Topping E50 II DAC is up on the Topping Store

[ziggurcat]

Thanks for that.
A followup:
Can I stream my CD transport into the dac's USB c port? (I know some USB in will only play from a solid-state drive, etc)

What transport? I've only seen Optical or Digital COAX outputs on the transports I've looked at.

 

[roddo]

What transport? I've only seen Optical or Digital COAX outputs on the transports I've looked at.

Shanling CR60 Digital Transport CD Ripper (Silver)​

1. 
   
   
2. 
   
   
3. 
   
   
4. 
   
   
5. 
   
   
6. 
   
   
7. 
   
   
8. 
   
   
9. 

I think there is an smsl transport that also transmits via USB.

 

[ziggurcat]

Shanling CR60 Digital Transport CD Ripper (Silver)​

1. 
   
   
2. 
   
   
3. 
   
   
4. 
   
   
5. 
   
   
6. 
   
   
7. 
   
   
8. 
   
   
9. 

I think there is an smsl transport that also transmits via USB.

I'm not sure what the technical advantage to using USB vs Optical/Digital COAX would be, but if you were to use the PEQ feature on the DAC, you can't set the sample rate higher than 192kHz anyway, so whatever sample rate advantage you might get with USB would be moot. You could probably use the USB input anyway, though.

This device has peaked my interest, though because I would love to re-rip all of my CDs.

 

[roddo]

I'm not sure what the technical advantage to using USB vs Optical/Digital COAX would be, but if you were to use the PEQ feature on the DAC, you can't set the sample rate higher than 192kHz anyway, so whatever sample rate advantage you might get with USB would be moot. You could probably use the USB input anyway, though.

This device has peaked my interest, though because I would love to re-rip all of my CDs.

I actually did some a/b testing with the inputs. I had reasonably decent cables for all 3 input types, and found USB to sound more rich/resolving. Data rates aside, maybe its my cables, or an input to my DAC, but either way, it'd what I settled on, and sounds great. Zero fatigue.
I picked this particular one because it rips, and it has a slide tray so no risk of scratching CDs like the car conversion players sometimes do. Its been flawless.

 

[dcolak]

$8,000, dude. $8,000. 8x the cost for identical performance? I know to whom my money would go.

If it is "identical" like fosi v3 mono, I don't want it. Not saying it is.

I just connected fosi's, where did all the bass go? Everything sounds so thin. With two 48V 10A psu's. Horrible sound, can't stand it, will be putting back 5W TA2024.

 

[dcolak]

You guys probably already think I'm crazy, but, in all my refusal to accept Fosi is so bad, I did something I never did before... I switched from xlr to rca connection between the dac and fosi's. Bass is back, voices are no longer metallic, everything sounds normal. Fosi's at 25dB gain, topping at low gain.

What in a world?! Cable? I did try several different xlr cables before, always sounded bad.

 

[Julf]

You guys probably already think I'm crazy, but, in all my refusal to accept Fosi is so bad, I did something I never did before... I switched from xlr to rca connection between the dac and fosi's. Bass is back, voices are no longer metallic, everything sounds normal. Fosi's at 25dB gain, topping at low gain.

What in a world?! Cable? I did try several different xlr cables before, always sounded bad.

We don't think you are crazy, but until you verify your subjective perceptions by a proper double blind test, we will probably not take them very seriously.

 

[Gregm]

You guys probably already think I'm crazy, but, in all my refusal to accept Fosi is so bad, I did something I never did before... I switched from xlr to rca connection between the dac and fosi's. Bass is back, voices are no longer metallic, everything sounds normal. Fosi's at 25dB gain, topping at low gain.

What in a world?! Cable? I did try several different xlr cables before, always sounded bad.

Why don't you give a FR measurement for either iteration a go, and compare the results--from your listening position of course.

 

[alebucc91]

The Topping Tune app on Windows can't connect to the E50ii DAC. It works fine for a while, but then I have to reflash the DAC firmware from scratch to get it working again. Do you know why?

 

[ziggurcat]

The Topping Tune app on Windows can't connect to the E50ii DAC. It works fine for a while, but then I have to reflash the DAC firmware from scratch to get it working again. Do you know why?

