Thanks for the review! Finally, useful and good looking displays are becoming more common. I wonder why it took so long. Equalizer or VU meters should have been standard on all DACs since forever.
I wish you could stick to a given speaker for your listening samples so I could compare DACs between your videos. I love your channel make no mistake about that.
I had this DAC for a week. You've perfectly described the sonic "fingerprint" of it. With my ELAC loudspeakers it sounded too bright, too harsh. On the other hand, I have never heard such a level of detail. But in the end I found it a bit fatiguing and irritating. Maybe the OCTO version will change this? Thanks
I now use the laptop's USB to connect the Topping D70Pro SABER (preamp output), and then use xlr to connect the Topping A70Pro (preamp output), and then I use RCA to connect the active speakers. 1. Are the above connections correct? 2. Is it necessary to purchase DDC again? 3. Does DDC help blacken the music background (although I don’t know much about blackening the music background)?
Your connection is good, DDC is not the most different maker in sound, all it can do is slight improvement but it may be more beneficial for you with the laptop setup.
Hi there, great video, I’ve always admired your attention to details. I am currently running a marantz 40n, kef r3, kef ls150 sub while using a blusound n130. Now the blusound does have a dac, should I still get one to improve sound quality? My use is 70 percent music and 30 percent pc gaming. Appreciate your help if your time allows…
Well DONE ! I think Topping provides GREAT value overall. However, I am disappointed with my D50s that can not "lock" signals from any Coax (RCA Digital) sources. It's a very well known issue online. I only use USB and Toslink (optical) for years hence was not aware of the Coax problem. Unfortunately, I found out about it way past the warranty date and they want me to send it back to China ! Chinese companies do not value customer service nor customer retention. So i am currently on the fence with Topping. Caveat emptor !
@@Tharbamar Will try that... From what I've read online, it seems like a known issue with no known resolution. Frankly, I have moved on to Denafrips which is rock solid as a DAC.
@@Tharbamar me too. I had the R26 and put it through 600 hrs and compared it to my 2014 Stereophile class A NAD M-51. The R26 was definitely a great dac, but imaging was better on the NAD. The M-51 was 2k new and can be found from time to time for $500. I sold the R26 for 1300 to a lucky guy in CA and by the time EBay took their $200 I had lost $500 on this new dac
I have Pier Audio 580, Fyne Audio F501 speakers and bluesound node 2 streamer (wich i use only for transport). Wich DAC do you recommend for my system?
Nice! Always enjoy demos on your channel. Currently i have Musical fidelity m5si integrated amp, kef q950 speakers and eversolo dmp-a6 streamer (wich i use only for transport). Wich DAC do you recommend for my system? It's not about money (don't want to spend more than i need for my system), i ask, because i am lost in all DAC's this days and i really trust only to your reviews (don't have chance to listen them all). Was thinkin' a little in Gustard direction, but want to hear your taste recommendation for my system. Thanks in advance for answer.
I would go with D70 Pro Sabre for higher performance because as always sound is subjective, personally I slightly more preferred sound of DX7 Pro+ sound for ESS chip based DAC.
I just got my unit yesterday with QED XLR cables . I connected it straight to my Sunfire cinema grand amp which are powering my M&K S300. Running RCA from D70 pro to my X12 subwoofer , cutting off at 80HZ. It sounded much better in compare to using the D70 plus as DAC and Marantz AV8805 as preamp under pure direct mode. It felt my Oppo 205 returned beefed up :) Now working on choosing the right PCM filter.
You should choose and use more some songs (maybe fix 3 songs) to show full bass, treble, instruments, vocal, fast and slow music,...The current sound demo not enough, weak bass and poor instruments. Thanks!
I think from now on less and less DACs (and other hardware) will support MQA. MQA is (almost) bankrupt and Tidal was the only one providing MQA for streaming. Even Tidal anounced they will switch to lossless FLAC files and phase out MQA in the future.
