Topping E30 Equalizer

Partly, I agree that value gear is getting better and high end is getting cheaper but Modern equipment also suffers with multiple issues... Being built more to a budget, huge margins to cover for skyrocket marketing expenses, more all in one box solution, segmenting and targeting mass market more compared to earlier approach of niche demographics. I am tired of lousy build quality and use of components these days. Decision to buy something is determined more on what attributes are we ok to compromise on in one product vs the other. Selection process itself is determined with what we can live with and what we can't. This phenomenon existed earlier too but to a far lesser degree.

If I am in the market to spend 1k usd in speakers, amp..I would definitely lean towards gear from a decade to two decades ago in the used market over new or used new purely for the value you get out of it. A 4k usd amp a decade ago will be far superior to a 1k new modern amp..it won't even be close.

And then the most important aspect...I am at a phase in this journey where I want my digital gear to sound less digital and more analogue and organic, and not just digital with extra or different digital artifacts. None of these ifi, chord, topping and other mainstream dacs cut it for me. I can't get into vinyl and tubes for the life of me, just ain't gonna happen. So the only way forward is being extremely selective with cables, amps, streamers, amplifiers that are void of that digital glare I have come to hate so much.

Yes. D10s has rca out. BTW, Did you mean you have one to spare?

Ha ha... No... But if you don't need balanced, why do you need the D10? Since you want the RCA outs, i assume it's not because of the conversion from USB to other digital outs such as optical and coaxial?

Bang on. Over the years, I have purchased number of equipments and found audio gear from the 70s especially knock out any modern gear in terms of gear quality. I have spent a tidy sum trying to achieve a sound that I can tolerate and listen with whatever is available. To that extent I have tried DSP, graphic equalizers and ultimately settled on my old Kenwood Graphic equalizer GE-850 from 1991. Been there done that. Tried innumerable DACs and always find them more or less the same. In 2017 I promised myself that I will never buy a new DAC again, but fast forward to 2021 I succumbed to the oohs and aahs from many talking gushingly about allo revolution dac. That's the thing about the audio ecosystem. Never trust what the crowd on this planet says about audio gear, power cables, interconnects, speaker cables and power conditioners. What you hear is so subjective and controlled by the brain. No other user's hearing is going to match yours. My guess is that if you are very analytical and have a perfect scientific bent of mind, you will clearly hear the the cold & analytical digital sound. Even with the crackling noise, the humble turntable sounds better with a good record compared to squeeky clean digital sound. With the limited genre of songs I listen to [Hindi songs only from the 50s, 60s and 70s, Jazz, Reggae, Rock/Hard Rock/Metal, Oldies, Albums from Doors, Deep Purple, Rainbows, Scorpions, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, absolute no for Hindustani/Carnatic Classical], no DAC has yet moved my soul. I have questioned myself if my hearing is correct. But then I can clearly make out the difference when you change speakers, phono cartridge, amplifier, solid state amplifier and valve amplifier. Also I know that there is no way back to the analog world. The world has moved on. Technology keeps getting better and better. It is best to live with what is currently available, adjust your sound signature and just enjoy the music. EDIT: The audio world is full of snake oil and it works because placebo effect is real. I have experimented a lot. An example I would like to give is the USB Regen with it's so called clean usb output, that will take out the noise from your noisy usb interface because your PC has a noisy SMPS [which is true and noise has a huge effect on DAC even though digital fanboys will tell you humans can't hear it]. I hever could make out an iota of improvement using the USB regen. Only recently I found that it is basically snake oil.

Ditto for me. I use a Torvin amp and speakers. Just bought SMSL Su6. I was aghast. My ears cannot pick any difference. I came to the conclusion. Either my system is super pathetic that a DAC is not able to do anything or I am using an already deadly combination or DAC is just snake oil.

When you say that your ears cannot pick up any difference, could you specify the device you considered for the comparison?

Depends on the room you're using it in, the transparency of your speakers and amp and the source. But more often than not, its the treatment or lack thereof that's the culprit.

When you say that your ears cannot pick up any difference, could you specify the device you considered for the comparison?

None...with and without a DAC in the current system.

In that case, to my mind, it could be due to too many reflections unless the DAC in your source device is already very good or the source device sans the DAC isn't sending a very clean digital signal to the DAC. Which brings me to my next question, could you specify your source as well?

ArylicS50Pro streamer+ preamp

Have you treated your room to deal with first reflections?

