Thanks for your reviews/comparison with cca which is often ignored as not enough "hifi". I did compare the cca as a streamer to a raspberry with HAT and found no discernable difference in my setup with RME dac. I had the Node used as streamer/dac for a while but sold it to finance the RME. Wish I had it ot compare it into my dac now. Really happy with the cca so far. Crazy value for 35usd. Don't know what streamer to try next yet...May be save for new speakers as it's more rewarding!
Thanks for watching. The CCA is indeed super value and it's a shame it's discontinued, so Pi's are the only cheap option if you don't have spare phones/laptops around. streamers should be the last thing you upgrade in my opinion as speakers have the most impact on the sound at least for me.
Hi am Naveen from india please help me to choose one option between two options Yamaha wxc 50 or CCA and e30 combo. I am getting both options in same price . Please let me know which will sound better between two option what is your opinion.thnx
So with the CCA it sounds worse? Doesn't the CCA use the E30 DAC (via optical) which should sound the same as hardwired with coax. I don't think the CCA is doing anything except transporting the file to the E30.
Thanks for watching. Yes, I used to think so too until I compared the digital outputs of the CCA, Node 2, and CXN. My comparison here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B50LIsTaOU8.html. But if you believe that all streamers are the same, then the CCA+E30 is a fantastic bargain.
Streaming transports can absolutely make a difference in sound quality in my experience. I recently upgraded from a CCA (using optical out to a JDS Labs OL DAC) to a Allo DigiOne (still sending S/PDIF to the OL DAC) and my wife and I both agreed that it was a very large improvement in sound quality. I didn't change anything else in my system.
@@r423sdex I used to think that all digital outputs are the same, until I compared the optical outputs of the chromecast audio, node 2 and cambridge cxn... video link in one of the earlier replies. Also, in the stereophile review of the Quad Artera Solus, JA found some issues in the narrow bandwidth filter, and according to the Manufacturer, "... The Narrow filter bandwidth on S/PDIF (being different from USB) originated as a way of dealing with low-quality sources, such as the optical output of a Chromecast Audio or original AirPort Express. The "low-quality sources" with Artera Solus are now best dealt with by changing the digital phase-lock-loop bandwidth...." So it seems that there are improvements that could be made with the chromecast audio optical output... or at the very least, Quad seems to think so.
its better than the modi 3, D50s (subjectively) but not against the MMbit. I've had all 4 of these dacs (including the e30, D30, Multibit) and the only one I eventually kept is the Modi Multibit. That said, E30 is a bargain for $120 price range along with the SMSL 10 mkII (as recommended by this reviewer)
Thank you. Against the Modi 3, they sound very similar but the E30 is slightly better in terms of clarity and separation and should be a pass unless you dig the casework of the Modi more. As for the D50s, the D50s is a bit leaner and dry compared to the E30, and as I quickly mentioned in the review, I felt the E30 was more natural sounding. As for the Mimby, I still like it more and I think well worth the 2x price; bass is squarish and louder (though e30 can tell more accurately if the note should be squarer or rounder), decay is smoother and more realistic for me, vocals are fuller and more upfront, highs are sharper in bite as well, soundstage is also bigger and has slighlty more depth, it is slighlty paced slower and doesn't sound as clean as the e30.
Nope, it's probably the better power supply of the Node 2 and/or the SPDIF conversion. That said, I wouldn't call it inferior, the Node 2 is just slightly better, is all.
the funny thing, if you have noticed lately, so many reviewers are comparing the Topping E30 with so many more expensive DACs...and the reality is, for $129, the E30 beats most DACS costing more including the D50S, Schiit MMB, and can go head to head with the Chord Mojo...at the end of the day the E30 is a high performance musical DAC and will definitely help you save money to buy food to keep you alive during this pandemic....or starve to death listening to the Chord Qutest 😬😬..
The E30 and all DACs running the same AKM4493 chip will the same so I suppose that's why they don't bother comparing it to each other. I certainly don't agree that it sounds better than the Modi Multibit and Chord Mojo, tell that to the guy I borrowed the E30 and eventually bought my Mimby, but if you are a numbers guy, then it certainly would be DAC of the year and probably not worth spending 20x more for a DAC with 3-4 db more SINAD. Well at least until next year, when they release a new E30s with 1-2 db more SINAD.
