I AM SO IMPRESSED BY YOUR ENGLISH! You express such subteties with such excellent refined vocabulary! This makes your reviews lusher, richer, deeper with finer detail and more focus than many others! When you review, I have to prick up my ears! All the best, Rob in Switzerland
Excellent review! I still prefer the Gustard a26 as it's very airy and detailed, yet not cold or analytical. According to your comments on this Topping a decent tube preamp would be needed to add body and fullness and remove hard edges common to all highend analytical dacs. Thank you for your excellent work that benefits our community.
Mr. Worth It, Excellent review! Thank you! I would like to mention to you my recent Topping experience. I own the D90III Sabre. This, as you know, is a very revealing, very detailed, very black-background DAC. I recently purchased the Topping U90 USB Bridge, mainly out of curiosity. I was completely happy and satisfied with the performance of the D90III, but wanted to see if I could push the performance of the DAC a little bit further. Well...... Wow! Once connected through IIS, the detail level went from very, very good to incredible. And, SUBSTANTIALLY more impressive, the blackness of the background became even more black. When I say black, I mean BLACK. Eerily black. I have always heard the expression "the sound comes from nothing" when referring to background blackness, and I thought I knew what that meant. I was wrong. Since you have the D90III Sabre and Discrete models at your dispossal, I would HIGHLY encourage you to try them with the U90 interface using IIS connection. Love your channel and your unbiased review style. Keep up the good work! And, again, thanks!
Whenever I hear the words, "Topping" and "Discrete" used in the same sentence, I get excited, VERY excited. As a long term user of 4 LA90 Discrete amps (all run in mono), Pre-90 preamp and D90SE Dac, all as part of an active setup using Lii Audio F18 and F6 drivers in an open baffle set up, I can say that everything that has been said in terms of detail retrieval, resolution and overall musicality is correct. You are in the concert hall, you are in the recording studio. Having said all that, if the discrete version of D90 does everything as well as has been described, I may well have the need to go on bended knee to the Lady of the House seeking to have the purse strings opened again!
Hey Stephan. I am also building an open baffle setup and still in the process of figuring it out. The road with passive crossover didn't work well with the woofers I got and I am looking at DSPs now. How do you filter your creations? :)
I'm always here for your reviews. You don't sugar coat things so therefore your opinion comes across as genuine. If you get the opportunity, please review the Aiyima A70 Mono. I like how you talk about tone and timbre along with pacing/timing. These are important (vital) aspects to music playback. Some machines do it better than others and not all things that measure well sound good. Keep up the great work that you do! I appreciate it a lot! Also, I just bought the Fiio FT1 headphones which I bought at an extremely low price (I think they made a mistake when they posted the price as I haven't seen it for that price since). They're a great all-round headphone with reasonable passive noise isolation. They might be worth a review from you!
Excellent review. My Tradutto is on fire. I have Synergy to spare if anyone needs it. Over three years running in my rig. Thanks to you. Made up my mind to replace it with the CEC D5 to match my CEC TL5, hopefully not soon. Cool runnings.
So happy, finally there is better options than chord qutest for less !!! For me who doesn’t have big money i want expensive soundstage for less than 1k !
I auditioned the Topping and it did sound very good. Would have kept it but the Holo Audio Cyan 2 just sounded better for only a couple of hundred $ more. Thanks for the video. Rock on!
@@x-techgaming I bought and listened to it hooked up to my main setup. Yes I own the Cyan 2 and it’s what’s I’m using. You can’t buy, audition and return the Cyan 2 unless it’s defective so it’s a leap of faith but it was only about $1300 US delivered (still not cheap) so I took a chance and I’m glad I did. I haven’t heard the Taurus. Let us know how it sounds if you get it.
Great review, nice to see Topping back with a nice dac. I like all the strong points but would have liked a few % more warmth/fullness in the mix. I´m afraid a to detailed, fast and neutral sound could be fatuiging with my already detailed speakers. Guess the Cyan is the closest to my liking but I really don´t like the copper accents 🙈 (as long I can´t hide somewhere I will never buy it). Seems I´m stuck with my D70s forever 😅 (which is not a bad thing) Laiv is actually 3000€ all included so 3x Topping
Right on the point. There is better at the price point without getting harsh and bright. A midrange that is flat does not sound good. It just gets in your face and gets tiring.