That is a well regarded device with a DAC that is supposedly competent enough though i haven't heard it. In such a scenario, there are three possibilities - the SU6,being an entry level DAC itself, is not an improvement over the Arylic's inbuilt one, though in such a case, the differences should be still apparent. In which case, the second possibility could be that the digital signal isn't clean enough and you may require a better source. In my experience, source devices matter a fair deal once the rest of your chain is decent. For example, the Ifi Zen DAC sounded identical to the Chord Mojo when playing through my laptop but the differences became immediately apparent once i connected them to the Allo USBridge Signature & Digione Signature combo with Shanti LPSU. Though to my mind, it seems more a case of room treatment. With room treatment, finer detail retrieval becomes much better along with imaging and soundstage [or may also shrink if it's over absorbing]. In fact, it works wonders for off axis performance! And more than any DAC, the most difference to the sound has been made through room treatment. That is when the true potential of any change in your chain can truly be unleashed.

Have you treated your room to deal with first reflections?

Thanks appreciate your response. I must admit I am happy with the current setup. Don't want to go the room treatment way. Purely because I feel there is a high possibility that it will not end there.

D10 is to used for USB to Coaxial/Toslink conversion, not as DAC. RCA preout is just a preference.

So i assume your DAC/Amp does not have a USB input. could you specify the device which you are going to feed the D10S with?

Is anyone using Topping E50? There are a lot of discussions around the improvement over E30. It should become more obvious with Allo Nirvana or Shanti.

Any thoughts?

Is anyone using Topping E50? There are a lot of discussions around the improvement over E30. It should become more obvious with Allo Nirvana or Shanti.

Any thoughts?

@Prodigy can also mention his observations if it helps.

I have been using the E50 for a while now. I purchased it solely based on objective measurements and few user reviews online. It punches way above its price class and surely give other delta sigma DACs, a run for their money.

@Prodigy can also mention his observations if it helps.

I have been using the E50 for a while now. I purchased it solely based on objective measurements and few user reviews online. It punches way above its price class and surely give other delta sigma DACs, a run for their money.

@Prodigy can also mention his observations if it helps.

I have been using the E50 for a while now. I purchased it solely based on objective measurements and few user reviews online. It punches way above its price class and surely give other delta sigma DACs, a run for their money.

@Prodigy can also mention his observations if it helps.

I have been using E30 for last two weeks. I am using it primarily for Apple Music to take benefit from their lossless hi-res service and also for spotify. I use my iPhone or iPad for streaming. But when I connect through E30 to the analog input of my AVR [Denon x2500], the sound volume reduces significantly compared to when I stream via airplay. Is it normal? Appreciate if someone can provide some explanation.

I have been using E30 for last two weeks. I am using it primarily for Apple Music to take benefit from their lossless hi-res service and also for spotify. I use my iPhone or iPad for streaming. But when I connect through E30 to the analog input of my AVR [Denon x2500], the sound volume reduces significantly compared to when I stream via airplay. Is it normal? Appreciate if someone can provide some explanation.

Raghu

Topping E50 punches way above its Price Point. It’s too good of a dac and topping has got it right this time. I found it miles ahead of HQ Audio reference dac. Period.
Me and @ktks1 got it together. He had been talking about this dac quite a few times and always thought it would be like any other DS Dac’s. But this thing is different.
I have to power this with a quad LT3042 untra low noise psu and it definitely improves but the difference does not justify the price point of 100usd on psu. A simple mobile charger does a good job.

I have been using E30 for last two weeks. I am using it primarily for Apple Music to take benefit from their lossless hi-res service and also for spotify. I use my iPhone or iPad for streaming. But when I connect through E30 to the analog input of my AVR [Denon x2500], the sound volume reduces significantly compared to when I stream via airplay. Is it normal? Appreciate if someone can provide some explanation.

How’s the USB performance of E50 ?

Passive_audio_enthusiast said:

M planning on replacing my mojo with this.

is the e30 running on dac mode? If not the loudness will be less

However, one big disadvantage is usability/convenience with respect to the Mojo. The newer DACs with remote controls and displays are much more convenient unless portability is a concern. Which is why i got the E30 despite having the Mojo. Its simply inconvenient for the intended purpose i.e. connection to my TV

Passive_audio_enthusiast said:

M planning on replacing my mojo with this.

I tried this in my rig in DAC mode for "subjective" opinion and comparison [vs Parasound, Soekris]. Here are my observations.

Raghu

When the volume is bumped up the presentation was overwhelming with E50. Not just HF tingle, but bass and MF too. Cheers,

Raghu

overwhelming in a bad sense ? If I use it in conjunction with my tube preamp which has a lush, warm signature do you think it won’t pair well ?

