Awesome review! - I am one of those people who has been anxiously waiting for this video- Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! - Also Id like to add that the MQA Topping D90SE just received a firmware update which greatly improved the sound. All the things you describe about the D90LE are now present in the D90SE... This wasn't always the case for the original D90SE. Soundstage used to be flatter like the D70 and bass was less punchy and textured. But the new firmware solved all these problems. This new firmware was written to accommodate the new D90LE and carried over to the older D90SE with all it's improvements. Since they are the same DAC they share the same firmware. Topping had time to listen to all the feedback from the older D90SE and made very positive changes to the firmware for the release of the non-MQA D90LE. This new and improved firmware then carried over to the older but mostly identical D90SE. Punchier, better micro detail, cohesiveness, 3D soundstage, texture, etc... Truly amazing! - Thanks again for your amazingly detailed review! You are like the D90SE\LE of reviewers!
Phenomenal review! Goodness I love how detailed you are in describing all the details of the sound. You truly are the best in RU-vid when it comes to understanding and describing how things sound. Everyone wastes time on things we can see on the Internet but they don't talk about these details and you're super good at it! Wonder how ot does against the pontus ii
You are by far the best in your job, no doubt. Great refinement and depth of description of the audio characteristics of the devices reviewed, in an absolutely understandable English even for non-native speakers
As a beginner in the world of audio, your videos teach me so much! Your rel t5x review was essential for me and it really helped me make a decision! Now dacs are a whole new beast I am trying to demistify! Thank you for being so helpful!
I have just upgraded from a Topping D50s DAC to the D90LE, and everything you say in this review I can confirm, the detail and resolution is simply astounding, I was always impressed with the D50s but the steep up to the D90LE is worth every penny. Just for information I auditioned the D90 (AKM4499 Chipset) about a year ago and was not impressed, I enjoy detail and resolution and dislike warm mid-range forward sound, so the D90 AKM was not for me, on my system (Music Fidelity M5si and B&W 702 Signitures) the D90LE is as close to perfection as I can afford, simply stunning !
Good thing they dropping the MQA scam. I sold my original D90 after ab testing it against the apple dongle though.. was a sad day but my wallet is very thankfull.
Not sure if its widely known, but any Bluesound or recent NAD hardware will stream MQA as well as the usual CD quality files directly from Radio Paradise for free. It sounds fantastic to my ears and is well worth checking out. Tidal is not the only way to go here. Great reviews. Keep up the good work!
Brilliant review! Thank you for explaining MQA and highlighting that it is only used in TIDAL. I use Qobuz so no need for me to have a DAC supporting MQA - bonus! I have contacted the Topping dealer here in the UK and will be receiving the demo D90LE in the coming week to test with my system. Currently I'm using my Chord Mojo so it will be interesting to hear how the D90LE compares. Keep up the great work!
Not sure to be honest here. D90LE is punchier and slightly more revealing but the difference is not huge. I would do it, but every one of us feels differently about the worth of such upgrade.
@@iiWiReviews I inadvertently bought two smooth sounding DACs this year, the ZEN Signature and the D70s, the zen signature is more lively while the D70s is more rich/thick, ill have to try to exchange it for the D90le with Apos
Wow - I had forgotten that the SMSL M500 MkII had displaced the Denafrips Ares II, for you. That is high praise, indeed. And if this Topping D90LE is in the ballpark or even better - that is also very impressive. I will mention again that I hope you can listen to the SMSL VMV D1se - which is apparently a M500 MkII with a linear power supply - a DAC only. Maybe it is the best overall? Edit: something I really like the Ares II - is that it has two coax, and two optical inputs. This makes it great in my main system, with a Bluesound Node 2i and a Audiolab CDT6000 transport, on the two coax inputs.
