Topping D70 Pro Octo is a BEST BUY DAC

[@seanb1321]

It appears you speak and organize these presentations with a short note list and with feelings and opinions from the heart, and what stands out in your mind. It seems you don't need a word-for-word presentation to make good sense of all of this technology. Thank you!

[@shawnpwatsons1]

I have the D30Pro and I like the more laid back sound with the wider sound stage. I don't want my music all up in my face; slapping my face--especially in long listening sessions. I want to relax and enjoy at the end of the day. So, I think the Octo would be right up my alley. Thank you for another wonderful review. You're the best and I trust your ears and evaluations.

[@paulwg2112]

I also prefer the D30pro and have my eye on the Octo

[@ramencurry6672]

When you relax with the music at the end of the day, sit and enjoy a nice cup of coffee

[@georgecovesneanu8114]

wine not coffee ​@@ramencurry6672

[@sloboat55]

Excellent vid. My Tradutto sings like an angel. Cool runnings

[@iiWiReviews]

Thanks for your support! Enjoy your Tradutto! 🍻

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM from Toronto ☕️..it’s early here. I’ve got the Topping E50 ( with an IFI power supply) ..it’s going to be my last chip DAC …I’ve tried a few others..a d they all are variations ( subtle) on a theme ..great detail , mid forward .. still with a sense that you’re listening to a DAC ( a touch of 8:49 digital “enhancements “) ..I’m done. Looking to getting into a Denafrips in the new year . One day there will be a great analog sounding chip DAC …and then that will be new hotness …but until then . Great review 👍

[@StefanUrkel]

@iiWi Reviews did you notice any breakdown of clarity during complex musical passages compared to other DACs? Another reviewer said that it suffered on complex passages, whereas SMSL and others did not. That review also said the Mojo 2 (I think it was 2), blew it away.

[@iiWiReviews]

I didn't notice that with any music I was listening (Jazz, blues, rock, pop, electro). Then again, I don't particularly enjoy big orchestra classical music that tends to be the best showcase if that's gonna happen in the busiest of the passages.

[@bobb.9917]

Great discussion. Sticking with my Pontus II ! 😀

[@zenfishbike]

Excellent review. Very thorough with great context and comparisons. Well done. Thank you.

[@Raymondey]

Great review! 👍Some high-end Denon's also use 8 chip DAC in amplifier

[@maxt.1726]

Great Review as always thanks!

[@genebrittain2568]

wow, I tried it on my system, did not work for me, I was so disappointed, I really wanted to like it. It has limited dynamics, not as detailed as my SMSL SU9 pro - compared it directly. I even went directly with the OCTO, skipping the preamp. Later I got the SMSL Pro 400, that was on a different level vs the SMSL SU9 pro. System matching is important! Srboljub are you going to review the SMSL 400 pro? My current setup uses a Mystere pa21 Stereo Power Amplifier, topping pre 90, Clearwave audio speakers with accuton drivers.

[@ThePupil]

How did they both compare rigarding siblance and the higher tones? I love my speakers but with my current internal dac they can sound slightly on the bright side.

[@zorankalina4399]

Još jedna sjajna prezentacija👌 Nakon nekoliko vaših recenzija...uvjeren da ste talijan....skužim, čovjek je " Naš". Preplatio se....što bi učinio i da ste talijan, nijemac ili rus. Prateći vas, več sam gotovo odlučio nabaviti SMLS su 10,ali....pogledao sam recenziju Toppinga RX 9..... Mislim da neću nabavljati ništa, prije nego čujem vaše mišljenje o RX9.....možda Gustard R26. Nadam se da je pred vama još puno recenzija.Govorite , opisujete i uspoređuje te uređaje....baš kako treba. Komplimenti......🙂🖖🍀👋

[@Hassan_Omer]

I have started watching reviews of DACs in this price range to upgrde my current setup, I need one for the purpose of mixing and mastering, so my priority is to choose something that is as neutral as possible instead of colored sound. A usb , RCA connection would be sufficient for me as I don't require too many connectivity options. Would be great to hear your suggestion for a DAC in this price range, which is more focused on sound quality ? update : system for headphones as priority.

[@saminarmankhan1069]

Great review. Can you compare against musician pegasus R2R?

[@joaquinbarreto9398]

Excellent Review! Would love to see you review the new Audalytic AH90 supposedly it’s 80% of the Gustard A26 but at a 1/3 of the price exactly in the same price point of this DAC you are reviewing.

