Topping E50 II DAC is up on the Topping Store

[tccalvin]

How old are you? I'm 50 and hear nothing above 11kHz.. these filters are for teenagers

Not quite. Reconstruction filters that cut out ultrasonic content are needed because of their ability to mitigate inter-modulation distortion in the audible band. See here:

 

[Rotel75]

Not quite. Reconstruction filters that cut out ultrasonic content are needed because of their ability to mitigate inter-modulation distortion in the audible band. See here:

Wow, the more I learn about digital to analog conversion the more I see how complex it is.
To sum this video up: there's normaly only one filter that technicaly makes sense and everything else can cause unpredictable distortion

 

[tccalvin]

Wow, the more I learn about digital to analog conversion the more I see how complex it is.
To sum this video up: there's normaly only one filter that technicaly makes sense and everything else can cause unpredictable distortion

I would only add that the fast minimum-phase filter is useful for latency-critical applications and is the default in audio interfaces, effect pedals, musical instruments, budget DACs...

It does introduce some phase distortion, but it's the best compromise when you need an instant response from your sound output.

 

[williaty]

Does anyone know which filter in the E50 II corresponds to the linear phase brickwall filter that the video demonstrates is the correct choice?

The older Topping DAC he tested had a default of Filter 1 and it was the correct filter. The E50 II defaults to Filter 3. They're listed in the manual as:

F1 Sharp Roll-off Filter
F2 Slow Roll-off Filter
F3 Short Delay Sharp Roll-off Filter (Default)
F4 Short Delay Slow Roll-off Filter
F5 Super Slow Roll-off Filter
F6 Low-dispersion Short Delay Filter

In the measurements of the filters on the D50 III, it looks like the correct filter is most likely to be 3, but I can't find any evidence that the D50 III and E50 II have exactly the same filter selections and ordering.

 

[tccalvin]

Does anyone know which filter in the E50 II corresponds to the linear phase brickwall filter that the video demonstrates is the correct choice?

F-1 from the manual.

 

[williaty]

F-1 from the manual.

Unfortunately, the manual uses nonstandard names for the filters. Where have you found evidence that "Sharp Roll-Off Filter" is Topping's way of saying "Linear Phase Brickwall"?

 

[tccalvin]

Unfortunately, the manual uses nonstandard names for the filters. Where have you found evidence that "Sharp Roll-Off Filter" is Topping's way of saying "Linear Phase Brickwall"?

Just my experience reading manuals and spec sheets. Linear-phase will often be omitted or called "Latency Compensated" and minimum-phase will be called "Short Delay" or "Low Latancy".

 

[williaty]

Just my experience reading manuals and spec sheets. Linear-phase will often be omitted or called "Latency Compensated" and minimum-phase will be called "Short Delay" or "Low Latancy".

Pulling at strings on the internet, there's more circumstantial evidence that you're correct. Searching for the wording of the filter names shows they seem to come direct from AKM. Then Wiim has a description of the Sharp Roll-Off Filter as

• Key Feature: Steep roll-off, attenuating frequencies just outside the desired range.
• Benefit: Reduces aliasing effectively but may introduce ringing artifacts.
• Suitable Audience: Those seeking precise signal reproduction, especially in complex tracks.

That does sound like a linear-phase filter.

 

[Moon5123]

I am looking at E50II for my speaker setup, but having few questions, can anyone who is owning the unit confirm:
Is E50II is balanced internally?
And is PEQ also works with coaxial and optical input or its only available on usb and bluetooth?

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

I am looking at E50II for my speaker setup, but having few questions, can anyone who is owning the unit confirm:
Is E50II is balanced internally?
And is PEQ also works with coaxial and optical input or its only available on usb and bluetooth?

Thanks a lot in advance!

AK4497S is a fully balanced/differential converter, so I would imagine that Topping would take advantage of that. It appears the I/V stage is also fully balanced/differential, feeding the TRS outputs.

 

[Bjoran]

I am looking at E50II for my speaker setup, but having few questions, can anyone who is owning the unit confirm:
Is E50II is balanced internally?
And is PEQ also works with coaxial and optical input or its only available on usb and bluetooth?

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[mainframe]

Quick measurements of my one, loaded down to about 4.6V by the low input impedance of the E1DA's ADC. FW146. Great Swiss-knife unit that will replace both my E70 and E30. Can power E50II directly from USB outlet, but I did get a marked ~12dB THD+N improvement powering it from a wall wart. I'd put that down to loop noise though, and the internal power input filtering is probably better than anything my laptop spits out.

Although the 3rd and cascading odds are higher - probably due to the ADC than the DAC - the THD+N meets toppings published spec of 120dB so I'm happy.

 

[mlsstl]

Not quite. Reconstruction filters that cut out ultrasonic content are needed because of their ability to mitigate inter-modulation distortion in the audible band.

While I don't have an E50 II, I've experimented with several other DACs that have various filter options and have to say Ive never heard a difference between any of the settings.

 

[pedros_2005]

Unfortunately, although it worked perfectly until today, after less than three months of use, it seems that the Topping E50ii DAC broke. I tried it with all kinds of cables: optical, coaxial (on the input), trs, simple rca (on the output) but, after a few minutes of normal operation, the result is the same: interrupted sound and a lot of unpleasant noises (rattling, popping, hissing, etc.). Too bad, because the sound was really good when it worked. The DAC received a signal from a Wiim pro streamer and sent it to a Topping PA5 ii plus amplifier. With the streamer connected directly to the amp. there is absolutely no problem. The problems only appear when I put the DAC in the audio chain...

 

[Pausi]

That's a shame. Hopefully this was just one bad apple. Get a new one on warranty and please update here if you get problems with the new unit also.

 

[pedros_2005]

In the meantime, it seems to have recovered. I can't explain why it was working so poorly this morning. I'm monitoring the situation!

 

[RedLine]

Quick measurements of my one, loaded down to about 4.6V by the low input impedance of the E1DA's ADC. FW146. Great Swiss-knife unit that will replace both my E70 and E30. Can power E50II directly from USB outlet, but I did get a marked ~12dB THD+N improvement powering it from a wall wart. I'd put that down to loop noise though, and the internal power input filtering is probably better than anything my laptop spits out.

Although the 3rd and cascading odds are higher - probably due to the ADC than the DAC - the THD+N meets toppings published spec of 120dB so I'm happy.

View attachment 517778

Hi, I was wondering what software you use to take measurements like this?

 

[mainframe]

REW

 

[Sokel]

Hi, I was wondering what software you use to take measurements like this?

REW or Multitone Analyzer, the later has a thread here as well.

 

[Bleib]

A friend wants to buy this DAC (so he can control some things with a tablet), but he's concerned about how much the volume must be lowered to put it to 4v output or slightly below. Anyone know?