Raghu

I found the presentation upfront and in my face. The chain used was: Allo [RCA/BNC] --> DAC --> Lyrita [tube pre] --> AKSA [power] --> KEF R300 The KEFs driven by this combo, creates the illusion of good soundstage depth in my room. With the E50 when the volume was at night time listening level all was good. But at daytime levels [a bit louder], I felt the soundstage depth disappear and everything was brought forward. Maybe I'm biased towards soundstage depth, I like it this way. Between Soekris and Topping [or Parasound] I could do instant A/B on the same track with just input select on preamp. Allo --> Soekris is coax BNC and Allo --> Topping/Parasound is coax RCA. Soekris and Parasound preserved the soundstage depth better. Cheers,

Raghu

I found the presentation upfront and in my face. The chain used was: Allo [RCA/BNC] --> DAC --> Lyrita [tube pre] --> AKSA [power] --> KEF R300 The KEFs driven by this combo, creates the illusion of good soundstage depth in my room. With the E50 when the volume was at night time listening level all was good. But at daytime levels [a bit louder], I felt the soundstage depth disappear and everything was brought forward. Maybe I'm biased towards soundstage depth, I like it this way. Between Soekris and Topping [or Parasound] I could do instant A/B on the same track with just input select on preamp. Allo --> Soekris is coax BNC and Allo --> Topping/Parasound is coax RCA. Soekris and Parasound preserved the soundstage depth better. Cheers,

Raghu

Oh Well , I’ve just purchased the E50.

It may work well in your chain+room+ears. Maybe I'm just too picky

Raghu

Don't fret. It is a very good product with a nice feature set, remote and all. The sabre chip is one of the latest and does not have the dreaded sabre glare.

It may work well in your chain+room+ears. Maybe I'm just too picky

As I said, in my boy's room, on another system as a DAC/Pre it was very good. This experiment was: CCA --> E50 [DAC/Pre] --> Outlaw M2200 [monoblocks] --> Zaph Audio [speakers] This amp+speaker pairing does not have the illusory depth to begin with. Cheers,

Raghu

Thanks for your detailed feedback ! Appreciate.

Don't fret. It is a very good product with a nice feature set, remote and all. The sabre chip is one of the latest and does not have the dreaded sabre glare.

It may work well in your chain+room+ears. Maybe I'm just too picky

As I said, in my boy's room, on another system as a DAC/Pre it was very good. This experiment was: CCA --> E50 [DAC/Pre] --> Outlaw M2200 [monoblocks] --> Zaph Audio [speakers] This amp+speaker pairing does not have the illusory depth to begin with. Cheers,

Raghu

If I want to use an iPad to stream to my e50 DAC , the best way would be get the Lightning to USB converter , and then connect it to the USB of the DAC with a good quality USB cable - correct ?
Sorry I’m not into digital at all.

Yes this may be the reason. In my living room, the speakers have two positions that I normally work with. 1. Nearer to the wall and not obstructing movement [people and dogs] This I use when listening to music in the background, while doing office work or something else around the house. It has some room boundaries issues but it's not a show stopper 2. Pulled away from the wall into the room and a bit more width between speakers This is when Lyrita+AKSA+KEF create the nice soundstage depth. Sometimes I turn on the REL sub too. When comparing, I used position 2 as I am familiar with its presentation. Did not reposition the speakers when changing DACs. Cheers,

Raghu

Yes this may be the reason. In my living room, the speakers have two positions that I normally work with. 1. Nearer to the wall and not obstructing movement [people and dogs] This I use when listening to music in the background, while doing office work or something else around the house. It has some room boundaries issues but it's not a show stopper 2. Pulled away from the wall into the room and a bit more width between speakers This is when Lyrita+AKSA+KEF create the nice soundstage depth. Sometimes I turn on the REL sub too. When comparing, I used position 2 as I am familiar with its presentation. Did not reposition the speakers when changing DACs. Cheers,

Raghu

The horizontal thingie you described. It's not just vocals forward and instruments recessed. Cheers,

Raghu

Topping E50 punches way above its Price Point. It’s too good of a dac and topping has got it right this time. I found it miles ahead of HQ Audio reference dac. Period.
Me and @ktks1 got it together. He had been talking about this dac quite a few times and always thought it would be like any other DS Dac’s. But this thing is different.
I have to power this with a quad LT3042 untra low noise psu and it definitely improves but the difference does not justify the price point of 100usd on psu. A simple mobile charger does a good job.

Thanks in advance.

With no intension to steal the topic subject, this is the the new kid in the block.

//ifi-audio.com/products/zen-one-signature/

with multiple input option and that too within budget

Adding bluetooth is cherry on the icing. Hope they price it well.

Thats great. The Zen DAC is fantastic but missing optical and coaxial inputs, limiting its functionality… which led me to get the E30. Wish this existed when i first got it. Served me really well till it was required.

Adding bluetooth is cherry on the icing. Hope they price it well.

I do see RME ADI-2 DAC FS in your signature. A legendary DAC. I would have bought if I could afford. Never heard this though.

