The best audio reviewer on RU-vid. Gets to the point up front and then gives you the "run down" of the product(s). Not sure why he doesn't have a million plus subscribers yet.
best reviewer in youtube about DAC. Because u compare it to other DAC and explain it in details. and u are not afraid to say the bad things or the weakness of the gear. unlike a lot of reviewer, they just talk of all the good thing. even the bad thing is express in the good way...so everything seem to be good, and confuse the listener/buyer. at the end, we cant decide whether to buy it or not. but with your explanation, as a buyer, i know exactly what is the pros/cons, and i know excatly which dac is suitable for me..good work...thumbs up to u
Thanks for the great and pleasant review. I own a D70S since last March, and use it with MBL pre/power amps and Dynaudio speakers. Your opinion on the D70S largely coincide with mine: it is among the best delta sigma dacs I’ve heard so far. When I bought the D70S I had a Soncoz SGD1, which I sold being not up to the D70S in bass presence (Soncoz: leaner), midrange (Soncoz: more forward and grainier) and resolution (D70S largely more resolving in complex passages like choirs but also for instance with brushes). Along with a friend of mine who designs and builds top level tube amps, and who advised me to buy the D70S having examined its implementation (quite similar to the Linn Climax), I personally compared (blind, level matched tests) the D70S with several dacs, among which Topping D90, Denafrips Pontus (big time disappointing dac), Schiit Yggdrasil (the only dac which in some areas bested the D70S but fell behind due to “tizz tizz tizz” treble”) and Bladelius Embla (a 13K sumptuous sounding machine). Wide prices sprectrum, as you can see. On every comparison, the D70S came out as preferred due to being either more musical, harmonic, precise or resolving. Compared to the D70S, the D90 showed less bass extension and a trifle fatiguing treble; the Pontus was less resolving, weaker in bass, ghost voices and “bunched well within the speakers” image; the Yggdrasil had comparable bass, less grainy and more present voices but annoying treble; the Embla was a very very close match but a trifle less resolving in complex passages. As I said, probably the best delta sigma currently available. Thanks again for your review and keep up with your outstanding job. M
Between the D70s and Yaggdrasil, you stated the Yggy less grainy and more present voices but annoying treble than the D70s. Are there differences between SS depth/width and which is more less holographic, how would you describe the differences? Which has more instrument separation? I'm looking at both D70s and Bitfrost 2 as options with the Bitfrost 2 said to be close to the Yggy, perhaps with less treble bite. Thanks.
I think this is now the best audio reviewer on RU-vid - accurate, descriptive and matter-of-fact. No other reviewer describes the products reviewed here with more relevant detail, insightful precision and comprehensive clarity. I'm very grateful, thank you for the great reviews.
I have the D70s on my desk paired with A90. It's an awesome combination. The preamp out is feeding a Rolls SX45 analog active cross-over. The low pass is going to a REL T0 mkIII subwoofer and the high pass is going to Kanto YU2 powered speakers. This config totally exceeded my expectations.
I have owned the ARES 2 and currently own the D70s. I prefer the resolution from the D70s a bit, but the ARES 2 is very good, too. I think you and I have a similar ear for music and similar preferences. I use the D70s for DSD and MQA and a Schiit Gungnir MB for PCM. I enjoy your thoughtful, genuine reviews! Cheers from USA!
From what I’ve read in other reviews, the Loxjie A50 fall in the scope of the dac’s you’ve metioned (smsl-m400, denafrips aires II, D70s). Love to ear your review too on Loxjie to cover all. Really like your reviews and sound dac’s comparsion. 👌👍
Ok, just bought the D70s based on this review, and I got EXACTLY what was described here. I also own the Denafrips Ares II, and the SMSL M400, and again the review was spot-on with the comparison between the three DACs. This is an amazing DAC, and if it sounds anything else but amazing in your system - your system is the problem, but most definitely not this DAC. Thanks again Srboljub !
