Topping E70 Stereo DAC Review

[Snoopy]

...so would this make for an effective preamp for, I don't know, say a Buckeye Audio NCx500 two channel amp, or are they still spontaneously blowing up systems...???...

I wouldnt use a digital volume control for a Poweramp

 

[misterdog]

backed by a fantastic warranty and after sale support

All for less than some charge for a USB cable

 

[Hapo]

I wouldnt use a digital volume control for a Poweramp

...there be tales of woe...

 

[Rottmannash]

And did the return go well?

It's not a big deal that it's shipped from China. I was just naively expecting that Apos has a warehouse in the US, shipping from it and I will get the device in a few days. Even picked it up yesterday. Well, it is what it is

Everything I've ever bought from Apos, (and that's several items including DACs, amps, IEMs and DAPs) was shipped from California.

 

[aka_Z]

Good old times, now there are shipping from China Or, maybe Apos did me a favor? Requested to send me directly from China instead shipping first to them and then to me. It could be, they used express shipping without additional charge. In fact, they even gave me 5$ gift card. Great service so far

 

[Burns]

Good old times, now there are shipping from China Or, maybe Apos did me a favor? Requested to send me directly from China instead shipping first to them and then to me. It could be, they used express shipping without additional charge. In fact, they even gave me 5$ gift card. Great service so far

Weren't you supposed to write about sound and device instead of exciting adventures with transport companies and postmen?

 

[misterdog]

postmen

Postpersons

 

[Martin]

I received my E70 yesterday and set it up today. I have the E70 running in parallel with my E70 Velvet.

The Setup:

• PiCorePlayer with embedded LMS on 2GB Raspberry Pi 4
• Identical USB A to USB B cables on separate USB 3 ports
• Topping E70 & Topping E70 Velvet both set to DAC mode, 4V output and default filter
• Identical XLR cables
• Benchmark HPA-4 preamp / headphone amp
• Audeze LCD-3 headphones or ICEpower monoblock amps through Von Schweikert VR-5 Anniversary speakers

I planned to do a blind ABX test but have abandoned that plan. I can switch instantaneously between DACs using the HPA-4 remote. Sighted listening I can hear zero difference. Using pink noise there is zero distinguishable volume or frequency difference. I can hear no difference between the DACs on any song. I have concluded a blind test would be a waste of time because I would simply be guessing. There is no difference to identify.

This experience has me convinced there is absolutely no sonic difference between the AK4499EX and ES9028Pro chips.

I love the aesthetic of the new E70 DAC. The display is a 1000% improvement over the OLED used on the DX7 Pro. I’m keeping the E70 and returning the E70 Velvet for two reasons: 1. The ESS E70 is cheaper; and 2. The E70 Velvet Apos sent me looks like it was a customer return.

Martin

 

[Burns]

black e70 in my opinion is a bit childish. In addition, the knob in black is crooked and rubs against the housing

 

[sonder]

I can hear no difference between the DACs on any song.

Perfect, trusty setup, trusty member, you saved me 100 not-so-great-british-pounds. Thanks!

 

[Burns]

Perfect, trusty setup, trusty member, you saved me 100 not-so-great-british-pounds. Thanks!

Post in thread 'Topping E70 Stereo DAC Review' https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...ping-e70-stereo-dac-review.39188/post-1529363

Post in thread 'Topping E70 Stereo DAC Review' https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...ping-e70-stereo-dac-review.39188/post-1532964

Taught by my experience, I consider @Martin's report to be 100% objective and factual. I recommend

 

[anli]

Hi. I'm going to replace SMSL D-6 with Topping E70. D-6 has got unpleasure bug - ti clicks loudly on source reconnection/connection to toslink or coaxial inputs. I'd want to be sure E70 hasn't got similar problems or any other problems for everyday using. Can you please list the main E70 drawbacks? (every device has got ones)

 

[rarewolf]

Can you please list the main E70 drawbacks? (every device has got ones)

Had mine since Xmas. Sorry… got nothing for you…

 

[Burns]