[@dxbwinenaudio]

great review. I ordered this and the Rose Technics after seeing your reviews. Both of the reviews, though don't seem to be on your website.

[@iiWiReviews]

I hope you'll be happy with both of them. As for the website, I was late with writing but some plug ins going wild set me back even further. I sorted that out eventually but it was time consuming... So I'm still playing catch-up with content there. Just perils of being a one man show.

[@dxbwinenaudio]

@@iiWiReviews I got both of them. Couldn’t figure out any difference in sound with either of them- replacing the DAC of the Eversolo DMPA6. Returned the Rose and have kept the Topping only because I like the large display of the KHz of the music. Still on the look out for a good DAC.

[@CanuckQuest]

One piece of context that might be helpful...what type of music are you listening to when evaluating these DACs? Love your videos! For example, how would this DAC sound with Rock and distorted amplified guitars, etc? Many thanks

[@latinochico]

Great review. If possible can you review the WiiM pro plus sometime time in the future, it’s an excellent good dac/streamer for its price.

[@iiWiReviews]

Reviewed some 6 days ago, just take a look at few last videos. 🙂

[@shipsahoy1793]

Difference between SMSL DO300 and Topping d70 Pro Octo ?

[@ilyachirikov4174]

Can you compare e70 velvet, d70s mqa and d70pro octo?

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

I just ordered the Pro Octo. The main reason is the option of 5volt XLR and the price. E70V is a bit cheaper., but I like the design of the Pro Octo more. I don't think it will sound better than my HRT Music streamer III (has only rca and only usb).

[@ThePupil]

And? How does it sound? Currency thinking of Buying an octo, or su9 ultra or a used qutest

[@JanPippel]

I‘m in the search of a new DAC atm (Aune X8 with Sparkos op amps for now). I’m highly interested in r2r DAC’s, so i heard the Draco and the Aries II…but they are both not such a great upgrade to the Aune. A friend of mine suggests a Soekris DAC1421 to me…it seams, there are not much guys tried one of them. I hope u can get your hands (ears 😊) of a dac from the danish company somedays…

[@richardleong3427]

Can you give some compliments to if compare with musician pegasus II?

[@iiWiReviews]

Never heard version II, but the original Pegasus developed a bigger soundstage with a richer tone timbre, and softer edges (some call it more natural, some call it less defined). All in all, if I could get them at a similar price, I would take Pegasus. Pegasus II is most likely even better and more resolving than the first one. Newer R2Rs got rid of that slight softness of older models.

[@marekowczarek1901]

I have had a d70 Pro Octo for 2 weeks . I have no complaints about the sound but when I turn up the volume the sound cliping after a few seconds . Only when connecting via USB that this annoying effect does not occur. Did you observe similar problems

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Put dac in low gain output RCA/XLR 2/4 volts instead of 2.5/5v higher gain this should help ya ' let me know the outcome.

[@marekowczarek1901]

New firmware solved the problem

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

@marekowczarek1901 thanks for the up date the more ya know 🌈

[@tudorm6838]

From my experience with D30pro (which has the same chips - 4 instead of 8 - as D7oPro ), Topping could change the sound with the software (drivers and firmware). For me, the best variant with D30 Pro is a 5.12 driver and 2.44 firmware. The difference between the D30 pro version with driver 5.12 and the D30 pro version with driver 5.27 is similar to the difference between the two DAcs that you present in the video.

[@Dato-lw9yz]

how this compares with musician pegasus

[@iiWiReviews]

Pegasus has bigger soundstage and richer tone timbre.

[@Dato-lw9yz]

@@iiWiReviews hvala! so pegasus is one of the best.

[@iiWiReviews]

Yes it is.

[@hubert-williams3379]

Nice .. Good Job!

