Topping E30 DAC Review

[ZenTraveler]

This question has been posted multiple times but I did not see an answer:

What is the output impedance of the E30 ?

I don't think they measure it since output impedance of DAC does not matter.

 

[PenguinMusic]

What is this "dirtiest" source of USB input which you used?
Have you ever measured to see if there is any difference between the signal quality on motherboards which has "DAC-up" or some other "audio grade" USB outputs to the other outputs on the motherboard \ other motherboards?

Hi Jave,

Maybe I am mistaken, but Amirn has tested several USB outputs and USB devices that are supposed to "clean" the USB signal.
If I am not wrong, measures have shown no or no significant difference between those...
But of course, there are a lot of things I do not understand here, so maybe I am all wrong :-(

Regards.

 

[boXem | audio]

I don't think they measure it since output impedance of DAC does not matter.

Wut?

 

[ZenTraveler]

Wut?

Don't confuse with output impedance of AMP.

 

[boXem | audio]

Don't confuse with output impedance of AMP.

I don't.
Try to hook up an smsl M400 to a recent topping headamp, just to hear how output impedance of a dac doesn't matter.

 

[ZenTraveler]

I don't.
Try to hook up an smsl M400 to a recent topping headamp, just to hear how output impedance of a dac doesn't matter.

I should have put usually in the original post. There are some "special" DAC that does not behave like how generally a DAC behave.

 

[boXem | audio]

I should have put usually in the original post. There are some "special" DAC that does not behave like how generally a DAC behave.

Fair enough. But these exceptions make the impedance question totally legitimate .

 

[Jave]

Fair enough. But these exceptions make the impedance question totally legitimate .

Isn't the impedance same across the FR? (seems to be the case from measurements on Topping's site) So all the difference will be in volume only, right?

 

[PenguinMusic]

I don't.
Try to hook up an smsl M400 to a recent topping headamp, just to hear how output impedance of a dac doesn't matter.

Just looked at SMSL M400.

Looks like a beast to me

Unfortunately, WAY OUT of my price league :-(

I have the E30 that I use as a pre so it outputs to my headphones directly via RCA to mini-jack 3.5mm adapter.
I have just listened to it with my AudioQuest Nighthawk...
All I can say is that I really like the sound that is coming out of this tiny little thing !!!
It is a delight to listen to the NightHawk with this one... And makes me hesitate to sell that headphone...
Will now listen to the Fidelio X2, the B&O H9i and B&W P7 "Wireless" (but in wired mode obviously...).

Regards.

 

[MissMarplesexbomb]

Just looked at SMSL M400.

Looks like a beast to me

Unfortunately, WAY OUT of my price league :-(

I have the E30 that I use as a pre so it outputs to my headphones directly via RCA to mini-jack 3.5mm adapter.
I have just listened to it with my AudioQuest Nighthawk...
All I can say is that I really like the sound that is coming out of this tiny little thing !!!
It is a delight to listen to the NightHawk with this one... And makes me hesitate to sell that headphone...
Will now listen to the Fidelio X2, the B&O H9i and B&W P7 "Wireless" (but in wired mode obviously...).

Regards.

Just buy the cheapest dac that measures well and call it a day. No ? they all sound the same anyway be it a E30 or M400.
Unless your looking for a specific feature

 

[boXem | audio]

Isn't the impedance same across the FR? (seems to be the case from measurements on Topping's site) So all the difference will be in volume only, right?

I couldn't find the an impedance vs freq measurement on the E30 page, so I have to believe you . So yes, difference in volume only. But these can be huge.

Just looked at SMSL M400.

Looks like a beast to me

Unfortunately, WAY OUT of my price league :-(

I have the E30 that I use as a pre so it outputs to my headphones directly via RCA to mini-jack 3.5mm adapter.
I have just listened to it with my AudioQuest Nighthawk...
All I can say is that I really like the sound that is coming out of this tiny little thing !!!
It is a delight to listen to the NightHawk with this one... And makes me hesitate to sell that headphone...
Will now listen to the Fidelio X2, the B&O H9i and B&W P7 "Wireless" (but in wired mode obviously...).

Regards.

Unfortunately smsl completely screwed up the output stages. Ultra high impedance + non flat over FR for RCA.
Enjoy your listening.

 

[Jave]

I couldn't find the an impedance vs freq measurement on the E30 page, so I have to believe you . So yes, difference in volume only. But these can be huge.

Unfortunately smsl completely screwed up the output stages. Ultra high impedance + non flat over FR for RCA.
Enjoy your listening.

I can't find any measurements of the impedance also now, but I swear I saw it somewhere. Anyway, why pay 800$ when you can get something as elegant and small and sonically transparent as the E30?

 

[oozy]

a noob question i have atom amp what kind of cables do i need to connect it to topping e30 im really noob in audio,
and another question did the pop sound got patched?

 

[SloPoke]

Ordinary RCA interconnects go from the E30 output to your Atom amp. Any length you need, but I think as short as can get away with usually best. I don't know about the pop sound (I haven't noticed it)

 

[Jimbob54]

Does this have a remote? Can we always get a shot of remotes? Some people like me are couch potatoes or don't have fully functioning legs lol

Contain your excitement, its not the prettiest...

6th picture down on the bar at the left

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOPPING-E3...t=&hvlocphy=9046612&hvtargid=pla-919410562234

 

[Jimbob54]

So this can be used as a DAC or as a DAC/preamp is that correct ?
If I get it right, if used as a DAC, there's no volume control, but if used as a pre it had volume control enabled ?

When you say "use as a pre-amp" what are you picturing? Its not a hub for multiple inputs, including analog inputs that can attenuate signal to pass to power amps

It can take multiple digital inputs and attenuate the level out of its RCA outputs. It is and always will be a DAC- its output is of a variable level- so you dont need another pre amp if you are feeding just this into power amp/ powered speakers.

 

[oozy]

Ordinary RCA interconnects go from the E30 output to your Atom amp. Any length you need, but I think as short as can get away with usually best. I don't know about the pop sound (I haven't noticed it)

ty another question if u dont mind can i control the sound volume from my pc or do i need play with the remote all the time,
and are there any alternative to the RCA interconnects cables?

 

[SloPoke]

Yes, you can control the volume from the PC. Or, you can also control volume with the E30 remote.

The only output on the E30 are the RCA analogue outputs. You must connect a Right and Left RCA cable to the E30 output, but there are options for the other end of said cables. The other end could be also RCA left and right connections, or could be a stereo mini plug .

 

[Zek]

are there any alternative to the RCA interconnects cables?

What alternative do you mean?

 

[oozy]

What alternative do you mean?

maybe 3.5mm to 3.5mm.

anyone got good suggestion on short RCA interconnects cables from amazon or ebay around 30 dollars my country only have long cheap cables..