Topping - E30 II vs E30 II Lite

[technomad]

Hello

Which one should I buy? The price differential isn't important. Going to use it plugged into my laptop with my AKG K92 headphones mainly. Budget but very comfortable for casual listening at my desk whilst working. I am currently listening using the iFi Go Link. For a serious listening session I will be sitting in front of my HiFi.

 

[staticV3]

Both of them would require an additional Headphone Amp to be used with the AKG K92.

Therefore, perhaps consider the Topping DX1 instead. It has the same DAC chip, plus a built-in Headphone Amp.

 

[Dunring]

On Amazon they have used SMSL C200 with Aoshida-US warranty 1 yr for $125 and they sound great with all the power you need in a compact form factor.

I've gotten several and another coming in today. You'll burn out a DAC trying to run headphones off it with no amplifier. Have seen several broken ones in eBay from people doing that. The SMSL C200 at that price is a huge win.

 

[technomad]

Can't believe I missed the lack of headphone socket. Thanks for pointing that out. I own an original Cambridge Audio DACMagic but it's not in the country I am in now and takes up quite a bit of space. I had planned to move it here but ran out of baggage allowance.

 

[technomad]

I am in India so choices are fewer.

This is the place where I bought my iFi Go Link has the best choice I've seen in India and I like that it is a company run by HiFi enthusiasts.

Desktop Amps & DACs

Buy the best high-end Desktop Amps & DACs Online. Shop from a wide range of DACs and Amps from FiiO, TOPPING, iFi Audio, Gustard and others exclusively at Headphone Zone.

www.headphonezone.in

I did buy a AIYIMA DAC A5 Pro in Thailand last December and use with a pair of Edifier MR400 on my desk there. I see they are also available on Amazon India.

 

[Zek]

Maybe check this out

dac headphone amplifier

dac headphone amplifier,audio decoder all in one

www.szfxaudio.com

 

[technomad]

Honestly if HeadphoneZone don't sell it I am unlikely to find it in India.

 

[salmo]

Honestly if HeadphoneZone don't sell it I am unlikely to find it in India.

Looks like they sell Topping DX1 there, it's a nice piece of hardware. Like staticV3 said - with the same DAC chip as E30II and E30II Lite.

 

[technomad]

I will order the DX1 tomorrow. Thanks all for the advice and suggestions.

 

[mc.god]

Your headphones are very efficient and easy to drive but have a really awkward FR, I highly encourage you to eq them if you run Windows on you laptop. Topping DX1 is more than enough even with negative preamp needed for eq but you could also consider SMSL C200 and Topping DX3 Pro + (they are both on the site you linked) for more headroom.

 

[technomad]

I bought the Topping DX1 and I am happy with it so far. How would you suggest I equalize the headphone? My Legion laptop comes with Nahmic in which I always have the effects turned off.

Equalizer APO

Download Equalizer APO for free. A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11. Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure introduced with Windows Vista.

sourceforge.net

Some people seem to recommend Equalizer APO.

I also own a pair of Sony WH-1000XM3's which seemed to have a flatter response.

Squiglink - Headphone frequency response database by Kuulokenurkka

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between headphones from manufacturers like Beyerdynamic, Hifiman, Sennheiser, and more.

kuulokenurkka.squig.link

 

[staticV3]

I bought the Topping DX1 and I am happy with it so far. How would you suggest I equalize the headphone? My Legion laptop comes with Nahmic in which I always have the effects turned off.

Equalizer APO

Download Equalizer APO for free. A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11. Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure introduced with Windows Vista.

sourceforge.net

Some people seem to recommend Equalizer APO.

I would suggest you try Equalizer APO without the optional Peace GUI.
The standard EQApo GUI does just fine and has some advantages.

Your Laptop's Nahimic software should cease to function when you use USB out, so you shouldn't have to worry about that.

Attached below is a PEQ preset for the K92 which I created using https://autoeq.app/

It's a super handy tool, highly recommended.

To import it into EQApo, open the Editor, add an "Include->Include configuration file" block and load in the txt file there.

You may have to move the txt to the appropriate folder to make it readable, the software will tell you.

One thing I recommend you do is to delete the first preamp line from the txt, then manually add that preamp back into EQApo with the identical preamp value. It should look roughly like this (different preset shown here):


That way, you can easily turn the EQ on and off without a jump in volume.
Makes judging the EQ a lot easier.

Your Peak gain should never exceed -0.0dB:


If it does (the number will turn red), simply reduce the preamp gain.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Since this thread shows up when searching for info on the E30 II vs E30 II Lite, any chance someone could weigh in on the original question? Assuming the cost factor is a non-issue, are there any reasons why one might be preferred over the other? E.g., known issues in audio quality, better power usage, improved firmware, return back to active following a power off if audio is playing, etc.?

 

[DavidMcRoy]

Since this thread shows up when searching for info on the E30 II vs E30 II Lite, any chance someone could weigh in on the original question? Assuming the cost factor is a non-issue, are there any reasons why one might be preferred over the other? E.g., known issues in audio quality, better power usage, improved firmware, return back to active following a power off if audio is playing, etc.?

I have one of each and wondered the same thing. I found this from a retailer called Linsoul:

Upgrade AKM AK4493S Sound Chips​

The E30 II Lite is a simplified version of the E30 II. The difference between the E30 II Lite and the E30 II is that the E30 II has two AK4493S chips while the E30 II Lite has only one. The E30 II Lite uses AKM's VELVET Sound technology's sub-flagship AK4493S chip. lt has won wide acclaim from audio enthusiasts for its outstanding performance and top-notch sound quality. With the AK4493S, the E30 ll Lite has a dynamic range of up to 121dB and THD<0.0004%.

Wide Compatibility, Good Performance, and Compatibility​

E30 II Lite is widely compatible with operating systems including Windows 10, Windows 11, MAC, Linux, and iOS/Android systems. Simply connect the audio source and use E30 II Lite immediately. Only the driver installation and setup are required to use ASIO applications on Windows systems*. The optical and coaxial input of E30 II Lite supports up to 24bit/192kHz, which is suitable for digital turntables, CD players, set-top boxes, and game consoles so that traditional equipment can also give a new sound.

Pre-Built DAC Filters​

E30 ll Lite is capable of providing 6 filter modes under PCM decoding, and 2 filter modes under DSD decoding, enabling fine-tuning of details. The E30 II Lite can also turn off the volume control function to maintain a constant high-level output so that the E30 II Lite works as a pure DAC. In this mode, the DSD signal will directly output to the analog part, bypassing unnecessary signal conversion and making the signal more realistic. (Note: it is not the same as EQ function)

Discrete LNRD Circuit​

E30 ll Lite, like E30 II, uses DC5V for power supply, which can access almost everywhere. Topping has equipped the E30 II Lite with a Discrete LNRD circuit(Low-Noise Reference Driver), which can filter out the noise caused by the adapter and provides a stable power supply of ultra-low noise reference level. With this technology, the noise can be lower than 1.5uV