@@Tharbamar In last 5 years gone Digital Audio World specifications is not be give you any visible changing in sound. Only special inside real time CODE alchemy give You part of magic. This Magic is only program code like compressor, limiter, eq and.....many many. And this working not in DA CHIP. All magic in front office😁 In FPGA... If you have good programmers you have good product and Branded Sound. Not... you have a standard sound from chip factory. Magic only in the hands...not in the chip and not in the elements like capacitors and power transformers😁😁😁
Maybe most FPGA chip based R2R DACs are but Not entirely true with Delta Sigma based DAC. There is no magic in digital audio, try to listen record player regularly because that is where the real magic happens. Edit: No matter how good the programmer is, it can’t absolutely change the physical components, that’s why every DAC measured differently even if they’re based on same chip. Physical components are always going to have different results from different approaches in hardware design or software design. Even if they are able to do with one chip for all DAC work it will still have power supply that might influence the performance of it, So no absolute conclusion or magic there.
Personally I don't like the new design, looks cheap. As a happy D70s owner I was expecting much more from this model. I hope they will come with higher end models like Gustard/SMSL and use better components, linear power supply, AKM version 🙏...and please change the look of the VU meter 🤢 and why the 'gold' feet? 😅
Super.I don't have a budget for this DAC, but I would ask you to rank the Topping E70, SMSL - su 9 pro and SMSL d300 in order of quality. I would connect it with an integrated amplifier, a macbook as a streamer and wharfedale evo 4.1 speakers and another pair of Klipsch RP500 M. What is the best of these three because I value your opinion the most and do you have any other recommendations up to 500 dollars. I wouldn't use it with a headphone amplifier, I already have a Topping d30 pro and an A 30 pro. Thank you
@@Tharbamar Components are marantz 6007, wharfedale evo 4.1, cd player sony and laptop for streaming, I already have that. Which DAC do you suggest for me under 500 dollars. Thank you very much
Hi it’s depends on what you are looking for sound wise, because they have different sound. E70 Velvet is more forgiving, D70 Saber more revealing, decision is yours, thanks
Some of the very best sound of this channel. This is a very good DAC. There is richness and also decay. Very good indeed!
Thanks for the review! Finally, useful and good looking displays are becoming more common. I wonder why it took so long. Equalizer or VU meters should have been standard on all DACs since forever.
@@TriAmpMyFi sure, I agree, it should be a feature.
thanks your video
Great ASMR hifi review channel 😊
Hey, thanks!
Thanks for your job
It's my pleasure
I wish you could stick to a given speaker for your listening samples so I could compare DACs between your videos. I love your channel make no mistake about that.
I had this DAC for a week. You've perfectly described the sonic "fingerprint" of it. With my ELAC loudspeakers it sounded too bright, too harsh. On the other hand, I have never heard such a level of detail. But in the end I found it a bit fatiguing and irritating. Maybe the OCTO version will change this? Thanks
Would be nice to compare it to the D70 octo.
Great video,This small Sabre looks so good together with your Panasonic tv,greetings from scotland✌️
Hello there!
Good Job man 💪
Thanks for the review!
Which cover of Heart of Gold is that?
Thanks for sharing.
I now use the laptop's USB to connect the Topping D70Pro SABER (preamp output), and then use xlr to connect the Topping A70Pro (preamp output), and then I use RCA to connect the active speakers.
1. Are the above connections correct?
2. Is it necessary to purchase DDC again?
3. Does DDC help blacken the music background (although I don’t know much about blackening the music background)?
Your connection is good, DDC is not the most different maker in sound, all it can do is slight improvement but it may be more beneficial for you with the laptop setup.
Nicely Done.
I haven't heard that song in a long time.
Just spent 20 min. trying to track down the singers/ band.
Need help :)
Nice looking design hopefully they apply this new look to other products they offer especially the Pre90 i love it but its ugly.
This or Eversolo Z8 for use with an Utopia + A30 Pro?
Will you test it against competitors???
Probably in the future, thanks
my issue with the topping dacs is i hear they don't quite have as wide a soundstage. also, they may be a bit too detailed to be as musical as others?
Sounds beautiful. Is it Bluetooth capable? Thanks
Yes, it is
@@Tharbamar thanks for the reviews. You are the best
i currently have a smsl do200...should i expect much difference in sound if i swapped with this?
It will be system dependent but most case you will get minimum 15-20% Improvement, thanks
Hi there, great video, I’ve always admired your attention to details. I am currently running a marantz 40n, kef r3, kef ls150 sub while using a blusound n130. Now the blusound does have a dac, should I still get one to improve sound quality? My use is 70 percent music and 30 percent pc gaming.