Hey, mind if asking you. I just received DA9. Pairing it with my Triangle BR03. I did some dac rolling between my old Matrix Audio X Sabre and SMSL SKMK2. The presentation difference I got from these two are very significant. X Sabre being with spatial holographic with a slight recessed mids and smoother. SMSL SKMK2 is quite in the front. Everything sounds at the front and a bit too forward. For fun I tried to use the Bluetooth and man I LOVE the sound presentation I got from the Bluetooth. It’s so open and airy with a very sweet vocals. However, it has quite less pinpointing imaging that I could get from Matrix Audio. Any idea of DAC that I could get to have the same signature of the Bluetooth but with much better imaging? Any recommendations? I like open sounding and airy presentation with a lifelike and sweet vocal presence. Eye ing on D70S now since i can get it very cheap here with a promotion. So i need to know fast before the promotion is gone
@@ahmadhusaini8420 Honestly I have not a clue what you're hearing, since impressions are highly subjective. In general though, the bluetooth interface on any dac is inferior, since it introduces noise and distortion into the signal chain - this might be what you're hearing, and not all distortion sounds bad:) The D70s is a very clean, and neutral DAC - the best one I've heard so far - for more info refer to the review, the review is very accurate.
@@ahmadhusaini8420 I hope you like it - I don't see how you can go wrong... If you can, don't use bluetooth, and disable it entirely from the settings.
Firstly thank you for producing some of the best HiFI videos on RU-vid! I am new to the world of HiFi and have been using a Chord Mojo DAC to date, this video persuaded me to buy a D70s and wow!!! This little black box has done things to my music that I didn't know was possible, absolutely blown away. I would try and put into words how amazing the music sounds but I lack the words to accurately convey it. Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Of all reviewers this gentleman says exactly what I immediately understand and talks how I would describe things to other people....amazing distintive vocabulary his has
You have just saved me some coin. I thought I needed a dac upgrade and that it would most likely be an Ares2, Draco, or Pegasus. Afer hearing your comparisons, I realized that my D70s aleady throws a soundstage outside my speakers with some depth (Zu Souls Mk2). And, you aptly put the description of how it sounds. Hence, based on the price of dacs I was focusing on, I don't need a new dac at all! I just need to wait until I'm ready to spend up to $2k before I get serious about a "new" dac I just have to have. Thanks for the great reveiws and know you are helping people out.
This was an excellent review. You really identified all of the sonic characteristics of the DACs you mentioned. The thing about DACs is they are very subjective. I’ve not listened to near the amount of DACs you have, but I have heard 10 or so. These includes several schiit including Bifrost 2, which is price comparable to Ares and D70. I have to say I’ve not heard anything add the ethereal soft and wide sound stage that Ares does. I can’t really describe it. It changed the whole character of my system. For me, these qualities make it the only choice.
I've been really happy with my D70S. Hard to believe it's already discontinued, but Chinese manufacturers move very quickly with their product lines, lol! The price is bearable, the performance is pleasing, and the only real complaint I've had is the remote is almost useless from more than a meter away! Both of my systems are all digital, and if the remote were better, I'd be totally happy using it as the preamp. Thanks for the videos, as I always enjoy your content!
@@stevengilmore1509 oh wow, I didn't even realize that! I had a buddy who'd liked and so when I went to Apos to share the link with him I saw it was discontinued. I just assumed it was a short product life since Topping has so many models. I really like them as a manufacturer, I think they provide supreme value.
This is absolutely accurate review. I own D70S and find it to be a giant killer. Very engaging and revealing of great soundstage, and naturalness in the mids and highs.
Wow perfect timing. I'm searching for a next level DAC (compare to Schiit Modi, Topping E30), land my eyes on this model, now I got the review for my favorite reviewer. Question: From memory how is it D70S compare to Pre Box S2 Digital. Thank you for your outstanding work
Going by memory, D70s has more bass authority, and reveals even more details and transients. That said, S2 is really great and if not directly compared with a more advanced DAC it would be difficult to find any fault to its sound. But I'm still concerned with finicky micro USB and always-on OLED on ProJect.
I definitely noticed an upgrade in sound quality going from the E30 to the D70s. However I already had the A90 preamp in my system. Switching from the former to the latter was pleasantly striking.
Great review, to the point. I have this dac and i agree with your opinion. My advise to those considering this dac is, since AKM factory is no more and AKM dac stock will not last forever, to buy this sooner rather than later.
@@gbmwaz I got it from a local dealer not China. Warranty is potentially an issue with any product bought from China. The sound quality makes it worth it for me but you may feel different.