@@TheAudiofool you like added distortion in your music, that’s totally fine because it’s all about enjoying the sound, buuuut one has to be careful when making recommendations knowing that. The E30 is the technically superior DAC and product, certain types of added distortion will create an unrealistic effect that expands the sound stage, but that’s not there in the original recording. Again, nothing wrong with people enjoying that, but it’s more of a gimmick than a technically superior product. Myself, when I want that, I insert a good tube amplifier into the chain.
@@Cujobob That's why I say that if you're a measurements guy, go for the AKM4493 chips. Skip the E30 and go for the SMSL Sanskrit 10 v2 because it has higher SINAD. If you believe otherwise and you have a much higher budget, than I wholly recommend the Mimby and Mojo and Airist R2R.
The Audiofool I’m an objective guy. I want top performance overall, each part of the chain has a specific job to do and we should demand it’s done to the highest level. Once I’ve reached that, I can tweak it as preferred. If you pick up a bunch of products that add in distortion, the combination could be quite bad. If you have good enough speakers, in my experience, you don’t need to add in ‘warm’ electronics. I think a lot of people are trying to ‘tune’ speakers that just aren’t good enough. In that case, put more money toward that area.
@@Cujobob I totally agree with you, that's why I always say get the best sounding (for you) speakers, then amp, then room treatment, then dac, then source.
Hi, thanks for the review. I'm trying to make my mind up on improving my streaming quality. My system is Royd Minstrel speakers and a NAD c326bee amp using CCA to stream. Do you think adding the topping e30 with the CCA would offer any improvement of sound quality on my system? I do have the option of buying the Bluesound node 2i but here in Australia it would cost $600 more than the topping/CCA combo.
Thanks for watching. Yes, the Topping E30/SMSL Sk10 v2 will be a good upgrade to the built-in DAC of the chromecast in terms of clarity and resolution and overall fidelity. If you are happy with the current sound of your system, then this DAC will further refine it; if you are not, I would suggest replacing the other components of your system first.
Hi there, very nice and informative reviews..new subscriber. I already have the bluesound node 2i and I'm going to get the chord qutest for the dac duties and use the node only as a streamer. I suppose that would be an upgrade in the sound and I guess the node 2's abilities as a streamer will suffice? Or should I also get a better streamer than the node? Your input and opinion would be very much appreciated, thanks.
You will get a significant upgrade with the Qutest. You should be okay with your streamer until you can no longer upgrade to new speakers or amps. I have an Yggy which is more or less the same class as the Qutest, and I dont have any plans of upgrading the streamer until I win the lottery hahaha. Really, I haven't thought of upgrading, but check on me when I start playing around with TAD MEs and Grypho, maybe I'd change my mind then.
The E30 is more resolving, tighter, wider than the D30. The D30 is warmer/looser with more meat to the bones . The E30 is supposed to replace the D30 so its a no brainer to pick the e30 considering better features along with the incrementally better sound for the same price.
@@mykeldg While the E30 has more detail, I found it to be just too clinical and harsh for my ears. The D30 has much better bass and, like you wrote, is warmer and looser. Now I am thinking of upgrading to a better dac that still has the warm, meatier sound of the D30 but with more refinement. Would you recommend the Modi 3 or the Mimby?
The E30 will sound a little more neutral but not a significant improvement. What sort of sound signature do you like? If just for measurements alone, the D90 would be the best choice. I would personally go for a Schiit Bitfrost 2 or Denafrips Ares 2 for a less "digital sounding" DAC though SINAD is a lot worse.
You’re very fortunate you’re not in Cebu. I haven’t met any audiophiles or anyone that likes GREAT SOUND. Most guys just love the crap out of their trikes.
I received this e30 yesterday. In Dac mode, the sound is excellent and comparable to my Cambridge 840c CD player. But the unit went dead after two hours of use. Therefore, I do not recommend to buy it.
The e30 is near to state of art. The polarity issue is not audible. The e30 destroys the node 2. If you want a review by someone who knows what they are talking about check out www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-e30-dac-review.12119/
As I mentioned in the video, the E30 has very high SINAD and I mentioned audiosciencereview as well. I don't believe that measurements alone tell the whole story, but I respect your point of view. That said, why would you go for E30 when the SMSL SK10v2 has better SINAD at a slighlty lower cost?
@@TheAudiofool 2db, do you think that modern well designed Dacs are not transparent. You would not hear a difference as speakers are unable to show that level of resolution. Even my Revel 126Be, which are about as good as it gets won't show the difference.
I received this e30 yesterday. In Dac mode, the sound is excellent and comparable to my Cambridge 840c CD player. But the unit went dead after two hours of use. Therefore, I do not recommend to buy it.
