Incredible Resolution on a Budget - Can You Handle the Truth? Topping D50 III & A50 III review

[@taidee]

Beautiful looking little stack, thanks Lachlan for this review.

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure!

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

Your channel beat out all other reviewer in this hobby, explaining is great . I watched other channel but your channel very enjoyable 😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤

[@PassionforSound]

I'm so glad you like my approach and that it's helpful for you.

[@samlaser1975]

Lachlan, I have fopr years appreciated your audio smarts. But you have lately been displaying a very cool sense of humour. Keep 'em coming!

[@PassionforSound]

I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos

[@824tonimarie]

I so much appreciate your reviews. They have been very helpful to me. I'm new to the headphone hobby and enjoying the process. Your voice is very soothing and meditative and that's wonderful 😌🎶

[@PassionforSound]

I'm so glad you're enjoying my channel. Thanks for letting me know!

[@ELPapayapa]

I've been saving to upgrading from my ifi zen dac 2 and HD 560s but the amount of options and the differences in prices in this hobby are terrifying. Set your heart on a piece and the day later you find another potential candidate for the spot !

[@PassionforSound]

That's so true! It makes it tricky. If it's of any help, I've listed what I think are the best devices I've tried at a few price points down in the description. Nice avatar too! I remember that one well from BG1 & 2

[@ELPapayapa]

@@PassionforSound Black Isle did an incredible job with BG1 & 2. The wonderful story, the memorable characters the gorgeous hand drawn landscape and the exquisite soundtrack. I took the liberty to save the list of equipment from the description of the video. Considering my current "analysis paralysis" I think I will be able too boost my budget for the upgrade to an even higher tier...

[@Cons2911]

Did you end up replacing the zen? Which one did you get sir? If you don't mind

[@peterpipe9015]

​@@Cons2911I am also gonna be replacing my zen v1 dac . Had it for a couple of years and I gotta say it sucks . Recently I done a side by side comparison with my Samsung galaxy s8 vs the zen connected to my integrated amp and I was horrified to find my phone was much better , more detailed , clearer , better bass ,not as blurry sounding .more nimble .better separation of instruments etc. The phone wiped the floor with the zen - unbelievable.

[@twolazy6348]

if you want to colour your sound so badly maybe use EQ or different headphones?

[@neilsnyder7915]

A great starter kit. Probably make 90% of every day non audiophiles very happy.

[@lukekay7952]

great channel! keep it going so one day when i have money i can actually buy all of them!!

[@PassionforSound]

😂♥️

[@DPSingh-px4xu]

Truth telling is risky business in this thing we do, yet essential for long term peace of mind when an actual purchase is made. This bit of real real is very much appreciated for those of us who love this pursuit .....nice job

[@PassionforSound]

🙏♥️

[@TheSquyzz]

I have the previous one and it's amazing for the price, they just delivers the sonorities I enjoy. Well balanced with amazing details. Maybe not for anyone but great for me.

[@utsavratti]

Great review, as always. I love this stack and can confirm what someone else here already suspected: it’s a great little package for non-audiophiles like me. For what it’s worth, I also have the hip-dac 3 and the WA7, so quite the range there, and tbh I can make out much more from the different headphones I use across these DAC/amp combos than the DAC/amps themselves. As you noted, this stack also has the advantage of built-in PEQ (if you’re on Windows, that is; I’m told the Mac version of the software is forthcoming) so I like that it’s clean out of the box and allows those who wish to to lean on PEQ to tweak their preferred sound.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@HerbertShooler]

low Noise and low distortion = great resolution,thats why specs do matter;great review and this combo is an amazing deal;those who want a warmer sound, may just want the dac and use a great tube amp.Great work Lachlan.

[@NexusS4GIceJelly]

You should try to hear the Schiit Yggdrasil+ More is Better or the Holo Audio May KTE DAC. Similar specs as the D50 (118+ dB SINAD) yet sounds significantly different than it

[@hugoanderkivi]

​@@NexusS4GIceJellyI can concur. I had the Topping L50/E50 stack, and now I replaced those with the Chord Mojo 2. It's far superior in sound and spaciousness.