Hmmm. I've been lusting over the D70s ever since Sandu gave it a glowing review on Soundnews. Your comments comparing it to a R2R DAC like the Denafrips Ares jives with what he had to say about the D70s. Ahhhh my wallet can't take it... 😅
I have been anticipating for this review and you did a great (detailed) review on this DAC. I was about to get one but then, Topping just released the new D90 SE. Please please try to get this and need your always honest opinion/review and please compare it to this D70s, D90, SMSL M400 and others you feel right. More power to your channel!
There's a detailed review on the D90se. It is said to be more detailed, resolving and dynamic sounding than the D70s. How well your system would show the differences is another question. You pay more for minor/slight differences. Check out Soundnews and Cheapaudioman. There's others as well.
I did have this dac in my system and in comparison to all the other dacs it won out. I do agree with the iiwi review. In comparison to my Hegel h160 and while hooked up to the amp via rca, both had a similar tone with the main difference to me was in warmth. The Hegel dac had a bit more separation with a slightly cooler sound while the dac added a richer low end which seemed to lesson the separation between instruments, singers, etc. I thought at the time I preferred the sharpness of the dac in the Hegel over the D70s...but I could live with either. Perhaps an xlr to xlt connection might improve the sound even more but I wanted to put it on a smaller but still competent amp. So...I have to decide on the price point and choose the best dac given it will be used on an amp that only uses rca inputs. If this helps, with other dacs I tried, I could get distracted, if only momentarily on each dacs' deficiencies such as glare, lack of extention, aire, depth, etc. With the d70s...none of those things ever came to bear in listening sessions. Perhaps moving up to the D90 would be closer to the one in my hegel, smooth but a bit more analytical.
That was a great review. I am currently only listening to tube amps, SETs of low and medium power. I am thinking of getting a CEC TL5N belt driven transport. I think this TOPPING D70S would go well with my tube preamps and tube amps and my sensitive speakers.
I have Arcam irDAC for many years. I consider to buy this Topping, but I am worry about analog sounding. I love burrbrown and TDA sound. Naim Tannoy is in system.
Just bought (and i am utterly enjoying it ) an SMSL400 after your review, so i think it could have been way more intersting if you compared that - instead of SU9... not even for both M400 and the Topping are using AKM chipsets (even if different ones) .Forgot to say- but utterly meaningful that i amusing thatDAC (just like a Heed Abacus in my "main" system,merely as "red book"meaning it is just driving an Audiolab CD 6000transport, for i am simply interested playing "correctly" (as a Music lover, rather than an Audiophile) my huge (8000+ ) collection of CDs. So far i would really love - considering that as just happened with vinyls- CD will soon get a HUGE resurgance of interest if you could also do some DAC reviews considering them just like a simple use for Cd spinning.Thank you for anyway for your very sharp and precise reviews, they just hit the nail- always .Best regards from Italy. Ciao
i love dacs but the easyness to reach to tons of music with streaming services makes me miss those days where I went to Lp expos and go for vinyl diggin, ordering Cds from distros over the internet .. and with the dacs everything is simpler and sound great with Hi res quality without standing up from your desk or sofa...Im in a batlle because when I say " yeah I can collect and use dacs at same time" ..every time the factor of getting the physical album is shading.
You want your title to be “The Best Topping DAC I’ve ever heard”. I understand you may not be a native speaker, but I’m only trying to help, not be pedantic. People who don’t know any better will read your title and think that that’s the way it should be said, thereby expanding an error and a deformation of the language. Having said that, your review is excellent. Thank you!
After reading, and watching many reviews, I purchased this DAC. Right out of the box, I didn't like it. I found it to be harsh. I left it on for at least 150 hours. At that point in time I was glad I bought it. I think it might still be improving. My Cary Audio CDP-1 feeds the dac via SPDIF, and the ifi Zen Stream feeds the dac via USB. My system is Mac MA5300 int, Cary CDP-1, ifi Zen Stream, Topping D70S, B&W 705 S2, and SVS SB-1000 Pro. They all play well together.
Mine was a loan so it was already burned-in, but some peaces of gear really require time to settle. And it's not a placebo either... I had an opportunity to compare two units of the same DAC few times... The new one always sounds thinner and more congested compared to the one that's been working for some time.
