Topping E30 DAC / Preamp

[starence]

I couldn't find a dedicated thread for this, so I thought I'd make one. Looks like a capable little DAC.


Product Page

Drivers and Manual

Head-Fi Reviews

E30 measurements are available at ASR and the official Product Page


AK4493 DAC Chip
6 DAC Filter Modes (PCM), 2 Filter Modes (DSD)

Spoiler: Filter Modes Reference

PCM Filters
1) sharp roll off
2) slow roll off
3) short delay sharp roll off (default)
4) short delay slow roll off
5) super slow roll off
6) low dispersion short delay

Filters 1, 2, 5 are linear phase.
Filters 3, 4, 6 are minimum phase.

DSD Filters
1) 39 kHz (default)
2) 76 kHz

More info on filters

Signal input:USB/OPT/COAX
Line out output:RCA

USB IN:
44.1KHz-768KHz/16Bit-32Bit.
DSD64-DSD512(Native),DSD64-DSD256(DoP)

OPT/COAX IN:
44.1KHz-192KHx/16Bit-32Bit
Note: Opt/Coax does not support DSD (native) and DSD (DOP).

Output Voltage:2Vrms@0dBFS
THD+N:<0.0003%1KHz A-Weighting
Noise:<2uVrms@ A-Weighting
Crosstalk:-130dB@1KHz
SNR:>121dB@1KHz
Dynamic Range:119dB@1KHz
Channel Balance:<0.3dB

 

[starence]

Matching Headphone Amp:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/topping-l30-the-new-budget-benchmark.934262/

 

[KDS315]

Well, got mine today, hooked it up between my STAX SRM-T1 (CCS+ECC99 mod) and my iphone with ONKYO Hires player via USB (and Apple Ligthning to USB adapter). Power supply was either 25.000mAh USB battery pack or the Topping P50 power supply via its USB output (suitable cable came with it) hooked into a Power Line pre line filter.

Both both sound quite nice in all original 44.1 - 96 - 176 - 192kHz modes (no upsampling), also quite "black" and no hum on zero.

E30 has a "PRE" and "DAC" mode, quite conenient to also use it as a PRE-AMP with remote control. I tested all the filter modes, but FL-5 (default) sounded the best to me.

One weird thing I noticed: when setting the Onkyo HIRES Player to max output and the E30 to DAC mode, OR PRE mode set to 0.0db attenuation, there is quite some audible distortion (possible some clipping??). When reducing the Player to 90% output, OR reducing in PRE mode to -6db sound level (always adjusting the T1-amp to same final sound level at my STAX LNS), then no audible distortion is heard anymore...

If I play the very same FLAC file using my ONKYO DAC, even at high sound level, none of these distortions can be heard.

Music sample: SANTANA Moonflower "Let the children play" from 0:53 onwards (guitar) or 1:52 (Hammond organ)

Any ideas?

 

[starence]

@KDS315, hmm, I don't know what the problem could be. Wish I could be of some help.

I just took delivery of my E30 today, very impressive so far. Detailed and clear, not harsh or fatiguing, unless the music calls for it. Still trying to come to grips with the filters, but at the moment, I'm enjoying #4. I'm using a Mean Well power supply with it, since it doesn't come with one.

 

[NA Blur]

A few users have noted issues using USB input to this DAC. There is audible crackling. In most cases it is solved either switching to optical or installing the Topping E30 USB driver found here:

http://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/435189.html

You can cycle the DAC between pure DAC mode and pre-amp mode by pressing and holding the SEL button for a few seconds. Pure DAC mode fixes the output closely to 2v RMS while pre-amp mode allows you to control the output.

 

[NA Blur]

Well, got mine today, hooked it up between my STAX SRM-T1 (CCS+ECC99 mod) and my iphone with ONKYO Hires player via USB (and Apple Ligthning to USB adapter). Power supply was either 25.000mAh USB battery pack or the Topping P50 power supply via its USB output (suitable cable came with it) hooked into a Power Line pre line filter.

Both both sound quite nice in all original 44.1 - 96 - 176 - 192kHz modes (no upsampling), also quite "black" and no hum on zero.

E30 has a "PRE" and "DAC" mode, quite conenient to also use it as a PRE-AMP with remote control. I tested all the filter modes, but FL-5 (default) sounded the best to me.

One weird thing I noticed: when setting the Onkyo HIRES Player to max output and the E30 to DAC mode, OR PRE mode set to 0.0db attenuation, there is quite some audible distortion (possible some clipping??). When reducing the Player to 90% output, OR reducing in PRE mode to -6db sound level (always adjusting the T1-amp to same final sound level at my STAX LNS), then no audible distortion is heard anymore...

If I play the very same FLAC file using my ONKYO DAC, even at high sound level, none of these distortions can be heard.

Music sample: SANTANA Moonflower "Let the children play" from 0:53 onwards (guitar) or 1:52 (Hammond organ)

Any ideas?

Are you using the USB input? If so be sure to install the driver from Topping and report back if it fixes the issue:

http://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/435189.html

 

[KDS315]

A few users have noted issues using USB input to this DAC. There is audible crackling. In most cases it is solved either switching to optical or installing the Topping E30 USB driver found here:

http://www.tpdz.net/newsinfo/435189.html

You can cycle the DAC between pure DAC mode and pre-amp mode by pressing and holding the SEL button for a few seconds. Pure DAC mode fixes the output closely to 2v RMS while pre-amp mode allows you to control the output.

ehem, I clearly stated that my ONKYO Hires player runs on iphone / iOS where no driver is needed (your link on the Topping site clearly states this)

That distortion problem occurs in both PRE and DAC modes...

 

[NA Blur]

ehem, I clearly stated that my ONKYO Hires player runs on iphone / iOS where no driver is needed (your link on the Topping site clearly states this)

That distortion problem occurs in both PRE and DAC modes...

My bad! Looks like a few other people have this problem too and they just turn down the gain while in pre-amp mode.

 

[KDS315]

PS: that relatively expensive (nearly price of the E30) P50 linear supply induces humm into the E30 if powered via one of its 5V/1A USB ports, reversing the AC plug does not solve it! Switching to a USB 25.000 mAh powerpack lets the hum disappear. Classic earth loop via USB I guess...
Guess an USB isolator would be needed...

But nah, I think I'm done with E30 / P50 --- Should have listened to my grandma's words "boy, don't buy cheap, it always turns out way too expensive!!

 

[KDS315]

My bad! Looks like a few other people have this problem too and they just turn down the gain while in pre-amp mode.

Yep, that was my solution too, setting to -6dB solved it. But honestly why would I need to bend around some shortcomings of a product....

 

[BWythani]

Im very happy with mine. Running filter 4 0db dac mode direct from pixel 2xl. Sounds fantastic.

 

[GunGrave]

Have this for about a month hooked up to my TV, optical.
Pre-amp mode does not sound as good as Dac mode.
Very dependent on power supply. I can change the way it sounds by switching power bricks I have left over from older mobile devices.

 

[BWythani]

Question- is it DAC or PRE mode that allows volume control?

 

[starence]

It should be PRE.

 

[starence]

Have this for about a month hooked up to my TV, optical.
Pre-amp mode does not sound as good as Dac mode.
Very dependent on power supply. I can change the way it sounds by switching power bricks I have left over from older mobile devices.

It's too bad they decided not to include a power supply, there are probably some people who think the DAC is crap because they're using it with a questionable power source. I have a 5V 1A Mean Well power supply that I'm very happy with, have used it with other DACs too, with good results.