[@PassionforSound]

Yep, specs don't tell the whole story and are really only helpful when they're REALLY, REALLY bad. Amplifiers may be a tiny bit more telling than DACs, but even then, it depends on how the numbers are achieved (i.e. with negative feedback, nested/feed forward systems, etc.)

[@pokrog]

All that magic they have I swear is all down to their newer volume stages. They retain so much more dynamic range at minimum volume than almost any other amp or DAC at 80% or higher volume on the planet and the only ones beating them are other new Topping stuff in higher price brackets. Gain staging is so important in a setup and almost all volume control stages out there are very bad and kill a lot of dynamic range. I'd really like to see Topping use the volume control that they have in the A70 pro and make a Pre90 v2 that doesn't suck. It's crazy to me how many people will run their amps in high gain at like 30/100 volume and convince themselves they're getting the most out of their gear. None of my amps have been lower than 100% volume (low or medium gain) in years and that's never going to change. Never been a fan of Topping, but they're doing some things right that a lot of companies would be wise to take notes from and the market could have a huge jump in overall performance by simply copying their volume control stages that they currently have. Try that D50 III with a super warm amp at 100% volume (in whatever gain setting allows you to get as close to 100% volume as possible, controlling volume with the D50) and I'd bet it's significantly more dynamic than you've ever heard that amp be, regardless of whether the DAC itself is performing as well as your better DACs. These little things get overlooked so often...

[@mikef5659]

The fact that you said you didn’t want to keep listening to this stack says it all. Thank you

[@RosemarySoriano-n6v]

Thank you so much!❤

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure!

[@isaacmettle]

I have Sennheiser’s hd 800s. I believe this stack will power it nicely.

[@PassionforSound]

It will have enough power for sure, but it might not be the best synergy because the HD800 is a leaner sounding headphone and many people prefer them with something a touch smoother/warmer/richer sounding.

[@mkouvgios]

Thank you for detailed but well defined reviews.how this stack compared to SMSL RAW MD-1 ?

[@PassionforSound]

That's an interesting question. I haven't compared them directly, but suspect that the Topping stack would deliver better resolution while the MDA-1 is probably a touch smoother to listen too (as in "less clinical")

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

Can make a review for Audirvana, it sounds great . It is software for studio professionals, Greeting from Sweden 😊😊

[@PassionforSound]

I'm looking into making something now... It will be a while before it gets produced though so be patient. 🙂

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

​@@PassionforSoundthanks a lot ,

[@simonsayshomeassistant]

Another great video!

[@PassionforSound]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@trevr10]

I'm using the A50 III connected to a WiiM Ultra next to my bed. Now mainly with Hifiman Edition XS with a Van Damme 4.4mm replacement cable. At first I thought the WiiM's own headphone output was OK but it wasn't. Adding the Topping has made a big difference. However I used the AutoEQ website to generate a 7 band EQ for the headphones, copied it to the WiiM then slightly tweaked it. I do find a difference between the two outputs on the Topping and prefer the 4.4mm. Of course it could be down to the cable, changing the supplied Hifiman one to the Van Damme 4.4mm could be the real improvement.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, unless you're comparing both outputs with the same cable, it's impossible to isolate the variable that's making the difference. I'm glad you're enjoying the A50. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@Omar_Suarez]

Any simple stack suggestion for a beginner, listening mainly to metal (deathcore, metalcpre, grindcore etc) also gitar/drum playthrougs. I love details, air, separation, soundstage, and everything that is key when listening to instruments

[@PassionforSound]

The 5K is great, but it's still limited by being tiny and battery powered. I would look at the Schiit Magni and Modi as a great starter stack. After that, I'd look at the Geshelli Labs J2 and E2/A2.5. There's also the new FiiO R2R DAC and amp. It's an all-in-one rather than a stack, but it might also be good. I've got one here now, but am yet to try it. Review is coming later in the year.

[@superspeeder]

Great production quality as usual, but I would have liked a little more info on the DAC as a standalone item for those who don’t need a headphone amp.

