Topping E30 DAC Review

[Shando]

Wdym DC female to DC male? where would the power source be if not the computer port with USB-A?

Also would connecting it to an USB Hub have any downsides? How much size does it take?

 

[Roland68]

Wdym DC female to DC male? where would the power source be if not the computer port with USB-A?

Also would connecting it to an USB Hub have any downsides? How much size does it take?

It would be an extension for your existing USB A to DC cable.

If it's an active hub, the E30 shouldn't mind. But how do you come up with a HUB?

 

[Shando]

Ok, I understand now for the extension, that is safe with no risk of fire hazard with that type of connection vs just a longer version?

Was looking at one of these 4 or 7 port USB Hubs. I know when connected to an USB 3.0 port, everything connected to the HUB would be bottle necked by the port itself of 5 gigabits. I am not sure how much data speed the E30 needs without any loss in audio quality.

 

[staticV3]

I need a longer DC5V to USB A and USB 2.0 Type B to USB A to connect them to my computer since the cable length for the ones that came from the manufacturer are too short. I just want to confirm those are the right type of USB connectors and is there any recommended brands for those cables to purchase. I need at least 6 FT I believe. I bought a standing desk so I need it to be long enough to be able to go to standing height while connected to the computer.

Delock make good quality USB cables at a low price: https://www.delock.com/produkt/84896/merkmale.html
(notice the other lengths listed below)

When searching for a specific model locally, simply look up e.g. "Delock 84897" in Google.

 

[Roland68]

Ok, I understand now for the extension, that is safe with no risk of fire hazard with that type of connection vs just a longer version?

Was looking at one of these 4 or 7 port USB Hubs. I know when connected to an USB 3.0 port, everything connected to the HUB would be bottle necked by the port itself of 5 gigabits. I am not sure how much data speed the E30 needs without any loss in audio quality.

Please answer the question yourself. Millions of these extension cables are sold worldwide every year. How many fires have you heard of?
And we're only talking about 2.5-watt USB power; most of these extension cables are designed for 20-72 watts, and that's over many meters.

There's no speed issue with USB DACs. You could easily run four E30s on one USB 2.0 port, without any restrictions.
It doesn't matter whether you use a USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, or 3.2 hub; the E30 (and almost all other DACs) only supports USB 2.0. The hub won't change that.
If you don't need the hub, it's just unnecessary money and additional power consumption.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Please answer the question yourself. Millions of these extension cables are sold worldwide every year. How many fires have you heard of?

That approach is known as survivor bias when it comes to questions of regulatory compliance.

 

[Roland68]

That approach is known as survivor bias when it comes to questions of regulatory compliance.

My post referred, among other things, to the millions of security/surveillance camera installations in the EU, where these DC extension cables are used as standard. Apart from contact problems and defective cables, I'm not aware of any other problems.

I'm not aware of any legal regulations in the EU regarding DC cables in the low-voltage range up to 24 or 48 volts. The same applies to small-signal cables such as RCA, XLR, or USB cables.
USB-PD, for example, transmits up to 48 volts and 240 watts of power.

If you have other information on legal regulations, I'd appreciate it if you could share it.

The situation is completely different with DC/direct current cables in photovoltaic/solar systems, but we have nothing to do with that in the audio sector.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I'm not aware of any legal regulations in the EU regarding DC cables in the low-voltage range up to 24 or 48 volts. The same applies to small-signal cables such as RCA, XLR, or USB cables. USB-PD, for example, transmits up to 48 volts and 240 watts of power.

If you have other information on legal regulations, I'd appreciate it if you could share it.

I don't know the answer either, and am also curious.

My only point is that an appeal to "search the news and notice there are few (if any) adverse incidents" is not a substitute for a knowledge-based regulatory answer. Especially in the case of extension cables carrying electric voltages. Like you, I suspect 5V is entirely safe and perhaps even unregulated... but I don't know if that is true.

 

[Shando]

It would be an extension for your existing USB A to DC cable.

If it's an active hub, the E30 shouldn't mind. But how do you come up with a HUB?

There are several DC cable sizes, I emailed topping and its been over a week and have not gotten a response to what size the barrel is, do you happen to know?

 

[Roland68]

There are several DC cable sizes, I emailed topping and its been over a week and have not gotten a response to what size the barrel is, do you happen to know?

I think 2.1 x 5.5mm, but I can't say for sure until I get home this evening.

 

[Roland68]

There are several DC cable sizes, I emailed topping and its been over a week and have not gotten a response to what size the barrel is, do you happen to know?

2.1 x 5.5 mm is correct.

 

[Shando]

2.1 x 5.5 mm is correct.

Thank you!

 

[WatsonMLDev]

I accidentally plugged the Amp's cord into the Dac and it started to display "E-2" on the screen. Then when i switched it back after realizing my mistake, it now says "E-5" and won't work anymore. Did I break my DAC and need to get a new one?

 

[fritobugger]

I accidentally plugged the Amp's cord into the Dac and it started to display "E-2" on the screen. Then when i switched it back after realizing my mistake, it now says "E-5" and won't work anymore. Did I break my DAC and need to get a new one?

Sounds like you fried it.

 

[somebodyelse]

I accidentally plugged the Amp's cord into the Dac and it started to display "E-2" on the screen. Then when i switched it back after realizing my mistake, it now says "E-5" and won't work anymore. Did I break my DAC and need to get a new one?

Probably. If you're lucky there's some sacrificial component that's easy to replace locally. It's probably a question to direct to @TOPPING or their support email as they will know exactly what the error codes mean.

 

[WatsonMLDev]

Sounds like you fried it.

I was thinking I did, makes me wonder why they dont have over-current protection considering this is meant to be a stack.

 

[WatsonMLDev]

Probably. If you're lucky there's some sacrificial component that's easy to replace locally. It's probably a question to direct to @TOPPING or their support email as they will know exactly what the error codes mean.

Thanks, I'll reach out. I bought this second hand so I don't expect them to be able to do anything, it's more of can I salvage it or find a new one, or just upgrade at this point. I can't find any red e30s on eBay so if to replace it I'm going to have to mix colors.

 

[Roland68]

Thanks, I'll reach out. I bought this second hand so I don't expect them to be able to do anything, it's more of can I salvage it or find a new one, or just upgrade at this point. I can't find any red e30s on eBay so if to replace it I'm going to have to mix colors.

You could also simply replace the circuit board with a different color.

 

[somebodyelse]

I can't find any red e30s on eBay so if to replace it I'm going to have to mix colors.

Or swap the internals over.

 

[somebodyelse]

There's a diyaudio thread from someone who did the same. No mention of the error codes, or whether replacing the blown transistor fixed it - something further in may have died too.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/topping-e30-pooped-the-bed.420127/