Topping E70 Stereo DAC Review

[aka_Z]

Not a single problem after dozens of hours with my Nvidia Shield TV Pro, which sends USB audio to an SMSL PO100 PRO that in turn sends the signal to the E70 over coaxial. But that is about as pristine a signal you can send to a DAC over SPDIF, and therefore does not account for the more problematic high jitter sources out there like CD players.

Have you tried connecting Nvidia Shield TV Pro to E70 via USB? I have such setup with DX3 Pro but thinking of upgrade to E70.

 

[ThatGuyYouKnow]

Have you tried connecting Nvidia Shield TV Pro to E70 via USB? I have such setup with DX3 Pro but thinking of upgrade to E70.

No. I have my Windows 11 PC connected to the USB input, which the E70 also handles flawlessly.

 

[rarewolf]

No. I have my Windows 11 PC connected to the USB input, which the E70 also handles flawlessly.

Windows 10 & 11 provide the drivers for the Topping DACs. You have to wonder if nVidea will…

 

[aka_Z]

Exactly!

@ThatGuyYouKnow could you do us a favor? Please connect E70 to Nvidia Shield and play some music, video, youtube... for a while? Confirm that works and no jittering, interruptions, etc. Nvidia Shield has an option to select audio output. USB should be preferred over HDMI but if there is no sound, please check that as well.

 

[ThatGuyYouKnow]

Exactly!

@ThatGuyYouKnow could you do us a favor? Please connect E70 to Nvidia Shield and play some music, video, youtube... for a while? Confirm that works and no jittering, interruptions, etc. Nvidia Shield has an option to select audio output. USB should be preferred over HDMI but if there is no sound, please check that as well.

I tried it and same behavior as when connecting it to my SMSL PO100 PRO. The Shield automatically detected and selected the E70 and outputs everything in 192khz in high quality USB mode. No anomalies with YouTube, Hulu, Peacock, HBO Max or Disney+ apps. It just works, as it should.

 

[aka_Z]

Perfect, thank you so much!

 

[ThatGuyYouKnow]

Perfect, thank you so much!

No problem. The large number of devices that work well with USB to go along with only one input on these DACs is why I keep bothering Topping to make a comprehensive USB audio switcher. I think that would sell quite well.

 

[aka_Z]

Interesting but it makes sense. Did you get any answer from Topping?

I have USB hub with similar function to connect the same keyboard and mouse to laptop and desktop. One button to switch between those two.

 

[ash1980]

I'm planning to connect the e70 directly to my power amp. However, I've heard / read that the problem with topping is that there DACs are good but built-in pre amps are not that good, with bloated bass and harsh treble and mid and a V curve instead of neutral out put. How correct is that?

 

[BR52]

I'm planning to connect the e70 directly to my power amp. However, I've heard / read that the problem with topping is that there DACs are good but built-in pre amps are not that good, with bloated bass and harsh treble and mid and a V curve instead of neutral out put. How correct is that?

I use the E70 in "preamp mode" and can not share this experience. It works perfect with my Audiophonics Purifi.

 

[rarewolf]

I'm planning to connect the e70 directly to my power amp. However, I've heard / read that the problem with topping is that there DACs are good but built-in pre amps are not that good, with bloated bass and harsh treble and mid and a V curve instead of neutral out put. How correct is that?

If you check around, I believe you’ll find that opinion is not the consensus. No one is claiming it’s the best, rather best value, relative to its competition…

#jussayin

 

[ash1980]

Got it. I'm new to this so just for my knowledge, the measurements that Amir did , are they limited to DAC only or does it measure the Preamp part as well ?

 

[BR52]

Got it. I'm new to this so just for my knowledge, the measurements that Amir did , are they limited to DAC only or does it measure the Preamp part as well ?

"preamp mode" means the volume control is done digitally in the DAC, there is physically no preamp.

 

[ash1980]

"preamp mode" means the volume control is done digitally in the DAC, there is physically no preamp.

So technically it doesn't distort / effect the signal in any way?

 

[BR52]

So technically it doesn't distort / effect the signal in any way?

Right!

Some here will tell you there are some drawbacks, and in some circumstances they are right, in others not, but for understanding the pros and cons you have to spend some time to learn.
Anyhow, we are talking of in 99.99% perfectionism with or without Preamp.

 

[ash1980]

Got it, makes sense. Btw, the part of the world where I live in I am getting Topping DX3 Pro+ immediately. E70 will take 6 weeks to arrive. Any major difference between the two?

 

[BR52]

Got it, makes sense. Btw, the part of the world where I live in I am getting Topping DX3 Pro+ immediately. E70 will take 6 weeks to arrive. Any major difference between the two?

You will find a sense making solution for you.
You are welcome
My pleasure

 

[Sokel]

I'm planning to connect the e70 directly to my power amp. However, I've heard / read that the problem with topping is that there DACs are good but built-in pre amps are not that good, with bloated bass and harsh treble and mid and a V curve instead of neutral out put. How correct is that?

As long as you follow the proper sequence of powering the devices (amp always last,AFTER checking DAC's levels ) you are almost safe.
Nevertheless there are (VERY rare) occasions that a glitch can present the full output to the amp,that's the risk.

 

[chillwig]

Got it, makes sense. Btw, the part of the world where I live in I am getting Topping DX3 Pro+ immediately. E70 will take 6 weeks to arrive. Any major difference between the two?

DX3 Pro+ has a headphone amp.

 

[Burns]

I had a DX3 Pro+
I have an E70
After all, I'm thinking if I didn't overpay, if I need it and if I shouldn't go back to dx3 pro +.
What do you advise?
I don't know if I can hear the difference on the Musical Fidelity M3si column amplifier?
I'm tempted to go a completely different way and try the supposedly "worse" ifi zen one signature