[@PassionforSound]

There's really not a lot more to say about it. It's a clean/neutral sounding DAC that produces a pretty flat soundstage. Was there something specific you were wanting to know?

[@superspeeder]

@@PassionforSound perhaps how it stacks up to other budget DACs. I’m using an SMSL SU-1 right now which I’m very happy with, but if there was a compelling upgrade for not too much more I might be tempted. My heart is telling me to dive in to the new Gesheli J3, but that’s a serious step up in $$$ compared to the rest of my kit. I’m not sure I’m a serious enough listener to justify that kind of expense. 😁

[@PassionforSound]

You'd be amazed at what a J2S (AK4499) or J3 can deliver in terms of sonic improvements. I haven't heard the SU-1, but most of these ESS (or other non-AK4499) DACs bring incremental shifts at best when staying in the budget realm. As to whether it's worth taking the leap up, that's a very personal question to answer...

[@superspeeder]

@@PassionforSound the SU-1 (the first standalone DAC I’ve owned) was a huge upgrade over the DAC in my Windows PC, and I don’t doubt the J3 with good op amps would be another big jump. I have the SU-1 feeding V3 Monos using RCA-TRS adapters (after your thorough explanation of the input options - thanks!) and it’s an extremely clean desktop setup with zero audible noise. I’ve been bitten hard by the upgrade bug but I’m very aware of the law of diminishing returns. Speaking of the J3 Pro, is that something you plan to review? I’m mainly interested in that over the J2 because of the additional op amp flexibility and I’d probably get it with the large pro op amps… spending that kind of money, I want it to be as good as possible and as future-proof as possible.

[@PassionforSound]

@superspeeder I've got the J3 here right now and will be reviewing it soonish, but that's probably still about a month away so hopefully you can wait?

[@alexandrevasconcelos1623]

How much of an upgrade is this compared to the Shanling UA5 dongle soundwise? I've been wanting a stack for a long time, and this could be it. I love the UA5's sound signature, just like you described in your review.

[@PassionforSound]

This isn't as smooth sounding as the UA5, but it will deliver a significant step up in resolution and power output.

[@Karto86]

Parametric EQ is an awesome thing!

[@dragonfire61]

Give me the harmonic distortion along with the soul and warmth of my ta-66 tube amp any day.

[@Angellus502]

it would probably work very well with a tube amp to smooth it out

[@arimanwd]

How does the amp compare to the A50s? And can you compare the dac to the Dx3 pro+? I'm wondering if either is a good upgrade for these.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for the answer! I don't have an A50S so I can't help.

[@serjturischev9557]

in pre amp mode of D50iii, sound quality as good as in DAC mode?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. No loss of sound quality at all

[@serjturischev9557]

@PassionforSound thank you for answer .

[@andrewweis5857]

The Topping P50 linear power supply ($129) instead of the wall warts will warm up the sound of one or both of these devices.

[@utsavratti]

Why?

[@PassionforSound]

The P50 was designed to suit the original D50 so unless they changed the footprint for this model, it should be fine and it is a nice upgrade for these types of devices. I've got an old full review of the P50 for those interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaGVlHqgqMiMga8si=lidTWyUK_iXYnNbu

[@PassionforSound]

@RandomShart oh, bummer. I didn't realise that. Such a shame it's not compatible with the P50 now...

[@Maver1ck911]

Lachlan! You should get in in the AposX Gremlin Tube DIY based on the Ray 12AU7's 😉

[@PassionforSound]

I'll see what I can arrange...

[@TBNRnooch]

I'm considering the A50 mk3 (because it's on discount on Apos for around $160) and use my Mojo 2 as a DAC to go with it. Do you have any other recommendations for amps at this price point (under $200USD), preferably with this level of power (iirc 3.5 watts into 32ohms)? Also, love your videos. They're very informative and always a great starting point for me when I do my research about audio gear. Thanks for yet another great review!

[@PassionforSound]

I'm glad I could help. I think the setup you're planning is a pretty good option. My only alternative suggestion would be a Magni amp from Schiit Audio because they use a discrete design which will likely deliver better soundstage depth (although I haven't tried the latest version).