Appreciate your help if your time allows…
Hi depending on the preference but in general good external DAC can help improve the sound in many ways,thanks
Great review，so dx7pro+ still their best ess dac？
Yes in transparency and a bit more forgiving sound.
Well DONE ! I think Topping provides GREAT value overall. However, I am disappointed with my D50s that can not "lock" signals from any Coax (RCA Digital) sources. It's a very well known issue online. I only use USB and Toslink (optical) for years hence was not aware of the Coax problem.
Unfortunately, I found out about it way past the warranty date and they want me to send it back to China ! Chinese companies do not value customer service nor customer retention. So i am currently on the fence with Topping. Caveat emptor !
Probably only D50s issue, factory reset might help with that.
@@Tharbamar Will try that... From what I've read online, it seems like a known issue with no known resolution. Frankly, I have moved on to Denafrips which is rock solid as a DAC.
@@ptg01 Great Choice.
영상 잘 보았습니다. 시간 되시면 블루투스 연결로 노트북에서 유튜브 재생 영상도 소개 부탁드립니다. 감사합니다
I believe I will wait for AKM variant of the D70 Pro Dac. Maybe there will be a D70 Pro Velvet coming?
I hear you.
D90 Pro? Maybe they are planning a new top model. (New design + AK4499EX chips + IIS interface)
AKM dac is just a hint of the analog sound, r2r dac is what most are transitioning to. Once you hear it, you can't go back to Sigma delta dacs.
Well I’m other way around, R2R and back to DS DAC.
@@Tharbamar me too. I had the R26 and put it through 600 hrs and compared it to my 2014 Stereophile class A NAD M-51. The R26 was definitely a great dac, but imaging was better on the NAD. The M-51 was 2k new and can be found from time to time for $500. I sold the R26 for 1300 to a lucky guy in CA and by the time EBay took their $200 I had lost $500 on this new dac
hi do you have the link for the usb cable you used in the video? thanks
Hi, I'm using this one, amzn.to/3D5r8H3
Do you think the preamp would be a good fit for E70 Velvet and Kef R3s?
If you are asking about A70 Pro it is a very good Pre stage, should work well in any system.
Are the feet removable? I don't like the gold color 😊
I have Pier Audio 580, Fyne Audio F501 speakers and bluesound node 2 streamer (wich i use only for transport). Wich DAC do you recommend for my system?
I’m not familiar with Pier Audio 580 Amp but D70 Pro Saber sound is neutral it should work well in any system.
Ciao a tutti! Ho un topping d70s. Secondo te, questo dac suona meglio delle d70s? Grazie in anticipo.
Thanks...between E70 and this one which one do you prefer?
E70 Velvet a little more in my system.
Hello. How does it compare to Gustard x18?
Sorry X18 is distance memory, can’t remember.
Nice! Always enjoy demos on your channel.
Currently i have Musical fidelity m5si integrated amp, kef q950 speakers and eversolo dmp-a6 streamer (wich i use only for transport). Wich DAC do you recommend for my system? It's not about money (don't want to spend more than i need for my system), i ask, because i am lost in all DAC's this days and i really trust only to your reviews (don't have chance to listen them all). Was thinkin' a little in Gustard direction, but want to hear your taste recommendation for my system. Thanks in advance for answer.
With KEF Gustard R26 R2R DAC should work great or Denafrips Ares 12th, Thank you.
Why would you need a better DAC?
Upgrade your speakers to the Kef R7’s and you’ll be pleased by how much better than the Q series they are
How would you compare it to smsl su-9 Pro ? And Eversolo Z8 ?
I would go with D70 Pro Sabre for higher performance because as always sound is subjective, personally I slightly more preferred sound of DX7 Pro+ sound for ESS chip based DAC.
How does it compare with D90se? Does D70 pro has better resolution and noise control compared to D90se?
Slightly better than D90SE.
Why you do not use the pmasx11?
Thanks
It’s in the different system, thanks
@@Tharbamar thans for the answer. Do you still the sx11 worth its premium price? Im debating between to amps now
@Vitaly Okunev Yes definitely better buy than many amps in $5000 range.
Hello
Which dac is better in your opinion ? Topping d 70 pro or Gustard a 26 ?
Gustard. I've owned both
Nice review, thank you! Do you know if this DAC will also come in an AK edition?
I'm not sure but they should.
