Topping just won the DAC arms race! Topping D90 III review

Topping D90 III review including discussion of THD & SINAD scores, sound quality and comparisons vs EverSolo DAC-Z8, Topping D70 Pro OCTO and Schiit Bifrost 2. Is the Topping D90 III the best DAC?

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00:00 Introduction
01:46 Specs, features & price
06:38 IIS problems
08:29 Sound quality
15:13 Wrap-up

#audiophile #audioreview #dac

[tysontyson]

Another home run video. Ultra complete clear explanations. Unmatched editing. Subjective and objective clarifications. Best video on under $1, 000 DACs. Nice job Lachlan.

[Xerxesro]

The best measuring DAC, not the best DAC. Their target audience has always been folks who measure hardware, not folks who listen to music.

[kineahora]

Exactly—you don’t need a tire that can do 600 mph—you want a tire that handles the best at 50-80 mph, slips the least in the rain, and does ok with snow…
In audio—you don’t need noise and distortion at -130 dB. You need good body in the midrange, and good handling of micro and macro dynamics so that the listener hears a realistic rendering of a live performance… and if you can get that with distortion and noise at -95 dB that’s gonna be great.

[WillieBloom]

Thanks!🎧 Because you take the time to read and respond to comments. When comments, like mine, are written with earnest, you reply in kind. So you get a superthanks which I rarely do.

[wilfredroettger]

Changed my D90 mk2 for a Holo Cyan 2. The difference is night and day. Hi-fi gear should be optimized to sound good, not for measurements. But there is a market for everything, I guess. And that’s fine.

[rbhis]

Great review, thanks for the time to do it. I've enjoyed a number of your reviews/discussions, but this one made me subscribe. Also, I love the hoodie. Thanks for talking about audio and gear the way you do and also having a sense of humor about it.

[soupistasty]

If either one of these DAC options from Topping added a fully balanced, headphone amp section - within the same or similar chassis; then I'd stand in line overnight with camping gear to buy one - in the middle of Canadian winter, no less! Would such a product cost more? For sure. Would it have an audience/ market? I think so (not just my opinion, since several companies already sell products with these features). I think it could be brought to market by Topping for around $1499... I'm going to keep my fingers crossed the decision makers at Topping feel similarly

[foupax]

As an expert on Topping Dacs, did you have a chance to listen to the D900 III Discreet ? And if so, will you review it ?

[jyharris]

Thanks for taking a complex subject and explaining the subtle differences on a way that can be easily understood. I have a Bifrost 2/64 and I love it! One of the main points I got from this video is don't just look at measurements, look at the measurements from what you can really hear.

[dungysphincter]

Measurements are great! But, since I can't have a listening experience with most DAC's out there, I have to rely on reviews from reputable YT content providers for input. So, I mostly make my purchasing decisions from reviews of products that have a great chance of enhancing my audio listening experience from such people. It doesn't take long to have a list of content providers that have great review videos. So far I have made great decisions without any real issues. My listening experience continues to expand with excitement every single day.

[jameshewlett]

I have a bit of a different approach with enjoying music than most audiophile and music listeners. I absolutely understand and enjoy products like Class A or tube's etc. My background in vinyl djing and digital djing leads me to appreciating for low electrical consumption, ultra modern products. I think I prefer products some consider sterile or boring as long as it has great performance. I process and am hands on with my music. I change the sounds to suit my tastes for the day. I'm not shy with compression or filtering. I feel like it helps me start with a blank slate that I can paint upon. I can take ultra low THD and color it myself. Doesn't hurt I paid $450 for my D90 iii on the second hand market. So it's low risk to buy and see if it fits. And sell it if it doesn't suit me.

[damayor]

Outstanding as always Lachlan. I was recently in the market for a less than $1000 DAC and narrowed my list down to the Topping D70 Pro Octo and the Denafrips ENYO 15th. After reading many reviews and watching many YouTube videos I settled on the Denafrips ENYO 15th. I really liked the Octo but the R2R topology seemed more to my liking sound wise. The ENYO 15th sounds utterly amazing in my system. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[wallstreetcrash]

As a first time, viewer to your channel,
I enjoyed your comprehensive review of these Dacs..
Interesting indeed thanks for posting. I’ll be back.
KCB👍.

[spamcan]

So basically it's an engineering flex by Topping. Ultra low distortion numbers has kind of been their thing though, hasn't it? Other companies started number chasing and Topping didn't want to be outdone.

[Cabernetor]

Although I haven't compared, the J2 with upgraded 4499 chip and op amps sounds absolutely incredible

[jasonhilliker]

As Z Reviews / Zeos recently discovered, The best way to notice DAC differences is with speakers vs headphones

[jerryj.]

I think the DAC sounds great via XLR, just a little less via RCA. Different output stages... higher level on the XLR, definitely. So for example connecting it via Balanced XLR to Pentacon / Ifi Zen DAC sounds quite spectacular to my ears.

[wric]

Must swap the opamp to sparkos to really hear any improvements with delta sigma dacs. But still way behind r2r dacs.

[davidbennett]

I'm using Singxer SU-6 into Aune S9C Pro with Aune SC1 audio clock. No need to change to anything else it's perfect for my needs.

[defu]

I hope you get the vmv d2r to test, really want to know your thoughts on it. I love the ROHM dac