It's been a long time since I've heard a topping or SMSL DAC but it's funny that from your review I got what my stereotype for such products. If this is their first inhouse 1 bit product, maybe better things will come in the future but for now I'm keeping my Cyan 2. Some day I might get the May, which is sort of my dream dac, or maybe something cheaper and as good comes along, perhaps this 1bit tech opens the door to such products.
I have the d50iii and as far as the remote, I think I discovered hitting the mute button wakes it up faster than using volume. I have not done any testing - it worked the past two times I remembered to do when turning on the TV and netflix is blasting a compressed to the tits preview. lol
Hi Ivi, thanks for your great review. By comparing this Topping with the R26 don't forget that the Gustard has it's own streaming module buildt in, which works well an didn't use any wireing to an external streamer. Of course this may be only an advantage if I like streaming and didn't have a better external streamer like the Holo Audio Red for example, which I use togehter with a R26 . Greetings, Michael
Agreed, R26 is a capable DAC and renderer that I still recomend to many. Just add Bubble UPnP, USB Audio Player Pro, or Roon, and you're set with fantastic digital platform.
Thx, instead of having to choose between 2 dacs now they are 3... 😢 Schiit Bifrost 2/64 and Denafrips 15th... PS I am using Topping A90 Discrete as PRE.
Can you imagine what this DAC would would like with better parts and a linear power supply. Perhaps at the level of a Chord Hugo 2? I hope you will get to review the Gustard x30 Pro sometime soon.
Another great review. l would love to know which of these DACs sound closest to a very good analogue system but maybe that is a question you cannot answer unless you have a secret turntable somewhere?
I have been looking at the Holo Cyan 2 to go with my Dynaudio Evoke 20, and this review has just blurred my choice of DAC. The Holo Cyan 2 apparently can sound different according to what you feed it, ie, upsampling from the source. The Evoke 20 are warm sounding speakers and so pairing with a non warm DAC is important ( I think). Now I am leaning a little towards this Topping DAC. Like someone else commented on here, you cannot audition any of these DACs and so it is a "leap of faith". One thing I absolutely don't want is any harshness, and the Topping's high level of detail may be too much perhaps when playing all my thousands of tracks on random, and showing up the poor recordings too much. I welcome any opinions and suggestions as to which DAC to go for, given my already warm speakers.
I am going to pump the brakes on DAC jumping for a while and stick with the Cyan 2 Schiit has this DAC implementation coming out soon and as mentioned so does Chord Also, the digital amplifiers from Technics and Marantz are impressive as they don’t have DACs they inherently convert everything into digital I have a Technics digital amplifier and color me impressed Chord has a new DAC in the pipeline Bottom line for me is sit tight and see how things shake out over the next year or few
I pumped the brakes on DAC swaps too, and instead spent the money on Stack Audio isolation products for my speakers and equipment. iiwi has reviewed them, and they indeed make a more dramatic difference than any DAC swap I've experienced. Highly recommended upgrade that doesn't result in having excess gear inventory. 👍
@@ChicagoRob2 There is a new Gungnir DAC coming soon based on this one but technology and in addition Schiit has their own Delta Sigma chip coming out as well. If I find these interesting I will use their Unison USB as the connection out and in. If you search on TH-cam for Schiit Jason Stoddard you will find the latest videos most useful. The one from the Audiophile Foundation or Society or whatever it is called and the last SchittR live. These are about 3 or 4 months old as I recall.
Pearl Acoustics DACs Pt.3: The Ultimate Comparison: Topping vs SMSL vs Sugden vs Denafrips! th-cam.com/video/lw_PhIBaPng/w-d-xo.html [ I also give a comparison demonstration of music played through the Topping D90 Mklll (dual Sabre), the SMSL D400 EX (dual AKM), the Topping D10 balanced (Sabre), the Denafrips Pontus 15th. (R2R, Ladder) and the Sugden DAP 800 (dual Philips TDA1543). ]
@@hinchlikescake7592or natural and lifelike vs clinical and analytical. The latter only people that dislike music enjoy. Most people that get cynical and harsh analytical crap learn better along their audiophile journey. Anyways enjoy your music, but don't be an asshat
Finally, been waiting for this thank you for the review. wish it was like an R2R with more details unfortunately its an ultimate ess with soundstage/depth ? seems this need to rely on the amp to give it a juicy flavour. tube maybe?
