Topping E30 DAC Review

[amirm]

So we have a MSRP yet?

Not yet. I have asked and when I hear back, will post.

 

[amirm]

Wow, the retail cost is just US $129.99!!!

 

[Chilli]

Thats truly great performance from a tiny enclosure. Nice work.

 

[Rja4000]

Hi
Thanks for the review.

external USB power (mandatory for all inputs).

I guess you can also power it from the 5V input?
And that the 2 SPDIF are inputs too?

 

[laudio]

Good DACs these days are dime a dozen IMO. Although am curious on pricing.

 

[Sal1950]

Good DACs these days are dime a dozen IMO. Although am curious on pricing.

True, but some are better than others.

 

[laudio]

True, but some are better than others.

Yes... got refunded on my SMSL special on Ebay because it never arrived. I'll buy this one at $129 when it comes out, need another DAC in a system here.

 

[amirm]

I guess you can also power it from the 5V input?

You have to power the 5 volt input otherwise it won't work. So in my configuration, I connected two USB cables to my computer to test it.

 

[Gedeon]

Maybe one day we'll see one of this with an independent subwoofer output.

 

[daftcombo]

Maybe one day we'll see one of this with an independent subwoofer output.

Some people prefer two subs. So 4 outputs!

 

[Deleted member 9286]

Are the optical and coax inputs or outputs?

 

[JohnYang1997]

Are the optical and coax inputs or outputs?

Inputs

 

[Music1969]

There's the pure dac mode that enables it.

Yes the DAC chip has 'DSD Direct' mode but does E30 allow the user to enable this mode?

Via on-screen menu?

 

[JohnYang1997]

Yes the DAC chip has 'DSD Direct' mode but does E30 allow the user to enable this mode?

Via on-screen menu?

I believe you can hold the button while power up to enter that mode. If thats not the case it will be described in the manual.

 

[rajapruk]

Very nice product!
It is a shame I ”need” balanced outputs. And 8 channels (i.e 4pc of dacs)
@JohnYang1997 will there be a version with balanced output (xlr)? How much would that add to cost aproximately? Could it be done under $200? $150 would be a killer!

 

[Music1969]

I believe you can hold the button while power up to enter that mode. If thats not the case it will be described in the manual.

Oh very cool. HQPlayer owners will love this.

I hope all future Topping AKM based DACs allow this.

I will tag HQPlayer developer @Miska

Maybe @WolfX-700 can test it with DSD256 input...

 

[1025QW]

SMSL Sanskrit 10th AK4493 Edition have similar performance and much lower price.

 

[Koeitje]

Can you run the dashboard for the optical input? I'm planning it to use with my tv.

 

[BDWoody]

SMSL Sanskrit 10th AK4493 Edition have similar performance and much lower price.

Much lower? Like...$30 less? Ok...

 

[martijn86]

This is a very interesting product! I can imagine a lot of devices that are pretty decent but the internal DAC is just a complete letdown. Bypass almost any internal DAC with this $129 upgrade and it will be an improvement.

@amirm Were there ferrite beads on the USB cable used in testing? I wonder if it would cut down on high frequency noise and improve SINAD even further.