This is my fifth fully balanced DAC and I am finally completely satisfied with my computer based playback. It has no digital glare and sounds very analog with great musicality and none of the listening fatigue that bothered me before.
Kkamc70I don't know the Topping. The LKS replaced a GUSTARD DAC-X20 PRO 2ES9028PRO which sounds good but somewhat more bright and less analog. The main reason I replaced the Gustard was its poor USB connectivity. I still use it in a second system but has to be power cycled several times to lock on to the signal and it puts out alarming loud pops through the speakers when changing resolutions.
I bought the LKS with the USB upgrade a year ago and it's now a steal at 825. Thinking of getting another although I don't need it.
Musicnut@rubley00 Sounds like the Gustard was defective. @Musicnut I would actually get that Gustard checked out because DAC's far cheaper and even entry level don't typically exhibit those types of behaviors. Especially at the price of the Gustard, that type of behavior would be unacceptable if they say it's expected .
rubley00Uhmmm...this comment is like saying "if you can tell the difference between a Prius and a Ferarri when driving, it's because one of them is defective. If your statement were true there wouldn't be a variety of DACs on the market with differernt kinds of implementation (costing different amounts of $$). Companies wouldn't bother if they were all the same. At a bare minimum, different chips = different sound. I absolutely hear differences with this DAC and it's not because my old DAC is defective, it's because this is a better DAC all around.
rubley00Have you not heard any DACs? Repeating some nonsense you read on the internet? Have really bad listening skills? Don't even own a HiFi? Sorry just brainstorming here, and wondering what would make you say such a completely ridiculous/absurd thing.