Most would just not get a dac of this type as the source is harder to adjust right later in the system. Fuller, detailed and more natural sounding DACs opens up for a wider range of pre/amp solutions. This goes for speakers too. Never start out "bright" in a system. This is kinda a how to build a system basic guide.. Enjoy your music
Wow being an owner of the previous version of this dac and the r26 as well it is saying something huge to say this is better then the Gustard! The r26 beats the version prior to this so soundly... that it is not even in the same league let alone best it!
1bit is a beastly technology when done right. Almost only very very expensive DACs are 1bit, up until recent few years. Topping is leading the way here. Very very impressive indeed.
Both of these DACs are so good that in most cases winner would be determined by better system matching. It's like choosing a right type of vehicle for the right kind of road. But as far as these things can be compared objectively, which is not easy, I do belive that D90 III discrete has more potential that can be unlocked in the right setup. But in the end, it's always smarter to choose what's better for you instead of what's better nominally.
@@iiWiReviews correct me if I'm understanding you wrong, but it sounds in your comment like you think the Topping D90 III Discrete is slightly ahead in terms of sheer brute force resolution and ability to unearth "plankton" micro detail? If my speakers are really full sounding, which they are, the Topping should be the clear choice yes?
How does this compare to the Ares 15th? I bought the 15th based off from your review, but had my eye on the D90 III Discreet. My amp is the A90 Discreet; Did I make the right choice?
I hope you like it and worry not. Even though D90 III discrete is technically better (more revealing and faster), there's some magic and naturalness to R2Rs that is addictive. Also, I think that Ares is a good match for A90D. Mixing of different tonalities is usually a good thing. Doubling on the same character may be too much of it.
Fully pimped J2S is softer and smoother but Topping sounds bigger, more energetic, and it is more revealing. It is objectively better but that doesn't mean you would like it more.
R2R will fall from grace again at some point and 1-bit will again be all the rage. Should be able to pick up a Terminator + for a very decent price in a couple of years.
Mhm, isn't the X30 not about 3k Euro? But what shall we expect in this case if the D90III discrete sounds already similiar good as the half priced Gustard R26, which is for around 1.5k? Without hearing the Topping but AS an owner of a R26 I think the X30 is one the best sounding DAC at this time. Of course, the differences in such price ranges will be not as big as someone expect but they are existing. Greetings, Michael
New Subscriber from Japan - Thank-you, for your very detailed DAC reviews. My question is - I have been planning on upgrading to either the HOLO CYAN 2, the LAIV Harmony DAC, Denafrips Venus 15th -or- the latest Gustard $2K+ model..... Which would you, **other subscribers*** recommend? N.B. - I am a big fan of R2R - I have had the Denafrips Pontus 12th in my system for a while... Many, many thanks!! (I listen to pretty much most genres of music aside from modern 'pop' & jazz). p.s. Very important fact - I *don't stream* via my hi-fi system - I have a top-level CD Transport and still prefer CD's ..... I only stream **via my computer ** w/ a good enough slightly lower-tier Topping DAC w/ a more than good enough sound for my desk-top needs.
Have the Laiv and the Venus 12th. Hard call and it will depend on the rest of your system. Imaging is better on the Venus but can sound a bit lean depending on the preamp/amp combo. Tone and warmth better on the Laiv, and works well with class d or anything that I have tried. I stream from Arce.
I auditioned the Topping but liked the sound of the Cyan 2 better. It’s just a DAC so if you want a video screen and settings etc. You may like the Topping. For just the best sounding DAC the Cyan 2 is the best sounding for under $2K US in my experience.
@@DSor1 Thank-you so much for your reply - greatly appreciated! I use a recently fully re-capped, etc., Roksan Caspian MK.2 pre/power set-up, (c. $8K when new). Very tight, powerful bass/ very detailed mids & top-end detail. Spkrs. = Amphion Argon 3S's - Passive Radiator on back like the Buchardts, but tighter /quicker bottom end, and a little less dark. Big soundstage depth & v.good for late-night listening, too. T/table = REGA RP-8 w/ Phono Amp & $2.5K MC Cartridge... [I've lived in Japan, (ex-Scotland) - for past 26 years - Audio engineer/musician/producer), *so have to be more careful w/ volume levels after 9pm*] All the very, very best!! p.s. Forgot to mention - Desktop = Eversolo DMP-A8 w/ Topping E70 >> Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G's . (Source is iMac 2022).
@@Voidoid77What are you using the topping E70 for with the Eversolo A8 ? DAC section of the Eversolo is of an better quality than an E70? I'd understand it if you had the basic A6.