Do you really think one reviewer is the holy grail or something? There's lots of reviews out for the SMSL VMV D1se. Oh and the CDT6000 is quite harsh (as it's analytical, detailed and has good soundstage / separation). Using a detailed and analytical DAC still means you might want to pick your amp and speakers/headphones carefully unless you intent to hurt your ears. I mean, after say an SML VMV D1se, if you then put say a THX amp or a Topping A90 and use a DT1990 you're gonna end up into suffer mode. The Ares II is 'smoother' in delivering the details and is gonna get you more out of trouble than a delta-sigma DAC will with that CD transport. For say EDM I'd prolly prefer the D1se, for most other music types, I'd go with the Ares II especially with that CD transport. And of course for watching movies & gaming the SMSL annihilates the Ares II.
@@RafiGish Um ... no, I don't take any one person's opinion as gospel. Where did you get that idea? Here's the thing - I have watched all the reviews of the D1se that I could find, and that's why I am interested in it. Those reviews though don't have "direct" reference points for me, so I would like to have this reviewer's considered opinion. My system is a Node 2i into the Ares II (as well as the CDT6000), and also a Linn Axis with Dynavector 10X5 for LPs - into an Audible Illusions Modulus, with an AkitikA GT-102 Z4 amp. I have mass loaded transmission line speakers that I designed and built, called MLTL-6. You can see them on my website, NBDesignsDOTwork, where I will be selling plans, soon. They are essentially flat to about 32Hz in room, and are exceptionally open and clear, in my humble opinion. I am particularly choosy when it comes to treble balance, and I can assure you the CDT6000 transport is not unduly bright or etched.
Thank you for explaining how MQA files work without an MQA DAC in the signal chain. I use an Innuous Zen Mini MK3 streamer into a non MQA-enabled DAC. Your no nonsense explanation of how all that works makes me feel better about my recent decision to get rid of TIDAL and keep Qobuz. Like you, I think that Qobuz sounds slightly better overall than TIDAL.
❤️👍🙌I have to say I love you more every time I see you you really do have the best reviews on RU-vid you have the best vocabulary of describing sound number one. I believe every word you say you are very trustworthy and honest and can I also say very handsome my wife think so also lol❤️👍🙌 A big fan Steve Costello….
Thank you for another great review. Given your emphases on detail and resolution, I wonder if it still sounds "musical and natural". I worry if the sound may sound "etched" or un-natural especially at high volumes.
It does have a bit of etched character to it. Some love that, some not so much... For me, it depends how I feel. If you like resolution without etching, you'll probably lile something I'm going to review in a week or two - Musician Pegasus.
@@iiWiReviews Nisam nešto nervozan za kupnju, makar motivacije ima, ali nema se para za takvu namjenu. Mislim da bi mi ovaj DAC odgovarao mom trenutnom sustavu.
@@iiWiReviews Za sada mi je to prvi DAC, a imam ga već/tek godinu dana. I ako kupim bolji ovaj ću sigurno ostaviti za neku namjenu. Želiš li reći da D90LE nije puno bolji od E30?
Curious if you've gotten your hands on the Sabaj A20d. Looks like it might be similar internally to the SMSL M500 MKII but in a nicer form factor. Interested to see your new R2R dac reviews. Great review.
FYI, Audirvana will also make that first unfold. It also let's you combine the Tidal and Qobuz libraries and playlists in one interface. It will also allow you to choose whatever sample rate you want.
You are the go to reviewer for anything I want to know about audio. Brilliant review. I have the Loxjie D50 but have now ordered the Technics SL g700 because I have a lot of SACDs. Any thoughts on its DAC performance?
With the combo of Topping EX5 and PA5 amp I have to lower the volume slightly on the DAC or else the sound is distorted. I may be wrong but it appears that the amp doesn't like a too high voltage input, it appears to go slightly higher than 4v in the peaks.
