped making their Pro Audio interfaces ? which were multichannel

 

[LesterHiggins]

@JohnYang1997 said a few times that the DM7 was discontinued because it didn't sell. Even further, the sales were so poor that it prevented topping from making other multichannel devices:

Post in thread 'Ask me questions.' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ask-me-questions.46113/post-1644004

I'll bet the reason for the poor sales was the 1/4" output jacks more than the fact that it was multichannel, I think most people are pretty unfamiliar with those and would want RCA, not knowing adapters are easy to plunk in there. Well, that, and the high price. Like they went full on 8 channel pro TRS outputs for $600 when they should have gone with 4 RCA for $300 and it would have been a totally different story. Maybe, I don't know anything at all really. EDIT: Or yeah, the busted screens would do it. Can't believe miniDSP is still using an OLED and forcing screen shut-off after max 120 seconds. I was so annoyed when I learned that after selling my 2x4 HD to buy a Flex for its screen, when in reality it's always off and so it's really just a larger, more expensive 2x4 HD.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Like they went full on 8 channel pro TRS outputs for $600 when they should have gone with 4 RCA for $300.

Sure. Quad is the coming thing.

 

[dziemian]

Rca adapters were a major failure cause of these dacs because of dc short circuits.

 

[LesterHiggins]

I still have my Okto dac8 Pro, Topping DM7, and MOTU UltraLite-mk5 units, even though I've dismantled my 3 active systems now, and don't think I'll be returning - way too much gear/clutter for my liking.

I simply can't bring myself to let go of them though... they performed duties in their respective systems perfectly.

Mani.

Um, isn't your DM7 on maverick hi fi right now? Very zen of you to practice non-attachment.

 

[LesterHiggins]

Rca adapters were a major failure cause of these dacs because of dc short circuits.

Ok, I would have shorted my DM7 then if I had one. Thanks for the heads-up, I have an SPL surround monitor controller on the way, it has 1/4" TRS outputs and I can connect to my amps w/ XLR but subwoofers are RCA so I'll make sure I have the right stuff or that the output stage is rated for unbalanced loads.

 

[LesterHiggins]

Sure. Quad is the coming thing.

You're right, nobody makes an interface with 4 outs.

 

[dziemian]

Echo Audiofire 4 https://share.google/uaCrFHSa2Hyuf6MOq

 

[manisandher]

Um, isn't your DM7 on maverick hi fi right now? Very zen of you to practice non-attachment.

Yep. I felt that hanging on to it, with no real intention of using it, was almost... selfish. But I'm not going to give it away.

 

[LesterHiggins]

Echo Audiofire 4 https://share.google/uaCrFHSa2Hyuf6MOq

Thank you - I thought it was obvious that my statement was entirely sarcastic. I typed it sitting next to a minidsp Flex with 4 out and a Lewitt Connect 6 with ... well, 4 out but 2 of them are identical. The miniDSP 2x4 HD and SHD also have 4 outs, pretty much every line of audio interfaces has a 4-out version (UA, Focusrite, Antelope, Audient has multiple, MOTU, Arturia, Apogee, RME ADI 2/4 Pro SE, I'm sure I can continue), 4-out isn't something obsolete just because rich guys with elaborate surround systems in their "home theatahs" have 8 speakers. Your average guy has a subwoofer and RCA cables and has maybe heard of crossover and would buy a DAC with 4 RCA outs at a certain price point, but that has a limit, and he isn't going to buy something with 8 TRS jacks for $500.

Also, I think there's confusion around the DM7 and using TS to RCA adapters. That will "short" the connection by grounding the cold leg but that doesn't mean "short-circuit" the device. If those adapters are causing damage to the DM7 then it has a serious engineering flaw. I have an SPL Surround Monitor Controller, its output stage are 1/4" jacks, the manual says to use TRS for balanced and TS for unbalanced loads, that's exactly how the DM7 should function.