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Topping D50 DAC

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Topping D50 DAC

Name: Topping D50 DAC
Brand: Topping
SKU: topping-d50-dac
Price: 165 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.103448 (29 reviews)

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Product Description

Topping has gained a loyal following for its line of accurate, competitively priced DACs, which includes the DX7 series and the D30. For those looking to pair their DAC with a high-end headphone amplifier, look no further than the Topping D50 Read More

Customer Reviews

4.1

(29 reviews)

(17)

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logic

Jan 19, 2019

Verified Buyer

As usual, other people have said more useful things more eloquently than I could about this unit. See here for a (very long) thread about the technical chops this DAC has: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-d50-dac.2403/ For my purposes, it's perfect; I paired it with a JDS Labs Atom, and it rests on top perfectly, like they were made to go together (and the weight is appreciated due to how light the Atom is). The tiny footprint tucks nicely into a corner on my nightstand, and along with the Atom, feeds both my headphones and a pair of active speakers. The display is bright and easy to read (it's basically a mini version of the one on it's big brother, the DX7s), and I really appreciate the auto-standby in the bedroom. I usually drive it with my smartphone, which I have a wireless charger for (so I can both charge and play music). The only downside I see is that, due to it's size, you're not getting any balanced connections. For my needs, that was perfect (smaller was better). Also, because of the size, the controls are tiny; my giant meathooks have a hard time working them, but I find I rarely touch the front-panel controls under regular use anyway. I debated getting this, or trying to fashion a case for the Khadas Tone Board, which is a solid performer for significantly less money (in exchange for quite a few features), but in this case the ergonomics/industrial design of the D50 really won me over; I didn't want to deal with some home-grown plasticky thing in my bedroom. For a more invisible permanent installation (something I mounted under a table, behind in a cabinet, etc), I'd probably go with the tone board. tl;dr: the D50 is audibly neutral, reasonably priced (especially here on MD), hefty enough to not slide around under the weight of the attached cables, and the display and overall appearance is great. If you don't need balanced connections and can deal with the itty bitty controls, it's a winner in my book.

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mrgumby

Jun 30, 2018

Verified Buyer

I took a chance on this after reading about others pleasure (and shock) at how good it was. I expected a decent little unit for the computer system that would work for years to come with the newer formats. The sound quality was truly shocking. Plugged into my large system, it outperforms my DAC that cost five times the price. Lots of budget priced audio gear tends to be grossly bright in an effort to fool you into thinking there is more detail. This unit has very detailed highs, tight bass and the mids seem to be sweetening up as I play it/burn in. This unit has a sound you could only get for huge money 10 years ago. All the microphonic detail is there in spades...but it all fits without being too much. For folks who find it too revealing, make sure you use the right analog cabling to your amplifier. It makes all the difference. You do not need to spend hundreds on a set of interconnects...but one of the cable library outfits on line can help you out to find the right match based on your needs. For me, the Van Den Hull MKII/Tiffany connectors from the 90's mated up like magic. Cables never wear out and most improve with age. You never know. Trying out even 5 dollar cables can deliver very different results. A set of Kimber PBJ also works like magic on this DAC for different amplification...as did the homebrew CAT-5 cables. I rarely leave a review anywhere but this warranted a mention of amazing detail clarity along with very low listener fatigue. With a music server or laptop, a set of speakers and one of the many very good amps available out there (Schiit Audio, Emotiva, Yamaha, First Watt...etc) you can truly build a musically satisfying system for less than a grand. For audio enthusiasts, it is a great time to be alive.

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EdinNJ

271

Oct 5, 2018

Metallurgy.

AlephNull

Nov 6, 2018

:-D You are very funny! Go in peace, Mr. Gumby. Trust you improve with age like your transmission lines/interconnects/what-have-you. Me, I prefer to believe in Entropy.

Wick

Mar 17, 2019

Verified Buyer

My favorable impression of this DAC is based on my preliminary listening. The unit is not fully burned in, if that makes a difference. I use the Hiby R6 as a transport, and connected to the D50 using its coax connection. From there to a Schiit Magni3 and on to Oppo PM2 headphones. I found the sound quite full and meaty. Bass seemed tightly controlled and not thumpy. Treble was, if anything, a little recessed but certainly present and not fatiguing as it can be with this amp. I'm not thrilled with the joystick controller which is a little twitchy, but for the most part you don't need it. You plug in your source and start listening. The volume ramps up, which is helpful if you have your amp set too high. Otherwise there is nothing to complain about. I will be listening with a different combination of equipment and may well report back in with further impressions.