Excellent review! So this begs the question, will this be replacing the SMSL that you have been using the last several months? Also really enjoy many of your music clips you recommend. That first one is excellent and never heard of the artists and will be listening to more. Thanks for that! :)
I love these videos thank you. Have you ever had the chance to hear some RME DACs? I'm curious to know the sound difference of the RME ADI 2 (ESS) over this D90LE
I just bought D90SE and wish D90LE realese earlier. I stream on Qobuz and do not need MQA. By the way i sold my Draco R2R dac replaced by D90SE. D90SE more detail, speed bass, transparent than Draco. D90 is Amazing Dac
Thank you for the good review, is this sound a bit like Hegel? btw I contacted Hegel about separate DAC:s and they are planning new ones. Best Regards Mikaek
@@fx-studio I don't think that is a fair comparison, and therefore I don't think proves anything. I downloaded the flac you used for testing and compared it to a copy I downloaded off Amazon music and they don't sound the same. I used my Schiit dac and dt1990s. Amazon music sounds great, but the flac you used for testing that I downloaded from the link you provided sounded noticeably worse.
@@fx-studio I don't know if you've listened to the file you linked with some studio headphones, but the file has random harsh transitions, and it sounds much lower in quality compared to the same flac on Amazon. Maybe you shared the wrong file, but it is a flac and sounds similar to the video. That is not a valid reference for making comparisons or conclusions.
@@mistafizz5195 Duh, its a recording in my studio output from PUBLIC ADDRESS audio system - rerecorded with all the room ambience/ artifacts - why would you think it would sound like an original ??
As far as the spacial queues the D90LE presents, Topping may have improved that over their previous D90 models as that seemed to be a consistent issue brought up by previous reviews. I have the D70s becasue it was a compromise between the analytical, R2R, features, capabilities, etc., at a comparative budget price at the time. I am satisfied and likely will be for quite some time but it is good to know there are good options available at various price points. I don't see myself spending much over a grand let alone $2K or more for my needs. Though I do have some expensive equipment. My Hegel h160's dac is similar to the Topping higher ended dacs, whether using AKM or ESS. Compared to the d70s, at least using single ended, they are fairly similar in sound with the h160 dac having a more analytical presentation with a bit better separation while the D70s is a bit warmer, softer with more bloom in the lows and low mids, perhaps why the separation seems just a bit different but still good. Neither are laid back but I like both and can prefer one over the other depending on the music. System matching is important. The D90LE, as well as other dacs can pair really well with a particular amp and speakers better than others. Depends on what pleases a listener.
As an aside, I also went with Topping over SMSL as at the time, Topping had a better reputation for QC, responding to issues per customer reviews and the optical input which I use always made a firm and secure click in the connection (on all Toppings). I tried a an SMSL and a Loxjie and both times, the optical input couldn't be securely fastened. They would fall out on their own. That's been my experience anyhow.
Volumio is a 3rd party app that cannot unfold MQA... So you are getting 24bit/48kHz at maximum. If you are OK with it then no need for an MQA DAC... But if you want higher sample rates then that's the only way.
Great review, thanks for your unique informative dac reviews. A little bummed out as I have the smsl mk500ii coming tomorrow based on your review of it, now I'm rethinking that decision. Worth returning for this Topping?
I don't feel that you should do that. Even though this one is slightly more revealing, M500 MKII is an excellent DAC on its own and undefeated when it comes to value. I would at least give it a chance.
Thank you for the quick response, got it today and am enjoying it! One question if you don't mind: the sound color options when selected with the "ok" button simply returns to the sound color main screen without changing to a different color. Am I missing something?
Hello, great video! Could I please get some advice? I’m running Focal Clear Pro headphones with my Luxman L-225 Amp (made in 1985). And I love both of these components. But, for the Dac I’m running the Schiit Modi 3+. Do I need to upgrade the Dac to something higher up to keep inline with the great quality of the rest of the set up?
Another great review, but I am in a quandary regarding the D90LE. I currently own a Schiit BiFrost2. How would you characterize the sound of the D90LE vs the Schiit BiFrost 2 MultiBit?
