Topping E50 Review (Balanced DAC)

[Gradius]

Is powering off USB fine or would it be a good idea to get a plug for the E50?

Is fine, but because of isolation, and isn't expensive at all, I use a GST25A05-P1J:

https://www.meanwell.com/Upload/PDF/GST25A/GST25A-SPEC.PDF

Total overkill I know (4A), but can use it to another things if I ever needed.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

i just received my E50 and extremely happy with it, very very nice sounding dac. I use it at max volume (0.0) and zero additional noise it adds to the sound. One thing that was very surprising for me was when i use usb connection and my graphic card kicks in, E50 is filtering the noise perfectly and there's no audible difference between graphic card is in use and dac is turned off. My previous dacs with same pc were used to badly affected by graphic card in load..E50 is simply filtering it perfectly. Amazed. Also, built quality, touching sense etc. feels premium. This is a solid dac. Highly recommended.

I agree, in fact dont buy this dac if the quest of finding one gives you more of a thrill than the finding. I suffer from that. I find myself thinking "I might get a new dac" then after some mentle chewry I switch on my system and listen via the E50 and it surprises me every time I do and my desire to buy another model dissipates. It's very good value for money. I would say probably one of the best value dacs even in 2024. In fact the only dac I would personally consider to replace my E50 might be with the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200m but that's twice the price and I certainly don't need to do that, great dac from Topping!

 

[MLaranjeiras]

I quite like this shot, well done! Topping ought to consider taking a few shots like this for marketing purposes.

Yeah. Could only include on display, 16bit, 24bit, 32bit…

 

[Dunring]

I just got another E50 in and the Samsung ETA0U60JBE phone chargers work especially well with these. Ken Shirriff did a big comparison of chargers and the Samsung measure great and so cheap on eBay from phone liquidators.

A dozen USB chargers in the lab: Apple is very good, but not quite the best

When you buy a USB charger, how do you know if you're getting a safe, high-quality charger for your money? You can't tell from the outside...

www.righto.com

I bought a bunch and put them on a USB volt meter to weed out the duds. Some tested at 800ma to 900ma (over the rated 700). Listening to it on a Topping A90 and doesn't get much better unless you need different connectivity. Have a Topping D10b here and audibly there's no way to tell the difference, nice to have the RCA out and power on/off. I use a USB hub so have a power button on each plug anyway. Clean power really helps over noisy USB ports.

 

[Palladium]

Yeah I subjectively noticed slightly clearer highs on my E50 when plugged to a Samsung 25W USB-C charger versus my PC USB port.

Probably not pass an ABX but such a cheap solution, so why not.

 

[Oldson]

i am finding the output of my E50 a bit too high in dac mode, supplying my Project Ember amp.
cant get past 8 oclock on the vol pot.
would i be best off using the E50 in pre mode and turning volume down or using rca attenuators?
have read that both options can degrade the sound

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

A little attenuation on the E50 is no problem. Or, if your software has a good digital volume control implementation (e.g., Roon), DSP volume would work. Other solution is to find an amp that can handle the full 2V (or 4V, if balanced) voltage swing as this is standard.

 

[Saponetto]

Not in a way you could ever listen.
Use the pre mode as well.

 

[formdissolve]

Just use pre mode and dial it back a few dB to your tastes. There will be no sound degradation you will notice since the noise floor is many times lower on the DAC compared to your tube amp.

 

[Gradius]

Finally is out:

V5.68 driver for most of TOPPING DACs - TOPPING AUDIO

www.toppingaudio.com

V5.68.0 (February 5, 2024):

* Fix: Installer secure problem
* Fix: Deadlock during wake up

 

[fatoldgit]

Question:

Does the E50 come with trs to xlr adapters like my D10B did?

If not, will the D10B adapters fit the E50 (i.e. the spacing between the trs outputs is sufficient)?

Or can someone with a E50 measure the centre to centre spacing so I can compare to the D10B

Thanks,

Peter

 

[Toku]

Question:

Does the E50 come with trs to xlr adapters like my D10B did?

If not, will the D10B adapters fit the E50 (i.e. the spacing between the trs outputs is sufficient)?

Or can someone with a E50 measure the centre to centre spacing so I can compare to the D10B

Thanks,

Peter

The TRS/XLR adapter barely fit on the D10B, so I don't think it would work with the E50, which has a narrower TRS jack spacing.
The accessories for the E50 are all those shown on the website.

 

[Laserjock]

Question:

Does the E50 come with trs to xlr adapters like my D10B did?

If not, will the D10B adapters fit the E50 (i.e. the spacing between the trs outputs is sufficient)?

Or can someone with a E50 measure the centre to centre spacing so I can compare to the D10B

Thanks,

Peter

Approximately 9/16” or 0.5625”

I use the adapter with short cable attached

 

[Labjr]

Or replace the XLR plug with TRS.

 

[usern]

I find adapters cumbersome. You can very likely buy patch cables with correct plugs on both ends.

 

[forart.it]

Is powering off USB fine or would it be a good idea to get a plug for the E50?

I do power it through this exoteric DIY PSU (buyed used for 20 bucks from a friend) equiped with JLH RE module:

...anyway - as @Dunring pointed out too - many confirmed that a good smartphone charger is more than enough.

But NEVER power any audio device through PC USB ports !!

 

[fatoldgit]

The TRS/XLR adapter barely fit on the D10B, so I don't think it would work with the E50, which has a narrower TRS jack spacing.
The accessories for the E50 are all those shown on the website.

yep

looking at this, using the RCA's as a guide it shows only standard TRS plugs need apply.

 

[Laserjock]

yep

looking at this, using the RCA's as a guide it shows only standard TRS plugs need apply.



View attachment 375873

Did my measurement not suffice?

 

[fatoldgit]

Did my measurement not suffice?

Highly inaccurate I'am afraid.

I was reduced to measuring the typical width of an RCA connector then transposing that into a photo of the back of the DAC and then using that as a gauge to determine the TRS spacing.

You let me down badly when I needed you the most!!!

But that's typical of you and I have no idea why I maintain our longstanding relationship... maybe I have Stockholm Syndrome?

In all seriousness, I thank you for your effort and I really should have been able to determine it myself as the photo made it obvious only normal TRS plugs would fit.

Regards,

Peter

 

[Labjr]

Will Neutrik and Amphenol TRS plugs fit?