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AmJosh

128

Sep 28, 2018

Verified Buyer

This is incredible piece of electronics. I am using it with DarkVoice tube amp and the results are just phenomenal. My alternate DAC-AMP was Audio GD NFB11. This new combination is significantly superior. With back to back A/B testing I can hear much more natural tones with D50-DV compared to NFB. Overall soundstage is better, sound is way more clearer with more slam. The tube amp also has some play in this, but I also tested DV with NFB DAC, and there is clear improvement in the resolution with D50. There is better S/N with D50 and background is significantly darker. Its like switching from LCD screen to OLED screen. At the price I would say its a must buy. The headphones I used for testing: HD6XX, Hifiman HE560, Audeze EL-8 Open, Monoprice M1050 Open. I am also playing with DSP settings on D50 and there are some very interesting and subtle differences, will add more on this later :).

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AmJosh

128

Apr 8, 2020

Man, you put any amp against 789, it's gonna lose. If you have a choice of getting only one amp, there is really no competition to 789. Don't get me wrong, DV is a fine amp. I have it too, but it has lot of limitations. It will not pair well with any other headphones, especially ones with less impedance as well as planar headphones. You can forget about IEMs. I'd recommend to change your purchase if possible.

(Edited)

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carboncarousel

Apr 17, 2020

AmJoshI wish I would've changed my purchase, like you said. I received the DV, with a broken power switch included. The DV still turned on, but I had to unplug/plug for power. Well, on the second night, I moved the amp - just to reposition it a bit, and I guess the innards of the power switch were loose, and must've made contact with metal inside the case. Blue spark at power switch area, loss of power, blown fuse, now it won't turn back on.

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Photonwolf

Oct 7, 2018

Verified Buyer

Great DAC, Great sound. Competes head-to-head with DACs 5-10x the price in terms of sound quality.
Problem: It died 5 months after receiving it. No warranty from either Massdrop or Topping.
The problem is in the power supply chain. It now wants to draw way too much current no matter what supply I try.
Disappointing. Next time I will not purchase from Massdrop without a warranty.

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RiflemanFirst

685

Feb 19, 2019

Thanks for the reply. I'm debating whether I want to buy it here for $200 or from Amazon at $50 extra, but with quick shipping & better return/refund policies. Glad to hear Topping is honoring their warranty at least, hopefully they get the repairs done in a timely manner.

Qwervy

464

Jul 1, 2019

PhotonwolfMe being me, if I dont have any warranty to worry about voiding, I'd take it apart myself and look at whats happening inside. If you are good with electronics and fixing a most likely super tiny smd resistor just go and diy it. In this case, things are looking good so hopefully it doesn't pull a DOA.

(Edited)

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srand

Aug 2, 2018

Verified Buyer

This little device is a marvel, both in sound and make quality. The automatic on/off feature is also quite helpful. For the first time I was able to really appreciate the difference between a DSD and a 96 kHz/24 bit version of the same piece. Very well balanced. Hope they will come up with a matching headphone amp A50.

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verifonix

1181

Dec 2, 2018

srandAn A50 is in the works Topping says :)

Ollieyoda

Apr 23, 2019

Verified Buyer

originally received a dead on arrival unit. Got an DAC R ERR and DAC L ERR message. Tried updating firmware and drivers but the unit itself was broken. Massdrop quickly sent a replacement unit hat works well.

(Edited)

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AnotherVoice

115

Sep 26, 2018

Verified Buyer

For me this DAC is quite the revelation and is an upgrade from my SMSL M6, which has quite good specs as well. Compared to the M6, it really opens up the sound on many very familiar albums regardless if they were high bit rate or compressed. It relaxes out some harshness that, without realizing it, I had become accustomed to, resulting in reduced listening fatigue. The other main improvement is increased micro details, but not in an over-equalized pumped out way, adding more dimension and depth to the recording. I also tried it on my home system, and I would say it sounds very close to my highly regarded Oppo UDP-205. I've been buying high-end audio equipment on a budget since the early 90's and I would say this may be one of the best buys I've ever made. If you consider yourself an audiophile, I would highly recommend it.

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hifiZen

Jun 17, 2018

Verified Buyer

Great little DAC. Glad I went for this one instead of the SMSL M8A.

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A community member

Dec 3, 2018

I bought a D50 on Amazon. Absolutely fantastic DAC. Makes everything sound better. Pairs well with all my headphones and amps, tube or solid state. Spacious, natural sound. Even some cold 90's masters sound pleasant through this. Very smooth and transparent.