Topping E50 Review (Balanced DAC)

[JohnYang1997]

But So far Topping, as far as I know, have been always designing products based on optimal implementation of off the shelf Silicon ICs. The Idea of a "Topping" module seams quite a long shot. By topping module you mean using discrete circuitry? You mean patentable technology? I believe it's not the Topping way but I may be proven wrong.

Possibility is endless.

 

[respice finem]

I'm old enough to remember people saying "but the Japanese can only copy stuff", now it's the Chinese, and might develop in a similar direction. History rhymes.
I may be right or wrong, but this is the way I see it. Most EU companies are meanwhile too lazy or too static to risk new developments IMHO, with only a few exceptions.

 

[PeteL]

I'm old enough to remember people saying "but the Japanese can only copy stuff", now it's the Chinese, and might develop in a similar direction. History rhymes.
I may be right or wrong, but this is the way I see it. Most EU companies are meanwhile too lazy or too static to risk new developments IMHO, with only a few exceptions.

But we are still talking Power Amps? Hypex is from EU and they certainly pushed the envelope in term of development in the power amp segment. More than any other companies I would say. I think innovation can come from anywhere.

 

[PeteL]

Possibility is endless.

It's a hint? Careful how rumor machine can go. A possibility becomes a plan quite fast in these forums.

 

[Moosi]

I don't see Topping taking on companies such as Texas Instruments, Infineon or ST Microsystems by developing their own microchips anytime in the future, those are multi billion dollar companies. But who knows what the tides might bring to the shores of Xiamen and Quanzhou one day.

 

[JohnYang1997]

It's a hint? Careful how rumor machine can go. A possibility becomes a plan quite fast in these forums.

I have gave too much hint on many things already.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I have gave too much hint on many things already.

Forget the hardware for a second, I will repeat again what I’ve said before.

I’d love a ‘driver’ for Topping DACs which was effectively a bit of software for your PC which is something akin to Equalizer APO.

The whole topping DAC/combi-DAC/amp lineup suddenly becomes MASSIVELY more attractive.

And what does it cost Topping? I can’t imagine this stuff is hugely difficult; people have it out there for free. On the other hand, the financial gains for Topping in increased sales is potentially significant.

EDIT: Oh, and there’s already a portable DAC/amp dongle out there which comes with an app with similar EQ. This is EXACTLY what I’m talking about.

 

[Grooved]

Very nice @JohnYang1997

Still waiting for your ADI-2 killer - DAC and powerful headamp in one box, no channel imbalance with headamp.

Are you referring to the DAC part only, or do you want a DAC-ADC-Headphones amp combo ?

 

[jtwrace]

EX5 is pretty close minus the DSP function.

How about an 8ch version?

 

[PeteL]

Are you referring to the DAC part only, or do you want a DAC-ADC-Headphones amp combo ?

For Most people here ADI-2 refers to ADI-2 DAC, Dac, dsp an headphone amp, only the ADI-2 Pro has an ADC, but safe to say he refers to the DAC only version, it's kinda the reference/Swiss knife features packed DAC. Most people here are about music reproduction, not so much production.

 

[Music1969]

EX5 is pretty close minus the DSP function.

Very good

Just needs headphone 50mV 600ohm measurement and more powah ! to match your own L50...

So its not E50 + L50 in one box

 

[respice finem]

But we are still talking Power Amps? Hypex is from EU and they certainly pushed the envelope in term of development in the power amp segment. More than any other companies I would say. I think innovation can come from anywhere.

Yes, but, though it exists in this case for years already, I'm seeing not many EU implementations of them. It's not that the people were less smart than others, it's the "sluggishness" of many (not all) manufacturers. Or maybe I'm wrong and there simply isn't enough demand?

 

[Lupin]

DAC-ADC-Headphones amp combo ?

This would actually really add something to the Topping lineup.

 

[Doodski]

This would actually really add something to the Topping lineup.

Like this.

 

[respice finem]

Forget the hardware for a second... I’d love a ‘driver’ for Topping DACs which was effectively a bit of software for your PC which is something akin to Equalizer APO.

Many EQ/DSP functions could be implemented in software, given the power of today's CPUs.
Such a "driver" would be particularly attractive as a "multisystem" application, as for Windows only, one can simply use Equalizer APO etc.

 

[Lupin]

Like this.

Yep, minus the "gaming" sauce.
I think that if Topping would put some effort into this they will come up with something that completely blows the Hel out of the water.
(And with much better aesthetics, but that's totally subjective/personal)

 

[Doodski]

Yep, minus the "gaming" sauce.
I think that if Topping would put some effort into this they will come up with something that completely blows the Hel out of the water.
(And with much better aesthetics, but that's totally subjective/personal)

For sure change it around but keep the features like that one and backlit knobs would be ace.

 

[respice finem]

It's a hint? Careful how rumor machine can go. A possibility becomes a plan quite fast in these forums.

As a manufacturer, hardly anything can be better for you in terms of marketing - as long as the rumoured product doesn't disappoint when it arrives.

 

[respice finem]

Possibility is endless.

I'd make it the company credo

 

[ClosDeLaRoche]

Since the handling of external sources is by a external chip. The PLL setting on the ESS register does nothing beneficial.

Also I have not encountered a source which doesn't work with default PLL setting magically work on higher settings, were the internal receiver being used.

Some TVs have issues with ESS chips & keeping a lock on the signal. My last Samsung and current LG both have problems with most ESS DACs.