[@jasonhilliker2266]

I think Topping got inspiration from the Weiss DAC204

[@obscurazone]

I have a Raumfeld connector steamer that I got about 7 years ago (it cost around €185) and the DAC in that is a 24bit/96kHz Cirrus Logic. It sounds absolutely rubbish compared to the one built into my Onkyo A9050 amp (a 24bit/96kHz Wolfson) - which sounds absolutely fantastic! I bypass that crappy muffled flat undynamic Cirrus dac with a toslink cable. So, I can only assume, that THIS DAC needs EIGHT Cirrus chips, because the previous 7 are just not providing enough. The more circuits you add, the more resistance you create - and the more chances of things going wrong. I only watched about 4 minutes of this video so Ive no idea if it includes a streamer, but I find it increasingly weird in this day and age, that manufactures are constantly bringing out DACs without streamers, when I would guess than 90% of customers are now accessing digital music through streaming. Creating a streamer is ridiculously easy (ask Pi) and costs next to nothing...so this reluctance to add them into dacs is really daft. If I am buying a DAC, Im streaming. And I bet virtually everyone else is too.

[@iiWiReviews]

That Cirrus Logic implementation probably sounds bad because it's a bad implementation, not because of the chip itself. There are rubbish Wolfson, Sabre, and AK implementations too. Power supply, signal processor, output stage with op-amps or tubes, etc. can make or break the sound even more than the DAC chip used.

[@mikeg2491]

@@iiWiReviewsI have an old iPad with a Cirrus chip and I keep it around because it’s absolutely phenomenal sounding out of the 3.5mm jack, very neutral with a bit of a syrupy laid back sound.

[@nonchalantd]

♥

[@DanielPetre]

it's uncool to break our brains with your name.. just get to the point please

[@iiWiReviews]

Well, people kept bugging me why I don't say my name like everyone else. So it's democracy in work. 😆

[@rosswarren436]

@@iiWiReviewskeep saying it. I got your last name down pat now, but that first name still needs some work. Thanks.

[@zenfishbike]

Glad you introduce yourself now, even though I don't have a clue what you're saying! Ha, maybe some day I'll figure it out.

[@goodsound4756]

Now can we have a review of the D70 Pro AKM version and then D70 R2R version 😅

[@soulfulfool]

Im stuck with my original D70 2x AK4497, probably best step up would be dual AK4499EX if only A26 cut the crap MQA and other useless shit and stay clean for half of the price. I'm a simple man DAC should be a DAC not a streamer etc

[@bobb.9917]

I have a Denafrips Pontus II. Since we like to grow…would love to hear you review The Venus II (after considerable "break-in"). Comparisons to the Gustards would be an incredible discussion! I know this gets expensive! 😮😀

[@rajasankar1245]

Gustard r26 could give you lots of surprises but after 500 hours of usage

[@JoseLuis-jd5ny]

It also depends on the rest of the team. I chose to buy the model with Sabre 4 days ago and it is arriving. I think my Wharfedale Denton 85 and my Sony FA7ES amplifier (🇬🇧) will be better accompanied ( balanced ) by the TOPPING D70PRO SABRE. Thanks for the comparison and for such good information.

[@georgenicolaidis7550]

I bought D70 Pro Octo based on your recommendation. I only have one complaint, it is harsh sounding in the treble for my taste. My source is a Bluesound Node 2i connected via coax, my amplifier is an exposure 2510 and my speakers are the Whardfale Linton Heritage. I am listening with the no 5 filter (no oversampling) selected. Do you have any recommendation on how to reduce the harsness of the treble? Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@scottgarfinkle8395]

Have you tried the Fast roll off linear filter?

[@zGaKon79z]

hello, I have A70 Pro and would like to upgrade my DAC. I'm consider between D70 Pro Octo vs Gustard R26, which one do you recommend? is it R26 worth with double cost of D70 Pro Octo?

[@iiWiReviews]

For A70 pro I wouldn't think twice, Octo is ideal pairing. R26 is overkill.

[@zGaKon79z]

@@iiWiReviews tk for ur opinion

[@kmnaniak]

Awsame or awsome ? I also look forward to check out this DAC by myself; BTW : When do you plan to review Denafrips Ares 12th-1 with latest firmware ?

[@iiWiReviews]

I don't know what you're talking about - said he lying through his teeth after correcting the typo quickly. 😀

[@bobb.9917]

I loaded both new firmwares on my Pontus II….quickly returned to the original firmware. "I" found the new firmware to be too bright and analytical in the upper frequencies…but we all have different systems and different tastes or sound preferences. 🤷🏻‍♂️😀

[@derberti2280]

Would be nice to see some reviews from DACs made not in China, such as Merason frerot or Manunta evo dac3.

[@westernboy5886]

Between octo and saber, which one goes well with s17pro?

[@iiWiReviews]

Both go well, it's just a small flavour difference.

