It's fun watching the hobby change George. This should be a fun thread.
Michael Green
www.michaelgreenaudio.net
Topping Dacs D-50, DX-7, and DX7s
These things are dirt cheap and getting some hyped up talk. Can change the filtering ect ect and uses the top Sabre dac chip, not pro.
https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-d50-dac.24...
Cheers George
https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-d50-dac.24...
Cheers George
20 responses Add your response
You guys think it’s better than the Modi Multibit? It’s got almost the top ESS dac’s one for each channel I believe, someone said this, "D50 and D7s use 2 x ES9038Q2M - ie one chip for each channel." But as far as doing Redbook goes, I’m for Multibit still, but if you want to do DSD then this is hard to pass up, especially on Massdrop for $199 when they appear, I say now you'll need a trigger finger on the buy now button. Cheers George |
The Topping DACs seem to measure much better (with stock power supplies, no less) than the Schiit Bifrost and Yggdrasil. At least you’ll have a better chance at getting a properly engineered product. I’m certainly tempted. If I ever have a need for an inexpensive DAC, the D50 will be at the top of the list. |
Bought a D50 based on Amir’s measurements. I compared it extensively to the Chord 2Qute I had for a while (which connected to a PrimaLuna integrated and Tekton DI). The Topping D50 sounds the same, but it is much much cheaper. Highly recommended at ~$200. I am using a Anker battery pack for D50. Works great. |
My Topping D50 arrived on Friday. Amazingly compact yet weighs 480g (see pics). The SQ is shockingly good. Though I need to listen to the system with it installed for a longer session to get a sense of its overall SQ, preliminary listening suggests it processes Redbook CD digital audio with better frequency response extension and control than my beloved R2R Theta DSPro Basic IIIa DAC. Battery-powered, with the DAC set for max output. https://photos.app.goo.gl/chLj3WdJiSAu5Kid6 |
An interesting article. But unless I missed something the author did not mention how it sounds??? I remember when I first bought a Benchmark DAC and it measured very well, but many people complained it sounded clinical. I was not bothered by that, but everything you hear or buy has it’s own leaning (sonic signature) Again the author did not mention any sound characteristic just that it’s dirt cheap for the measurements??? |
@2psyop You make it seem like measurements don’t directly tell us how it sounds. If anything, the Benchmark sounding clinical (dead accurate, not forgiving) is a compliment. If you don’t wanna hear how your music actually sounds, then don’t buy a DAC that is transparent, though most are, only stuff like Schiit and Audio-GD will add “color”. Same reason my grandma doesn’t like daylight LEDS in her house, as they show her pores. |
Just saying I think I care about many things related to a dac...including how it sounds. There are many factors I consider when buying a car. The quality of the parts, reputation of the company, the performance, reliability, warranty, etc, etc. The practicality is a big issue for some and fun factor is a big one issue for others. A car can perform perfectly and not be any fun to drive. Not trying to say measurements are not important, but I care about other things too... perhaps the price is attractive combined with measurements, that is what is important for you. |
If it's not the pro then it's not the top ESS saber chip. The top chip is the 9038 pro. And it's incredible sounding very analog, I have it in my wyred for sound 10th anniversary dac. It's very difficult to work with so I don't know if the Chinese are smart enough LOLThey’re certainly smarter than you. |