TOPPING D90SE Updates to D90 III Discrete

[rsbrsvp]

I bought it direct from the manufacturer.. Got the external HIBIKI OXCO to go with it as well.

 

[rsbrsvp]

I think these Topping dacs are the best measuring dacs in the word. I bet my Hibiki is one of the worst- and it is due to that exact issue that I am interested in trying out one of these Topping Dacs- to compare best measuring VS worst measuring and let my ears decide.

Funny thing is- many take a great measuring DAC like the Topping and distort it with tubes anyway- because their ears like it, so I just bought a DAC with the distortion built in. It does a great job IMHO..

 

[sygnus21]

Not sure about the “Signature” edition, but the Hibiki SDS is sold by Aoshida:
https://aoshida-audio.com/products/hibiki-sds

you beat me...

Thanks. Looks bland on the outside, but impressive internals and tech. I can imagine it sounds exceptional. What's the difference with the Signature Edition?

 

[ExTubeGamer]

I appreciate the explanation.

I have a Chinese dac called Hibik SDS Signature. It is kind of unique in that it up-samples everything it takes to DSD 1024; but unlike standard DSD it does so at 5 bits instead of 1. I have no idea what this means- but the claim is that it reveals more information. I must say the DAC presents sound with incredible density and smoothness along with stunning detail- but it is quite a "colored" sound in my estimation.....- one that I like but perhaps others would hate...... It kind of takes the place of a dac and a tube amp or tube preamp in one shot even though it is tubeless as the density and holographic delivery is very very tubelike, and the sense of weight is just gargantuan..

That would be a reason for me to ditch tube preamps altogether. A DAC that sounds like it uses tubes. Like a dream coming true. This tech does sound impressive but ofc it is expensive. If the D90 III turns out to be a good device I might upgrade to it. My previous topping hardware was ok sounding but some simple multibit DACs from aliexpress sounded much better to my ears then a Topping D10.

 

[rsbrsvp]

That would be a reason for me to ditch tube preamps altogether. A DAC that sounds like it uses tubes. Like a dream coming true. This tech does sound impressive but ofc it is expensive. If the D90 III turns out to be a good device I might upgrade to it. My previous topping hardware was ok sounding but some simple multibit DACs from aliexpress sounded much better to my ears then a Topping D10.

It is expensive- especially with the OXCO clock- and good clock cables. I also upgraded the fuse to SR Master- made a huge difference. Also- cant compare USB input to HDMI- so I got a audio-gd DI24-HE DDC. You know- the tweaks cost too.

I am also curious to hear impressions on this new Topping....

 

[LucyWu]

I appreciate the explanation.

I have a Chinese dac called Hibik SDS Signature. It is kind of unique in that it up-samples everything it takes to DSD 1024; but unlike standard DSD it does so at 5 bits instead of 1. I have no idea what this means- but the claim is that it reveals more information. I must say the DAC presents sound with incredible density and smoothness along with stunning detail- but it is quite a "colored" sound in my estimation.....- one that I like but perhaps others would hate...... It kind of takes the place of a dac and a tube amp or tube preamp in one shot even though it is tubeless as the density and holographic delivery is very very tubelike, and the sense of weight is just gargantuan..

I'm not familiar with that Chinese dac but it sounds like a variant on standard delta/sigma processing. The vast majority of dacs - in everything from phones and tvs to the ESS and AKM dacs that most of our audio gear uses - run a version of this method: Incoming data is upsampled in one or more stages to a very high frequency format that looks like DSD (but at very high frequencies, hundred's of thousands of bits per second to several million), that is then further processed to five or six bits (decimation and noise shaping) and passed to voltage or current elements which produce the output music signal.

DSD1024 is a rate I use with my T+A Dac200 in 1-bit mode sometimes. I really enjoy the resultant sound - smooth, dynamic, superbly musical and rich in harmonics - but the size of the files (offline process using PGGB) and the time taken to process the files makes it less than convenient

 

[rsbrsvp]

Indeed, it is a very processed sound..... But it sounds very natural.... I remember my old Reimyo DAP, I think 999EX. It also had a crazy upsample rate- and I loved it. I'd buy it today if they added a HDMI or USB input... I think I'm an upsample freak....

 

[mudnut]

Assuming the Topping D90 III discrete would always convert PCM to DSD before analog output, does anyone know if it the playback rate is fixed or user selectable?

 

[rickmcinnis]

I have been listening to the D90 Discrete for a little over a week - replaced the previous generation III Sabre.

The thing that stands out is the thing has far better timing than the III Sabre. In fact, I never quite understood what folks were talking about when they spoke of DACs and timing.

All I know is that the music is far more engaging and my damn foot keeps tapping. This has been quite a surprise.

I do not hear any great difference in tonality - but then my system is (P)EQed - I have no need for the internal PEQs - I think both of the DACs were neutral in that regard but the way this thing plays has taken me by surprise.

Looking forward to hearing other's impressions.

 

[sendler2112]

I have been listening to the D90 Discrete for a little over a week - replaced the previous generation III Sabre.

The thing that stands out is the thing has far better timing than the III Sabre. In fact, I never quite understood what folks were talking about when they spoke of DACs and timing.

All I know is that the music is far more engaging and my damn foot keeps tapping. This has been quite a surprise.

I do not hear any great difference in tonality - but then my system is (P)EQed - I have no need for the internal PEQs - I think both of the DACs were neutral in that regard but the way this thing plays has taken me by surprise.

Looking forward to hearing other's impressions.

The comment that concerned me about the new Saber chip, since I was very close to jumping up from the Cyan2 and R26 that I have now, to the new Gustard X30, was the comment that iiWi made in his review of the D90III that reverberant decay was missing. He said the other DACS he comparewd it to, the sound of a triangle could go Tinnnnnnnnnnggggg, down to the silence floor. But the D90III with its dual Saber 9039's went more like Tinnggstop

 

[Edward Ng]

The comment that concerned me about the new Saber chip, since I was very close to jumping up from the Cyan2 and R26 that I have now, to the new Gustard X30, was the comment that iiWi made in his review of the D90III that reverberant decay was missing. He said the other DACS he comparewd it to, the sound of a triangle could go Tinnnnnnnnnnggggg, down to the silence floor. But the D90III with its dual Saber 9039's went more like Tinnggstop

Aaaaaaaand this is why I prefer AKM over Sabre every single time.

 

[rickmcinnis]

I have not listened to lots of DACs but I can say I do hear a longer trailing off of sounds with this one compared to the DACs before - D90 III and the D90 with the Sabre chip that came before.

I have never had a chance to hear an AKM DAC.

 

[mudnut]

I have not listened to lots of DACs but I can say I do hear a longer trailing off of sounds with this one compared to the DACs before - D90 III and the D90 with the Sabre chip that came before.

I have never had a chance to hear an AKM DAC.

Does it have the speed and bass impact of D90 Sabre? Does the conversion from PCM to DSD add audible tonal richness?

 

[rickmcinnis]

I am not familiar with the sound of DSD since my system is dante based - 24/96 in my case. I can tell you I find it superior in every way to the D90 III and I was happy with that.

I have to use three dacs so there is no way I can audition the crazy stuff. I can tell you I am very pleased with what these can do.

 

[sendler2112]

Aaaaaaaand this is why I prefer AKM over Sabre every single time.

And better yet, Discrete R2R DACs. I sold my Gustard A26 with dual AKM4499. Although it was very good with DSD direct From HQ Player. I decided to keep the R26. For now. Until the R30 comes out early next year.