Topping D90

[John Massaria]

Well the d90 is as I said before a magnifier of source, wires; Etc anything you connect to it. Today I decided to try my old Sony CD player coax out and compare it to WAV files on my pc using usb out from cpu to d90. No words can tell you how much better the CD player sounds playing exactly same track. And hd tracks streamed from tidal and amazon have great sound BUT when you compare them to spinning the disc omg
It’s like instant coffee vs ground fresh bean. I just fell in love with my D90 all over again and my old cds. The D90 reveals all the details - amazing quality at any price.

 

[KPzypher]

Thanks for the response, which one sound better to you? Can't tell the different on my set up

I always prefer the DAC mode when available, but if you can't tell the difference, use the option that is more convenient to you. I always like to say, 'if the difference is so subtle that you have to A/B to detect inappreciable difference, then it's not a difference worth pursuing, let alone mentioning.'

One thing I did notice is the linout on A90 didn't sound good at all. I had terrible hissing/static/distortion. Tried several different cables and that wasn't it.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

@goone
If you use other devices to control volume -> DAC mode.
If you use your DAC to control volume -> PREAMP mode.

 

[goone]

Thanks again

 

[mRaaghava]

Hi all, which amp is suggested as a pair to D90, under 250$? Headphones to be used are 6xx and lcd2c.

 

[Cat Music]

Hi all, which amp is suggested as a pair to D90, under 250$? Headphones to be used are 6xx and lcd2c.

smsl sp200!! recommended!!

 

[gahan]

Hi all, which amp is suggested as a pair to D90, under 250$? Headphones to be used are 6xx and lcd2c.

Schiit Asgard 3 is very good option.

 

[ostewart]

Here's my take on the D90, it is a truly superb DAC for the price:

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/topping-d90.24402/reviews#item-review-23781

 

[Level5]

Shame the preamp is mediocre, but that's usually the case for most all in ones. Best to use as DAC only mode and use the Windows volume control (as a temp solution) or get JBL nano patch+ and etc.

 

[Marlowe]

Shame the preamp is mediocre, but that's usually the case for most all in ones. Best to use as DAC only mode and use the Windows volume control (as a temp solution) or get JBL nano patch+ and etc.

I would assume that this is a minor or non-issue for most here who are primarily or (like me) exclusively using a DAC with headphones. If you're using the D90 in a speaker system, it's a different story.

 

[KPzypher]

I would assume that this is a minor or non-issue for most here who are primarily or (like me) exclusively using a DAC with headphones. If you're using the D90 in a speaker system, it's a different story.

LIneout on D90 is perfectly fine. It's the RCA connection between D90 & A90 that is the problem. Using RCA interconnect makes both HPA/PRE on A90 unusable. Another user claims XLR interconnect solves that problem. I'm gonna have to wait till Monday to test that.

 

[Level5]

I would assume that this is a minor or non-issue for most here who are primarily or (like me) exclusively using a DAC with headphones. If you're using the D90 in a speaker system, it's a different story.

Yes, I use it with speakers (balanced amp) 95% of the time and only recently started playing with other passive preamps and couldn't believe how even the Windows volume controller sounded superior to the built in.

 

[goone]

Just wonder anyone using iPurifier3 with the DAC?

 

[ra990]

LIneout on D90 is perfectly fine. It's the RCA connection between D90 & A90 that is the problem. Using RCA interconnect makes both HPA/PRE on A90 unusable. Another user claims XLR interconnect solves that problem. I'm gonna have to wait till Monday to test that.

I had this exact problem when I tried RCA between D90 and A90 yesterday - no sound out of headphones or pre. It drove me crazy for a good 30 minutes. I turned both the units off from the power switch on the back, ensured connections were correct, ensured A90 was set to RCA, turned the power switches back on, turned A90 toggle to hpa, heard a click - and then everything worked as expected...

 

[KPzypher]

I had this exact problem when I tried RCA between D90 and A90 yesterday - no sound out of headphones or pre. It drove me crazy for a good 30 minutes. I turned both the units off from the power switch on the back, ensured connections were correct, ensured A90 was set to RCA, turned the power switches back on, turned A90 toggle to hpa, heard a click - and then everything worked as expected...

For me, it was more of an unbearable noise issue on RCA interconnect, although I did have connection problems on PRE mode on A90, where it didn't work sometimes and required a reboot. Anyways, I'm returning my A90 tomorrow for a replacement unit. I'll give it one more shot before I move on to another HP amp. I want to keep them as a stack for aesthetics, but will look else where if problem persists. I do love the D90 though. I think its in the perfect sweet spot in terms of price to performance. I will never again pay $3K~$5K for a DAC/AMP. I've learned that for me (YMMV), when it comes to DAC/AMP, getting something that doesn't break the bank and measures extraordinary well, then spending the extra money on headphones is the way to go.

I've purchased the Topping stack thru APOS and their customer service has been nothing but stellar. Prompt response and great service. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again in the future.