I have a tube buffer with mullards and burson v6 classic opamps, and on my buffer's default setting, volume matched with my d70s' they sound almost Identical, meaning that right of the bat the burnt-in d70s are very lucid and natural sounding. Which made me stick to them, upgrading everything else except the d70s. As I think the next upgrade will definitely hit the bank, as it already matches DACs that are in the 5k mark.
You can get any type of sound you like with the inbuilt fiters with the new dacs. Topping d30 pro has 9 filters. You can make it fast powerful bassy whatever.
the filters only effect the high frequency cut off, linear fast is considered the most transparent because pre ringing is a non issue with even average quality recordings.
@@prateeksamuel8603 they're called high pass roll off filters for a reason... as for your other comment meh it's not me who needs to do "homework".... here you go www.esstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ES9038PRO-Datasheet-v3.7.pdf go to page 51 it shows visual representations of how filters work, notice how they only come into effect at 20khz? in other words probably far beyond your scope of hearing unless you're under the age of 13.
I love this guy,amazing job,your reviews are the best on youtube I never miss one.I have an Aune X8 dac with extra power supply Xp2 and I love it but this Topping is best for sure .Do you think this upgrade worth it?
I haven't heard that X8, but new X8 XVIII with exchangeable op amps is a great DAC that can surpass many pricier DAC with better opamps. If you already have XP2, that might be a path worth considering (probably better than this in my opinion). There's a full review on it here on my channel.
XP2 is a big step forward,believe me.I enjoy myself to change the opamps also,but now I listen to it with Muses01 and waiting Sparkos 3602 to try it,I watched your review.The Aune X8 is a very amazing DAC for the price. Thank you
There actually was a non-MQA version but it seems it's not produced anymore. Btw, it's a very clear step-up from D50s in terms of clarity, detail retrieval, and layering.
Soundnews apparently said the original D70 lacked extension on the upper and lower ends, also more mellow - here's an image link to the comment with a link to the comment itself on his D70s review video - imgur.com/a/9Apaiim ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bvVxHdLt9Jo.html&lc=UgwBzA8-28mEMRMz7xJ4AaABAg
I have the D50 with P50 Power Supply and Pangea 14SE power cord (both made significant improvements themselves - and in the very same area's the D70s did - greater slam, deeper, more extended, cleaner etc.etc. they made my 5" Elacs sound like the 6" model the bass alone was so much better)) so i was wondering exactly the same....yes better - but HOW MUCH better for the $$. For less than the price of the dac upgrade i could also upgrade my amp instead (SMSL SA98E w/ Pangea Pcord). to the SMSL DA9...... flip a coin?
@@gbmwaz As a rule of thumb, before you buy an expensive DAC upgrade your amp+speakers first and buy any 100 USD DAC. Im using my D50s with Adam active speakers, so don´t need any amps. At some point i would update for a bigger display tbh, selectable outputs and maybe XLR ... and yes would like the AK DACs. Oh and i´m sorry to say it but ... run some time my D50s off a power bank... no difference at all.
A very tempting purchase, however I’m concerned about stories of reliability. The main issue is warranty on having to send something back to China and seller communication.
With a lot of dacs i have/demoed, the chipset plays A LOT on the signature itself. Cirrus has been warmer/calmer usually. AKM is more bodied with higher dynamic, bass goes deep and attack is fast and very dynamic. Sabre meanwhile is peaky on the treble, my less fav. The list goes on with other chipset
Thank you! It has more detail than my E30 for sure. Especially noticeable in the diction of singer (especially in the beginning or end of words, consonants like k or t). However I was a bit disappointed with the lower midrange and the sound seems slightly less spacious horizontally. However, one area really stood out negatively and I wonder if you could tell us your thoughts about this in a video. I use DACs for music and TV. It is often said of detailed DACs that they are unforgiving of poorer recordings. I find this holds especially true if you use the digital input of your outboard DAC also for TV or games. There the added detail is very often not nice to hear at all. With E30 this was still actually nice, but with D70s I much prefer the very inferior chip in my integrated amp for tv. What are your thoughts on this? (Using hifi gear for things like tv or games.)
Don't wait too long. The factory of the DAC chip maker, AKM, burned down. So there is a finite supply. D90 is in the same boat, but I saw an article, which I can't locate at the moment, that Topping is releasing the D90ES version, which will have a Saber chip.