Hi. I'm going to replace SMSL D-6 with Topping E70. D-6 has got unpleasure bug - ti clicks loudly on source reconnection/connection to toslink or coaxial inputs. I'd want to be sure E70 hasn't got similar problems or any other problems for everyday using. Can you please list the main E70 drawbacks? (every device has got ones)

The equipment has no performance problems, and I tested several e70s in this thread.
Once I saw the front knob rubbing - crooked, another user reported a non-working BT internal or external antenna. Both damages appear to be transport damage.
There are also general issues reported for Topping that I don't understand, and I hope I never have to understand what I wrote in the link below:

Topping E70 randomly went to MAX volume..

These problems are not exclusive to Chinese DACs Have a look at these. ADI-2 DACs aren't exactly perfect. https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=31545 https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=29667 https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=27870...

www.audiosciencereview.com

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-d70s-fried-my-speakers.38706/

 

[aka_Z]

So far the only drawback is that auto input selection with the valid signal is not working. I was expecting to automatically switch to another valid input if the current one is disconnected. Right now I'm using only BT and USB, maybe that's the reason. Auto on/off function works as expected. I'm using DAC only mode (volume control is disabled).

 

[Burns]

So far the only drawback is that auto input selection with the valid signal is not working. I was expecting to automatically switch to another valid input if the current one is disconnected. Right now I'm using only BT and USB, maybe that's the reason. Auto on/off function works as expected. I'm using DAC only mode (volume control is disabled).

This device doesn't have such a function and Topping didn't promise it. It's your dream. If two sources give a signal, e.g. coax and spdif, how would the e70 know which one to choose?

 

[KotalKahnSunGod]

The equipment has no performance problems, and I tested several e70s in this thread.
Once I saw the front knob rubbing - crooked, another user reported a non-working BT internal or external antenna. Both damages appear to be transport damage.
There are also general issues reported for Topping that I don't understand, and I hope I never have to understand what I wrote in the link below:

Topping E70 randomly went to MAX volume..

These problems are not exclusive to Chinese DACs Have a look at these. ADI-2 DACs aren't exactly perfect. https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=31545 https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=29667 https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=27870...

www.audiosciencereview.com

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-d70s-fried-my-speakers.38706/

Hello! It doesn't look like transport damage. The box of my e70 was in perfect condition, and packed in damping material. And the e70 itself is lined with foam or something similar in the box

 

[Burns]

Hello! It doesn't look like transport damage. The box of my e70 was in perfect condition, and packed in damping material. And the e70 itself is lined with foam or something similar in the box

did you have a second factory Topping box protecting and foil on the first box?

 

[rarewolf]

This device doesn't have such a function and Topping didn't promise it. It's your dream. If two sources give a signal, e.g. coax and spdif, how would the e70 know which one to choose?

Correct. If the E70 is idle or in standby it will come on automatically if any connected input becomes alive, including turning on the amp if it’s triggered. However, it won’t switch to an other live input if the current input goes dead… least wise, not Bluetooth because Bt input might conceivably be alive without providing an input.

I turn on my stack usually with an input to SPDIF, and occasionally might turn to Bt if I want to watch a quick youtube video, but because the optical is still alive (paused) it won’t switch to Bt automatically. I’ll try turning it on tonight with a Bt input. If I don’t get back, or edit this post later, assume connecting to Bt was automatic and turns everything on… which it does (just tried it), and if disconnected, turns the stack off.

 

[KotalKahnSunGod]

did you have a second factory Topping box protecting and foil on the first box?

Hello! Yes, outer box. And there was a flexible transparent polyethylene material, the surface of which is evenly covered with small protrusions filled with air. Unfortunately, I didn't take photos. I threw the wrappers in the trash. I don't see any problems with the BT defect, I use it with toslink (spdif) with Sony TV xh90 (I also tested with my LG TV nano866 2022 - everything is fine, although wrote here in the chat that there are problems with toslink on firmware 1.02), as well as USB with a computer, foobar2000. BT is also in my amp (AptxHD). A defect sometimes happens, no one is immune from it. Good luck to you!