Topping E30 II Lite DAC review and measurements

[Zek]

If you use a DAC with a USB input, you don't need that DC power cable because the DAC is powered via the USB input.
An external DC power supply is required for the SPDIF DAC connection.

 

[DOuG pRATt]

If you use a DAC with a USB input, you don't need that DC power cable because the DAC is powered via the USB input.
An external DC power supply is required for the SPDIF DAC connection.

Yes, I know. I OWN ONE OF THESE UNITS. Let's answer the question more directly. There will be no difference in sound.

 

[Deleted member 49915]

returned this E30II Lite DAC after a week listening. In comparison to the SU-1 it has more 'body' in the mids, but lacks the finer highs the SU-1 has. Also i've noticed that in DAC Mode sound is somewhat different(not better but worse) then when in Pre Mode strangly enough.........also the filters seemed to be messed up totally....

 

[Mr Vinyl]

returned this E30II Lite DAC after a week listening. In comparison to the SU-1 it has more 'body' in the mids, but lacks the finer highs the SU-1 has. Also i've noticed that in DAC Mode sound is somewhat different(not better but worse) then when in Pre Mode strangly enough.........also the filters seemed to be messed up totally....

That's the thing about audio - you need to have pieces that fit the sound you want. If you have a brighter and thinner sounding system, then the Topping would create a better balance.

 

[MarktheRed]

Yes, I know. I OWN ONE OF THESE UNITS. Let's answer the question more directly. There will be no difference in sound.

Not sure what is wrong with mine. Even when runnning straight USB, it requires the seperate usb power connector to turn on. Firmware 2.01 is the latest. How do I into single connector mode like you and Zek?

 

[antcollinet]

That's the thing about audio - you need to have pieces that fit the sound you want.

Really no.

Have an audio system that is neutral. Put it in your room, then correct your room response AND adapt the sound to your preference with EQ or just use tone controls to approximate the sound you want.

Trying to get parts of your system to randomly compensate flaws in other parts is just an expensive trial and error approach doomed to failure.

 

[mlsstl]

Trying to get parts of your system to randomly compensate flaws in other parts is just an expensive trial and error approach doomed to failure.

But that's exactly what some people love about the hobby. It makes them feel like they are in control as they "tune" their system for the sound they prefer...

 

[antcollinet]

It makes them feel like they are in control as they "tune" their system

They may feel in control - but it is the exact opposite. The market is controlling them.

They would actually be much more in control using EQ.

 

[mlsstl]

They may feel in control - but it is the exact opposite. The market is controlling them.

They would actually be much more in control using EQ.

You miss the point -- with many "audiophiles" this is a "don't confuse me with the facts" situation. It's all about their emotional feelings, which, is fine by me. A hobby is about enjoyment and exactly what makes people happy and satisfied varies widely. No big deal if others think they are completely wrong.

 

[antcollinet]

You miss the point -- with many "audiophiles" this is a "don't confuse me with the facts" situation. It's all about their emotional feelings, which, is fine by me. A hobby is about enjoyment and exactly what makes people happy and satisfied varies widely. No big deal if others think they are completely wrong.

No, I think I understand your point. My argument though is they are never going to be happy as long as they are confused by the facts. Shortly after the last purchase that makes them happy they will be unhappy with the sound again, and chasing the next purchase to create the buzz of upgrading. They spend all their energy chasing the high of an upgrade (in other words Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and much less of it actually enjoying the sound and music. They are guided in this by the industry and their shill audio press - for obvious reasons.

Expensive and pointless.

I feel a philanthropic need to re-educate them for their own good.

 

[mlsstl]

No, I think I understand your point. My argument though is they are never going to be happy as long as they are confused by the facts. Shortly after the last purchase that makes them happy they will be unhappy with the sound again, and chasing the next purchase to create the buzz of upgrading. They spend all their energy chasing the high of an upgrade (in other words Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and much less of it actually enjoying the sound and music. They are guided in this by the industry and their shill audio press - for obvious reasons.

Expensive and pointless.

I feel a philanthropic need to re-educate them for their own good.

Maybe pointless to you, but not them.

Nah, they are doing what they like to do. You're assuming that they only want to hear music reproduced accurately. Like many hobbyists, they also want to play and experiment. Audiophiles are no different from other avid hobbyists. I have a friend that collects classic cars that are 40 and 50 years old. They cost a lot, aren't faster that what's available new, don't handle any better, are not more comfortable, far less safe, pollute more, are missing tons of technology and have reliability problems due to age. But he has a lot of pride in those cars and they bring him great joy.