1. In my experience d70s must be tested on XLR outputs, on RCA it sounds not so good. 2. Ares II dac in objective measurements is just ok. but d70s is simply reference. 3. Output impedance of d70s is much lower that makes it more universal 4. D70s sounds the best with Topping Pre90 preamplifier (via XLR cables), it gives more 3D, palpable imaging, tonal density and overal space, breath. The combo of D70s with the Pre90 is that good IMO that I bet 99,99% of the "hard core audiophiles" (in blind listening session) would easily believe that it plays latest dCS Vivaldi DAC and Burmester 077 Reference line preamplifier. But of course at the end there is always the matter of matching with the amplifier character, speakers and personal taste...
Good to know there is a difference. Do you know if XLR (from dac) to RCA (to amp) make an improvement? Unfortunately the amp I would use it on is RCA only. Or would XLR to XLR (on a pre) to Rca on amp yield better results?
@@nc3419 If you mean XLR-RCA adapter it is not best idea, definately XLR-XLR (dac to pre) and RCA-RCA (pre to amp) is better choice. BTW Pre 90 is extremely good, it does not introduce any distortions, stunning value.
The obvious NEXT DAC to compare with Topping D70 , Denafrips Ares 2 and SMSL 400 is ... The Schiit Bifrost 2. I have the Schiit Modi 3 weighted down (with a big rock from my back yard)as you suggested way back when and I'm curious to get your impression of how it compares with the DAC's you've covered today... Would it be worth upgrading my Modi 3?
Schiit products are very expensive outside of US and it would cost me around 1200 USD with shipping and taxes... So I'm not doing it at this time. Schiit is also not sending any review samples my way so it's very budget unfriendly to buy their more expensive products for reviewing purposes. But if I find someone from my country willing to loan it, I will do a review. Also, Schiit might actually send one once my subscribers number goes up. So I'm not loosing hope just yet. 😊 That said, I found Modi Multibit to be a very decent step up from the Modi 3, and I would fully expect the Bifrost 2 to be an even bigger step up.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks for the timely response. That D70 looks like a winner. I know the Ares 2 gets high Mark's out there as well... My system itself is 1st rate with Decware SE84UFO and Zu Omen MKII's so my sound sources are where I need to focus...
Thanks for the impressions, how about D70S Vs Ares II Vs Qutest now that you have listened to all three and living with Ares II. I can see that you use KEF LS50s (Good choice) for speakers. Regards...
D70s is the flattest sounding but with great edge details. Ares II is softer and less detailed with edges but fuller sounding and with a bigger soundstage. Qutest has the best detail retrieval and soundstage of them all... You only have to be OK with its slightly lean and analytical tonality (great speed but less bass weight, very little warmth...). I personally place tone fullness and richness first, so I do like Ares II probably the most even though it's less resolving when it comes to those tiny edges and transients. It just works great in my system and with my favorite music (lots of vocals and acoustic instruments feel as if they came alive with it). But if I put my objective-reviewer hat on, I'd say: 1. Qutest (clear winner on points) 2. Ares II 2.5. D70s (I feel D70s doesn't really deserve to go to no. 3, it does few things better than Ares II but falls a bit short in overall impression).
@@iiWiReviews Thank you so much for this big explanation I really love it it really helps us decide I don’t want to buy and spend a hard earned money on thanks to you we make very educated good buying decisions
Hello my friend!! Congrats for this great review! keep doing it, you're awsome! I just would like to know if you intend to try the Loxjie D50 and the Gustard X16 ( I have both and like it very much)... it would be very interesting see you comparing and talking about the Denafrips, D70s, Loxjie D50 and Gustard X16!
I hope to try Gustard X16 very soon. Not sure about Loxjie D50, it feels very similar to SMSL M400 I already covered. But who knows, if an opportunity arises to get it (loan or a good deal) I still might try it.
@@iiWiReviews yes yes yes please review if you can (Gustard X16 or X18). I’m curios to hear about this DAC compared to SMSL M400 and Topping D70s. And hopefully, you can also review the newer SMSL DO200. 😊
Hi great review 😊 Do you think tipping d70 s wiil be good combination with ls50 meta ,bluesound 2i and claas d (pioneer a 70 ) and also no mqa with topping Thanks
thanks a lot for the review. I love how detailed and and precise your reviews are, especially the comparisons are fabulous. Can u compare the soundstage of d70s to that of Ares II. Which has the bigger stage? Thank you
Very comparable soundstage width and depth. It's just that instruments in it feel a bit more three-dimensional and palpable with Ares II, and a bit more flat (but more precisely etched also) with D70s.
