So far it does! Really clean sound to it, coming from my TA-ZH1ES which leans a little warm this doesn’t seem to have any colouring. Biggest difference I’ve noticed so far is in the bass, it’s extremely clean, detailed and tight. Just sounds wonderful, particularly impactful on tracks where it kicks in. Need a lot more hours to gather my thoughts (and actually pay attention rather than flicking between test tracks and different HP’s lol) but so far very happy, also has more than enough power for everything that I’ve thrown at it, haven’t moved off low gain yet.
Just want to add a note that D90SE sounds sublime! It does surprise me from the technical side (detail, imaging, extension), and also actually this dac is kind of engaging and energic. Not dark sounding product, but vocal body and bass punch is definitely the best from all Topping DACs, and some other competitors (SMSL and Cayin) at similar price range.
Some great news for making use of the D90 BT functionality...
The Nintendo Switch System software release 13.0 added Bluetooth Audio support - yes the Nintendo Switch has always had the hardware capability, but it took Nintendo till now to figure out how to support BT Audio + 2 BT Controllers at the same time in the System Software.
The Nintendo Switch BT Audio sounds fine, and it is awesome/weird using Balanced headphone connections to the A90/TA-20 from the D90 MQA connected to the Nintendo Switch using BT input.
I haven't used the D90 MQA BT input very much at all up till now, but this Nintendo Switch BT Audio input to the D90 is great. I'm using my Hifiman HE6SE V2 via 4.4mm connected to the TA-20 (4-pin adapter) playing on the Switch connected to my D90 MQA right now.
I haven't bothered connecting BT headphones directly to the Switch yet, but that should be fun too.
D90SE use flagship sabre chip in oppose of flagship akm chip on D90MQA. Both DAC able to work as balance.
I can't recall exactly how D90MQA sound, but based on what I felt about these two DACs when tried them at separate chances (with same set up), I prefer D90SE for better listening experience (smoother, punchier, bigger soundstage).
They had to come out with the D90 Scarcity Edition because the AKM factory burned down. So now they are falling back on the ubiquitous 9038. Not that this is a bad choice but there's already so many of them. It's a bit like buying a T-Ford, you can pick any color as long as it's black. The charm of the D90 is the AKM 4499 with it's special sound.
II wouldn't focus on the balanced output too much. Not that it is not fully balanced but the merits of the balanced connection. It is a bit louder and less susceptive to noise. But you still need good cables and the sound difference is minimal. It's better to have a good RCA cable than a mediocre XLR.
And MQA... I don't want to start a tangent but that is not good for online music (it's a marketing sham, not saying that it doesn't sound good but the business model is corrupt). Don't focus on it too much.
No argument there but if you listen to this in dac only mode (without the preamp) and you are using top notch balanced XLR interconnects, at that point IMO you are approaching audio nirvana
Of course you realize you will be giving up the balanced outputs. Maybe this is not important to you at this time but something to consider if you think you might upgrade to a balanced amp down the road
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