I honestly wanted to know the same thing and what to expect from this DAC. Is this a DAC that does micro, staging, presentation, timbre, etc really well? How does it stand out compared to other DACs? At this point, I don’t care anymore though. If I wanted a hyperlink, I could have done my own research.
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These are just marketing buzz terms and make believe concepts. #ASR
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I’m looking forward to subjective impressions.
It’s good to hear people’s impressions, imo. I hope we can get more owners involved in this thread.
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I do wonder whether anyone else in the forum will be getting one
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There’s one review, whilst the subjective impressions are up to anyone to judge whether it’s useful for them (said reviewer uses Benchmark HP-A4 + Susvara), it does offer some interesting insights on what internal changes Topping made compared to the original version other than the use of DAC chip. The brief comparison with other ES9038 implementation is also interesting.
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Well rounded review.
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There are some other 90X8 implementations I’ve thought were well done, for example the Cayin iDAC-6 Mk2, N6ii, and Woo WA-8. If they managed to pull something similar off, it’s got some potential since it’s now in the same price territory as the iDAC. I just fear that the implementation of feedback necessary to hit the measurement numbers it does negates some of the benefits of a well implemented ESS chip, which I think may tend to have a higher performance ceiling than AKM if implemented right.
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Agree, which is why I personally value subjective impressions. I quite like the Gustard X16’s implementation on ES9068 (which is a mobile chip, successor to ES9028Q2M), despite the outlook that it might be measurement driven and highly recommended by ASR as an alternative to SMSL/Topping. It’s not a high end DAC but I was really surprised Gustard could tune it to sound neutral to slight warm with a really sweet and textured midrange and has a really pleasant treble. It was better than any budget AKM DACs I’ve heard both in terms of technicalities and sound signature (contrary to the bright/clinical Sabre myth). It was also the first time I realise DAC chip doesn’t matter, all depends on the implementation (ps. the A18 using AKM at the same lineup is tuned more analytical than the X16). It’s from a company which I personally believe puts sonic goal as the priority but also cares about hitting the measurement numbers, so I’ve got a feeling their X26 might be pretty decent too.
Also agree, my concern is if a company’s goal is numeric rather than sonic, it’s difficult to be convinced a product will sound good. But of course I’m willing to give Topping the benefit of the doubt, I heard the A30Pro/D30Pro has sonic improvements over the older design like L30/A90.
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I did post my first reactions of the D90SE in the (what did you buy today) thread.
That and all of my previous posts were removed but it went something like this…
When I purchased a FOCAL Clear MG Pro, I also purchase the Schiit Bifrost 2 and Jotunheim 2 at the same time. With not enough experience under my belt with the Schiit products, I made judgements of the Clear MG feeling it was generally much darker than I expected.
Listening to the Clear MG on my Universal Audio Apollo (production reference) immediately made me pause and ask myself what was going on with the Schiit products which sounded very different (not reference).
I am personally chasing gear that does not color/flavor music and will give me everything the music has to offer without dulling, smoothing, rounding, sharpening it. I don’t want any part of the frequency response manipulated in any way by the amp or dac. The Topping D90SE + A90 in 5 volt mode is delivering performance beyond my expectations.
The D90SE sounds like its measurements look. It is reaching for the technical stars and its delivering them with ease. Don’t expect the D90 to sound warm, smooth, rich, etc. It sounds like the music its decoding should with technical mastery to hear the audio as it was always intended.
For warm, smooth, fuzzy vibes, stay far away from the D90SE.
These reactions are coming from listening to the D90SE with lossless 16 & 24 bit FLAC files through Dopamine. USB into the Topping D90SE, into the Topping A90 FOCAL Clear MG, ZMF Aeolus, JBL Professional monitors. Your results will obviously be different with other gear.
I hope my reactions are helpful and I hope we can be friendly and actually have a constructive conversation.
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Have you heard Topping’s lower tier products like L30 or A50s? If so, how big of a step up is the 90 stack?
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I haven’t. Sorry.
Nice impressions.
Are there filter options like the AKM D90?
Another Sabre DAC that’s pretty well regarded is the Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro. I think it uses the same chipset, but many consider the actual implementation to be the key factor (myself included).
Glad you found what you were looking for.
Cheers!
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Yes. 7 filters.
It also has the ability to run in 5 v vs 4v for additional noise reduction at max volume, but obviously the paired am needs to be compatible.
I’m always looking for improvement. If the next best thing comes out in 6 months, I’ll be checking it out.
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My DAC can walk right through the door!
“It’s not how deep you fish, it’s how you wiggle your worm” 
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Done and done! DAC arena topic created!
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Thats what ive been hearing its the implementation.
You da man!
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Might be off topic since this is the D90SE thread, I’ve heard both the L30 and A90 (without the respective matching DACs). It’s been a while since I heard the L30 so I don’t remember much other than it sounding a bit wonky and less transparent than other well measured 99USD amps such as JDS Atom. It’s an amp that I would not recommend personally at all. On the other hand the A90 sounds like a slightly warmer and smoother with slightly better dynamics THX, so if that sort of sound is what someone is looking for the A90 is something I can recommend over THX, albeit expensive. So in that regard the A90 is an improvement over the L30 (Altho not sure if that makes sense since A90 came out earlier and L30 was designed by a different guy who aimed to create a single end A90)
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