Toppings dacs

[Amir]

I never listened to Topping DAC but I listened to SMSL dac many times.
my experience was 100% positive with $200 SMSL dac at it’s price range.

My opinion is Topping, SMSL, … are game changers in low price solidstate dacs.

I think SMSL dac is not gray or flat, SMSL has very clean and controled sound, the depth and 3d image is not perfect but it is not 100% flat.

The main limits of SMSL is bass, dynamics and micro texture of midrange (texture is not pure) but you should remember this dac is just $200.

You can not expect perfect sound from $200 dac.

 

[Amir]

I have no idea about circuit design of low distortion dacs/amplifiers like Topping, SMSL, Benchmark, Soulution, Halcro, …

I just know all of these companies use switching class d power supply and also use negative feedback. All of these solidstate systems have very good measurements but standard AES measurements has no relation to good sound.

Finally SMSL dac tell us many high prices dacs in this market are overpriced.

 

[Holmz]

The Topping/Purifi combo I tested was clearly inferior to my regular equipment. Arguing about the terminology to describe the differences is not going to change my assessment. Why are you even arguing about this? Do you own shares of Topping? Are you trying to convince yourself that it is the best there is?

Ok - settle down there sport.

I did but a topping amp once and it hissed like a basket of snakes at a Pentecostal revival; and vowed I would never buy anything Topping again.

 

[morricab]

Ok - settle down there sport.

I did but a topping amp once and it hissed like a basket of snakes at a Pentecostal revival; and vowed I would never buy anything Topping again.

I thought Topping amps had SINAD like their DACs…surprised it hissed.

 

[hopkins]

Ok - settle down there sport.

I did but a topping amp once and it hissed like a basket of snakes at a Pentecostal revival; and vowed I would never buy anything Topping again.

My bad, I meant to reply to lord...

 

[Alrainbow]

I use it with headphones it does not hiss , you maybe hearing hiss for other reasons
.what makes me curious is how some down brow the toppings dacs . i.use iems with it as well the there headphone amp
.of course there is better but that also becomes a choice

 

[ErVikingo]

I have a D90Se which i found tired me. I was not aware it did until i changed to a LAiV which I can listen to for hours. Tested a Tambaqui which I really liked but could not justify the additional $. I also have my old Theta for nostalgic reasons.

 

[morricab]

I have a D90Se which i found tired me. I was not aware it did until i changed to a LAiV which I can listen to for hours. Tested a Tambaqui which I really liked but could not justify the additional $. I also have my old Theta for nostalgic reasons.

Who would have thought that cleanliness could be so tiring..... This LAIV DAC is an interesting choice. I still base my digital system around DACs using R2R (chips not discrete) technology as I find them to be more musical overall.

 

[ErVikingo]

Who would have thought that cleanliness could be so tiring..... This LAIV DAC is an interesting choice. I still base my digital system around DACs using R2R (chips not discrete) technology as I find them to be more musical overall.

I was surprised and took me some time to realize this. I find long listening sessions more enjoyable.

I picked the LAiV very early on after a good exchange with the designer. Happy i did!

 

[Alrainbow]

I'm confused how one wants a warm or dark source
If your goal is less details or less listening fatigue use an amp and headphone to meet your needs. does anyone use a warm phono premap or even preamp
I've always felt the start or source should be neutral
lastly who uses headphones to adjust a systems sound ?

 

[flowcharts]

Warmth and detail are are not inversely correlated like your post suggests-- they're mutually exclusive attributes. Often when I read statements like that, my suspicion is that warmth is being confused with tonal color/richness.

 

[ErVikingo]

I'm confused how one wants a warm or dark source
If your goal is less details or less listening fatigue use an amp and headphone to meet your needs. does anyone use a warm phono premap or even preamp
I've always felt the start or source should be neutral
lastly who uses headphones to adjust a systems sound ?

If you are referring to my post, i don't know what tired me when using my Topping. I don't want or like a warm (emphasized lows and mids) or dark (rolled or cutoff highs) I like neutral/flatter response from my system so i can listen to the music as recorded. One of my ultimate goals, less mud, something that "warm" sources exacerbate.

 

[morricab]

If you are referring to my post, i don't know what tired me when using my Topping. I don't want or like a warm (emphasized lows and mids) or dark (rolled or cutoff highs) I like neutral/flatter response from my system so i can listen to the music as recorded. One of my ultimate goals, less mud, something that "warm" sources exacerbate.

I used to own IRS Betas as well. You are using Manley Snappers on the panels and a Threshold Stasis on the bass still? I used panel speakers for a long time before switching to high sensitivity speakers...cool to see someone still using the classic Infinities.

 

[ErVikingo]

I used to own IRS Betas as well. You are using Manley Snappers on the panels and a Threshold Stasis on the bass still? I used panel speakers for a long time before switching to high sensitivity speakers...cool to see someone still using the classic Infinities.

Small world! I have a couple of Snappers on the Mid/high panels and a couple of Threshold SA12e "beasts" for bass. Fully restored the crossovers and servo controller!

 

[Holmz]

I thought Topping amps had SINAD like their DACs…surprised it hissed.

There was some bad engineering on one of their units.
So a whole bunch got returned, or failed after the warrenty period, due to some shoddy engineering.

 

[Holmz]

I use it with headphones it does not hiss , you maybe hearing hiss for other reasons
.what makes me curious is how some down brow the toppings dacs . i.use iems with it as well the there headphone amp
.of course there is better but that also becomes a choice

No - it was just crap.
Topping PA5.

The other amp from Amazon did not hiss.

 

[Alrainbow]

So it hisses at idle or even while playing music and you can hear the hiss on low sounding passages ?
My asking this for a reason , headphone amps
Have to deal with high and low I'm headphones.

 

[Holmz]

So it hisses at idle or even while playing music and you can hear the hiss on low sounding passages ?
My asking this for a reason , headphone amps
Have to deal with high and low I'm headphones.

I returned it at least 3 years ago.