[@ryanhostudio]

you got a new camera! I can tell and also very nice naruto shirt!

[@chessmusic5080]

Honestly, I'm starting to feel tired of the constant stream of reviews about DACs from the usual Chinese brands. It seems that every week a new model appears which, in essence, doesn't offer significant improvements over the existing options. In many cases, this product saturation seems more like a marketing strategy designed to boost sales rather than a true technological innovation. On the other hand, European brands or those from places outside of China, such as Chord, Rotel, Project, Cambridge, among others, tend to launch new models only when they truly represent a breakthrough or a need in the market. This approach seems to focus more on the quality and significant development of the product, rather than on the quantity and frequency of releases.

[@theyreMineralsMarie]

You pretty much just described the entire Chinese export economy.

[@Ray-dl5mp]

I also want to know which people are buying 10-20 dacs a year to support this?

[@Baboya]

Who cares lol just don’t buy them or look it up. Everyone’s been saying this for years. It’s their money they can make bad/good decisions all they want. Like you said they make a new one every week even though this one came out like 3-4 months ago and they are using different dac chips. If you can’t hear the difference in dac chips keep your old crap until you find something worth it. I think they should keep making products eventually it will be super cheap on the used market. Also makes other brands that push a product once every 2 years better so they can compete. I don’t buy everything on the market and most shouldn’t but I like to hear opinions about them from reviewers.

[@reptidan]

They are still usefull for people who are in the market for a new dac. You dont have to watch them. I just got my dac. But i still enjoy seeing the reviews of the newer ones.

[@topspin4hand]

IMO the Chinese brands are innovating too but they do release incremental improvements a lot more. In a way it’s also what it takes to survive in the Chinese market, so can’t blame them for that.

[@WorldView22]

Would comment on a comparison to Aune X8 Magic XVIII + Sparkos op amp (you reviewed last year) from memory?

[@iiWiReviews]

That's really tough since I don't have it with me anymore... But it would be a fairly close fight I suppose. But I think Octo has an advantage in terms of tone timbre.

[@ctx007]

Thank you for this new review. It's highly appreciated. But i have a question what is the best choice between this unit and the SMSL DO400 ? Can you tell me what are the sonic differencies please ?

[@iiWiReviews]

If you don't need a headphone amp, this one is better. Cleaner and more precise sound, better soundstaging.

[@ctx007]

@@iiWiReviewsthank you for your reply. I have already a separate tube headphone amp so it's not a problem. Do you think pro octo can give me some 'grunt' and detailled textures in the bass range ?

[@ThePupil]

How does it compare to the chord Qutest? I guess the Qutest sounds less bright and a bit fuller sound? How about sounds Tage?

[@radicalturkey]

Do400.

[@StimsonNguyen]

Dear iiWi please help me on selecting a DAC here. Which among these will be the best sounding in terms of warmness, depth, clarity, soundstage, spaciousness, Tight as well as clear and extented bass, Superb mids, fuller body and detailed but smooth highs? (1) Topping D70 Pro Sabre or (2)TOPPING - D70 PRO OCTOZ or (3) SMSL SU-9 Ultra DAC or (4) Topping E70 Velvet DAC. Also I wd like you to remember for reference that once you mentioned akm4499ex dac chip as the better one in comparision to Sabre ESS chips.

[@MrYamaha413]

ITS OUT OF MY BUDGET BUT I LIKE COLOR SCREEN WITH DIFFERENT GRAPHICS 😁

[@chinmeysway]

hmm i dunno that’s pretty dang spendy

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

Thanks for another video. Love the terms you use to describe the sound. Very entertaining. Keep it up!

[@paminggggggg]

good I Like your Review

[@hermannschmidt9788]

Topping runs a new experiment every year and they make sure to land near the top of the Audioscience Review ranking. The mediocre power supply architecture of their DACs stays the same. After a Topping D90SE and an SMSL EX400 I am done with those sardine boxes that are compromised too much. With the zero-compromise Gustard A26 I finally stopped listening for flaws. Not a fair comparison regarding the price, however.

[@bobb.9917]

So..what is your DAC?

[@AttilaBalla87]

@@bobb.9917 It must be Gustard A26 I guess.

[@rosswarren436]

Just curious though, if you ended up with the Gustard A26, did you do any comparisons between it and the R26? Just wanted to know your thoughts on why the A26 might be better. Thanks.