You might have to ask Topping. There would otherwise be no reason for that to happen.

 

[dcolak]

Why don't you give a FR measurement for either iteration a go, and compare the results--from your listening position of course.

Ok, here it is, sitting position. 1/6 smoothing.

YELLOW: Topping E50II -> RCA -> Topping PRE90 -> RCA -> 2 x Fosi v3 Mono 25 dB gain

RED: Topping E50II -> XLR -> Topping PRE90 -> XLR -> 2 x Fosi v3 Mono

Just figured it out, if I sweep up to 22Khz I get up to 16Khz recording, unfortunately I used 30Hz-20Khz and for some reason it stops at around 10Khz.

Hm, yeah, it sounds more metalic via xlr... doesn't seem right, soundstage is flat-squashed.

It would be better to record amp out directly, no idea how to do that.

Microphone was in a fixed position, speakers are much flatter measuring if I hold microphone where my head is but... that would've invalidated comparison of rca vs xlr as I would not be able guarantee microphone's position, if I held the mic in my hand.

 

[Julf]

Ok, here it is, sitting position. 1/6 smoothing.

For being done with a mic, the curves are surprisingly close to each other. Did you try multiple measurements with the same setup to see how much just where you stand influences the result?

Hm, yeah, it sounds more metalic via xlr... doesn't seem right, soundstage is flat-squashed.

So, again, how about a proper double-blind listening test?

 

[Mort]

, yeah, it sounds more metalic via xlr... doesn't seem right, soundstage is flat-squashed.

You might get more favorable responses to this nonsense elsewhere.

 

[Hayabusa]

Hm, yeah, it sounds more metalic via xlr... doesn't seem right, soundstage is flat-squashed.

Did you put the XLR in you ear?

 

[roddo]

What are the differences between the desktop and phone/tablet apps?

If I wanted to take room/speaker measurements, what additional gear / software would I need, and how could I apply the peq function to correct any deficiency?

 

[dcolak]

For being done with a mic, the curves are surprisingly close to each other. Did you try multiple measurements with the same setup to see how much just where you stand influences the result?

So, again, how about a proper double-blind listening test?

Yes, I made many measurements, same results always. Behringer microphone. I did not "stand" near it, it was on a pedastal.

I measured many speakers, measurements are repeatable, why whouldn't they be?

So, now we are going to ignore the measurements showing different results?

 

[Julf]

Yes, I made many measurements, same results always. Behringer microphone. So, now we are going to ignore the measurements showing different results?

Can you show us those many measurements? As I wrote, I am not surprised there are differences when measured with a mic. I would love to see evidence of audible differences.

 

[Sokel]

Ok, here it is, sitting position. 1/6 smoothing.

YELLOW: Topping E50II -> RCA -> Topping PRE90 -> RCA -> 2 x Fosi v3 Mono 25 dB gain

RED: Topping E50II -> XLR -> Topping PRE90 -> XLR -> 2 x Fosi v3 Mono

Just figured it out, if I sweep up to 22Khz I get up to 16Khz recording, unfortunately I used 30Hz-20Khz and for some reason it stops at around 10Khz.

Hm, yeah, it sounds more metalic via xlr... doesn't seem right, soundstage is flat-squashed.

It would be better to record amp out directly, no idea how to do that.

Microphone was in a fixed position, speakers are much flatter measuring if I hold microphone where my head is but... that would've invalidated comparison of rca vs xlr as I could not guarantee microphone's position.

View attachment 536365

This results are weird, to say the least.

A good way to repeat them taking some room out of the equation is at one meter and gated.
That would be a good proof.

 

[dcolak]

This results are weird, to say the least.

A good way to repeat them taking some room out of the equation is at one meter and gated.
That would be a good proof.

The room does not change, nothing changed but going from rca to xlr. We are measuring the difference, not how flat speakers sound.

Measurements show different sound via rca vs xlr, which goes in line with what I heard.

 

[dcolak]

Can you show us those many measurements? As I wrote, I am not surprised there are differences when measured with a mic. I would love to see evidence of audible differences.

This is turning out to be ridiculous. Now you are doubting I can hear a 3db difference in 10+ Khz range. I think I am done with this conversation.