[@TBNRnooch]

@@PassionforSound thank you so much! I have been considering the magni piety as well but after a little research I think I'd rather stick to just my mojo2 until I can save for something significantly better (aune s17 pro or something). Thanks again for the help!

[@PassionforSound]

@TBNRnooch the Mojo 2 headphone output is already excellent (I forgot that before 🤦). I think you've got a good plan.

[@johnosam4681]

Im waiting for review of this stack as im planning to buy new headphones and stack next year, thinking this might be good for hifiman or not. or Ill just buy the ef500 hifiman all in one for an ananda nano.

[@PassionforSound]

I'd probably get the EF500, but this stack is nice enough too if you want separates.

[@alexlopez-u3i]

Great video. Im starting the headphone hobby now. Long time traditional audio lover. Picked schiit joutenheim 2 and geshelli j2 with sparko op amps. Looking for headphones now. Do you have a video that goes over options and differences?

[@PassionforSound]

Nice starting setup! When you say you're after a video for options and differences, do you mean in the headphone world? If so, I don't have that video, but I have a list in the description of my videos of my recommended products so maybe start there, see what fits your budget and then watch some reviews to see if what I'm suggesting suits your tastes. 🙂

[@alexlopez-u3i]

@@PassionforSound excellent. Yes i was referring to headphones. I will check your list out for sure. But the way i just ordered a USB sweat shirt. Love the quote! Thx again

[@PassionforSound]

@user-ps6kt7eh2m ♥️

[@amanieux]

Has it got loudness compensation ( something like Fletcher-Munson curves ) ?

[@PassionforSound]

No, I don't believe so, but you could program in your own.

[@amanieux]

Can it change eq based on volume knob ( it is required to do fletcher munson compensation )

[@PassionforSound]

No, but most loudness button type systems don't either. That's getting into more advanced DSP territory.

[@amanieux]

Yamaha amps has variable loudness compensation that let you adjust to speaker sensitivity and/or listening distance, not sure if it is implemented via dsp

[@PassionforSound]

If it's an actively variable system, it would have to be DSP AFAIK

[@ridlaridlidouzou]

Hey sir, noob here! Very quick question. I've got Motu m2 (running as DAC) connected by l/r on my Yamaha a-s501 amp and is giving me clicking/popping on playback. I tried everything always the same when changing buffer size sampling and matching sample rate on PC, never ending nightmare! Is Topping D50 iii the solution for my problem and good upgrade (USB connection to PC)? And bonus question, is Topping A50 iii good match for my Audeze LCD-2 Classic? If you have time for answering me or anyone else, greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[@PassionforSound]

That's a tough question to answer because it depends on the cause of the noises you're hearing, but it could be driver related and the D50 iii doesn't need drivers so it might work well. The A50 iii will also be fine with the LCD-2 Classic, but you could also look to some more fun sounding setups, depending on your tastes and needs. Are you in the US or Canada? Schiit and Geshelli both offer some pretty compelling alternatives.

[@ridlaridlidouzou]

@@PassionforSound thanks. Europe. What do you mean by fun setup? I heard that lcd2 might be dark sounding and D50 dry? Yamaha is driving kef500 stereo in my setup

[@PassionforSound]

The A50 iii is a pretty clinical sounding amp without much character. Amps like those from Schiit and Geshelli tend to be a little more smooth and (to me) a touch more enjoyable, but that's also personal preference. I used to own the original LCD-2s and I think they'd pair beautifully with something like a Schiit Magni or Midgard.

[@davidwright2379]

Your reviews never disappoint Lachlan, I always get something out of them to consider mate, quick question, what best bluetooth dac amp would you recommend, fiio btr7, xduoo xp2 pro, bal, have around 300 aud to play with, give or take, using hd6xx or drop hifiman hex4, cheers Dave

[@PassionforSound]

I'm glad you liked them, Dave. I don't have a lot of experience in that category of gear, but it's hard to go past the Shanling UP range like the UP4. I like the Shanlings a little better than the FiiO equivalents.

