For D90 owners: in order to get the best sound quality I recommend turning off BT entirely, and switching from PRE to DAC only mode . Changing these options is done by turning the unit off via power switch at the back, and then on again while holding the forward power button at the same time. This opens a set of options you can navigate via the two volume buttons at the front. YW :)
@@ozzysman07 Not entirely sure, but others that have tried it also turned these two options off confirm the same thing. I mainly turned BT off since I don't use it. Perhaps it has something to do with interference I don't know... I saw not just other users but two reviewers say the same thing - turning BT and PRE off giving the best sound quality out off D90.
@@Kris_413 I bought it for music listening primarily, but I do game occasionally with it. Since I don't have a "gaming" DAC for reference, can't really tell you if it is the right choice for you. The 3D sound perception and positioning is spot on for music, logic implies it should be for gaming too.
Although I don't much care for the Bluetooth connection of the Topping D90, this unit is very exceptional even for the high price tag; for most of us. I recently bought a Topping D10 DAC, and an eSynic headphone amplifier, portable; and now use from one of my desktop Sony computer. Good, capable, and solid hi fi audio products. Thumbs up on this thorough, and informative demonstration hi fi video.
As someone who just got into audio gear about a month ago. I do really enjoy watching these type of videos. I just wish I knew more about the hobby so I could see the full range of use from some of the items (DACS/AMPS) youtubers like yourself advertise. So far though I got myself a pair of the PC38x due to multiple reviews. On black Friday I hope to snag some Kanto Tuks!
Check out Dankpods! He's more of a hobbyist audiophile as opposed to DMS, who works on the industry professionally. He has some good low-price but high-satisfaction products that I think are perfect for someone just starting out.
I agree that multi £k DACs do offer better sound than much cheaper ones like this, but the improvements are mostly quite subtle. Improvements that audiophiles love but not that most people would worry about. Modern DACs are great. I bought a Jays Audio DAC2 Signature for about £2700. Superb. Then I bought an Audio Music DAC/1 (retails at £13k I got a lucky deal). The latter is better, but not by a big margin.
I have the Topping E30, and really enjoying the unit. That is a $130 DAC and whilst yes it is a single ended DAC, the D90 is a massive jump to a balanced solution. It seems steep for my beginner audiophile journey and the deminishing returns appear significantly apparent compared to the price. Maybe the SMSL SU-9 would be better suited for me if I would want to go balanced.
@@allenemralino6756 The Modius and Element 2 have really made me question what makes everything else so expensive other than the fact that they're made for passive speakers or the engineering that it takes to make some of this stuff.
> Be me > Ordered a Magni Heresy 1 hour ago > Reads title of the video > Perfect timing > "It is around $700" > Turns off PC and finds something to eat
I really like that you pointed out the weird volume setting of the interface. Interfaces of these great new DACs and DAC/AMP combos is one of the biggest differentiators. I own the monoprice desktop monolith and it's interface is a bit of a hassle, so I just end up with set it and forget it. I would likely sacrifice 10-30% sound for a perfect interface, or even full control via software on the computer.
@@Kris_413 A dac should not have an effect to sound stage and imaging.(Correct me if im wrong). So for purely gaming, i do not recommend getting such an expensive dac.
@@ianlee6416 I was planning on getting the Beyerdynamic 1710 pro with a high quality DAC for music, movies and gaming, but it sounds like I need a gaming DAC specifically?
@@Kris_413 You have to double confirm with someone else on this. ask around on the various audio forums. But to me a DAC, is something that takes a digital signal and accurately converts that to an analog signal with as little noise as possible. I personally have not heard of a gaming dac. If you're talking about a *headphone amp*, then yes, it will probably affect what you hear from your headphones.
I own the D70. Love it and really looking forward to upgrading to a D90. When I introduced a Singxer SU-1 between my PC and D70 it took the DAC up a good few notches too! (I2S connection) Easily replaced my Modi Multibit
Hi DMS ! I just noticed you never reviewed any Bang & Olufsen product on your channel (or maybe I simply didn't look close enough ?), is there a particular reason to this ? Awesome content anyway !
DMS, little off topic question: What are those very nice looking diffuser panels on the wall to your right shoulder during the video? Can you link the make, model, brand etc? I really like them a lot and have small recording studio in my office/home I'd like to use them on.
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.
I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on more expensive dacs and amps like 2k or more given the bang for your buck you can get nowadays in cheaper units. Would you / do you ever plan on reviewing more pricey gear?
Thank you for review, im currently own D90 and use it in dac mode, connected to dell laptop using Supra usb cable. Is it worth to buy Singxer SU-2 digital interface for D90, there will be 10% sound improvement at least? Thank you:)
Very ver nice review. But I am beginner in this world and learning the basics. Please educate me how I can connect a speaker and a headphone to this device. Please tell me how I connect the source device to this system like a laptop or TV. Please point me to few beginner videos on the subject
Hey DMS, I just bought a pair of Abyss Diana v2's, and I find my head shape is just a little off for them, meaning the pads don't contact perfectly with my head. If the pads were a cm bigger around the bottom, they would fit perfectly. Any idea on how I could go about getting pads a little bigger to fit? This problem is with the new version of the pads, not the old ones.
Thanks for your review just came in for black Friday, I got the A90 based on your very accurate review and very pleased with it using it with Arya, I am currently using Chord Hugo 2 via RCA and was wondering if balanced D90 will bring any improvement but wondering if transparent nature of this with natural sound of A90 or should I go for smsl m400 or cheaper SU9 or Hugo 2 still will be superior and getting any of these will be waste of money.
That's actually just a perfect recreation of the waveform, you must not be very into high frequencies. If you want reduced highs, Equalizer APO is free, and you can roll them off a bit with a high shelf.
One needs to watch 5 different reviewers review of a device, to really know how that device works. With watching one or two reviews, you know nothing about it really. Same with this one, or josh or Zeos, or currawong... each reaview is great on itself, but to know the device, theyr are all crap too really. they all miss a lot.
Dms Please do denafrips ares 2 vs schiit bifrost 2. And try and get your hands on Flux lab fa10 (Z has it or at least had it) and test it exclusively for abyss headphones. Please please please. ❤️
I wouldn't agree based on my listening experience, but everyone has their preferences. The D90 is meant for more of a clean-sound. Not really the Bifrost's target iirc.
@@JDS_im I’ve listened to the 2 but not extensively. It’s definitely not meant to be an analytical dac though like the D90. It’s more of a “sweet” sound. I can see how some would find that preferential.
@@DMS3TV Fair enough. I've found the Bifrost 2 to do spatial recreation and microdynamics substantially better than the D90, which imo is a characteristic of a technologically more sophisticated DAC. The D90 on the other hand has more of a "wall of sound" presentation in my experience, relatively speaking.