I will upgrade my amplification and speakers first, then my streaming source once I am done with that I am sure there will be better and cheaper dacs again.....
Michel Portal plays a bass clarinet - I love it! DACs are quite amazing - I love listening to them for their qualities - but *how* they work might as well be magic.
From some test comparisons on here it is a very uninvolving plastic artificial dac as are the SMSL and Ares and Pontus and many more. So I say get at most an LTA Aero or AAdac or Sugden dac 4 or Audionote dac or FX Tube Glass dac or Harmony r2r or Cyan 2 rtr and save for real analog vinyl or mastermix tape 🤔
A6 ME will sound better with a NOS dac upsampled to 176.4 KHz (EOS turned off). Bifrost 2/64, cyan 2 or an R26 would make a good match. If you're looking for an analog sound, I'd avoid the hype up topping with the cheap switching power supply.
I ordered a week ago this dac ,before looking at any review , i. Was sure this dac will perform as said , the dicrete modules make magic to the sound
@@WILLIAMMORALES-gw1zz i don't know your avr but you'll be using analog only. even if it can process the signal, i think it won't, unless you want it to.
![[Sub Thai] APT. - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bYjhzP8x_uc/mqdefault.jpg)
I AM SO IMPRESSED BY YOUR ENGLISH! You express such subteties with such excellent refined vocabulary! This makes your reviews lusher, richer, deeper with finer detail and more focus than many others! When you review, I have to prick up my ears! All the best, Rob in Switzerland
I love your accent and you really are the best reviewer from the 50+ hifi reviewers I follow. Very good and intelligent explanations 🙂
So I think most of us are waiting now for the D900 and Centaurus to have a complete Topping overview before deciding 😊
Excellent review! I still prefer the Gustard a26 as it's very airy and detailed, yet not cold or analytical. According to your comments on this Topping a decent tube preamp would be needed to add body and fullness and remove hard edges common to all highend analytical dacs. Thank you for your excellent work that benefits our community.
Such a great value, especially when you consider how that thing is built.
Mr. Worth It,
Excellent review! Thank you!
I would like to mention to you my recent Topping experience.
I own the D90III Sabre. This, as you know, is a very revealing, very detailed, very black-background DAC.
I recently purchased the Topping U90 USB Bridge, mainly out of curiosity. I was completely happy and satisfied with the performance of the D90III, but wanted to see if I could push the performance of the DAC a little bit further.
Well...... Wow!
Once connected through IIS, the detail level went from very, very good to incredible. And, SUBSTANTIALLY more impressive, the blackness of the background became even more black.
When I say black, I mean BLACK. Eerily black.
I have always heard the expression "the sound comes from nothing" when referring to background blackness, and I thought I knew what that meant.
I was wrong.
Since you have the D90III Sabre and Discrete models at your dispossal, I would HIGHLY encourage you to try them with the U90 interface using IIS connection.
Love your channel and your unbiased review style.
Keep up the good work!
And, again, thanks!
I laughed at you calling him "Mr Worth it". I remember seeing somebody calling the Singer Meatloaf... "Mr Loaf"
Whenever I hear the words, "Topping" and "Discrete" used in the same sentence, I get excited, VERY excited. As a long term user of 4 LA90 Discrete amps (all run in mono), Pre-90 preamp and D90SE Dac, all as part of an active setup using Lii Audio F18 and F6 drivers in an open baffle set up, I can say that everything that has been said in terms of detail retrieval, resolution and overall musicality is correct. You are in the concert hall, you are in the recording studio.
Having said all that, if the discrete version of D90 does everything as well as has been described, I may well have the need to go on bended knee to the Lady of the House seeking to have the purse strings opened again!
Hey Stephan. I am also building an open baffle setup and still in the process of figuring it out. The road with passive crossover didn't work well with the woofers I got and I am looking at DSPs now. How do you filter your creations? :)
I'm always here for your reviews. You don't sugar coat things so therefore your opinion comes across as genuine. If you get the opportunity, please review the Aiyima A70 Mono. I like how you talk about tone and timbre along with pacing/timing. These are important (vital) aspects to music playback. Some machines do it better than others and not all things that measure well sound good. Keep up the great work that you do! I appreciate it a lot! Also, I just bought the Fiio FT1 headphones which I bought at an extremely low price (I think they made a mistake when they posted the price as I haven't seen it for that price since). They're a great all-round headphone with reasonable passive noise isolation. They might be worth a review from you!