This Topping D70s has to be ideal for tube-amps matchig with speaker like Sonus Faber, Proac, Wharfedale... soft dome Tweeter. I would like to know how far is from (old) Topping Dx7s... Congrats and thanks.
Hi , Great video..subscribed!!…just a question….. since you have reviewed topping d70s , pi2aes and a schiit modi multibit i have question regarding these three…. for both topping D70s dac SQ and pi2aes SQ i often hear sound quality being described as incisive, lean , clean etc for both these two products…… I would like to know when schiit modi multibit is paired with pi2aes streamer who does this combo compare against Topping D70s dac alone…. differences in terms of sound quality… do you feel (modi multibit + pi2aes) combo superior than topping d70s.? Any inputs from you would be helpful, Thanks
Yeah, and it has a basic, but good-sounding streamer too. You can go directly with an Ethernet cable into the Hegel and stream the music from the network. It took me ~1500€ investing in a DAC, Streamer, and good cables to meaningfully surpass the integrated solution. It's a fool's quest... but it seems I am one of those. :D
Planning to pair it with SMSL DA9 and Triangle BR03. Anyone has experience? I like open sounding and airy signature with lifelike and sweet vocal presence.
Once again a good review really appreciate the comparison. One thing I couldn't understand, what do you mean by "how it sexually sound" maybe I misunderstood something
@@iiWiReviews hahaha it took me some time before I realize that, apart from that, your reviews are great and based on them o bought many of the material I have. 🙏🙏
Great review! I am in the market to buy a system. I am looking willseton R8 tube amp, DIY good quality bookshelf speakers (GR Research XLS encore or CSSCriton) and will probably use a mix of owned cd and Amazon streaming service HiRes. I am not decided on the streaming device yet. What DAC would you recommend with this build? Thanks
I use H90 and the DAC inside of it is very comparable to D70s. I guess D70s has somewhat weightier bassline while H90 DAC is a bit more forward sounding in the midrange.... Anyway, both are so very close that I really wouldn't care much which one I'm using. ☺️
@@iiWiReviews Something I should have asked, if using RCA to RCA dac to amp, would the SQ be retained or do you think it would take a hit? Same question for the D30pro. Secondly, would using an XLR to RCA improve the situation or would adding a pre between a dac and amp provide a solution. Regarding the amp I want to use, the Keces E40 only has rca inputs as do many other amps, but resolves enough to hear differences. As I stated, I thought the D70s sounded better than my D50s clone if only for a smoother and fuller sound. The Lavaudio DS 600 is plenty dynamic so if a D30 Pro adds smoothness, it may be enough. Just don't know if there is a sizable difference in RCA to RCA or if using the XLR outputs into either a pre or rca (amp) would be noticeable. The D70s is definitely a great dac but would it be overkill in my application? The Lavaudio DS600 is definitely decent but you do notice sibilance and glare at times. Improving upon that would be useful. I did find the Loxjie d30 better in this regard but the optical (for TV) wouldn't make a secure connection. Any thought on RCA to RCA, Xlr to RCA, etc would be useful as I am sure alot of others would relate.
@@nc3419 If your amp has balanced XLR inputs then use that connection. If not, there is no point in using any type of XLR to RCA adapters. The balanced connection has its benefits only when it is used the proper way and that's balanced from the start to the end (XLR to XLR). The moment something is converted to single-ended (RCA) we lose the biggest advantage of balanced connection - it's not balanced anymore and there is no common noise rejection happening anymore. So to put it simply, use either RCA to RCA or XLR to XLR. Mixing these doesn't get you any of the balanced benefits and always falls back to the same thing as simply using single-ended RCA to RCA.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks. The only alternative some suggest is to go XLR to XLR to a pre such as Topping Pre90 and then RCA out but it adds to cost and bulk. As long as RCA output on a dac is essentially as good/good enough as the XLRs to a single ended amp, then it makes sense. The dacs i'm looking at are Modius (best under $300 option) Topping D30pro (a step up) Topping D70s or Schitt Bitfrost 2 Topping D90se (absolute limit given equipment in system) Bitfrost 2 seems to be a good balance between what the Topping dacs offer in detail and R2R sound. So...well see. Maximizing depth of SS and retaining a natural tone is the goal without sacrificing everything else too much is the goal. I know what the D70s is capable of so it's also a close option but perhaps there will be more depth on the Bitfrost 2? Adding a pre would help, but at additional cost, but then it's there for any other dac that comes my way down the road. I agree XLR to RCA is not desirable.