[@davidwright2379]

@PassionforSound thanks Lachlan, really appreciate your feedback, I'm keen on the up5, and will measure this up against the btr7, but leaning towards the shanling up5, keep up the great reviews mate, always get something out of them, cheers mate, Dave

[@Aarghon]

Looks like a direct attack on JDS Atom 2 stack haha

[@MGA_83]

Your mic is incredibly sibilant. Listening with Gungnir MB + Mjolnir 3 + Arya Stealth

[@PassionforSound]

The Stealths will have something to do with that, but I've also discovered that the Audacity noise reduction seems to have changed lately and is screwing up my audio. I've stopped using it so videos coming out in the next few weeks will start to get better again.

[@MGA_83]

@@PassionforSound I see. I do agree that the stealths get sibilant at times. In the span of about a year I've heard it a few times through your reviews. I've always wondered what caused it, so now I know and thanks for the explanation!

[@Aarghon]

I agree. Listening on LCD-X and I hear the same. Not that much of a bother, though!

[@MattMediaAU]

I wonder if some careful EQ using the app to match the headphones you are using would get it from "sterile" to "stunning"?

[@tonamg53]

EQ can change the tonality but you can’t “unsterile” the sound with EQ

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, that's true. EQ also creates timing (phase) shifts which damage the sound quality so I personally don't use it.

[@Cons2911]

This or zen v3 stack?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't tried the Zen stack to comment. Sorry.

[@prabinpaudel5572]

How is dac to pair with asgard 3?

[@PassionforSound]

It's fine. You can't really go wrong with this DAC or the others around the same price like the Schiit Modi or SMSL offerings. If you can get the Modi Multibit, it will be a little better for soundstage depth, but it's also a bit more expensive IIRC.

[@Isthare]

Nice review, to be honest 0 interest in this product despite I started with topping but watched the review for 2 reasons: - Cause I like watching your videos - To be sure you didn't enjoyed the sound! so I can still trust your ears and taste. Lachlan, I need your review of the incoming Laiv Harmony amp HP2A please! need an amp and dac in a compact size for my desktop headphones, Ferrum stack sounds like a great choice but feeling like R2R DAC could be a little more alive

[@PassionforSound]

😂 yep, we're still aligned with our tastes by the sound of it. I've been in touch with LAiV and will be reviewing the amp when it's available. 🙂

[@NotSure723]

"resolution, clarity, and detail" -What's the difference? I have a suspicion that they are just different words for the same thing...

[@PassionforSound]

There are no commonly agreed definitions in audio but here's my take: Resolution = the ability to resolve the finest nuances in the recording Clarity = the crispness of the sound (like a clarity slider in a photo editing app or in your TV's picture settings) Detail = probably the same thing as resolution 😁

[@nonchalantd]

♥

[@jeanletourneau9642]

@3:20 I signed off. Good sound is not a religion. Heaven! You are mixing "good sound" and "God sent", not a good mix.

[@WillieBloom]

I’m off two minds about this. Technical, colorless presentation so that I let the headphones do the work, or fun. Because it seems like what this stack is missing is fun. I kinda like fun so… passing on this one. Thanks to you! Much obliged!

[@PassionforSound]

I'm with you on that one. The 50-stack is a solid sounding setup and it's definitely not unenjoyable, but I would go for the Schiit Magni and Modi for a more enjoyable sound.

[@WillieBloom]

@@PassionforSound I have been looking to get into Schiit products for several years but haven’t taken the plunge. On the DAC side I still have my Topping D70 balanced with the AKM 4497 chips. This predates the fire at the AKM plant after which Topping was forced to migrate to the Sabre chips. I will probably never part with it. It’s legacy kit now. The 4497’s were so good that I’m not entirely convinced that the 4499’s are going to give me a noticeable difference in performance but I am tempted. Or, I go for a completely different approach like some More is Less Schiit. I really want to try an R2R DAC. Denafrips? Maybe, but I keep getting stuck on leveling up but then so too does the price. I’ve sampled the Holo May DAC Kitsune Edition. That is a “wow DAC” but at $6,000 U.S. there’s another wow-factor to contend with. I’d like to get away from Chi-Fi but the options are expensive. You know what a top-of-the-line Chord stack costs. That M-Scaler is mouth-watering. Maybe the Germans? Lake people or RME? I’m thinking about it. I have to say though, I own the iFi Signature portable DAC/amp and I really enjoy their xBass and 3D+. It may be “fake” but it is very enjoyable. Or maybe I’ll just take some Schiit and be happy about it. 🙂