This sounds super smooth!
Excellent review. My Tradutto is on fire. I have Synergy to spare if anyone needs it. Over three years running in my rig. Thanks to you. Made up my mind to replace it with the CEC D5 to match my CEC TL5, hopefully not soon. Cool runnings.
You should try and get your hands on a Geshelli J3 Pro DAC with either the Sparkos 2590 op amps or Burson V7 Vivids. 🔥
So happy, finally there is better options than chord qutest for less !!!
For me who doesn’t have big money i want expensive soundstage for less than 1k !
Great review and thanks for the Qutest comparison, I was considering it.
I auditioned the Topping and it did sound very good. Would have kept it but the Holo Audio Cyan 2 just sounded better for only a couple of hundred $ more. Thanks for the video. Rock on!
What do you mean by "audition", exactly? You own the Cyan 2, I'm guessing? I'm looking at the Taurus DAC.
@@x-techgaming I bought and listened to it hooked up to my main setup. Yes I own the Cyan 2 and it’s what’s I’m using. You can’t buy, audition and return the Cyan 2 unless it’s defective so it’s a leap of faith but it was only about $1300 US delivered (still not cheap) so I took a chance and I’m glad I did. I haven’t heard the Taurus. Let us know how it sounds if you get it.
Great review, nice to see Topping back with a nice dac. I like all the strong points but would have liked a few % more warmth/fullness in the mix. I´m afraid a to detailed, fast and neutral sound could be fatuiging with my already detailed speakers. Guess the Cyan is the closest to my liking but I really don´t like the copper accents 🙈 (as long I can´t hide somewhere I will never buy it). Seems I´m stuck with my D70s forever 😅 (which is not a bad thing) Laiv is actually 3000€ all included so 3x Topping
Right on the point. There is better at the price point without getting harsh and bright. A midrange that is flat does not sound good. It just gets in your face and gets tiring.
Great review once again. Thanks a lot.
Hvala puno. Awesome review of a great product
Most excellent review.
Great review. Any more comparisons with R2R dacs would be really appreciated.
Topping has done it with the topping dx9 pro, you have to try it, either as a dac or a great headphone dac/amp
It's been a long time since I've heard a topping or SMSL DAC but it's funny that from your review I got what my stereotype for such products. If this is their first inhouse 1 bit product, maybe better things will come in the future but for now I'm keeping my Cyan 2. Some day I might get the May, which is sort of my dream dac, or maybe something cheaper and as good comes along, perhaps this 1bit tech opens the door to such products.
Where would you say SMSL VMV D1se2 sits in comparison?
Great review! Do you have any thoughts on the Topping DX9?
Great review, thanks! 🙏
Great review. Again.
THANKS SRBOLJUB FOR SHARING THIS 😎🧐💚💚💚
how does it compare to A26? which one do you prefer 🤤thanks
I have the d50iii and as far as the remote, I think I discovered hitting the mute button wakes it up faster than using volume. I have not done any testing - it worked the past two times I remembered to do when turning on the TV and netflix is blasting a compressed to the tits preview. lol
How doe it compare to the RME ADI 2 DAC in terms of sound quality? I like the option of parametric eq and those two DACs offer that.
Hi Ivi, thanks for your great review. By comparing this Topping with the R26 don't forget that the Gustard has it's own streaming module buildt in, which works well an didn't use any wireing to an external streamer. Of course this may be only an advantage if I like streaming and didn't have a better external streamer like the Holo Audio Red for example, which I use togehter with a R26 .
Greetings, Michael
Agreed, R26 is a capable DAC and renderer that I still recomend to many. Just add Bubble UPnP, USB Audio Player Pro, or Roon, and you're set with fantastic digital platform.
I'll be interested to see how people compare the Topping D90 III to the Bluesound Node Icon ... both have double ES9039 DACs.
Nice review! Regarding the remote, I guess for example an Apple TV remote will not be able to learn it since it's bluetooth?
Thx, instead of having to choose between 2 dacs now they are 3... 😢
Schiit Bifrost 2/64 and Denafrips 15th...
PS I am using Topping A90 Discrete as PRE.
Might need to add a Geshelli labs JNOG 3 to that list..
How about taking a look at the DIY scene and review the Gabster Dac? You have done some interesting diy projects why not this?
Can you imagine what this DAC would would like with better parts and a linear power supply. Perhaps at the level of a Chord Hugo 2?