I was almost compelled to pull the trigger for D70s until you mentioned about the soundstange being a bit "flat" as a comparison. I owned both Topping E30 and E50 before but sold/returned them because of the flat soundstage. Could you tell me how does D70s perform in terms of the depth of soundstage relative to E30 and E50? Thank you.
They are all quite similar when it comes to soundstage depth. Maybe D70s has a slight lead there but not by much really. D30 pro is probably the best Topping I have heard so far in that regard.
Very nice review. I'm tempted to buy this one but I can only connect the DAC in RCA to my amp. Can you please inform me if I will be missing much compared to XLR? Thanks 🙏🙂
RCA works great on this DAC. Think of XLR as a free addition that you might use sometimes if you ever upgrade your amp to the one with balanced inputs. And if that time comes, switch to balanced connection cause it does give a bit cleaner sound.
Did you ever experienced sound differences in using different coaxial digital cables between source and dac? Also there are some claims that also the lenght of a coaxial digital cable matters... I'm really curious :-) Thanks!
I like the D70S better. Sounds more holographic and musical. The RME is great, but is more analytical sounding. The RME has a LOT more features, though.
I have a 2015 era matrix audio dac and the oled display is super burnt in now you cant read what the hz is set to. save your oled screens and let them fade!
If one were listening to classical piano, would the D70s be a better option over the Ares 2 or both bring their own thing well enough that it would be a tough choice? Which extends into the high frequencies better?
To start with high frequency extension, I feel both extend equally well. As for the piano, going by my personal taste, I enjoy it more over Ares II since it has a way of making notes sound fuller and more palpable. I feel that's more important for piano than quicker and sharper transients, but flatter tone, on D70s.
I think he said neutral "flat" sounding (as opposed to "colored" but gave cudos for expansive soundstage and layering itself....thus not flat in a positional location sense.?
Add a hybrid tube preamp or use a hybrid tube amp for holographic imaging. DACs don't really give any holographic imaging. They can only give you more resolution.
Thanks, I don't recall saying it's closest to the performance of D90, because as you said I never heard it. I may have talked about the price and where it stands in the Topping line of DACs, but not about the performance. Don't have time to re-watch at the moment (I will check for it later) but if I did say something similar it was by mistake.
The Output Voltage is for Sure NOT "a little bit" higher. It is rd. 20% higher. Realy much higher! With all the upcomming effects of the resultated higher Volume.
No arguing with math. 😅 I was thinking in terms of final volume - given that our hearing reacts to volume increase logarithmically, 2.5V truly sounds just a bit louder than 2V.
If used as preamp than yes it is. If used as DAC with a proper preamp, than it doesn't have much impact in most cases (even though some integrated amps or preamps may prefer one voltage level or the other to perform their best - depending on sensitivity).
@@iiWiReviews No Prob Man. :) I've done a lot of tests with preamps (active and passive) and CD players over the past 30 years. Minimal volume differences, which can also be caused by differences in the output voltage, change the sound. A delicate subject.
Could you please tell me if the ifi diablo would be a massive upgrade over the E1DA PowerDAC v2 or not?.I intend to use it with a Sony IER-Z1R IEM btw.
Does the D70S sound 3-dimensional with space between instruments when compared to Chord Hugo TT or QBD76? I own one of the higher range Chord DAC and am considering this D70S but was afraid it might sound flat and 2 dimensional.
@@iiWiReviews thanks for the response. Much appreciated. Guess I won't be getting this D70S after all. I am able to get a brand new unit at a slightly discounted price to compare with my Chord but was afraid it will not stay in my system for long. It is good that you have confirmed on my suspicion. Thanks.
Hi, I've never heard the original D70, but as a rule of thumb I would wait at least two generations before trying to upgrade. One generation jump is usually not that big to justify the expanse in my opinion.
