Topping E70 Stereo DAC Review

[R.Vic]

Did that. Any other suggestions?

Cables of different capacities.

 

[MX5]

Yes, could definitely be the cables. Unfortunately, I can't think of a way to definitively test that since they have different outputs on the back. I suppose I could buy two adapters, one xlr to TRS and the other TRS to XLR and use them in opposite order on the two dacs, with the same cables. But that's more trouble than I'm willing to go through to satisfy my idle curiosity. The E70 sounds amazing on my desk to my ears. I'm going to roll with it. Super grateful for this site. Definitely pointed me in the right direction.

 

[BR52]

Yes, could definitely be the cables. Unfortunately, I can't think of a way to definitively test that since they have different outputs on the back. I suppose I could buy two adapters, one xlr to TRS and the other TRS to XLR and use them in opposite order on the two dacs, with the same cables. But that's more trouble than I'm willing to go through to satisfy my idle curiosity. The E70 sounds amazing on my desk to my ears. I'm going to roll with it. Super grateful for this site. Definitely pointed me in the right direction.

cables? please learn here in the forum more about it. You can learn a lot.
The E70 has an out put impedance of 50/100 Ohms so forget cable capacity.

 

[MX5]

Sorry, all I meant was that the cables are not identical. I don't know what attributes of cables affect the final product. If I'm missing something, I apologize. Definitely not an expert here.

 

[BR52]

Sorry, all I meant was that the cables are not identical. I don't know what attributes of cables affect the final product. If I'm missing something, I apologize. Definitely not an expert here.

learn and read the cabel threads

 

[MX5]

learn and read the cabel threads

Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[tonycollinet]

Sorry, all I meant was that the cables are not identical. I don't know what attributes of cables affect the final product. If I'm missing something, I apologize. Definitely not an expert here.

Far more likely you had a level difference between the two dacs.

 

[Martini]

Thank you for the suggestion.

My off topic question for you is; NA, NB, NC or ND?

 

[Killingbeans]

Did that.

By ear?

Any other suggestions?

What reconstuction filters was selected? (Bit of a longshot. None of the filters have massive treble roll off, but some of them have a tad)

EDIT: Nevermind. Didn't see:

I checked all the settings again to make sure they were the same (e.g. not using one filter setting on one and a different filter on the other or whatever). They're same as I can figure.

Then all I got is the risk of error from level matching by ear. And defective cables, as you mentioned yourself.

 

[Vasile 76]

Long time lurker, here. Recently registered when I pulled the trigger (no pun intended) on a new E70 based on feature set (and of course the review/measured performance). It's my first "ChiFi" purchase so I'm reasonably skeptical about the long term value proposition in terms of reliability. But at this price point, I'm OK with it potentially ending up a disposable just to get this feature set - you'd be hard pressed to find another well-implemented ESS Pro converter with "professional" features like balanced XLR outs and a 12v trigger i/o at this price. Bought it direct from Apos (digression for whoever named that company -- when I first saw the name my childish brain immediately joked that maybe it was an acronym for "another piece of s...") and hoping for satisfaction.

My plan is to set the unit to DAC-mode and connect via XLR to a Parasound HINT6 (driving Dynaudio Contour 30 and feeding a Sub 6). I assume that the E70's default 4V output will be sufficient for the HINT6, because my Cambridge DACMagic200M is spec'd at 4.2V on the XLR outs and sounds terrific feeding the HINT6 (to me). (If you're curious why I'm pulling the DACMagic, it's bc my primary desktop headphone amp/dac and I only pulled it into temporary service on my 2.1 rig because the results sounded so much better than the HINT6's internal DAC. But I want my headphone amp back on my desk and I'm not ready to do the upgrade that I think I really want, which is an all in one network streamer preamp like the Mytek Brooklyn).

Question for the Group: any thoughts on whether I should (or why I would want to) try switching the E70 output to 5V? Main reason I'm asking is that a lot of my source material is uncompressed and often a lower average RMS (but higher DR) than commercially released music, so I suspect the voltage boost might help me make the most of my DR without audibly affecting noise or distortion. The HINT6 manual (PDF Link) provides these specs:
View attachment 248368

Would appreciate any comments. TIA, I appreciate it.

I can't decide between Cambridge magic 200m and Topping E70. (Marantz pm 6006+ Dali Oberon 3). What do you recommend? Thanks.

 

[ErkyPerky]

Just received my E70 and getting pnl and dfu error when i first turned it on. What does this mean? firmware update? this is my first dac unit and appreciate if someone can point me in the right direction on what to do next.

Update: Just contacted topping and the unit is defective and i'm waiting to hear from shenzhenaudio for a replacement. Just my luck lol.

 

[chillwig]

I can't decide between Cambridge magic 200m and Topping E70. (Marantz pm 6006+ Dali Oberon 3). What do you recommend? Thanks.

They sound very same to me. The Cambridge has MQA and a very good headphone amplifer, which for some people might justify the price difference.. If those features are not important to you, then I would recommend the E70:

1. Sound = TIE
2. Display = Advantage Topping
3. Input Flexibility = Cambridge (2 optical and 2 coax)
4. Digital Volume Control = Cambridge (feels better)
5. Power Supply = Topping (built-in)
6. Remote Control = Topping (it sucks, but at least you have one)
7. Build Quality = Cambridge (more metal/heft; reputation for HQ products)
8. Software = Topping (updateable firmware and menu driven features)
9. Bluetooth - Topping (LDAC capable)
10. Additional Features I Find Very Useful

a. Topping
- 12v trigger!
- auto-on
- higher voltage output option
- channel balance adustment
- more filter options

b. Cambridge
- filter and source buttons on front

Conclusion: if you take MQA and the headphone amplifier out of the equation, the Topping is a better value. Although they likely sound identical, the Topping has a much better feature set at a lower price, but Cambridge's reputation for reliability might be important to many people.

 

[Gradius]

Conclusion: if you take MQA and the headphone amplifier out of the equation, the Topping is a better value.

Sorry to say this, but since when mqa adds (?!) value (is actually quite the opposite).

 

[chillwig]

Sorry to say this, but since when mqa adds (?!) value (is actually quite the opposite).

only if you think that "value" is a wholly objective binary proposition

 

[chillwig]

just an update here to report that my E70, which I purchased from Apos, has performed flawlessly with everything I've thrown at it, and I hope it lasts.

 

[misterdog]

the output stage sees or how it reacts to differences in capacitance through slight differences in implementation could make a discernable difference.

Makes a huge difference with TT cartridges.

Resistance more so, I can change the R on mine and hear all the high frequency noise (clicks and surface noise) to appeal to those who think vinyl should have such .

Or lower it by 10 Ohm and remove it all .

 

[capdec]

Has anyone done a direct comparison between the E70 with the Sabre chip and the E70v with the AKM? Which sounds less warmer and more analytical ( if there is even such a thing! )

 

[Trell]

Has anyone done a direct comparison between the E70 with the Sabre chip and the E70v with the AKM? Which sounds less warmer and more analytical ( if there is even such a thing! )

There is no such thing.

 

[Killingbeans]

if there is even such a thing!

My vote: There isn't.

It's simply a testament to how huge an amount of power a single nice sounding word in your marketing material can have.

 

[misterdog]

Might get one soon to compare.