Topping D50s DAC Review - A Tiny Powerhouse

The Topping D50s is tiny and brilliant!

I accidentally refer to the Audiofly Dragonfly Cobalt in this review. I mean the AudioQUEST Dragonfly Cobalt of course. Apologies to both brands for the slip-up. I must have Audiofly on the brain as they're sending some IEMs for review very soon...

Specifications
D/A Converter: 2 x ES9038Q2M
PCM sampling frequencies: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 352.8 kHz, 384 kHz, 705.6 kHz, 768 kHz
DSD Sampling Frequencies: 2.8224 MHz (DSD64), 5.6448 MHz (DSD128), 11.2896 MHz (DSD256), 22.5792 MHz (DSD512)
Outputs: RCA
PCM Word Length: 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit
Inputs: USB Type-B, Optical (SPDIF), Coaxial
USB Compatibility: Windows 7, 8, 8.1,10
Bluetooth: Yes

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Desktop Sources

Active Speakers
Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 3 Speakers

Amps

Headphones
Closed: AudioQuest NightOwl Carbon (these may have been discontinued)

Portable

Earphones

Bluetooth Headphones

[jamiermathlin]

I had been looking for a mid range DAC for my system for a while, therefore I purchased one of these after your review and WOW! is all I can say, I connected it through an iFi Nano USB 3.0 conditioner from my Mac mini and it is truly stunning streaming from Amazon Music HD. With up to 32bit at 768kHz upsampling (even though the best I have found through Amazon HD is 24bit/192kHz) is really noticeable, plus the 7 filter modes are all sutle but give you options depending on the quality of the recording. My System is 7.2.2 Bowers and Wilkins CM8 S2 fronts (bi-amped) CM5 S2 surrounds, CM1 S2 rears, CM2 S2 Centre and a pair of AWS610 subs, all driven from a Yamaha RX-A3080 (in 7ch out, the sound stage is incredible). I also have my LG Bluray player connected to the D50s which gives awesome upsampling of the optical output for CD and Bluray playing up to 24bit/96kHz. A truly stunning piece of technology, worth every penny ! Many thanks for putting me on to it !

[ExSkyCyclePilot]

I would love to hear your review of the new Topping A50s headphone amplifier.

[賴志偉-dh]

I have the D50. One thing about USB power: I tried plugging in a power bank and it works. I don't like the joystick control either. But I never touched it after the first time I set the DAC up. I love the auto on/off feature too. This DAC is meant to be set up then forgotten about. I don't remember ever touching it for months since I got it.

[wladekwloszcz]

Hi PfS, subbed your channel after only watching 1.5 of your reviews. You are very, very good, one of the best I have seen so for. I am looking now for a portable/usb dac and your advice is of true value. Thank you and best regards. Wladek.

[emarshallp]

How improvement would i have for My Main system if i upgrade it yo something like SMSL do200. I'm persuing get a better system. Sorry My written English. My language is spanish.

[johnandroutsos]

The stability in power (voltage in essence) along with reduction in power line noise artifacts, that the D50S "sees", is greatly enhanced by the addition of a linear regulated power supply between itself and the wall outlet, available for another 100dollars or so. That did wonders for me and as such I can only recommend you give a review and perhaps compare then to your 2K DAC.. Cheers

[lwdp]

Looking forward to you testing the audio response to swapped op amps. I’d be willing to spend a bit if it’s noticeable. Remember the op amps are responsible for the analog section to drive the amps and speakers. Premium op amps should have superior rise times, lower noise and distortion. If the stock chips really are mediocre, expect a nice improvement.

[testek]

a topping a50s review would be nice to go with it!

[vramsrini]

Does it have a fixed volume setting when connecting to an integrated amplifier?

[clabbem]

Hi, thanks review... adding a Power Supply topping P50, will help to improve the sound ?

[crate]

the sound demo sounds a million times better then the d90 demo i heard

[ahmed.selim.]

Thanks for the detailed video, but I have a question
Is there a way to connect the headphones RCA to 3.5mm female connector directly to the D50s without the need of AMP?

[MrGiglh]

Can this dac play dac alone without the preamp like it's brother d70s? Thanks

[DocFirewire]

Can anybody confirm this DAC works with Mac OS via USB? Thanks!

[rxonmymind]

Will this dac hook up to an older 80's stereo like a Marantz?

[TheJiten]

Hi, I want to buy a desktop DAC but I’m confused between schiit modi 3 and topping D50s. Could you please suggest which one is a better option in terms of sound quality?

Thanks in advance!

[leonleon]

2 years later and I’m researching a dac in this price range…

Is this one still a contender or are there any newer, better recommendations?

[douglasbonner]

Hi, is that a piece of bottlehead I see in the background? Have you listened to the D70?. If by chance you could borrow the P50 power supply I would love to know what you think?

[hiviber]

Great video's.. thank you. A question if I could - I am feeding the D50s thru my macbook air - to the USB .. I am playing hi res audio files, but the DAC continues to say PCM 44.1 ... what am I missing?

I feed this Mac to my other DAC's without an issue.

Thanks!@

JJ

[kevinexe]

My d50 suddenly stopped working on usb. No matter what cable i tried, my pc and my sister's laptop can't recognize the d50.