[TheMiddleSky]

Come to this thread because I just listened to D90 today. Great stuff with great price. I can say I'm satisfied with the performance/ratio really well. Deep black background, timbre accuracy, decay accuracy, and how everything seems tight and controlled. Love the clarty on treble, vocal seems neutral, not too dry, with nice present of deep bass.

However, the A90 problem that people talk here, indeed surprise me not in good way

 

[Gorillaphant]

modi multibit, or bifrost. or audio GD, but for bifrost 2 money I would jump on the denafrips ares 2, though.

I currently have my eye on the Bifrost and the Ares 2. Honestly, I do like the aesthetics of the Bifrost 2 a bit better but otherwise both seem like they would serve my purposes. I feel like I will most likely revisit this thread and ask the same question towards the end of this year, assuming some new stuff gets released.

Initially I also was looking at the D90 and the RME ADI2, but it seems like those would not be the best options if I want a warmer sound.

 

[MakubexGB]

I currently have my eye on the Bifrost and the Ares 2. Honestly, I do like the aesthetics of the Bifrost 2 a bit better but otherwise both seem like they would serve my purposes. I feel like I will most likely revisit this thread and ask the same question towards the end of this year, assuming some new stuff gets released.

Initially I also was looking at the D90 and the RME ADI2, but it seems like those would not be the best options if I want a warmer sound.

After watching this comparison, I think I'd go with the Bifrost 2 myself:

 

[networkn]

Hi.
How can I compare the SE performance of the A90, to the SE performance of the Carbon X? I don't have a way of listening to the A90, but one of my primary reasons to consider the A90 to replace my Carbon X, is I want a 1 stop Amp that can handle all my headphones well, rather than have one for SE and one for Balanced.

I think the Carbon X is considered "warm", the A90 Neutral? I am a little concerned it might exagerate the analytical nature of the HD800S which is my primary listening Headphones.

Cheers

 

[Gorillaphant]

After watching this comparison, I think I'd go with the Bifrost 2 myself:

Skipped around in the video a bit and it seems like a good option for sure. I'll keep an eye out for used listings. Otherwise, perhaps something new and interesting will be released later this year.

 

[Baten]

Hi.
How can I compare the SE performance of the A90, to the SE performance of the Carbon X? I don't have a way of listening to the A90, but one of my primary reasons to consider the A90 to replace my Carbon X, is I want a 1 stop Amp that can handle all my headphones well, rather than have one for SE and one for Balanced.

I think the Carbon X is considered "warm", the A90 Neutral? I am a little concerned it might exagerate the analytical nature of the HD800S which is my primary listening Headphones.

Cheers

Carbon X SE is really quite bad so A90 is going to be an upgrade

 

[networkn]

Carbon X SE is really quite bad so A90 is going to be an upgrade

How are you determining that?

 

[Baten]

How are you determining that?

Carbon X is really meant to be used balanced, not unlike the Liquid Platinum from same designer. if you are using it SE you're really not doing it justice.

 

[networkn]

Sure, I get that, however, I am trying to learn, and in terms of comparing measurement sheets, what/how do I compare them, to know how they compare SE?

 

[SludgeSwan]

This wasn't even registered as a worry for me before I read your post.
IMHO I feel it's pretty sad for topping not to step up and say, well we made a design error that we couldn't have foretold in our QC but we will reimburse you on this.
Maybe too Utopic.
So in your case will you be able to replace the drivers at least?

I also own an A90 and wrote John Yang a PM over at ASR. He replied saying that the A90 doesn't have the electrostatic discharge problem that made several L30s go bust, as the design of the two amps is different. He said he doesn't know what could have caused the problem reported here...

 

[LightBlue77]

can you give me his email? i will tell him to get in contact to our dealer, maybe they will send him my toast unit. thanks.

 

[SludgeSwan]

can you give me his email? i will tell him to get in contact to our dealer, maybe they will send him my toast unit. thanks.

Don't have his email address, sorry. You'll have to sign up at Audio Science Review and contact him there via PM. His username is JohnYang1997

 

[greasyelbows]

Has anyone tried a k340 with the a90 before? Running mine off a Project Ember right now, not at all unsatisfied but I'm curious as to how it'd go with the a90, esp with the balanced output.

 

[alexdemaet]

Does the topping a90 have enough power to drive the IESL? Is there also a simular cable like the one for the rme adi 2pro?

 

[alexdemaet]

With IESL I mean the iFi Audio IESL (info https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-pro-iesl-the-official-thread.852364/page-21)