[shenzhenaudio]

TOPPING has introduced an array of highly-regarded DACs, ranging from budget-friendly options to top-of-the-line models. Today, they are set to unveil the successor to the D90SE, named D90 III Discrete, priced at $999. As its name suggests, the D90 III Discrete is a 1-bit DAC constructed using discrete components. Let's delve into the details.

The D90 Ill Discrete features 16-phase PSRM modules for each of the left and right channels. It uses an advanced architecture consisting of an ultra-fast switching logic array and a precision voltage reference, which is the core of the PSRM circuit to ensure excellent performance and reliability.

The power supply design of the voltage reference is also very important and is crucial to ensure the accuracy of the analog output. TOPPING pioneered the design of a stable, noise-free pure resistance output power supply, which enables each DAC component to achieve extremely precise output. Resulting in a excellent reproduction with amazing fidelity, achieving 130dB DNR and 131dB SNR.

D90 III Discrete achieved incredible jitter rejection using CPLD to process the clock signal and optimize the digital signal. In the jitter test commonly used by current measurement websites. It has excellent jitter performance, with jitter as low as -157dB.

D90 Ill Discrete has reached a new height in music reproduction, with THD+N < 0.00006%. All the notes captured at the recording site are perfectly reproduced, and every detail of the music is carefully reproduced.

Equipped with QCC5125 chip, D90 Ill Discrete supports Bluetooth 5.1 and can support up to 96kHz/24bit. Also it fully supports LDAC/aptX-Adaptive/ aptX/aptX HD/AAC/SBC and other audio encodings

D90 III Discrete features a brand-new developed PEQ adjustment, which supports ten customizable frequency bands. The brand new PEQ algorithm and desktop software allow you to fine-tune the frequency, gain, and bandwidth of each PEQ band.


In addition to the fixed output level DAC mode, the D90 Il Discrete also has a "preamp" mode. D90 III Discrete features many offering you might need, it's a great addtion to TOPPING lineup. Check out more details at its page now. Any questions are welcome.

 

[Klonatans]

Is its software and PEQ in particular available for Mac?

 

[rsbrsvp]

Does a 1 bit dac mean it is DSD? Please explain.

 

[Edward Ng]

Does a 1 bit dac mean it is DSD? Please explain.

That's what it sounds like, everything PCM has to be converted to DSD before conversion to analog. This is not unlike the DACs from PS Audio, which are pretty highly regarded in many circles.

-Ed

 

[rsbrsvp]

That's what it sounds like, everything PCM has to be converted to DSD before conversion to analog. This is not unlike the DACs from PS Audio, which are pretty highly regarded in many circles.

-Ed

DSD 256, 512, 1024?

 

[Edward Ng]

DSD 256, 512, 1024?

I haven’t seen actual specs yet for what sample/bit rates this new machine supports, am just as curious as you are!

1-bit might become the new R-2R at this rate lol

 

[Mista Lova Lova]

According to their website, this DAC does DSD512 natively. If I remember rightly, ESS chips don't do native at all and AKM chips up to DSD256. That's interesting, I listen to everything in DSD as even on my DAC's ESS chips it sounds far superior.

 

[Syan25]

Looks cool. But it's not for me

 

[MohawkUS]

Does a 1 bit dac mean it is DSD? Please explain.

It means it follows the Delta-Sigma DAC principle as opposed to R2R. This discrete design is distinct from both chip(ESS, AKM..) & custom FGPA DACs. I'm not aware of any other products like this one, Topping seems to have taken the criticism of making boring 'by the book' designs by the horns & developed something completely novel.

The only discrete DACs you tend to see are R2R ladder DACs which are 16 or 24 bits. To my understanding D-S discrete was previously impossible as the discrete components couldn't operate fast enough. In simple terms 'D-S DACs compress 16 lanes of traffic into 1 lane to eliminate inequalities between lanes from effecting the output, this requires the traffic to move at least 16x faster.' I assume the '16-phase PSRM modules' mentioned relates to how Topping is addressing this limitation.

 

[Edward Ng]

It means it follows the Delta-Sigma DAC principle as opposed to R2R. This discrete design is distinct from both chip(ESS, AKM..) & custom FGPA DACs. I'm not aware of any other products like this one, Topping seems to have taken the criticism of making boring 'by the book' designs by the horns & developed something completely novel.

The only discrete DACs you tend to see are R2R ladder DACs which are 16 or 24 bits. To my understanding D-S discrete was previously impossible as the discrete components couldn't operate fast enough. In simple terms 'D-S DACs compress 16 lanes of traffic into 1 lane to eliminate inequalities between lanes from effecting the output, this requires the traffic to move at least 16x faster.' I assume the '16-phase PSRM modules' mentioned relates to how Topping is addressing this limitation.

I suppose either you’ve never seen/heard of the Cayin RU7, aren’t aware that it is a 1-bit/native DSD DAC, or know something about the D90 III Discrete and also the RU7 that makes them different and I am not aware of it.

-Ed

 

[MohawkUS]

I suppose either you’ve never seen/heard of the Cayin RU7, aren’t aware that it is a 1-bit/native DSD DAC, or know something about the D90 III Discrete and also the RU7 that makes them different and I am not aware of it.

-Ed

I wasn't aware, good catch. Are you aware of any other examples? I'm curious how the switching speed issue is being handled but neither company directly answers it in the marketing.

 

[nioh]

According to their website, this DAC does DSD512 natively. If I remember rightly, ESS chips don't do native at all and AKM chips up to DSD256. That's interesting, I listen to everything in DSD as even on my DAC's ESS chips it sounds far superior.

The latest ES9039Pro does native DSD 1024.

 

[Mista Lova Lova]

The latest ES9039Pro does native DSD 1024.

Really? I wasn't aware of that. Does it have a "DSD Direct" mode like AKM chips?

 

[Edward Ng]

I wasn't aware, good catch. Are you aware of any other examples? I'm curious how the switching speed issue is being handled but neither company directly answers it in the marketing.

If I’m not mistaken, I believe PS Audio’s DACs are 1-bit native, although theirs are not non-oversampling, they oversample everything including DSD material to a higher sample rate before conversion.

They’re also, arguably, way overpriced.

-Ed

 

[SolarCetacean]

I wasn't aware, good catch. Are you aware of any other examples? I'm curious how the switching speed issue is being handled but neither company directly answers it in the marketing.

T+A has a native 1-bit DSD converter in their DACs, Cen.Grand has a 1-bit DAC, PS Audio as mentioned already, and TEAC/Esoteric's newer (since 2020 or so) Discrete DAC also has a 1-bit mode. 1-bit DACs have been around for quite some time, but they're usually in the ultra-high-end.