Topping E70 Stereo DAC Review

[somebodyelse]

With usb-c you have more options (to lightning and so on) Higher durability? Is that true?

It depends what sort of durability you mean. Type C connectors are usually rated for more insertion cycles than Type B, and despite the smaller contact area they are rated for higher power (more voltage and more current.) On the other hand Type C usually has less physically robust mounting to the board so is more likely to be damaged by the plug being knocked or pulled. To mitigate this Neutrik made the mediaCON chassis mount.

 

[August]

V1.07 firmware
I don't know what content has been updated, but the PLL bandwidth function of version 1.04 has been retained.

 

[The Great]

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:
View attachment 243637

Jitter is now nicely handled across both older S/PDIF and new USB interfaces:
View attachment 243638

As usual you have a menu of DAC reconstruction filters but I suggest staying with default filter 3:
View attachment 243639
View attachment 243640

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 Think there is a AKM Velvet version of this dac. The one tested is with Sabre dac I Think

 

[staticV3]

I Think there is a AKM Velvet version of this dac. The one tested is with Sabre dac I Think

Correct.

You can find measurements of the E70 Velvet (AKM DAC) here: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/topping-e70-v/

 

[CraigVMN]

Do any of the findings indicate how well the preamp section functions?

 

[scruffy1]

V1.07 firmware
I don't know what content has been updated, but the PLL bandwidth function of version 1.04 has been retained.

6. What's updated​

Fix some known issues.

hmmm... any more details before i potentially brick the device ?

any of the members able to elaborate ?

could it possibly resurrect the bluetooth connectivity that went to god ??

 

[BR52]

Hi,I use the E70 Ess Chip since more than 2 years now with the 1.07 version. It’s running absolutely flawless in every day uses in pre amp mode.This version has an added menu to adjust the pll bandwith for some TV or other devices with higher jitter.
For more information please read the first page's of this thread. The velvet has the AKM chip and an other SW so be careful.

 

[scruffy1]

Hi,I use the E70 Ess Chip since more than 2 years now with the 1.07 version. It’s running absolutely flawless in every day uses in pre amp mode.This version has an added menu to adjust the pll bandwith for some TV or other devices with higher jitter.
For more information please read the first page's of this thread. The velvet has the AKM chip and an other SW so be careful.

might be language, but the 1.07 is dated aug 1, 2025 on their site, and the actual file is dates feb 22, 2025

so how exactly have you used it for >2 years, or have you recently updated?

fwiw i just discovered i am running 1.03 and it sounds fine via optical and usb

 

[BR52]

might be language, but the 1.07 is dated aug 1, 2025 on their site, and the actual file is dates feb 22, 2025
The
so how exactly have you used it for >2 years, or have you recently updated?

The 1.07 was offered here in the forum more than 2 years ago!!!! From Topping but not officially listed in their website. I didn’t know its now official. I didn’t check their website after updating with the unofficial one. (Never change a working system)

 

[scruffy1]

The 1.07 was offered here in the forum more than 2 years ago!!!! From Topping but not officially listed in their website. I didn’t know its now official. I didn’t check their website after updating with the unofficial one. (Never change a working system)

thanks for the clarification; your idea to never change a working system has merit, i will let working dacs lie until further info provokes me to change

 

[BR52]

6. What's updated​

Fix some known issues.

hmmm... any more details before i potentially brick the device ?

any of the members able to elaborate ?

could it possibly resurrect the bluetooth connectivity that went to god ??

I would give the give the 1.07 a try because of the Bluetooth. You are now 2 versions behind.

 

[scruffy1]

I would give the give the 1.07 a try because of the Bluetooth. You are now 2 versions behind.

nah, it's dead... but now i have 1.07, because....

 

[BR52]

Sorry to hear that. The PLL was mostly for LG TV because of the horrible jitter.

 

[scruffy1]

all good

i have recently "tuned" my chain, and now that i have the sub phased correctly, and the crossover at 55hz for the wharfedale 10.gx (paired with 10.1), my discovery is that
bluetooth (even at 660 using ldac) is unfortunately no longer quite lovely enough when plan b is to use the recently made lossless spotify via the home theatre pc, and the phone that was streaming flac via bt (compressed due to that path) is now a simple remote for controlling the better reproduction

so overall that's a major win here

 

[KotalKahnSunGod]

Hello! The USB port on my E70 stopped working. The USB cable I'm using is working properly; I tried connecting it to my other E70. I also tried connecting it to two laptops and a phone via USB, but it still doesn't work. Can you recommend something?

 

[scruffy1]

using coaxial or optical, because from my experience the e70 is treated as a disposable item by the manufacturer

but they sure do sound good when they work

 

[KotalKahnSunGod]

using coaxial or optical, because from my experience the e70 is treated as a disposable item by the manufacturer

but they sure do sound good when they work

My first E70 had Bluetooth issues out of the box—it didn't work. My second E70 only worked for a short time, and the USB input failed.