I hope you will get to review the Gustard x30 Pro sometime soon.
I know I would love to see and hear something like that.
Thanks for the music suggestion - Michel Portal 'Docking'
My Gustard AUDALYTICS AH90 is lovely with a streamer. Sounds interesting. Halo cyan 2 or Topping Discrete. Good review
Great review.
Even higher tier Topping D900 Discrete is coming very soon 😎
Price?
Thomass & Stereo in his video (from CN show) told it would be $1500-ish
And it will sound exactly the same.
Even SMSL C200 is high-end, it's better than anything else in the system
@@Hirnlego999Maybe but the D900 looks nice 😋
Thanks for being "so awesome"!
If d90 iii discrete's sound quality is in the same ballpark as the cyan 2, i guess it wins looking at how many features it has (vs the cyan)
Whichever one that has the tonality you like wins
In China its even more convincing since it sells for US765 v LAiV US1980 thats quite a big difference
Another great review. l would love to know which of these DACs sound closest to a very good analogue system but maybe that is a question you cannot answer unless you have a secret turntable somewhere?
Can you comment on this vs the X30?
You are indeed, awesome! 👍😁👍
I have been looking at the Holo Cyan 2 to go with my Dynaudio Evoke 20, and this review has just blurred my choice of DAC. The Holo Cyan 2 apparently can sound different according to what you feed it, ie, upsampling from the source. The Evoke 20 are warm sounding speakers and so pairing with a non warm DAC is important ( I think). Now I am leaning a little towards this Topping DAC. Like someone else commented on here, you cannot audition any of these DACs and so it is a "leap of faith".
One thing I absolutely don't want is any harshness, and the Topping's high level of detail may be too much perhaps when playing all my thousands of tracks on random, and showing up the poor recordings too much.
I welcome any opinions and suggestions as to which DAC to go for, given my already warm speakers.
A neutral DAC is best. I would tweak sound predominantly with the preamplifier. This depends on whether you are using an integrated amp or not
Looks like a good DAC paired with the Arcam A25.
I am going to pump the brakes on DAC jumping for a while and stick with the Cyan 2
Schiit has this DAC implementation coming out soon and as mentioned so does Chord
Also, the digital amplifiers from Technics and Marantz are impressive as they don’t have DACs they inherently convert everything into digital
I have a Technics digital amplifier and color me impressed
Chord has a new DAC in the pipeline
Bottom line for me is sit tight and see how things shake out over the next year or few
I pumped the brakes on DAC swaps too, and instead spent the money on Stack Audio isolation products for my speakers and equipment. iiwi has reviewed them, and they indeed make a more dramatic difference than any DAC swap I've experienced. Highly recommended upgrade that doesn't result in having excess gear inventory. 👍
Tell me more about the new Schiit DAC implementation.
@@ChicagoRob2 There is a new Gungnir DAC coming soon based on this one but technology and in addition Schiit has their own Delta Sigma chip coming out as well.
If I find these interesting I will use their Unison USB as the connection out and in.
If you search on TH-cam for Schiit Jason Stoddard you will find the latest videos most useful.
The one from the Audiophile Foundation or Society or whatever it is called and the last SchittR live.
These are about 3 or 4 months old as I recall.
Okay guys, this is the point when we can say that Topping has arrived with its DACs! And don't forget, D900 is still to come!
If compare with musician pegasus II DAC do you recommend change to this DAC?
Pearl Acoustics
DACs Pt.3: The Ultimate Comparison: Topping vs SMSL vs Sugden vs Denafrips!
th-cam.com/video/lw_PhIBaPng/w-d-xo.html
[ I also give a comparison demonstration of music played through the Topping D90 Mklll (dual Sabre), the SMSL D400 EX (dual AKM), the Topping D10 balanced (Sabre), the Denafrips Pontus 15th. (R2R, Ladder) and the Sugden DAP 800 (dual Philips TDA1543). ]
Naim ref DAC R2R out perform these Chinese , i have all of them but i got to say Naim sounds very organic 😊😊
...whatever organic means 🥩 🥦
@@DushkoKantardjiev Colored sound. So organic 🙃 'Audiophiles' and their snakeoil
Discrete class A output
stages w optical 😊
@@DushkoKantardjiev
It means that you have singer voice infront of you in your living room with all her music instruments and musicians. 😊
@@DushkoKantardjiev
@@hinchlikescake7592or natural and lifelike vs clinical and analytical. The latter only people that dislike music enjoy. Most people that get cynical and harsh analytical crap learn better along their audiophile journey. Anyways enjoy your music, but don't be an asshat
Finally, been waiting for this thank you for the review. wish it was like an R2R with more details unfortunately its an ultimate ess with soundstage/depth ? seems this need to rely on the amp to give it a juicy flavour. tube maybe?
