Topping E30 II DAC Review

[JohnYang1997]

Good point. I think those are excellent points. I'd say, however, there's a difference between getting an exchange from, say, Western Digital or Samsung. Those brands are typically sold to consumers via retailers (not always, of course), and it is most often easier to deal with an intermediary who has the franchise, and is used to dealing with customer needs. They also have large world-wide distribution, and units are produced in the millions, if not tens of millions.

I really don't have an idea of how it is in the EU, so my ignorance is my limitation, there. But here's an hypothetical: Why doesn't Topping (or the other Chinese wunderkinds) offer warranty stations/local support in the countries they sell? In the US, this would certainly increase the price of the unit. Rent, employee costs (how many employees would they need to respond to sales/warranty claims?), inventory control, shipping, tax returns, etc.

Or deal with an established distributor of other devices who can offer peace of mind support? Like Sumiko?

Let's say it doubles the cost. That would be three hundred dollars. What if it tripled the cost? You are still only at four hundred and fifty dollars. At four times the price it's 600 USD. Is that too much to pay for a SOA (specs) DAC or headphone amp? It's still less than Benchmark pricing, for all the number crunchers in the audience. And a lot less than the folks in Binghamton charge. I mean, even at double to four times the price, they are knocking glasses with the Full of Schiit guys.

I think it is a good question Topping could answer. Not that they have to explain or justify their business model to me. Only from a consumer and 'good neighbor' point of view. And I think consumers interested in maintaining some semblance of a local economy might want to know. Or maybe no one cares, at the price point of a few Happy Meals. "Stack 'em high and watch 'em fly... Stack 'em deep and sell 'em cheap!"

One thing's for sure... even at three to four times the price, Internet Influencers could write about how it's a 'bargain' (like they always do, regardless of the price of the gear they are barking), and for at least once in their lives they'd be honest and truthful.

I think customers who buy from closest retailers/resellers are going to get very good service.
for example:
Audiophonics in EU
APOS for NA
A2A for Australia
Unless I missed something.

 

[respice finem]

Good point. I think those are excellent points. I'd say, however, there's a difference between getting an exchange from, say, Western Digital or Samsung. Those brands are typically sold to consumers via retailers (not always, of course), and it is most often easier to deal with an intermediary who has the franchise, and is used to dealing with customer needs. They also have large world-wide distribution, and units are produced in the millions, if not tens of millions.

I really don't have an idea of how it is in the EU, so my ignorance is my limitation, there. But here's an hypothetical: Why doesn't Topping (or the other Chinese wunderkinds) offer warranty stations/local support in the countries they sell? In the US, this would certainly increase the price of the unit. Rent, employee costs (how many employees would they need to respond to sales/warranty claims?), inventory control, shipping, tax returns, etc.

Or deal with an established distributor of other devices who can offer peace of mind support? Like Sumiko?

Let's say it doubles the cost. That would be three hundred dollars. What if it tripled the cost? You are still only at four hundred and fifty dollars. At four times the price it's 600 USD. Is that too much to pay for a SOA (specs) DAC or headphone amp? It's still less than Benchmark pricing, for all the number crunchers in the audience. And a lot less than the folks in Binghamton charge. I mean, even at double to four times the price, they are knocking glasses with the Full of Schiit guys.

I think it is a good question Topping could answer. Not that they have to explain or justify their business model to me. Only from a consumer and 'good neighbor' point of view. And I think consumers interested in maintaining some semblance of a local economy might want to know. Or maybe no one cares, at the price point of a few Happy Meals. "Stack 'em high and watch 'em fly... Stack 'em deep and sell 'em cheap!"

One thing's for sure... even at three to four times the price, Internet Influencers could write about how it's a 'bargain' (like they always do, regardless of the price of the gear they are barking), and for at least once in their lives they'd be honest and truthful.

AFAIK in the EU there are a few big service centers for electronics, "catering" to several companies, so they don't have to build their own. This reduces the cost "overhead".
As a sidenote: All this seems to confirm my preference to wait (if I can) and buy the "version 2.0" of anything. Preferably (like a TV) the model recently replaced. Saves money and trouble, most of the time.

 

[Trell]

Thanks for the info, i'll be updating then, though my unit doesn't seem to be affected (or I'm using the knobs too sparingly, the remote doing all the work).

As I recall not using the volume knob could cause this problem to occur earlier. So do full turns now and then to delay this, it was recommended.

My take is that is also very dependent on the environment, so humid and salty is very bad. Ditto for condensing.

As for the December firmware other: lots of new features.

 

[JohnYang1997]

That's perhaps, as the Germans say, "where the dog lies buried". You cannot be here all the time, that's for sure. But somebody should. The simple "logic" behind it: The service email is read only by the person with the issue, the forum is read by many, many more.
Alternative: an own open forum like the RME forum?

Yeah. We thought of that. But I think currently I may just come back here more often. So that people can get a peace of mind.
What I worried was when I made one reply, 10 extra followed, and then it sucked all of my time away (like old times). I will try to find a balanced. And thank you for your suggestions.

 

[respice finem]

I think customers who buy from closest retailers/resellers are going to get very good service.
for example:
Audiophonics in EU
APOS for NA
A2A for Australia
Unless I missed something.

In Germany - Amazon (delivers in 1-2 days, and returns are "no questions asked")

Amazon.de : topping DAC

 

[anmpr1]

You obviously are far less price sensitive than most so this device is not for you. Perhaps a Chord DAVE is more to your liking? After all what is $14,000 but the price of a beaten up piece of junk car?

