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Topping E50 Review (Balanced DAC)
- Thread starter amirm
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According to this drawing 14.5mm wide and my measurement ~ 14.3mm center to center, they will not.
Gradius
Addicted to Fun and Learning
There is NO real reason to use "balanced" on E50 as is SINGLE ended (just like RCA).
Saponetto
Active Member
afaik, TRS outputs of the E50 are actually balanced outputs.
The E50's TRS output is a 100% balanced output achieved through the combination of an op amp.
Lol, well I didn’t use my calipers but I did say “approximately”..
I have no real experience with TRS plugs (in audio playback scenarios... always used XLR for balanced) and based on my query and those of others, Topping appear to have shot themselves in the foot with regard to the TRS spacing (or lack there of) on this DAC and others they have.
Their decision to make the cases as small as possible strikes again (heat dissipation being another issue related to this). The limited spacing reduces end user plug options which mean no sale (anecdote of one..me!!!)
Balanced connectors in consumer audio are XLR (as we all know) so what would it really take for them to make cases that support this. We are talking maybe a 10mm increase per socket or 20mm in total (height and width)
Of course it could be a specific plan to force consumers who want XLR to pay way more for DAC's that have these.. sure our cheaper TRS DAC's measure the same as those with XLR so if you want XLR please pay us 3X more.
Means I look else where (different vendor) for XLR based DAC's
Peter
My comment about chassis size V heat was more related to small footprint amps (Topping and many others) but for example, the Topping HS01 USB "cleanser" (which was cheap enough to try as a tweak) got (I dont use it now) very hot which was strange given the low level of signals it dealt with.
In relation to size overall, I guess due to long term habitation (I am old'ish @64) that I tend to go full width on my components and will pay more for a nice case
If I am going to spend money I would like some "ownership pride" [noting its not about showing off... I have no friends...literally, its the way I have always been but I am married so not a total loser]..... I just like sitting down in my listening chair in my dedicated room and having some nice looking gear looking back at me.
And again due to habitation and decades use of XLR's for all my connections, TRS is a bit left field for me.
Peter
@fatoldgit what is your use case for something like the E50 ?
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I have a TOPPING D10B and A30Pro with TRS outputs and/or inputs, and I have no problem using Neutrik NP3X plugs on either of them. So I'm not sure which other TOPPING devices you mention that are "shooting in the foot".
I also have a stereo audio mixer with 0.5" (12.7 mm) spacing from top to top for the aux-send and aux-returns. While it does not leave much room to spare, I have no problem using Neutrik NP3X connectors here as well — a small space gap even still remains between the connectors despite that size. So given I can work within 12.7 mm, I'm not convinced that the TOPPING E50's 14.5 mm spacing is a real issue either.
While I know that XLR is your experience and preference, can you please provide any reference to standards that indicate XLR should be used instead of TRS for balanced connections on consumer audio devices?
In my audio chain, quite a few devices take only TRS or use XLR/TRS combo jacks, including the referenced TOPPINGs, stereo mixer, and RME ADI-2 Pro. Now granted, those are not strictly "consumer audio", so maybe TRS is perfectly acceptable for professional studio equipment while being against the standards for consumer audio devices.
Just to be clear: I'm not against XLR and have grown quite fond of them after spending too much trying trying to solder well within the tighter space of the Neutrik TRS connectors. Given the option, I'd also prefer XLR over TRS. My note above was simply to clarify that the TRS isn't a wrong answer (even on these TOPPING devices), even if it is not the preferred one for our purchase.
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I wouldn't mind TRS if Topping used better quality jacks. For me, it's about mechanical integrity. I service guitar amplifiers and pro audio equipment. I've probably replaced hundreds of cheap plastic jacks. Granted, they get more abuse in those applcations.
You mean the female TRS connectors that Topping uses on E50 are low quality?
Saponetto
Active Member
My E50 is plugged with a pair of TRS Neutrik NP3X without hassles.
14.5mm plug overall diameter.
14.5mm plug overall diameter.
Guess I was wrong, are they touching each other?
kchap
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Are you using TRS<>XLR adapters connect to XLR<>XLR cables? If you are a better solution is to purchase TRS<> XLR cables.
No adapters per se. Either TRS<>TRS or TRS/XLR short cable to regular
XLR<>XLR cable.
Was trying to answer a question about the spacing to fit other cables and or adapters from other members.
Saponetto
Active Member
There's plenty of space only for TRS to XLR cables...
In order to avoid doubts, bulky TRS to XLR adaptors won't fit, avoid any attempt.
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