@@Tharbamar Agree. Thanx for the reply 👍
Which album is this track from,?
From HiFi Voice of Memories.
Thanks, I can't find it, who is the artist
How can this sounds better than the standard D70? I mean arnt we splitting hairs at this point with the DAC madness ?
that's the point; to keep people thinking they need to upgrade. Buy gear to listen to music; not buy music to listen to gear!
does it play dsd?
Plays DSD natively.
@@Tharbamar thanks , so I guess MQa is missing
I just got my unit yesterday with QED XLR cables . I connected it straight to my Sunfire cinema grand amp which are powering my M&K S300. Running RCA from D70 pro to my X12 subwoofer , cutting off at 80HZ. It sounded much better in compare to using the D70 plus as DAC and Marantz AV8805 as preamp under pure direct mode. It felt my Oppo 205 returned beefed up :) Now working on choosing the right PCM filter.
There is no sibilance but there is a bit of glare.
You should choose and use more some songs (maybe fix 3 songs) to show full bass, treble, instruments, vocal, fast and slow music,...The current sound demo not enough, weak bass and poor instruments. Thanks!
Hello, please, what are the three best DACs in the $500 range for a system with speakers and an integrated amplifier. Thank you
This one not support MQA.
For better or for worse, I think MQA's days are numbered...
I think from now on less and less DACs (and other hardware) will support MQA. MQA is (almost) bankrupt and Tidal was the only one providing MQA for streaming. Even Tidal anounced they will switch to lossless FLAC files and phase out MQA in the future.
DAC with any brightness should be be a coffee holder
Topping……RME ADI 2 DAC inside??? DIsplay, menu logic, Rotating knob from RME….
Not at all, D70 Pro Sabre is much better in noise reduction performance compared to RME.
@@Tharbamar
In last 5 years gone Digital Audio World specifications is not be give you any visible changing in sound.
Only special inside real time CODE alchemy give You part of magic. This Magic is only program code like compressor, limiter, eq and.....many many.
And this working not in DA CHIP. All magic in front office😁
In FPGA...
If you have good programmers you have good product and Branded Sound. Not... you have a standard sound from chip factory.
Magic only in the hands...not in the chip and not in the elements like capacitors and power transformers😁😁😁
Maybe most FPGA chip based R2R DACs are but Not entirely true with Delta Sigma based DAC.
There is no magic in digital audio, try to listen record player regularly because that is where the real magic happens.
Edit: No matter how good the programmer is, it can’t absolutely change the physical components, that’s why every DAC measured differently even if they’re based on same chip.
Physical components are always going to have different results from different approaches in hardware design or software design.
Even if they are able to do with one chip for all DAC work it will still have power supply that might influence the performance of it,
So no absolute conclusion or magic there.
Personally I don't like the new design, looks cheap. As a happy D70s owner I was expecting much more from this model. I hope they will come with higher end models like Gustard/SMSL and use better components, linear power supply, AKM version 🙏...and please change the look of the VU meter 🤢 and why the 'gold' feet? 😅
Gay kontroll😂😂😂
Super.I don't have a budget for this DAC, but I would ask you to rank the Topping E70, SMSL - su 9 pro and SMSL d300 in order of quality. I would connect it with an integrated amplifier, a macbook as a streamer and wharfedale evo 4.1 speakers and another pair of Klipsch RP500 M. What is the best of these three because I value your opinion the most and do you have any other recommendations up to 500 dollars. I wouldn't use it with a headphone amplifier, I already have a Topping d30 pro and an A 30 pro. Thank you
Too many variables, please settle with your main components before you buy a DAC. Thanks
@@Tharbamar Components are marantz 6007, wharfedale evo 4.1, cd player sony and laptop for streaming, I already have that. Which DAC do you suggest for me under 500 dollars. Thank you very much
@@clan_biblioteke Personally I would go with SMSL D300 if I have same components. Thanks
@@Tharbamar thanks
Do you recommend this DAC or Topping e70 velvet? Greetings
Hi it’s depends on what you are looking for sound wise, because they have different sound.
E70 Velvet is more forgiving, D70 Saber more revealing, decision is yours, thanks
@@Tharbamar I really enjoy your reviews
@@Tharbamar I expect a review for the Topping A70 pro headphone amplifier 😊
@@clan_biblioteke Yes I'm trying it right now, thanks