Topping D90 DAC Review ! Denafrips Ares 2 vs Topping D90 

Disclaimer/ Personal interest in my reviews - nbtsmedia.com/about-us/

I like the comment about the d90 getting out of the way, it’s very true, and that’s a really good thing. D90 instrument separation is retarded good, it creates layers in the sound like very high end dacs. If you want more air add a tube amp and you have it all.

I get it. You really like the airiness of the Ares II. What I am noticing from my D90 is how well it keeps up with fast, complex musical passages, the strong resolution and huge dynamics. The bass is very strong as you mentioned, but it makes my speakers' bass sound so much more resolving and controlled. Playing "Trapezoid" by Lettuce, there are different kinds of bass instruments playing at the same time and you can easily identify each one.

This is something we need is more DAC reviews with comparison to internal DACs of amps.

Great review. I have the Topping DX7s which has a weak preamp output section and I'm looking to upgrade soon. This video is very helpful. Thank you.

Appreciated for the review, also, we welcome to more comments of D90, which can be feedback to the manufacture, it's more beneficial for the upcoming models, thank you all.

Thank you for another great review. Digital has come a long way and i love it that people can have top notch performance for reasonable money.

This guy has more hair than my whole family combined.

Nice comparison. I suggest you try the Ares II in oversampling mode with the slow filter, if you haven't already. That opens it up even more and also improves imaging, overall resolution and slam.

I really like my D90. The sound-stage is presented well behind my speakers and sibilance is kept in check. It has R2R-like mids and pairs ridiculously well with my OTL tube amp. For reference I preferred it to the AGD R2R-7, which I thought had too much "brilliance." I found it distracting.

I bought this Dac in January. I think your review is accurate and the Bluetooth part is a big plus. I will add a preamp in a few months

Great review as usual man! Very pertinent information for me, I have really been getting into music streaming. I have ripped all of my CD's into WAV files on my computer. The Topping D90 is a sharp looking unit with some great features. Very nice price tag also!

I use it for a week. Best sound on my "old" Accuphase E-408, USB, COAX and BT in use, DAC mode. I really recomend it! (from Germany) ...is use a good power cable and high end Kimbler RCA. USB cable from AQVOX from Germany.

This DAC sounds like it is for me. I dont want my electronics to have "a sound". Its job is to present the music as the artist intended. If I would want a different sound I can just use EQ or tonecontrols...

New D-90 owner here. Some issues so far. (1) Cannot play DSD 11.28MB files without stopping mid-way. (2) When connected to an SACD player playing an SACD via coaxial or optical, D90 reduces the the inputs to 44.1khz, negating any benefits of SACDs. (3) Amazon Music HD says that D90 is only capable of 24 bit, not 32 bit as advertised. Topping, please address these issues.

I got my Denafrips Ares II three days ago, OMG, the best $738 dollar that I spent on audio component! Very recommended.

Great work and really appreciate direct comparisons and context in your review.

Thumbs up to another informative video Jay. Thinking seriously about the D90 vs Ares 2 AND how these would these two would sound when connecting to the Hegel H190. Your timing couldn't have been better. Love your videos and keep them coming. Also, looking forward to your review of the Adam T5V speakers. I've been using them with my iMac for about a year now and simply love them. Cheers !!!

Phenomenal review, Jay! Nice n’ detailed. Keep up the great work, man! Much thanks. 🙏🎶❤️😷

Great video, mate, you've got a new subscriber! I've had the black D90 for about six weeks. It's a great DAC. I sold my Schiit Gungnir Multibit after using the D90, which cost about half as much as the Gumby, BTW.

great review, thanks, got a D90 with MQA coming my way! the fact that it has a more solid bass signature compared to the ares2 makes me really happy, since that is my preferred one (sound)! :)

I have both D90 and Ares 2. I like both of them. My system is Topping D90-Sennheiser HDVA 600- Sennheiser HD600 And Denafrips Ares ii - Monoprice THX887 - Sennheiser HD800s. D90 is a DS DAC so I use it to decode DSD files. Ares is a R2r DAC , I use it to stream 192k/24 PCM.

Love my D90 and I've tried quite a few. I didn't like the plastic remote, but good thing they have an all aluminum version and it's much more ergonomic.

I purchased the D90 as an upgrade from my D50s and sadly I have to say I was not impressed, it may measure perfect but the sound is to forward in the mid-range, and the sound stage is quite narrow. I prefer a bright V shape sound which the D50s has, I have Bowers and Wilkins speakers and Cambridge Audio Amp and the D50s is a very nice bright sound, the D90 was however seemed to almost be a reverse V sound with the voice of performers drowning out the instruments where it was one voice one instrument recording, too much mid-tone. So the D90 was returned. For me the Sabre ESS9038 chips at this price range are the best, IMHO.