[@PassionforSound]

@WillieBloom there are certainly lots of options to consider. I've got another one coming out at the end of this week that might be a good one to add to your list...

[@gatila76]

I appreciate your effort but as an non-native English speaker, I am struggling to understand your speech. Too fast for me. And your talking style makes it harder for me too.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm sorry, it's just the way I speak.

[@nick_g]

Haven’t watched video yet but Topping uses copious negative feedback and their stuff sounds lifeless to me. Class A all the way- for me

[@fabianoberlim9636]

I bet you never heard the Topping DX9 or any flagship Delta Sigma Dac Enjoy your Fiio K11 R2R

[@nick_g]

@@fabianoberlim9636 I go to canjam. I’ve heard them. I don’t like topping. Negative feedback applies to the amp stage. I rock a GSX-mini at the moment. Love it

[@nick_g]

@@fabianoberlim9636 I go to canjams. I’ve heard those topping dacs and amps and more. I don’t like topping. All generally lifeless sounding and compressed in my opinion. Negative feedback applies to solid state amplifiers, I don’t care about DACs as much. I use a GS-C Mini amp currently and love it

[@nick_g]

@@fabianoberlim9636I go to canjam each year and compare things. Topping is bland garbage. There are dongles that beat topping. Just watched the video and looks like he agrees. It’s just colorless, middle of the road, soulless, lifeless sound. The dac isn’t as important to me as the amp. Topping amps use way too much negative feedback filtering. It measures well but just sucks the life out of the sound.

[@IHearEverythingDude]

You couldn't be more wrong

[@IHearEverythingDude]

With details its lacking the soul? What a nonsense

[@johncallaghan3097]

One's favourite actors or actresses aren't necessarily great enunciators of language. But regardless, they can stir more emotional involvement, which is what I take "soul" to mean in the context of music. I suppose the best systems might be able to consistently provide both detail and involvement at the same time. Whatever, I don't believe Lachlan is talking nonsense here, because I've experienced it for myself. Wish my present system could deliver both in spades, but if I'm honest, I only have one that delivers the best balance between the two that I've been able to put together affordably. On a good day a third element, namely me, is aligned just right: I might then forget everything else and be completely absorbed in the music. On such days, I can even forget I'm listening to tracks that aren't my favourites. Maybe you have an ability to align yourself better than me -- and that makes the statement seem nonsense?

[@tonamg53]

Not non sense… that is the sound you get when you filtered the crap out of the output signal using things like negative feedback. It’s a bit like when you over processed a photo digitally. Sure it’s super clear, sharp with great contrast and really clean… But it looks crap and faked. Same as sound, over filtered the output sound signal, everything will measured excellent… but sounds boring and faked AF.

[@IHearEverythingDude]

@tonamg53 there is no scientific proof of anything that you are saying negative feedback is not destroying anything.

[@tonamg53]

@@IHearEverythingDude You also don’t need a scientific proof that we can hear a difference between an electric guitar and violin playing the same music notes immediately just by listening. You can’t look at the measurement graph and immediately know exactly which is which… The fact is we currently do not have the scientific capability to measure all aspect of what we call as sound quality just yet and its not always necessary to scientifically prove what you are hearing… Plus the most popular way to “scientifically” measure sound quality known as “harman target curve” is actually 100% based on people’s subjective’s opinion…

[@PassionforSound]

There are plenty of highly detailed amps and DACs with plenty of soul. The two are completely unrelated characteristics that just happen to coexist when discussing DACs and amps.