The SQ of the RME as well as its connectivity compensates for the Mojo while having the convenience of being always on like the ZEN dac. And the remote, with the level of adjustment it allows, is and i quote RME in this “a heaven send” [thats actually written in the manual - it would help imagining it in a curt german accent]. Which is precisely why i got it for after much deliberation- the convenience and control that it allows over the music and experience, both of which are important to me. It arrived just yesterday but i’m already bowled over by the convenience aspect of it. Yet to use it for exercising control over the music i.e. EQ and what not.

P.s. : Im already contemplating it. IF they price it below 20K, I’ll retire my E30 immediately as it’ll be more useful for the purpose that im employing it for currently i.e. connecting my power amp to my bedroom tv over optical. A wireless solution would entirely eliminate cable clutter at the expense of a negligible loss in SQ from what i’ve heard about the BT reception and SQ of the standalone zen blue. And in any case, a compromise im willing to make

Which is what has made both my chord mojo and zen dac more or less redundant. The Zen Dac was a replacement for the internal one on my CXA81 [the internal one sounded a bit too sharp and thin over USB from my PC though not much of a concern over a cleaner source such as the Allo USBridge Signature] as i wanted a DAC that was always powered on while connected to my PC, something that was not possible with the mojo, at least not without knackering its battery if left connected at all times. I still pressed the mojo into service time to time when streaming through the Allo USBridge Signature and while the SQ justified the pains of manually switching it on to a great extent, it was still inconvenient to me.

The SQ of the RME as well as its connectivity compensates for the Mojo while having the convenience of being always on like the ZEN dac. And the remote, with the level of adjustment it allows, is and i quote RME in this “a heaven send” [thats actually written in the manual - it would help imagining it in a curt german accent]. Which is precisely why i got it for after much deliberation- the convenience and control that it allows over the music and experience, both of which are important to me. It arrived just yesterday but i’m already bowled over by the convenience aspect of it. Yet to use it for exercising control over the music i.e. EQ and what not.

In that respect, The Zen DAC One respect does look like a very promising device. I think i can vouch for its SQ at the very least. With the Allo Shanti LPSU and XLR cables fed to a decent amplifier, its full potential can be unleashed.

P.s. : Im already contemplating it. IF they price it below 20K, I’ll retire my E30 immediately as it’ll be more usefuk for the purpose that im employing it for currently i.e. connection my amp to my bedroom tv over optical. A wireless solution would entirely eliminate cable clutter at the expense of a negligible loss in SQ from what i’ve heard about the BT reception and SQ of the standalone zen blue. And in any case, a compromise im willing to make

Most AVRs have an input level setting. By default it is at low [0dB]. Go to the system menu and bump it up. The reason this is there is to normalize volume across different inputs. Cheers,

Raghu

Adding bluetooth is cherry on the icing. Hope they price it well.

Update : The iFi ZEN One Signature is available now for £349, €349 or US$349.

Does anyone here use the Topping E30? How does it sound?

I wanted to know will adding ta E30 to a PS3 [Superslim] which I use as a CD player make a difference in sound quality?

Does anyone here use the Topping E30? How does it sound?

I wanted to know will adding ta E30 to a PS3 [Superslim] which I use as a CD player make a difference in sound quality?

Does anyone here use the Topping E30? How does it sound?

I wanted to know will adding ta E30 to a PS3 [Superslim] which I use as a CD player make a difference in sound quality?

Asking the Topping users [specifically E50] if they have successfully connected their iPad with it without issues ? I’m thinking of getting the Apple lightning to USB Camera Adapter to connect my iPads [iPad Air 2nd or 3rd gen not sure ] to my E50.

Can anyone confirm if it works fine ?

Asking the Topping users [specifically E50] if they have successfully connected their iPad with it without issues ? I’m thinking of getting the Apple lightning to USB Camera Adapter to connect my iPads [iPad Air 2nd or 3rd gen not sure ] to my E50.

Can anyone confirm if it works fine ?

I don’t have e50, but my D90se works absolutely fine with the usb camera kit with my iPad Pro. I use this set up …gets bit perfect Apple Music.

It's par for the course for the price. Not worth the 12K over the PS3s internal one if that's your sole use case scenario but from an overall functionality and connectivity perspective, it's pretty good value considering it comes with all commonly used digital inputs and most importantly, a remote

Scenario 2: If I use a Sony DVD player [Model: DVP-SR520P] will the difference be much more significant if I use a Topping E30 with it, bypassing the DVD Player's internal DAC. I'll be connecting the E30 via Coax from the DVD Player.

Scenario 2: If I use a Sony DVD player [Model: DVP-SR520P] will the difference be much more significant if I use a Topping E30 with it, bypassing the DVD Player's internal DAC. I'll be connecting the E30 via Coax from the DVD Player.

Having said that , quality of the transport also plays a big part.