Favorite Topping dac? I still favor the D30 with the CS4398 chip (same as in the Marantz PM6006). Very musical, dynamic, with good enough soundstage. Like playing records on a good system back in the 70's and 80's.

Nice review, who do I have to bribe to get one!

Jay FYI the rear connection is called i squared s. It separates the clock and data streams (for better processing potential) within one connector (if using hdmi).

Give the Schiit Bifrost 2 multibit a whirl Jay. Definitely a contender with this bunch.

It's nice to have younger folks to do review. I trust their hearing more

Great review! Please review the Triangle Comete EZ speakers if you ever come across those. Z Reviews got me hyped about them, but your reviews are more honest and would like your opinion before purchasing. Thanks!

Nice one really good info , you guys love the Hint 6

Great review pup and it's almost like you took the words out of my mouth. I completely ignore the preamp on the D90 and usually switch it back and forth between my Yam A-S2100 SS amp and a Chifi pushpull tube amp depending on the genre of music i'm listening to

Wow, excellent review. Sounds like I might prefer the D90. I really enjoy bass and soundstage precision. The rest of my setup is the thx789 with the LCD2 bamboo, balanced in and out.

You have to start telling us what music you play through the gear been reviewed. We need you to tell us specific artists, bands, albums, songs you listened to, in order to reach this or that conclusion. Otherwise, the whole thing is just plain hollow. After all, you're saying it yourself at the start: music is your and our passion...yet nothing about actual music here.

Found you through the Audiophiliac. Great review, I have subscribed.

Dear Jay, it's not L (like a line) squared S but I (like Icon) squared S

Great review...thx for your honest opinion !!!

Thx for the review. Do you think that D90 would be an update to Hegel H390 dac too?

Hi Jay Very good review. I agree it seems the preamp section is relatively weak. Very good description of the subtle sound/soundstage nuances. I found it interesting hearing you talk about Bluetooth - the only place I use Bluetooth is for my phone in the car and since it sounded so awful in the early days never felt tempted to try it again for serious listening. All the best, Rob in Switzerland.

Hello! Thanks for the very nice review! A would have a specific question, but maybe I’m not the only one to have it. How do you compare the processing time for the USB port? I use a DAC to convert the sound of my piano software (Ivory II from Synthogy) and the less delay is the better because the sounds comes out when you press the key and not later. When I use the Topping D50, the processing time is bad, I had to buy a separate AQVOX DDC which delivers a 5ms for 192khz toslink output and then use the D50 only to transform the toslink signal into analog (which seems something easier to do). For comparison, when I use the Topping only, I need 12ms for a 48khz output only. I don’t know if the D90 could be better because of better chips maybe, and the Denaprips maybe even better because they use another technology? Is the Ares II better than the Terminator on the processing time? Would the Denafrips work if I connect it directly to my Bang & Olufsen speakers or do I need a preamp? If yes, which one would you recommend for quick processing? That’s a lot of questions in only one comment.. sorry! Thank you very much!

Keep up the good work buddy:) Love the vids

I have the topping d50s . I am very happy with it.

Lots of great information, especially the comparisons to the internal DACs. Would like to know how you think the PS Audio GCD DAC compares.

Great video jay! Would love to see a review of the rme next

I also found D70 to have really really good Bluetooth sound! Not better than streaming device to DAC but better than my PC sound through USB to DAC

TQVM for a great review. I’m itching now to get the MQA D90. Would be most interesting.

"Topping D90 doesn't have that much "air"" it does compete well there with Sabre dac's ($200-2000). But yeah less compared to Aries2. My opinion tl:Dr: Aries rich mids, D90 great sub bass. Soundstage comment.... Yeah noticed that, its one of those Dac's that require soundstage in the source to portray it well! Side comment due to the soundstage & how it interacts with source makes it great for gaming but not worth buying Just for gaming due to cost.

The preamp mode noticeably degrades the audio quality. Through the hidden menu however (hold power button+switch on from the back), you can set the D90 to DAC only. Great review and good one catching this!

My biggest issue with the D90 (admiteddly se) is that the highs are subdued. I want to feel the vocals and for whatever reason that hasn't been happening..the bass is fantastic though, nice and punchy.

Why no recordings to demonstrate sound quality?

this vs schiit bitfrost 2 ?

Denafrips should offer a bridge streamer for those who have DACs they like. I'm surprised so few companies offering such a thing.

