Topping E70 Velvet (AKM 4499EX)

[Panelhead]

Hi I hear the topping E70 velvet is set as default as measurement mode. Why is that? Is the measurement mode better than the sound quality mode?

L”: Measurement mode
“H”: Sound quality mode

I thought this is to select the 4 or 5 volt output levels.

 

[Panelhead]

Mine started doing something that is concerning. When in standby it turns on. First time, about a week ago there was a very short brown out. Last about 2 seconds. After a few more stereo started playing music.
Yesterday it did it twice. Today once. No remotes being used when this happens.
The trigger turns on the amps. Concerned it might turn on when no one is here.

P

 

[scruffy1]

ya, my ess one had the bt component go to god~ 2yrs in - which i bypassed with an external receiver

i'd go assert your right to get it replaced or repaired if the warranty is still valid; if not, don't expect any joy from topping / shenzen

 

[JSmith]

don't expect any joy from topping / shenzen

Often best to pay a little extra and buy from a local seller, plus covered by local consumer laws then.


JSmith

 

[scruffy1]

deja vu ! i did, and the warranty was 12 months whereas shenzen offered 2 years via direct purchase.... which would have covered my product when it failed (but my faith was low in the veracity of their guarantees)

repair is simply a non-event

luckily for me it still works well apart from the (bypassed) bluetooth

 

[JSmith]

the warranty was 12 months

What about ACL? Should have been replaced or repaired IMO... sometimes quite a hassle though.

luckily for me it still works well apart from the (bypassed) bluetooth

Ah, well that's good anyway.

but my faith was low in the veracity of their guarantees

I can understand that.


JSmith

 

[scruffy1]

What about ACL? Should have been replaced or repaired IMO... sometimes quite a hassle though.

bwahahaha ! australian consumer laws are almost as bad as our privacy ones and it's so old school to consider consumer goods should last beyond a year

 

[JSmith]

bwahahaha ! australian consumer laws are almost as bad as our privacy ones

LoL, better than most though... sure hard to enforce sometimes.

and it's so old school to consider consumer goods should last beyond a year

We must be old school then.


JSmith

 

[scruffy1]

We must be old school then.

yes, but our time is coming to an end (checks hourglass)

 

[jareinertson]

I know this is ASR, but the hobby is kind of dead if we don't talk about sound. When I was visiting shops in the 2000s, all we could do is subjectively evaluate.

and in the 80’s!

 

[jareinertson]

View attachment 476304

View attachment 476305


JSmith

My WiiM Mini and CA CXC v2 sound great using the RAW-MDA1. It has worked flawlessly since new.

 

[Panelhead]

I really like the RAW - MDA1 too. But have fallen for triggers. Sad to see the E50 II does not have this feature.

 

[Panelhead]

Think I found my issue. Somehow unit reset to factory settings. Trigger status 1, auto detect for inputs. Turns on if signal detected.
Reset to trigger turn on, 2. Also output had changed to 4.2v, instead of 5v.
I was trying to turn on without the remote a while back. Must have restored factory defaults.

 

[Fongus]

I just got my Topping E70 Velvet. Just curious about what PCM filter setting do you guys use and why?

 

[Jarrett]

I use the first one (Sharp), but the default is fine, it's similar to the first.

Just that it's been proven around the internet to be the most accurate with best compromises. Recently here too https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...n-into-dac-like-reconstruction-filters.69074/

 

[TomasCZ]

Hello guys, is it still worth buying the Topping E70 Velvet? It's currently on offer for €349. Or has anyone found a better alternative at a similar price or a cheaper option recently?

 

[jareinertson]

Hello guys, is it still worth buying the Topping E70 Velvet? It's currently on offer for €349. Or has anyone found a better alternative at a similar price or a cheaper option recently?

There are many fine choices for DAC’s with equally good performance. Are you set on this device?

 

[antcollinet]

Hello guys, is it still worth buying the Topping E70 Velvet? It's currently on offer for €349. Or has anyone found a better alternative at a similar price or a cheaper option recently?

It is audibly transparent - so will sound the same as any well measuring DAC. At $350 it seems pretty good value for a balanced DAC with XLR interconnect.


Although the SMSL DO300 is equally transparent, has more IO and is probably available at a similar price.

 

[Westsounds]

It is audibly transparent - so will sound the same as any well measuring DAC. At $350 it seems pretty good value for a balanced DAC with XLR interconnect.


Although the SMSL DO300 is equally transparent, has more IO and is probably available at a similar price.

I wish there were more like you. There is too much subjectivism still in this forum. I think because something is branded velvet some may think and have some bias it's going to sound silky or smooth or something. Just look at the reviews and see the measurements, is it well designed and accurate, does it measure well and there's your answer. You'll prob even get something for less if your not too fussy about looks or features.

 

[TomasCZ]

Just to clarify, I’m not completely set on the Topping E70 Velvet yet—it’s just a tentative idea. I'm looking for a DAC that sits right in the sweet spot: not low-end, not crazy high-end, but a true price-to-performance champion that has been verified and measured by competent people.
For context, here is my current setup:

• Digital: PS5 -> LG OLED C2 -> WiiM Pro (WiiM Pro is pretty much the only streamer on the market in this price range that offers PEQ) -> DAC (Topping E70 maybe ?) -> Marantz PM-17 Mk2 -> B&W 601 S2
• Analog: Nordmende RP 1400 turntable with an AT72 cartridge

The most crucial piece of the puzzle right now is the DAC. I want something with enough potential and technical overhead so that it won't become a bottleneck in the future. I am already planning ahead for a speaker, so the DAC needs to be high-performing enough to do justice to much better gear later on without needing to be replaced.