Yes, I would go that way to add some holographic effect.
Most would just not get a dac of this type as the source is harder to adjust right later in the system. Fuller, detailed and more natural sounding DACs opens up for a wider range of pre/amp solutions. This goes for speakers too. Never start out "bright" in a system. This is kinda a how to build a system basic guide.. Enjoy your music
Wow being an owner of the previous version of this dac and the r26 as well it is saying something huge to say this is better then the Gustard! The r26 beats the version prior to this so soundly... that it is not even in the same league let alone best it!
1bit is a beastly technology when done right. Almost only very very expensive DACs are 1bit, up until recent few years. Topping is leading the way here. Very very impressive indeed.
Both of these DACs are so good that in most cases winner would be determined by better system matching. It's like choosing a right type of vehicle for the right kind of road. But as far as these things can be compared objectively, which is not easy, I do belive that D90 III discrete has more potential that can be unlocked in the right setup.
But in the end, it's always smarter to choose what's better for you instead of what's better nominally.
@@iiWiReviews correct me if I'm understanding you wrong, but it sounds in your comment like you think the Topping D90 III Discrete is slightly ahead in terms of sheer brute force resolution and ability to unearth "plankton" micro detail?
If my speakers are really full sounding, which they are, the Topping should be the clear choice yes?
R26 can be improved by fuse replacement and external clock
I assume it’s just a DSP volume control? Nice review
S tier reviewer
It's very unfortunate that you've never reviewed the Gustard X26 Pro. Gustard flagship dacs always define a new standard in sound reproduction.
He had A26 and R26, that X26 would not be far from other Gustard models
How does this compare to the Ares 15th? I bought the 15th based off from your review, but had my eye on the D90 III Discreet. My amp is the A90 Discreet; Did I make the right choice?
I hope you like it and worry not. Even though D90 III discrete is technically better (more revealing and faster), there's some magic and naturalness to R2Rs that is addictive. Also, I think that Ares is a good match for A90D. Mixing of different tonalities is usually a good thing. Doubling on the same character may be too much of it.
Which would match KLH Model 5 best?
Its always worth it watching your reviews‼️💯
Does it surpass fully pimped Geshelli too?
Nope 😮
Not even in the same ballpark..
Fully pimped J2S is softer and smoother but Topping sounds bigger, more energetic, and it is more revealing. It is objectively better but that doesn't mean you would like it more.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks for insighful reply 👍🏼
Conhece o Doge 7 tube dac?
I will stick with my original D90 AKM
R2R will fall from grace again at some point and 1-bit will again be all the rage. Should be able to pick up a Terminator + for a very decent price in a couple of years.
How does it compare to the Gustard X30?
Mhm, isn't the X30 not about 3k Euro? But what shall we expect in this case if the D90III discrete sounds already similiar good as the half priced Gustard R26, which is for around 1.5k? Without hearing the Topping but AS an owner of a R26 I think the X30 is one the best sounding DAC at this time.
Of course, the differences in such price ranges will be not as big as someone expect but they are existing. Greetings, Michael
Does it have a crossfeed feature?
New Subscriber from Japan - Thank-you, for your very detailed DAC reviews. My question is - I have been planning on upgrading to either the HOLO CYAN 2, the LAIV Harmony DAC, Denafrips Venus 15th -or- the latest Gustard $2K+ model..... Which would you, **other subscribers*** recommend?
N.B. - I am a big fan of R2R - I have had the Denafrips Pontus 12th in my system for a while... Many, many thanks!! (I listen to pretty much most genres of music aside from modern 'pop' & jazz).
p.s. Very important fact - I *don't stream* via my hi-fi system - I have a top-level CD Transport and still prefer CD's ..... I only stream **via my computer ** w/ a good enough slightly lower-tier Topping DAC w/ a more than good enough sound for my desk-top needs.
Have the Laiv and the Venus 12th. Hard call and it will depend on the rest of your system. Imaging is better on the Venus but can sound a bit lean depending on the preamp/amp combo. Tone and warmth better on the Laiv, and works well with class d or anything that I have tried. I stream from Arce.
