With the D90 placed on, top of the Oppo 205, i hooked it up and started playing songs using, the Cambridge Audio CXC as a CD transport. The same can be said about the same album in regular 16-bit lossless format and in MQA, later one will clearly sound better. If you are coming from any Topping DAC to this unit, the gain in performance will be simply massive, I am hearing a bigger sonic improvement between D70 ($500) to D90 MQA ($800), than from E30 ($130) to D70 ($500). You could, stream Tidal, Spotify, music files on your mobile and even local radio, Music quality is slightly below using mac mini but it ups, the fun and convenience factor. andythiing Some music would possibly need a bit more treble presence and some music will need less sharpness and texture up-top and D90 MQA is offering exactly that. Topping is well known for their low-cost audio electronics, ranging from amplifiers to DACs and headamps. S.M.S.L M When it comes to high-resolution MQA streaming, there is only a single provider that is offering such files: Tidal. The AK4499 is Asahi Kasei’s premium offering in their Velvet Sound range. A lot of that. Layering and micro details are not as transparent but overall. Thats okay, whats not okay is the high amount of sibilance that I seem to be getting. The desktop audio enthusiast with a passion for headphones should also consider this device though a headphone amp is a must as this is purely a DAC. In a process that is termed as "Audio-Origami", the high-resolution signal is folded into either a 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sampled format depending on the sampling rate of the original file. Extension up to the highest octaves is there, detail is also there, only the sharpness is not up there with the best. Apr. Why? I connected it to the speaker setup and I streamed everything I wanted directly to it. If you use just a single analog output, RCA or XLR and don’t use the second one, I recommend disabling the second output – it is setting no.4, If you don’t plan on using the Bluetooth input, or maybe you’ll use it casually from time to time, I recommend disabling the BT module – it is the setting no.5 from that menu. As a whole, it sounds very extended in the FR, it impressed the most with its layered, punchy and deep diving bass response, with its naturalness and soul-grabbing midrange, with that open wide sound that brings more air in the room, everything it is still in there. Once you have a Tidal HiFi subscription, you’ll have access to a wide variety of MQA files that are released on a daily basis. B.
Addicted to music, Your link has been automatically embedded. Midrange together with that intoxicating bass, were the nicest when it comes to frequency response. An impressively detailed user manual with actual measurements of the RMS levels, of the digital filters, THD plus noise ratio, IMD ratio, FFT spectrum and others? To be clear, no software decoder is required for full MQA decoders, and MQA encoded files can be played from any source. houdinifangs
The power supply and filtering are much beefier on the A22, it uses discrete components in the I/V stage, 4 output transistors instead of two, discrete components instead of op-amps and it is offering up to 6V of power on the XLR instead of 4V on D90 MQA. Panorama
The D90 is an excellent precision instrument, and I say this because of the nature of its sound which is highly detailed and clean. I am listening to it for the fourth day straight and I‘m still not having any listening fatigue. Paste as plain text instead, × D90 MQA simply moved large amounts of air so easily, every hit was felt distinct and very real. Simply put, the background was really quiet, it was pitch black and no matter the volume level or the driver that played that music, I knew I can always rely on its clean performance. The B, luetooth function is highly interesting and all you need is your, mobile phone. I have a general preference for using SPDIF over USB inputs, relying on an outboard USB / SPDIF bridge as I find it delivers better sound quality. Its star quality to me is staging and imaging, which is done with very good depth, width, and space around voices and instruments. can see how small this D90 is, they will surely "approve" the, To all the equipment that I have loved before, Aftermarket Audio Fuses - a mini round-up (revised 8 Nov 2015), Musical Paradise MP-701 Mk II Tube Preamp, Footer shootout - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Revised on 4 Nov 2014). The list of supported resolutions is also pretty staggering though this is governed by the input type and source materials. Before going deep into its performance, in typical SoundNews fashion, I have some very important tips to share with you that will help you achieve the best sound quality out of D90 MQA.
× I am judging an audio component by its performance first and then by its price and only after that I’m evaluating it if is worth the asking price or not. The most practical benefit to this is reduced data bandwith required if you are streaming (e.g. Treble is quite detailed too and you can hear every shimmer, any drum hit clearly and easily without stressing yourself too much. Display as a link instead, × placement and deserves a proper spot on your rack.
The most interesting aspect is that in a very complex track like this, I was able to discern and follow every instrument I wanted quite easily. $149.99, $269.99 You’ll hear every detail, the timing of decays, and how the recording was structured. As for the power supply, Topping went with an encapsulated toroidal transformer, followed by 6 independent voltage regulators and by 7 big electrolytic high-grade caps (Nichicon FW series) that were specially designed for audio components.
Topping is such a secretive audio company, even with press and music aficionados like myself, they will never spill the beans of what is coming next.
As with the rest of the Topping DACs, it is coming with an USB type-B cable, with a Bluetooth antenna that also works as a signal booster, with a warranty card and with a power cable. on the other hand very heavy due to the casing. S400 started sounding mellower and smoother as how I know them to be. Speaking of which, the D90 allows you to select between RCA, XLR or both outputs operating which is great if you have a pair of powered speakers and maybe a separate headphone amp. The heft of every note felt thin and hollow inside, the kick was missing some force, like the air was not moved so easily in the room. December 28, 2019 in Digital Sources, DACs, and Computer Audio. It digs into the mix. While it does embarrass a lot of the competition, as well as many mid-range DACs, the Topping is unable to match the best out there in detail retrieval, dynamics and other audiophile niceties that the enthusiast seeks. Asahi Kasei recommends using they own low noise S/PDIF receiver with their converters, so it was natural using the AK4118 that takes care of all digital inputs except for I2S and USB. It is still not everything a DAC can show to you, how 90% of the audio press around the world thinks, not even close, there are still many other important things in a digital source. Started Yesterday at 06:48 AM, By $169.99, $129.99 There is still plenty of treble sparkle and bite but all that harshness and sibilance usually experienced especially with some brighter tracks is noticeably more tolerable. It’s never really up-close and personal, that battle would always be in an open field. Take note however that a regular HDMI signal is not supported though the connector is the same.
The lesson is simple: an MQA file still has additional information and bits of resolution compared to a lossless 16-bit file, so it is normal that an MQA record will sound better than a non-MQA variant of the same album. USB and I2S inputs support up to 768 kHz sampling rate, as well as DSD 64 - DSD512. It has tight bass which is delivered with punch when required. Some of you requested a comparison with the Gustard A22 and some with my Matrix Audio Element X so here it goes. As good as the Topping may be, it is not going to dent the sales of high-end DACs. How to buy on Black Friday? The frequency extremes at both ends are just richer in information and a lot more defined, there is a bit more sub-bass, a clearer treble performance and most importantly (at least for me it is) music sounds more liquid, smoother in a way, more life-like and less digital once it is played in MQA format. If i could reverse my audiophile, journey a few years back and not be "burdened" with so much equipment, I, spouses (Note from Eric - I advise only having one girlfriend or spouse at a time please !) D90 MQA seems to have the latest and the newest technology, especially the digital side seems to be using the latest developments in the audio industry. A. We hope this is helpful for you as you make your purchasing decision! Another difference was felt in pin point imaging, where A22 would show an improved accuracy. This is a comparison chart of technical specs, customer reviews, and well known influencers weighing in on the S.M.S.L M400 vs TOPPING D90. Sep. 12, 2020.