I have the NAD M10 amp/streamer. It's internal DAC is a 32-BIT/384kHz ESS Sabre DAC, which doesn't mean much to me. I suppose it's a decent internal DAC, but I'm really intrigued by the Ares II and D90 reviews. I'm considering purchasing a separate amp just so I can place the Ares 2 (or D90) between the streamer and separate amp driving the speakers. Does this set up make sense? Good, bad, otherwise? Should I expect the Ares II or D90 to substantially improve the sound over what the NAD M10 is producing now? I realize quality of sound is ultimately objective, but would love to get some thoughts on this. Thank you.

forgive my lingo ignorance , but when you say "air" and "more airy" , are you talking about sibilance and high frequencies or sense of space?

Nice review. I've been enjoying the Topping D70 for nearly a year now. Maybe time to move up. Question, what are the speakers seen behind you in the video?

Hi Jay. Thank you for your amazing reviews. I am just wondering if you know of a reliable retailer in Canada where I could buy a D90 with some sort of warranty? I can't seem to find anything and live in Vancouver

Thanks for the review! I have been tempted by the D90 and your review answered a lot of my questions. And I have the Parasound HINT. Can you review the RME ADI-2-DAC? It has been very well received and the manufacturer recently updated the DAC in late 2019.

Hi Jay, I just picked up some LS50 Wireless for nearfield listening on my Mac. I think the sound is wonderful, but it's my first high-end bookshelf speakers. What speakers in this range could be better? I was thinking about getting a separate amp and getting the Buchardt's S400, but I heard the LS50 with a sub sounds better. Would ELAC's sound better than my setup?

The D90 is a pretty good value especially when you factor in all the other features. Measurements definitely have their value but they don’t tell the whole story. There are 3 major components to the quality of a DAC, the digital section, the analog section and the power supply and the latter 2 probably don’t get the acknowledgment that they deserve in terms of the contribution they make to the final sound. Focusing purely on the particular model of DAC chip itself doesn’t provide the complete picture.

G'day great review. Did you try the D90 into dedicated dac mode?

Hi Jay, thanks for the review info. You mention the sound is better when you "bypass" the pre-amp? How do you actually do it? does it DAC need to have specific feature? which out do you use? the Balance or RCA output? Thanks.

Excellent comment about mixing with tube pre-amp or amp.

Good review ! To drive Headphones does this DAC need another Amplifier?

Fabulous,very helpful review Jay! Can you recommend an inexpensive music player to pair with the topping D90 or Denafrips Ares 2,along the lines of the Bluesound Node 2i? I am also reluctant to order these units direct from overseas....have you given any thought to becoming the canadian distributor for these products and adding them as a "budget" line to your company's website?

I ordered the D90 at a discount from SHENZENAUDIO, and just got it a couple of weeks ago. I noticed something strange on the front - the wording was printed upside down, like if you put a form into a printer the wrong way. I told them about it; they offered to knock some more off to keep it so I said OK, because the unit functions perfectly. Separately, just got an email from Vinshine Audio, saying that they're all caught up with their shipments of the Denafrips units.

great review bro .i will hear that device thank you....

Jay, can you also review the SMSL D1 as well? And possible to do a Topping D90 vs SMSL D1?

D90 is one of the best 2 dacs out there folks

The only thing that makes the D90 a preamp is the attenuation (volume control) so basically you are connecting the same output to the input of a preamp and set volume to 0 dB. Any difference in sound is the coloration of the outboard preamp but it seems like it does what it is supposed to do which is to convert digital to analog without any coloration.

Hi Jay, do you think the DAC inside the Hegel H190 is the same as that in the Hegel H390? I've been thinking about getting the D90 but am not sure if it's a clear improvement over the built-in DAC of H390! Many thanks.

Great video, Jay! Can you opine on the D90 vs the RME ADI-2 FS v2 (with AKM 4493)? I’m a sucker for air, as long as it doesn’t come across as artificial. Really like the way you address how it sounds. Very accessible!

After watching this video, I want to say that your video is great. By the way, how do you keep your hair so much?

do i need to buy a separate streamer to use with this like the Bluesound?

Hi Jay, would you be able to compare the Ares 2 vs Bifrost 2 and Audio-gd R1? Thanks and be safe buddy!

I have upgraded from Topping D50 to Ares II. What I found is that sharp imaging presentation making me feel fatigue. How to tame this? Any tuning can be done by changing cable or other method?

Tell me , what is it? Topping D30 is all ok playing the sound of a bomb! but as a native dsd, the sound is muddy, why?owners of topping do you have such a thing ?

Great review Jay ! But my 2 budget dacs that have the akm 4490/4493 chips aren't warm at all maybe the 4499 is ? , but we both know the power supply and circuitry of a dac matter just as much as the chip thanks again Jay !