I'd buy Topping in a heartbeat if I lived in Shenzhen, or if it had local (or even easily obtainable) warranty service.

Absent that, if I was a poor audiophile, I'd probably be looking at the Full of Schiit guys. Simply because I know I could call them up and get someone to respond, if I ever had a problem. Dealing with support via email is not my idea of support. And because I wouldn't have to send a defective item half-way around the world for inspection.

BTW, I've been poor, and never felt myself somehow underprivileged when I had to build a Dynakit because I couldn't afford a Mark Levinson. But, then again, I've never really liked the food at McDonald's that much, either. Even when I was poor.

 

[Trell]

I'd buy Topping in a heartbeat if I lived in Shenzhen, or if it had local (or even easily obtainable) warranty service.

Absent that, if I was a poor audiophile, I'd probably be looking at the Full of Schiit guys. Simply because I know I could call them up and get someone to respond, if I ever had a problem. Dealing with support via email is not my idea of support. And because I wouldn't have to send a defective item half-way around the world for inspection.

BTW, I've been poor, and never felt myself somehow underprivileged when I had to build a Dynakit because I couldn't afford a Mark Levinson. But, then again, I've never really liked the food at McDonald's that much, either. Even when I was poor.

So you compare the price of the DAC to a few meals of something you don’t even like?

I live in EU so I would not buy directly from China, even if it saved me a few Euros. However, there are EU wide resellers so my consumer rights are not affected.

Edit: As of buying from Topping and the others from China. RME ADI-2 DAC FS won because of the onboard DSP with many features, knobs for tone controls etc, proven very long term support. The documentation is excellent as well (very important to me). It does cost two to three times more than the competition, ignoring they don’t have the features snd support I need/want.

Apart from the DSP there is no audible difference, which is the point of the the DSP in the first place.

 

[JohnYang1997]

I'd buy Topping in a heartbeat if I lived in Shenzhen, or if it had local (or even easily obtainable) warranty service.

Absent that, if I was a poor audiophile, I'd probably be looking at the Full of Schiit guys. Simply because I know I could call them up and get someone to respond, if I ever had a problem. Dealing with support via email is not my idea of support. And because I wouldn't have to send a defective item half-way around the world for inspection.

BTW, I've been poor, and never felt myself somehow underprivileged when I had to build a Dynakit because I couldn't afford a Mark Levinson. But, then again, I've never really liked the food at McDonald's that much, either. Even when I was poor.

You can in fact call us though. And the service people would answer the call.
On the other hand you can certainly buy from your nearest reseller like Audiophonics for EU, Apos for NA, A2A for Aussies. I'm really sure you can get very good support from them.

 

[Robbo99999]

Would be useful somewhere in the review to point out the differences or advancements since the original E30 DAC (I have that one). (Yep, I know the review is not finished yet.)

 

[beagleman]

AKM released a new version of the chip, and the old one is scarcely available anymore.

Mic drop...

 

[sonci99]

It’s strange though that Topping are less reliable than the other chinese manufactures.
Maybe it’s because they sell more or they are experimenting a bit more especially with power ampliifers.
I have a Topping Tamp, since the T amp hype, and it has going strong like forever.

 

[Jarrett]

Would be useful somewhere in the review to point out the differences or advancements since the original E30 DAC (I have that one). (Yep, I know the review is not finished yet.)

 

[respice finem]

It’s strange though that Topping are less reliable than the other chinese manufactures.
Maybe it’s because they sell more or they are experimenting a bit more especially with power ampliifers.
I have a Topping Tamp, since the T amp hype, and it has going strong like forever.

Is this really the case or "perceived reality"? I guess no one can tell exact numbers for that.
BTW: Isn't the T-amp a Thomann brand? (scroll down a bit)

Thomann - the t.amp

the t.amp at Thomann - Europe's biggest music shop. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-Year Thomann Warranty.

www.thomann.de

/edit: O tempora... Not the T-amp, but the T.amp is the Thomann brand

 

[Sukie]

It’s strange though that Topping are less reliable than the other chinese manufactures.
Maybe it’s because they sell more or they are experimenting a bit more especially with power ampliifers.
I have a Topping Tamp, since the T amp hype, and it has going strong like forever.

It's very difficult to judge reliability and failure rates without statistical evidence. Anecdotal evidence is not the same as statistical evidence.

 

[respice finem]

It's very difficult to judge reliability and failure rates without statistical evidence. Anecdotal evidence is not the same as statistical evidence.

Exactly. And, if a dog bites a man, it's not in the next day's news, but the other way round...

 

[GWolfman]

It's always recommended to get the unit from the nearest authorised distributor/seller...

What is/are the authorized distributor(s) for the USA? Are they listed on your website?
EDIT: Just saw this reply here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../topping-e30-ii-dac-review.36028/post-1261702

BTW, your response and changes for customer care/satisfaction seems to be well grounded & sincere/genuine.

 

[Jarrett]

My early serial E30 has been working flawlessly since the E30 was released

 

[Feargal]

There are some discrepancies with Amir's measurements and the ones here - e.g. dynamic range 123dB vs Amir's 119dB.

 

[JohnYang1997]

What is/are the authorized distributor(s) for the USA? Are they listed on your website?

BTW, your response and changes for customer care/satisfaction seems to be well grounded & sincere/genuine.

For NA, Apos comes to mind.
Yes the authorized sellers are listed on the website here: https://www.tpdz.net/authorizedsellers

 

[GWolfman]

...knocking glasses with the Full of Schiit guys.

ROFL