Topping D90-A90 is the same level of measured awesomeness.
Have you tried rme adi-2 dac, bifrost 2, and ares ii?
Yes, yes, no. 
The RME is too similar to the D90 for me to tell a difference. Other golden eared folks may have a different experience.
The BiFrost 2 was different and maybe more “fun” but I didn’t find any advantage in terms of tonality and detail to my ears.
I ordered and canceled the ARES back when it was an 8 week wait. It’s a very intretesting choice for those who want a R2R solution.
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Soekris 1321 (400-500$ R2R) and Pro-Ject S2 Digital (400$ dual mono ESS’s) are other options that are often recommended.
(“ESS’s”… ESS-esses… hm.)
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Haha! Something like that!
Say “U.S.S. Essex” 5 times fast. 
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Ahhhhh. That movie had its moments.
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Hi guys just a quick simple question for the owners of the Topping A90 amp, does your amplifier also emit a very very little noise (99% coming from the power supply) if you approach it with your ears, like from close distance?
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I’m gonna reply myself, it’s normal.
My thoughts on the Topping A90 and how it pairs with the Topping D90 I hope you enjoy the video friends!
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I have not noticed this from the amp I just finished reviewing.
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Hmm some food for thought, since you owned A90 - Bifrost2 - Ares2… And you were not impressed with A90 it was ok for anything, what would Bifrost2 (being wide and relaxed) and AresII (being forward and fun) do to it if you remember?
[while roaming around here questions pop lol]
So I liked what the ares ii did to it, because the ares gave it a bit more colored but pleasing tone, added more depth, and maintained the stronger punch. The bifrost was a nice pairing for making it a bit more chill, but I think I preferred the ares ii mainly because I don’t think the a90 needs more width, but it needs more depth and the ares ii is more forward in its lower level detail where the a90 was also lackluster in that regard imo. I think the bit of exaggeration of the ares ii just benefited what was there more. I think trying to make the a90 more natural sounding is an effort that didn’t work out so well, so I just would personally go for a more enjoyable listen here
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Nice thanks, expected that for the ares
Also something nice about the ares ii is that you can make it more technical sounding by switching to oversampling or imo more natural by switching to non oversampling, so this can help out the a90 in some recordings
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oh, nice to know that, something new
which mode was the colored version you mentioned?
I mean the ares ii is inherently colored itself, the oversampling vs nos mode is preference, but for the most part the oversampling mode will emphasize detail more (not more detailed, just emphasizing what’s there), it will be sharper and more forward at the expense of some naturalness and spatial recreation. The nos mode imo is more natural and faithful to the recording with more accurate spatial recreation and presentation, and doesn’t overemphasize stuff as much, but some might find it not as enjoyable because of a bit of smoothness and not as forward sound (you have to listen harder for some of the details that were pushed towards you in os modes). These aren’t massive differences but they are noticable. I typically leave mine in nos mode
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Great. thanks
Question for this thread if anyone is able to answer. I have the a90 and an SMSL SU8. I have heard that there is a bottleneck of some kind between this amp and that DAC. Does anyone know what the bottleneck may be and explain what’s going on?
Another question. What are some good DAC parings for this amp outside of SU8 say $500 and under? I know the d90 is excellent and I want to save up for it to have the stack and a great DAC.