I haven't heard Bifrost 2 myself but most people place it somewhere in between good Delta Sigma DACs such as this one and softer but bigger sounding Ares II. That sounds like a sweet spot to me. I would have tried it myself if not for huge costs of shipping one to my country + taxes.
After carefully listening to this review, I may have to try one of these DACs to contrast it to my Denafrips Pontus II….not to replace it, but to complement my system with two DAC choices…each with very different qualities…but both very good in their given sound design objectives! 👍🏼
I've never heard Pontus II but it is regarded as much more incisive than Ares II... I am currently in the processed of testing two R2R DACs that should be in the same ballpark as Pontus II... And these really don't need any complementing because they are great all-rounders.
@@iiWiReviews …but the Toppings chip based DAC, from what you are saying is very detailed, not bright, but closer to bright than my laid back R2R Pontus II, right? Seems that they would have quite different sound signatures, but I have not listened to as many DACs as you. My Mercury Streamer ships TODAY 😁..so…once I settle in with that…I may give one of these a listen…If nothing else, I will learn MORE…and be a better listener. 👍🏼
Not quite sure you are correct about the software unfolding MQA files up to 24/96 - I don’t think the software/app will send out a 24/96 signal - in what format would that be? - PCM?…to my understanding it just sends out a 16/44 signal in that case…
Very interesting findings. When i tested D70s vs D90SE with older firmware the D90SE had a narrower and not as deep soundstage as D70s. So i guess D90LE and D90se with the newer firmware have superior soundstage.
@@traveler9573 it is a subjective impression. It sounded artificial with the old firmware, and the soundstange was miles better on the AKM chips. More in your face details does not necessarily mean better, details + a natural sound is the way to go, but that implies high end dacs, wich Topping does not know anything about unfortunately. I’d rather have a Smsl SU-10 than all the Topping dacs.
@@ionescugeorge2003 Sure, it is subjective, but I only have access to a few reviews on RU-vid. I would love to listen to a few Gustard Dac's, but that's not in the cards. As for the D90SE, it clearly has a better soundstage and details over the old D70 I am now using on my computer.
@@ionescugeorge2003 sml su is about the same price range as a d90se so not quite “high end” but then again, I think most people wouldn’t want to go much higher than maybe 1,600k so 900 isn’t really not high end per say
I haven't... But I liked M500 MKII more than D70s too so I suppose that D1se with linear power supply can only be better than that. I am interested in it but I'm hording too many DACs at the moment and can't manage to try everything that seems good. 😅
So you have given up reaching out and biting the singer ? Has this replaced your SMSL ? What do you think would be a good matching amplifier ? The Topping LA90 sure look nice but isnt very powerful. Any D class suggestions ?
They both have a real talent when it comes to vocal so it wouldn't be giving up... D90LE will not be replacing M500 MKII but only because I'm testing something I like better and it's also almost twice the price of D90LE. Regarding pairing, this is really not a difficult DAC to work with because it's very neutral. I haven't tried LA90 but having experienced how PA5 beats more expensive amps from the renowned brands... That one can be really interesting. Until I have tried it, my recommendation still goes to IcePower 1200AS2 amps (my own Acoustic Invader is based on it and it's very neutral with great power and drive).
Actually, I would switch from M500 MKII to D90LE... If two other, slightly more awsame DACs haven't arrived at the same time. One is Musician Pegasus (review is up from yesterday) and the other one is coming soon. If just M500 MKII and D90LE were in the game, yes I would keep Topping for myself.
my friend, I'm afraid what you remember about the D70s is the exact opposite. Mine has a very high depth stratification. I think it's one of the best features.
What about the DX5? You found its DAC section to be slightly less to your liking compared to the M500MK2, but very competitive to it, nevertheless and probably preferable to other listeners with somewhat "boomy" systems. How does it do (as a DAC) compared to its bigger brother?