Same with photography buffs and their gear. More than once my wife has bought expensive kitchen items that have been maybe used once. My sister is an avid quilter and her entire basement is filled with expensive sewing gear. Pick any hobby and you'll find those who spend a lot of money on it that leaves other people rolling their eyes.

They don't want to be "re-educated" by you or anyone else. You're wasting your time.

BTW, I happen to have an original E-30. Great DAC for the money.

 

[rongon]

returned this E30II Lite DAC after a week listening. In comparison to the SU-1 it has more 'body' in the mids, but lacks the finer highs the SU-1 has. Also i've noticed that in DAC Mode sound is somewhat different(not better but worse) then when in Pre Mode strangly enough.........also the filters seemed to be messed up totally....

Does the Topping E30II Lite really sound different from the SMSL SU-1?

Does "finer highs" mean the SU-1 has a brighter sound with more treble (or less bass)? Or does that mean you heard more 'details' in the highs from the SU-1? (More 'room sound' or 'air')

I read so many times that all these DACs should be 'audibly transparent' and should not sound much different from one to the next. Yet I also see people posting that they do indeed hear differences, and they make purchasing choices based on those perceived differences.

I have a 6 year old Topping D10 that's been in use for a long time. I like its sound well enough. Will an SU-1 or E30II Lite sound any different from the older D10?

 

[Ahmonge]

Does the Topping E30II Lite really sound different from the SMSL SU-1?

Unfortunately, this question can only be answered by you, listening to both devices. My experience with similar DACs (in particular, the Fiio K5 Pro with an AKM 4493 and the Topping D30 Pro with 4x CS43198 from Cirrus Logic) is that they sound the same, or in other words, I detect no obvious differences, although there may be subtle differences that are irrelevant to me. But of course, as others hear differences even with audio elements much less important than a DAC, you just have to experiment by yourself.

 

[staticV3]

Does the Topping E30II Lite really sound different from the SMSL SU-1?

Does "finer highs" mean the SU-1 has a brighter sound with more treble (or less bass)? Or does that mean you heard more 'details' in the highs from the SU-1? (More 'room sound' or 'air')

I read so many times that all these DACs should be 'audibly transparent' and should not sound much different from one to the next. Yet I also see people posting that they do indeed hear differences, and they make purchasing choices based on those perceived differences.

I have a 6 year old Topping D10 that's been in use for a long time. I like its sound well enough. Will an SU-1 or E30II Lite sound any different from the older D10?

Both are competent and transparent single AK4493S implementations.

Once you select the the right Oversampling filter on the E30II Lite to match the SU-1, there's nothing that can separate these in sound quality.

On the flip side, the E30II Lite's ability to choose different oversampling filters may allow you to achieve a very slightly different sound than the SU-1.

The various oversampling filters only differ above ~15kHz, so it's quite possible that you cannot hear a difference.

 

[rongon]

That's what I figured.

I would choose the E30II Lite just for the opportunity to try out the different oversampling filters and see if I can pick out any audible differences at all (at least audible to me).

The E50III looks interesting, but that's a different price category. The included PEQ feature is attractive.

Do you think the E30II Lite will sound much different from the older D10? AKM vs. ESS, etc...

 

[staticV3]

Do you think the E30II Lite will sound much different from the older D10? AKM vs. ESS, etc...

I don't.

 

[Toph17]

Good morning.
I have a Smsl S-U6 and I am very hesitant to test this little Topping E30II Lite. Do you think there might be a perceptible difference to the ear? It would be like many, in the process of testing this famous AK chip against the ESS chip of the S-U6.
THANKS

 

[staticV3]

I have a Smsl S-U6 and I am very hesitant to test this little Topping E30II Lite. Do you think there might be a perceptible difference to the ear?

Out of the box, unlikely.

If you additionally match the output voltage and Oversampling filter, then definitely not.

 

[Toph17]

Out of the box, unlikely.

If you additionally match the output voltage and Oversampling filter, then definitely not.

Currently I'm using the SMSL SU-6 as a dac connected to a small and wonderful Douk Audio P1 tube preamp. This is connected to a Crown xli-800 power unit which drives Klipsch RF82-MK2. I would be curious to test if there is an audible difference with an E30II Lite.

 

[staticV3]

Currently I'm using the SMSL SU-6 as a dac connected to a small and wonderful Douk Audio P1 tube preamp. This is connected to a Crown xli-800 power unit which drives Klipsch RF82-MK2. I would be curious to test if there is an audible difference with an E30II Lite.

If you do the test sighted, and without the appropriate controls in place, then you're likely to hear some kind of difference, even with identical sound quality out of each DAC.

For meaningful results, output voltages need to be matched with a multimeter, you need to listen not knowing which DAC is playing, and ideally, Oversampling filters should be matched as best as possible between DACs.