Topping E70 Stereo DAC Review

[Veri]

Only Audio Science hates tidal mqa.

However, many users around the world are using Tidal a lot.

I wouldn't buy anything that doesn't render Tidal.

MQA is bankrupt; the end is here. So no, less an 'ASR' sentiment and more a global sentiment.

 

[AdamG247]

Personality, no one’s yet put together a convincing argument as to why, and neither can I hear it when comparing it to streaming bitperfect PCM from my own library

Lets leave it here before we descend into the MQA chaos quagmire and drive this thread off the topic cliff. Please and thank you so very much. Friends don’t let friends talk about M-A. It can’t be washed off.

 

[low_art]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping E70 stereo USB DAC with Bluetooth. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $349.
View attachment 243627
I really like the new white multi-segment display with its large volume level indicator. Response is excellent as you rotate the encoder. A select button on the left turns on the unit and then selects the input in sequence. Or you can use the included remote control:
View attachment 243628
Nice to see 12 volt trigger being a standard feature on new Topping products, allowing you to turn on one unit and have it turn on the others like amplifiers automatically.

The output can be programmed to be nominal 4 volts (default) or 5 volts. I focused on testing the former.

Edit: forgot to mention that you have independent control over the outputs. You can have either RCA or XLR active or both.

I had a minor compatibility issue with USB input defaulting to 16 bits instead of 24 bit as far as Windows is concerned. I was able to easily override this using Topping ASIO driver. I wonder if this is something to do with my system or a new thing with this DAC. Operation was otherwise flawless.

EDIT: above is fixed with a firmware update: https://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/778017.html

Topping E70 Measurements
Let's start with our usual balanced output measurement:
View attachment 243629

I expect superb performance from Topping and that is exactly what we have, landing the E70 near the very top of the best DACs ever tested:
View attachment 243630

Distortion is incredibly low at -145 dB or so. SINAD as a result is dominated by the noise of the DAC combined with my analyzer:
View attachment 243632

Even using RCA outs we get full audible transparency:

View attachment 243633

I have modified my THD+N vs output level to show broader range:
View attachment 243634
As noted though, as you reduce output, the analyzer noise becomes more dominant as well so above is not a true picture of the DAC's performance.

Multitone performance is superb as expected:
View attachment 243635

Likewise for IMD distortion:
View attachment 243636

Linearity is perfect of course:
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Jitter is now nicely handled across both older S/PDIF and new USB interfaces:
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As usual you have a menu of DAC reconstruction filters but I suggest staying with default filter 3:
View attachment 243639
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The excellent attenuation of the filter translates into great wide-band distortion+noise measurement vs frequency:

View attachment 243641

Conclusions
The E70 is another meticulously engineered DAC from Topping at a reasonable price. The bright and large display is great to read from far, making the DAC just as suitable for general 2-channel system as well as desktop. Nice add-ons such as trigger support, auto on/off, etc. complete the picture of a DAC approaching and essentially achieving perfection.

It is my pleasure to add Topping E70 DAC to my recommended list.
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

I just received my E70 in the mail today. Unbelievable performance. I'm using it with a CCS-modded Stax SRM-T1S and a few different pair of Stax. It's so good that it's as if I'm truly hearing my music collection for the first time.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Bought E70 for a try from Amazon.
One channel (left XLR) failed withing one day...

Another day same Topping.

 

[aka_Z]

Bad luck, mine is working ever since.

 

[GPJ]

Bought E70 for a try from Amazon.
One channel (left XLR) failed withing one day...

Another day same Topping.

Did you try swapping cables to see if problem follows the cable?

Factory reset the E70?

There is a channel balance setting with the E70 but a factory reset should solve that.

At least it's Amazon and an easy return. Reports of your problem are not wide spread. Indeed bad luck if above doesn't solve it.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Bad luck, mine is working ever since.

Unfortunately I had a lot of these "bad lucks" with Topping and other hifi brands from China.

And I really mean it, I like devices I like the sound. But reliability is something that Topping must improve.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Did you try swapping cables to see if problem follows the cable?

Factory reset the E70?

There is a channel balance setting with the E70 but a factory reset should solve that.

Yup I did everything that I could.
There was something broken. You could hear faint crack click pops and noise in the left channel.

 

[MadMaxx]

Bought E70 for a try from Amazon.
One channel (left XLR) failed withing one day...

Another day same Topping.

Bad luck, mine is working ever since.

I've been at both ends of the spectrum. My E70V worked great until it dropped dead after 2 months. Apos replaced it no questions asked and the new one has been running smoothly. Already passed the 2 months mark, so I'm cautiously optimistic. If it fails again, I'll go SMSL.

 

[GPJ]

I've had 3 Topping amp failures but no issues with their DAC's over the past few years. I currently have a D30 Pro, E70, and A90 that are all working great so far and more importantly, still under warranty.

 

[aka_Z]

Maybe depends of what kind of music is played

Unfortunately I had a lot of these "bad lucks" with Topping and other hifi brands from China.

And I really mean it, I like devices I like the sound. But reliability is something that Topping must improve.

I agree with you about improving reliability. I guess, reliability comes with price. If you have so many bad lucks, why you are still buying HiFi brands from China?

E70V is my second Topping. Previous was working for years but occasionally turning itself off. For some users, using headphones output, turning off was permanent. I was using only as DAC and line out. Now E70V in DAC mode only.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Maybe depends of the kind of music is played

I agree with you about improving reliability. I guess, reliability comes with price. If you have so many bad lucks, why you are still buying HiFi brands from China?

E70V is my second Topping. Previous was working for years but occasionally turning itself off. For some users, using headphones output, turning off was permanent. I was using only as DAC and line out. Now E70V in DAC mode only.

Because many of them I'm still using without problems.
Maybe my heart is too good and I give them another chance and another

Also I really like Topping sound. I did some blind listening tests Topping vs some of the high-end stuff and I preferred Topping.
It was less harsh on top, still the difference was minute.but it was there, so to my ears it was just less distorted clearer sounding.

 

[aka_Z]

There's no such thing as a DAC sound

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

There's no such thing as a DAC sound

But there is distortion so you can call it dac sound.
And no I didn't hear soundstage expand better depth and other kind of audiophile buzz words when doing level matched blind listening test.

What I heard was tiny tiny difference in high frequencies on one device being more pronounced than on the other.

 

[Daorom]

There's no such thing as a DAC sound

There is no such thing as a DAC. There is a chip and a harness, a set of equipment that creates sound.And so the sound is different.

 

[Veri]

There is no such thing as a DAC. There is a chip and a harness, a set of equipment that creates sound.

????

 

[Daorom]

????

This is satire. A DAC is not a single chip.A complex of details.And so it may sound different.

 

[Veri]

This is satire

Ohhhhh. Good one.

 

[CALCULATOR]

View attachment 276310
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

Lmfao

I am waiting for my E70V and PA7+ stack to arrive Friday.... I guess my $100 extra wasn't worth it for the other chip

I felt the same when I blind tested the slow mid and fast filters on my Gustard R26. I could not tell a difference.

I don't know how people hear a difference or maybe think they hear a difference.

I also fast switched through the firmwares on the iFi Zen DAC between the GTO and non GTO filtered versions... Could not tell a difference.

Maybe I'm getting old at 31 years of age and my hearing isn't what it used to be?

Or maybe.... it literally just sounds the same to our human ears.

 

[GPJ]

Well, if you resell down the road Velvet could hold its' value a bit better. Above all, just enjoy it. It will be excellent.