I still have my HD-DAC1, it is relegated to my work office desk, usually with a pair of Audio-Technica A900X (very comfortable, I put cushy velour replacement pads on them). It gives a great warm classic "Marantz sound" and a pleasure to listen to without fatigue for long periods. This setup is...

I finally demoted my Marantz HD-DAC1, it served me very well for many years. The reason is that I bought a MiniDSP SHD for my loudspeaker system, and that liberated my Topping D90 to be used on my desk with cans after acquiring the A90 to go along with it. The difference is much much greater...

I think this is a regional group of state-sponsored enterprises in audio tech, rather than a “company.” China has been organizing start-ups this way across a broad spectrum of commerce. It is different than the private venture capital model in the US, which is more “Wild West” and has less...

Can you describe what settings and source you were using? The D90 AKM4499 is sensitive to the filter selection, and also the input bitrate/depth.

Yes they have a relatively low impedance and good sensitivity, no special amplification is absolutely required. Still, I especially enjoy them plugged into the Marantz HD-DAC1, which has the ability to paint an intimate audio landscape with these cans across a very wide spectrum without sounding...

Where I live (Japan) the original was 60,000 Japanese yen, the MQA was 70,000 Japanese yen, and the new version (also has MQA) is 90,000 Japanese yen. 90,000/60,000 = 1.5 ... or 50% higher price than the original...my arithmetic checks out just fine. Sorry you were paying much more for the...

123 vs. 120 SINAD, the latter of which was already well beyond audible in terms of transparency. And it is 50% more expensive than the original D90. I guess one can consider this as a fun technical achievement, even if it has no practical bearing on actual listening. Topping had to move away...

I completely agree. I bought some used a few months back, and they are simply superb. The combination of spatial imaging, articulation, detail, and bass thump is ridiculous. These headphones are like a massage for my tired ear drums.

I made some quick recordings streaming Tidal MQA with my Sony PCM-D100. This is a simple small stereo system (Marantz M-CR603 to Dali Zensor 1s), but it should be able to see what is going on in the audio band of interest. It was placed closer to the speakers than nominal listening position, but...

OK, understood. Thanks for elucidating. Indeed. Nice, I hope you don't mind if I borrow this framing some time in the future. The search continues. Now you're getting into my specialty as a scientist. ;-) DNA actually helps to make my point, it gives instructions for molecular processes...

Maybe, maybe not. I have not prejudged it. What I can tell you for sure is that, for the most part, the D90 output sounds immaculate through a variety of chains. In some cases, I'm hearing texture and timbre that is extraordinary. The only issue is that it seems to aggravate my right ear, which...

Interesting and thoughtful response! I understand and agree with what you're saying about quantifiable and unquantifiable realms, also from a deeper philosophical point-of-view that extends to just about everything in life. From Ken Burns’s Vietnam documentary: A hyper-focus on quantifiable...

I have been listening a lot again today, and it is like the sound tends to agitate the tinnitus in my right ear (it is usually tolerable). I have a Sony PCM-D100 portable recorder that I can use to test this further. I was just reading an article about using it to record ultrasonic bat squeaks...

I have been using a Topping D90 (MQA version) for about a week now, and I still need more time before I can make a final decision about this DAC and its value. It certainly ticks many boxes in terms of functionality/features. But I have to hear it through many different familiar sources before I...

This has to be one of the most epic forum threads in the entire history of internet forum threads. To be honest, there is little chance I could ever read all of it, but I give utmost kudos to those who have done so. It is basically the Schiit Bible, as far as I can tell. But, unfortunately...