I auditioned the Topping but liked the sound of the Cyan 2 better. It’s just a DAC so if you want a video screen and settings etc. You may like the Topping. For just the best sounding DAC the Cyan 2 is the best sounding for under $2K US in my experience.
@@BobbyBass-x6i Thank-you so much for taking the time to reply. I don't need a video screen. All the very best!
@@DSor1 Thank-you so much for your reply - greatly appreciated! I use a recently fully re-capped, etc., Roksan Caspian MK.2 pre/power set-up, (c. $8K when new). Very tight, powerful bass/ very detailed mids & top-end detail. Spkrs. = Amphion Argon 3S's - Passive Radiator on back like the Buchardts, but tighter /quicker bottom end, and a little less dark. Big soundstage depth & v.good for late-night listening, too. T/table = REGA RP-8 w/ Phono Amp & $2.5K MC Cartridge... [I've lived in Japan, (ex-Scotland) - for past 26 years - Audio engineer/musician/producer), *so have to be more careful w/ volume levels after 9pm*]
All the very, very best!!
p.s. Forgot to mention - Desktop = Eversolo DMP-A8 w/ Topping E70 >> Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G's . (Source is iMac 2022).
@@Voidoid77What are you using the topping E70 for with the Eversolo A8 ? DAC section of the Eversolo is of an better quality than an E70? I'd understand it if you had the basic A6.
I will upgrade my amplification and speakers first, then my streaming source once I am done with that I am sure there will be better and cheaper dacs again.....
BS Node N130 on steroids 😊
@@CarlVanDoren61 yeah Grimm Audio MU2
Michel Portal plays a bass clarinet - I love it!
DACs are quite amazing - I love listening to them for their qualities - but *how* they work might as well be magic.
If you were blindfolded you would struggle to tell the difference
@@seanrichardson9404 ummm - no, it would be easy to hear the difference between some DACs.
@@NeilBlanchard well you obviously.. No better bet you wouldn't but money on it.
W4S 10th edition DAC2V2SE 😊
Discrete class A output stages
Kimber Kable Carbon xlr's 😊
From some test comparisons on here it is a very uninvolving plastic artificial dac as are the SMSL and Ares and Pontus and many more. So I say get at most an LTA Aero or AAdac or Sugden dac 4 or Audionote dac or FX Tube Glass dac or Harmony r2r or Cyan 2 rtr and save for real analog vinyl or mastermix tape 🤔
Topping doing what technology should do. Offer more for less over time.
Moores law
Wonder how the A6 ME sounds with this
A6 ME will sound better with a NOS dac upsampled to 176.4 KHz (EOS turned off). Bifrost 2/64, cyan 2 or an R26 would make a good match. If you're looking for an analog sound, I'd avoid the hype up topping with the cheap switching power supply.
I use the A6 as a transport (Great Software) into a Geshelli Labs DAYZEE (superior Hardware).
SW1X Dac X from SW1X Audio Design, compare the pair. 👀
Can I send you an Orchard Audio Pecan Pi to compare?
It’s not just a DAC, it works good as roon end point or with Volumio streaming.
Another excellent review man.
I ordered a week ago this dac ,before looking at any review , i. Was sure this dac will perform as said , the dicrete modules make magic to the sound
Super
Let me summarize this review. It sounds just like every other DAC.
Lol, methinks your summarising needs a little more practice.
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What genius here knows the answer to my Q? If I"m using a receiver as a preamp, and running a node Can i still use a dac?
connect the node to the dac input and the receiver to the dac output.
Thank you ! I was worried the avr would still process it.
@@WILLIAMMORALES-gw1zz i don't know your avr but you'll be using analog only. even if it can process the signal, i think it won't, unless you want it to.
@@JoseFerreira-zb7wh Thank you for your time!
Not a huge fan of topping stuff. They sound a bit to analytical for my taste. Very cold and sterile
If it has no sound then the problem is the source the material
90% of fake sound comes from the stereo speakers.
your hearing must be like no one else . this over the top. .
Topping's high end products are so unreliable. I've had both an L70 and A70 fail in just over a year of use.
So a Chinese knock off of the Chord Dave internally.
Nixon sure screwed up.
And then a couple decades later. Idiocracy continued with Clinton.
U review almost only Chinese audio .
Why is that !
Probably, because Chinese companies release far more new products every month!
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