Topping RD3 TP Balanced DAC Review

[Sokel]

Nor can I.

No worries, however that part wasn't directed at you anyway. I must say regardless of audibility, it's not good to see that level anyway on the toslink input.


JSmith

I would be nice if @amirm was opening this,one for the tech-porn and two to see if there's something wrong in there.
I mean,as @Rja4000 posted on first page they do advertise Ultra low jitter for all inputs.

 

[CleanSound]

Rack mount doesn't have to be like that. Can look tidy and aesthetically pleasing:


https://dedupelist.com/

Pleasing in a space like this? OK, if you were still living in the 70's, sure.

(Not my space BTW)

 

[CleanSound]

those two cabinets look like you're about to detonate some shit in Oppenheimer

For real.

 

[Atanasi]

Since this is a forum that deals with objective measurements and tries to avoid using flowery terminology when describing the subjective auditory experience, shouldn’t the same apply when it comes to visual and tactile experience of a product?

The UI of a product could be evaluated scientifically, but it is a different kind of science than measuring audio products. For example, digital volume controllers should have some acceleration so that the user can more easily make both small and large changes. However, the reviewers on this forum are probably not UI experts, so they could not make such evaluations based on science.

 

[CleanSound]

Well this is Topping's introductionary products to the pro market.

The RA3 is only 50ish WPC @ 8 ohms. (Before the knee. Which should be the responsible power rating.)

That is NO WHERE near pro audio territory. Not by a mile.

These Topping TP lines have some identity crisis for sure. What the hell is intended market and use case?

 

[amirm]

The UI of a product could be evaluated scientifically, but it is a different kind of science than measuring audio products. For example, digital volume controllers should have some acceleration so that the user can more easily make both small and large changes. However, the reviewers on this forum are probably not UI experts, so they could not make such evaluations based on science.

That is part of my expertise and as I have commented on the same interface before, it has very nice acceleration support. But you are right that I only hit on high level points and do not intend to cover full functionality of devices.

 

[Atanasi]

These Topping TP lines have some identity crisis for sure. What the hell is intended market and use case?

JohnYang1997's AMA thread had a few answers about the TP brand:

On the note of the TP branding. It's different from the professional that's happening in the future.
This TP branding is mostly larger sized products with insane performance to cost ratio.

TP: Larger size, remote volume is a must, lower cost solutions on the chassis, for slightly longer range use like in living room or listening room. Sold by topping directly.

 

[Veri]

So TP is either 'toiler paper' or larger sized topping products, got it

 

[raif71]

TP reminds me of Teepee

 

[Saponetto]

Like a lot this form factor, but I'm going to stay with my current DACs.
Nothing that made me going hyperdrive due it mainly looks like a slight commercial misstep.
Maybe it's the "empty box" fear, dunno.

 

[manisandher]

... rack mount used to indicate high-end audio. It is not meant to look like a pro product.

Surely you meant:

"... rack mount used to indicate pro audio. It is not meant to look like a high-end audio product."

Mani.

 

[Rednaxela]

Is there a manual available for this device?

 

[JayGilb]

Pleasing in a space like this? OK, if you were still living in the 70's, sure.

(Not my space BTW)

View attachment 306262

At l;east it would add some color to the average home. Everyone paints their house these days like they're prepping for sale.

 

[Saponetto]

OT.
Just to add another brick to Topping's pro-oriented devices.

 

[restorer-john]

OT.
Just to add another brick to Topping's pro-oriented devices.

Or just buy a real interface, from a company that actually supports their customers.

 

[Haskil]

-120db is roughly the threshold for the average human. For some people it may be higher or lower. This DAC shows jitter peaks as low as -100db.
So I wouldn't say it is absolutely inaudible for everyone.

I participated in an ABX amplifier test that I couldn't even start because I was unable to recognize the two compared amplifiers in non-blind listening...

At the end of this test, we have used the QSC device for carrying out tests in ABX to try to see what the perceptible level of jitter was: it contains an adjustable jitter generator...

We were four rather seasoned listeners and none of us was able to hear what the defect brought by the jitter sounded like... Until the moment when we heard it very well because the DAC simply stalled...

 

[restorer-john]

I participated in an ABX amplifier test that I couldn't even start because I was unable to recognize the two compared amplifiers in non-blind listening...

At the end of this test, we have used the QSC device for carrying out tests in ABX to try to see what the perceptible level of jitter was: it contains an adjustable jitter generator...

We were four rather seasoned listeners and none of us was able to hear what the defect brought by the jitter sounded like... Until the moment when we heard it very well because the DAC simply stalled...

What are you talking about?

 

[Transmaniacon]

I never realized how much discussion could be had over the aesthetics of a budget DAC… if you don’t like the look, it’s not for you.

 

[restorer-john]

I never realized how much discussion could be had over the aesthetics of a budget DAC… if you don’t like the look, it’s not for you.

Aesthetics were brought up by Amir. “The unit sports a gorgeous, white segmented display with highly responsive control. It is a joy to use”

To me, and many others, it looks cheap, nasty and not remotely ’gorgeous’, no matter if it was free or sent to me gratis…

It looks like something I would have made in the 1980s in a 1U rackmount case and desperately tried to convince myself it was decent. Luckily I moved on to real HiFi.

 

[Ajax]

Thanks…nice form factor and I hope I am correct in saying that the rca output can be use for a subwoofer, which if true is a wonderful feature all for 229…

That is how I have my set up - an SMSL SU8 DAC with the XLR going to a Buckeye hypex amp driving a pair of B&W speakers, and the RCA to a Velodyne sub, so that both the mains and sub receive a full range signal. I set the sub's crossover (low pass filter) to 60hz and adjust the volume via a remote to suit the music I'm listening to ensuring that it "blends" well with the mains.

Most probably to simple for many here but it works great.