Great review. Just got mine today, the ship time is just 7 days (!) using Apos even with this virus thing going on. In pre mode, it sounds a little better than my Wyred4sound DAC2 that has the ESS-9018 and my Audiolab M-DAC+ with same DAC chip if that helps. Yet to use in DAC mode. Careful with the volume, if you hold it it goes to max output waaaaay too fast, as in almost faster than you can release the button. Have to use quick presses of the volume to increase. It's a keeper, easily the best value I've found so far.

So is the d90 the best non r2r dac or is there something better? If there's something better, what does that dac do better

Tell me , what is it? Topping D90 is all ok playing the sound of a bomb! but as a native dsd, the sound is muddy, why?owners of topping do you have such a thing ?

I am not an expert but I think it is not correct to compare a DAC with a tube amplifier 🤦‍♂️

Great review. Have you got a chance to review the Denafrips Terminator DAC yet?

thank you for review :)

Good review , do you think you would be able to review the bel canto 2.7 dac.

When we're talking about "Air" here, what are we referring to specifically? I'm confused if we're talking about "Air" as meaning the 10 kHz+ frequency range or "Air" as meaning Airy sensation talking about Soundstage.

I have the HINT 6 and it’s great! I use fiio m15 with the HINT and it sounds great!

Hi, you mentioned the improvement coming from pairing with Hegel but did not address the comparison with Hegel internal dac... have I missed something? I was expecting a comment on this and the merits of adding external dac to the Hegel. Thank you.

So the denafrips farts better then the topping? More air?

Hello Jay, can you tell a bit more about the sq difference between de dac from the hegel h190 and the topping? I'm about to buy the hegel h90 and sell my topping dac but now im not so sure anymore.. i assume the dac sounds the same as the h190?

Hi! ... Did you switch to standalone DAC with the service menu on the D90 ? ... you must keep pressed the SEL button in front while you switch it on at the back .. there you have a menu where you can put it in a real DAC only mode, bypassing the preamp function. And using a good streamer with I2S output and and use the D90 I2S Input, sound a lot better.

As an old school high-end audio reviewer (l won't name the publications, but I began long before youtube and online e-zines), I truly appreciate your efforts in comparing and contrasting these DAC's. It's definitely not an easy task. I'm guessing that English is not your mother tongue, so I'll give you a pass on your somewhat limited descriptive lexicon. For one example, I would suggest that you describe what "air" means to you. You use that one quite a lot and it does mean different things to different audiophiles. We are always mixing metaphors and conflating our five primary senses to describe what we hear. For the uninitiated, our club parlance can be very confusing and even seem exclusionary. I once had to publish my personal set of terms and definitions so that the readers could better comprehend me... and stop sending nasty-grams calling me an idiot-savant. lol. I'll be back to view more of your reviews. You have a welcoming style and your passion for the hobby shines like a beacon. My hat is off......

Nice review, just as I expected. It will take another good R2R to beat the Ares imho.

Suggestions for quality streamer without DAC? Happy with the DAC in my integrated amp, don’t need 2!

This dac / preamp sound quality vs the node 2i ? Or this dac / preamp section vs schiit gungnir multibit? I asked because I have their topping d90 DAC and I don't know if it's better then the schiit gungnir multibit DAC? What do you think?

Having the preamp option, being able to employ XLR and RCA outputs in various combinations, the ability to add other digital sources, and the bluetooth feature with a great DAC is quite a package. It worked out well when my preamp was being repaired. If all you need is a DAC, the Denafrips was raved about here.

Ciao ! Complimenti Pensi che possa migliorare anche il dac di Hegel h 390 ? Grazie

Ok. Well done. A have a smsl vmv d1 and have the same experience with the built in pre so i added a pre and it made a pretty big improvement. Then i have some questions :) 4......1. what i your digital source.? 2. What connection did you use.? 3. What preamp would you run to drive a pretty neutral amp.? 4. I know you think cables make a difference. What digital cable and analog cables did you run. ? :) best ps what would Sean have said :):)

A DAC with a really great soundstage (maybe too great sometime, for example for studio registration of pop/rock music genres) is SMSL M400. But it has other minus (for example the piano on Freddie Freeloader - Miles Davis's masterpiece from Kind of blue legendary disc - is hard to listening compared to D90, that's a little more sweet and smooth; or iFi Neo iDSD, that is really more sweet and vinylic)

11:11 what is wrong with the pre-amp section?

The d90 in preamp mode was a huge disappointment to me, it made loud popping noises whenever I played, paused, stopped the music, when muting the dac and anytime sample rate changed. I understand now why they're selling a separate preamp because the internal preamp module in the D90 is utterly useless. Topping support confirmed the popping noises are due to the way it's designed, so I ditched it. It was a sad choice I loved the way it sounded.