I think Flac files sound much better than MQA. For most people these days data is not so much an issue. MQA licence cost way too much. MQA thought they would take over all music on all formats. It did not happen and it wont. My prediction is it will soon fall away to nothing, along with many other doomed music formats. To be a success, it needs to be stand alone, available at a realistic cost to the masses. This format has none of these requirements. A handful of audio fanatics is not enough even those that think it's better!
I have tidal and SMSL SU-9/SH-9/DT1990 Pro. Tidal has a pass though option that I can stop and start. There is a subtle quality gain when I use the MQA in the encoder richer. Maybe other DAC's have a worse MQA decoding. Tidal MQA plays at 352.8 Khz (Carol of the bells/Det Norkse Jentekkor, ...) So higher that your 192 khz. Also we are in an energy crisis that will last a few years. Energy consumption of data storage also will soar, therefore the need for less data storage will be preferred. Hi-Res storage files may become very expensive. Do you need MQA? No. but what's the point it getting a high end system that is crippled?
That's OK. The only way to get hi resolution on Tidal is using MQA and in that case I use it too. The real test of MQA is not comparing it to lower resolution but instead with equally hi resolution file that is not MQA. I suggest you try Qobuz and compare its Hi-Res (not MQA) to Tidal's MQA. Anyways, I have no intention of poking this subject anymore. Everyone has all the info about that format, and can listen to it for themselves so they can form their own opinion.
@@iiWiReviews I think the energy crisis is now going to determine what format is going to be used. Electricity here in the EU is now 300-500% and It won't go down in the next 5-10 years. Bakeries, butchers, small shops goes bust.At the office we work with vests on at 19C. So data centers has a 300-500% fold increased energy cost and they will have to either increase the subscription from $20 to $80 - $100 per month or reduce the amount of available stream able titles by 70-80%. Go to a format that takes 6 times less data storage. We live in interesting times.
Bravo!! I do not listen to serious difference mqa vs non mqa. Since Qobuz is available and that 24/96 is almost the same that 24/192 mqa is no longer necessary. Nowadays you can stream a 4K Dolby atmos movie and therefore no need to compress everything
tnx for video , i want to buy a portable DAC, which one of these six models do you think i should buy? which one is the best and worth buying? 1. Questyle M15 2. moonriver 2 3. shanling UA5 4. ifi Go Bar 5. Luxury & precision W2 6. xDuoo link2 bal I've been researching for a week and I'm really confused because everyone says something, i want it for earphones, if you were to buy one for yourself, which one would you choose?
I may have missed it but how does single ended use compare with xlr? Other than increased relative SPL, do SE use essentially retain the qualities of the XLR outputs?
I found XLR to be slightly cleaner and with better separation, but the problem with that is that I know for a fact that both of my fully balanced preamps sound better with balanced connection. So it's one if those things where two devices in chain both react to the change and it makes it very difficult to isolate.
@@iiWiReviews Alot of us have very good amps with only SE connections. It would be useful if dac manufacturers optimized their tech for SE only, say a SE D90Le for even less $$$. Thanks for the response.
Talk about bandwidth (and compression to reduce it's use) for music in 2022 (were most people already consumes video stream in high resolution) is so meaningless... MQA always looked like snake oil to me. If i want hi-res audio, so i'll stream or buy a hi-res file, in fact the diferences between CD quality and hi-res are so subtle... I only noticed a real improvement on hi-res DSD files.
Hmmm…this is all so confusing. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Mercury Streamer…I currently stream via Amazon Music, but my understanding is that Amazon Music is not compatible with the Raspberry-Pi based Mercury. So…based on your intro discussion about Tidal MQA/Quboz, I would be better off switching to Quboz than to Tidal (which was my plan), as the sound will be better with a Mercury Streamer (Volumio/Quboz)>I2S Cable>Pontus II>My System? Just trying to find my way. 😵💫
Qobuz is my favorite streaming service for sound quality. Tidal is not far behind with sound but offers bigger library and great music discovery option. Be cause of that I'm using both. 😅
@@iiWiReviews I plan to keep my Amazon Music too, as they have a huge library, also…(but I am not sure how that stacks up to Tidal?). I am currently streaming Amazon thru a Marantz SACD 30n…thru their HEOS APP…which from an interface standpoint is a dismal experience! 😀…I am excited about my new, forthcoming sound adventure…I think that you have guided me more wisely. THANKS!!! 👍🏼
So does this sound better then the D90 SE or not???? That would be my first question. Did they just drop the MQA and also make updates or just dropped the MQA???? Anyone know?
