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Topping D50s DAC, PA3, & P50
01 / 07
Topping D50s DAC, PA3, & P50
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Product Description
The much-anticipated sequel to the popular Topping D50 DAC is here. The Topping D50s brings users improved sound quality with a wider array of connectivity options Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downLuckyLuke575
561
Nov 10, 2019
Guys, this is one of the best DACs on the whole f***ing market right now. Transparent, perfect sound, digital screen so you have the total control and dashboard over bit rate, inputs, and volume, remote control for convenience, pre-amp functionality, super Bluetooth support, and nice build and footprint. Pair this with a Archel 2 Pro and you'll be the king of Hi-Fi headphone audio.
I'm seriously having a hard time holding myself back from pulling the trigger on one of these because I already have a Topping DX3 Pro :)
DaniRojo
7
Aug 28, 2019
Do you guys think it is a good pairing with a JDS Atom amp? I'm using my Onkyo Granbeat as a DAC with that Atom for now.
jaydunndiddit
3262
Sep 4, 2019
It's in the works, if you can trust the rumor mill. A companion for the Atom from what I've read.
Deadpixel
8
Jul 27, 2019
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-new-topping-d50s-dac.7914/
Review of the DAC by Amir, quite the high praise.
khmergod
27
Aug 5, 2019
that sickall guy was very condescending for no reason. this is a platform for enthusiasts, after all.
lorcace
11
Jul 28, 2019
Just ordered one but I have questions regarding what's included. Will it include?
1) the 5v wall wart
2)remote control
3)BT antenna
Otherwise must start looking for those!
JJayJJ
472
Jul 29, 2019
Fair enough concern I suppose. Though it would be really out of character for all those not to be contained is what I was getting at.
Anzial
1494
Sep 25, 2019
$0.01 cheaper on Amazon lol :) More importantly, will ship out weeks before Drop ;)
(Edited)
JJJJJJJJJJJJJ
3
Jan 15, 2020
JJJJJJJJJJJJJyES, EXACTLY. But Drop will refund some or full value if something goes wrong.
Audionut22
8
Jul 30, 2019
So why don't they call this a DAC / AMP? Or is it really just a DAC?
(Edited)
BGSIMO
6
Oct 15, 2019
Using d50s as a pre-amp with new class D amp I found on eBay...no complaints at all! $450 total for the best system I've ever owned. Streaming from tablet and CD player connected.
LuckyLuke575
561
Oct 15, 2019
BGSIMONice one bud!! I've been trying to explain this kind of setup to the punters on the 789 discussion page, but some SOBs can't seem to get past the hype and marketing bullshit lol
tetablanco
14
Jul 29, 2019
I think the toss-up is not between the D50s and the D50 (which saw its prices drop upon the release of the D50s) but between the D50/D50s and DX3 Pro. Aside from LDAC functionality for the D50s, the main difference between the D50/D50s and the DX3 Pro is that the D50/D50s has dual ESS DAC chips while the DX3 Pro has dual AKM DAC chips. Here's the excellent comparative sound quality analysis done by Taz777 over at headfi.org between these two gems using the same 15V / 1.5A Linear Power Supply:
(PART 1) Topping DX3 Pro vs Topping D50
After several more hours of listening via the Topping DX3 Pro, I went back to the Topping D50 to check on several things. I have to say that at the moment, the Topping D50 sounds better to me in terms of overall sound quality.
Firstly, the reference track I used was a 44.1kHz/16-bit version of "Soul Embrace" by Brian Simpson, and you only need to listen to the first 30 seconds as it will reveal the issues that I had with the Topping DX3 Pro. It's a track that I've listened to more than a hundred times already so am very familiar with it. I also used several 'bass test' songs via Tidal. I've been listening with my beyerdynamic Amiron Home headphones that are far more revealing than my speaker system.
Whilst I was listening to the track via the Topping D50, I noticed that something was missing. With the D50, the first few seconds of that track have bass drops that I feel in my chest even when I'm listening via headphones. I started to notice that this chest-thump was missing via the DX3 Pro. I listened to the same portion of the track several times to confirm this. When I put the D50 back into my headphones system, that chest-thump returned. I then searched for 'bass test' songs in Tidal and noticed that some deep bass was entirely missing on the DX3 Pro - I simply couldn't hear it! This surprised me quite a bit so I listened to the same 'bass test' tracks using the D50 and I could hear the very low bass through my headphones. It appears that the DX3 Pro's analogue output stage has a narrower frequency response than that of the D50's. Put another way, you can hear much deeper bass with the D50.
Next, that song has some sharp piano sounds. When the keys are hit, it's as if someone is tapping the inside of my skull when listening via the D50 - the sound is so sharp. With the DX3 Pro, that 'tap inside the skull' sharpness was missing. It was a little dulled and veiled. I also noticed that the treble on the D50 was a lot more extended and clearer.
Finally, that song has several musical instruments that I could place on the soundstage easily with the D50. With the DX3 Pro all of the instruments were closer to the centre of the soundstage and it was more difficult to separate them.
So the D50 was the clear winner. Almost. Where the DX3 Pro shines is vocals. Female vocals on well-recorded songs are simply magical. The vocals are forward on the DX3 Pro and the musical instruments appear to be behind the singer. On the D50, the vocalist is presented further back, in amongst the instruments.
So, it's a tough one! I'm going to repeat this testing again when the LPS arrives. However, for now, the Topping D50 has a significantly wider frequency response that can actually be heard, separates instruments better and places those instruments in a more well-defined soundstage.
The DX3 Pro is missing low bass frequencies, produces a narrower soundstage, puts the instruments together so it's difficult to separate them. However, it produces captivating vocals where you feel as if the vocalist is singing right in front of you
(PART 2) More Topping D50 vs Topping DX3 Pro
My linear power supply for the DX3 Pro arrived today and I replaced the Topping D50 in my computer based HiFi system with the DX3 Pro + linear power supply. I'm listening to it as I type this post. The sound is beautiful. I preferred the Topping D50 in my headphones system. However, I prefer the DX3 Pro in my speaker-based system.
Equipment used is:
2017 iMac running Tidal HiFi > Fisual Havana USB 2.0 Cable 0.9m > Topping DX3 Pro + linear power supply > Audioquest Tower twin RCA to 3.5mm jack 0.6m > Ruark MR1 Mk2 active speakers + BK Electronics XLS200-FF subwoofer connected via a Fisual 1m Havana XL Subwoofer Cable
In effect it's a 2.1 speaker system.
Settings on the Topping DX3 Pro are:
- Input mode: USB
- Output mode: DAC
- PCM filter: F-3
- Screen brightness: L-1
- Auto power: A-O
(Edited)
tetablanco
14
Jul 29, 2019
tetablancoOne warning though... The DX3 Pro has been reported to have "stuck on standby" issues. This problem may be related to an inadequate power supply since people have reported to have fixed it (and gotten substantial performance improvements) by using a 15v/1.5A linear power supply with it.
ElectronicVices
2937
Jul 30, 2019
tetablancoMy issue with this review lies in the fact that they apparently altered the frequency response of their system (turning gain up on sub) boosting the frequency band they originally took issue with on the DX3 and then also state they don't know why the preferred it on speakers. Did they also EQ the low end on the headphone side and try again? Did they try the D50 with the booster sub? Without that context it lacks value to me and I am not against subjective reviews... with valid comparison methodology.
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