M400 is warmer and smoother sounding but not as transparent and not as authoritative in the bassline. D90LE also layers slightly better but it is more edgy sounding in general. Personally, I prefer D90LE. If you still think you would prefer SMSL than M500 MKII offers all of that for the lower asking price.
Hmm, it could easily be that if I haven't got something really good but also quite a bit more expensive... It's still in the works so more info coming later.
I am not a fan of MQA either (to my ears it sounds worse than plain HQ/DSD) but I am sad to see that you get into this whole MQA-debate. It's an uphill battle, especially if you are not 100% on top of the topic - and sorry to say but you aren't :( Let's get this straight: you are one of my favorite reviewers, this is why I am especially sad to see you dive into this sh*thole. MQA is not compression, they claim to do kind of 'magic' with the files that enables even CD quality albums to sound better after their treatment. You missed this part completely, thus you offer a surface for attack for those trolls. Pleaase, please, either educate yourself over 100% or just skip this topic altogether - otherwise they'll drag you down.
Thanks for following the channel, and for sharing your opinion and advice in a polite manner. I generally don't want to give much attention to MQA because it has been covered very well already by others. I just felt this particular model deserved at least some explanation about it for people that have no clue if they even need MQA and what it's for. That said, I simply have to disagree here about it not being compression. MQA is definitely a compression algorithm and also a lossy one by all IT standards. Once a Hi-Res file is packed into the MQA file, data is altered and there is no retrieving all of the original data. That's a hard fact, and although it might still theoretically be lossless in terms of perceived audio quality, once a capable decoder unfolds it... A file itself, and the algorithm used to make it is lossy. Even MQA organisation itself removed "lossless" label from the official webpage soon after the launch. I really do believe that I informed myself plenty about the whole "magic" of it, no time smearing, etc. That's all OK and if data savings need to be done, it's better to be done the smart way. It might even sound better to many ears for various reasons, our cognitive abilities have their own ways of perceiving things. However, it still doesn't change a fact that MQA is a compression, and it is a lossy as far as traditional definition of lossless and lossy formats go. You can retrieve original PCM file from FLAC, but you cannot from MQA, just like you cannot from AAC, MP3, etc. Goldensound made a good point by publishing a test file and downloading an MQA version of it. I also don't negate that some MQA editions sound better than any other (SACD, HDCD...), but the question is if that's due to the format itself or mastering done for it that might be better than the one done for other releases.
MQA is not a format. MQA is a container for efficient streaming of audio and video digital formats like FLAC, WAV, MPEG, etc. Also Radio Paradise uses MQA, and many Japanese CDs have MQA encoding. I have both Qobuz and TIDAL. I like having the option to switch between both providers to use the best sounding album when listening. Some albums sound better on TIDAL with MQA, while others sound better on Qobuz. I try not to limit my choices in music availability and enjoy all we have.
I would argue that it is more than a container because it alters the data during the process of compression, and it is proven to be a lossy format. Even MQA itself removed "lossless" label that was originally on the official web page. Nonetheless, I also use both Tidal and Qobuz but I simply cannot get excited about proprietary solution that collects royalty from both hardware manufacturers and streaming services, and started it's journey by misleading claims. That's just my line of thoughts of course.
@@iiWiReviews I just think the whole 7 years of MQA bashing is worn out. There are those that enjoy MQA for what it is and peeing in their Cheerios doesn’t help anyone. If you feel you need negative click bait titles to get views, although I don’t think you do, so be it. Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation✌️