[@hermannschmidt9788]

@@rosswarren436 I did not try the R26 and I have a very limited experience with R2R architechtures. From the reviews of sources I trust and know how to interpret, I thought I had a good idea what the differences are and that the A26 is more to my taste. Also, I liked the general sound signature of the AKM chips in the SMSL and I speculated that a more refined no-compromise implementation could use their full potential. To my luck, the A26 does just that. This one (DAC #6) is going to stay for a long time.

[@rosswarren436]

@@hermannschmidt9788 thanks for the info and impressions. Good to know. Watching all these reviews over the last two years makes me lean toward getting an R2R DAC for that "natural tonality and wide and deep soundstage" they keep talking about. But, then along comes a new crop of chip-based DACs like the A26 that some say are just as good in those regards as say the Denafrips Ares II, so it makes it difficult to decide what to get. I note that some reviewers say the R26 is great, but lacks a little in the upper bass maybe, but they likely are splitting hairs.

[@thiocephas1503]

Thank u

[@clarice1001nights]

How would you compare these to the SMSL DL300? It is also 599 and like the Octo, I have heard it compared to the Gustard line? Then the only other one I would compare at this level, would be the Audalytic AH90 DAC from Gustard. It seems that these three are making the step up in price to the Gustard A26 that much less necessary.

[@iiWiReviews]

I haven't heard DL models. To be perfectly honest, it's the first time I'm even hearing about them. 😅

[@gchan8824]

Hi, really apprec your reviews into a slew of DAC's and streamers. Would you pair the Wiim pro streamer with the Topping D70 Octo, if I am seeking a clean and transparent form of sound?

[@iiWiReviews]

Yes I would. In the end just add a better power supply to Wiim and that can easily be an end-game digital setup.

[@davidristic3800]

Great videos sir.

[@LoniGuitarChannelHr]

Nice review, I was considering OCTO version because I heard it is more relaxed than SABRE and you confirm that. What holding me back for now is Argon Solo streamer/dac which I like more than egg. Eversolo Z8 Dac. But Topping D70 OCTO is now first on my to do list for the future.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

true back then i used to, ahem, download, only videos with flac audio and they do sound great shouldve done that again

[@drjp109]

Thanks

[@iiWiReviews]

Thanks for your support!

[@NeverCryWolf64]

In psychoanalysis, the narcissism of small differences (German: der Narzissmus der kleinen Differenzen) is the idea that the more a relationship or community shares commonalities, the more likely the people in it are to engage in interpersonal feuds and mutual ridicule because of hypersensitivity to minor differences perceived in each other. The term was coined by Sigmund Freud in 1917. I have now summed up this channel, and all audiophile reviews.

[@Pete.across.the.street]

Lost in translation, Best Buy is a consumer electronics store in the US. The title made me think the dac was one of their house brand😂😂

[@tothcsaba3461]

WaveTheory has also tested this DAC, and said its sound collapses when playing complex music... Have you noticed such thing? (I have a DX5 Lite at the moment, and sometimes I also hear something similar)

[@steven2809]

'Sound collapses'...? What nonsense..🙄

[@tothcsaba3461]

@@steven2809 I don't think so... Simple music (few instruments) usually sounds acceptable on my DX5 Lite, but when playing more complex ones (lots of instruments, backing vocals, etc) the sound starts to "collapse". Less enjoyable, more of a mass. So this is really a thing at least on one Topping product...

[@paulwg2112]

he hates all things Topping

[@Hakku1403]

@@paulwg2112 me 2, because Topping DAC´s all sound trash

[@craoui]

I am really tempted to replace my Topping D70S with that one.... 🤔@iiwi : Srboljub do you thing it will be a great upgrade in term of natural sound and soundstage?

[@craoui]

I have got the feeling that I will gain in term of soundstaging and natural timbre, but I am scared to lose on the dynamic side and low bass control. @iifi Reviews: what is you feeling on that one please?

[@justasimplefox]

Same situation here but still not convinced by this one so for the moment holding on to my D70s. I´m sure there will pop up a better one 😊 I´m a little disappointed by the build quality/components and absence of linear power supply. Hoping for a nice new Gustard without build in streamer 🤞

[@craoui]

@@justasimplefox DX9 🤔

[@justasimplefox]

@@craouiNot for me, don´t use pre amp + headphone and almost sure DAC part is less...more curious about SMSL VMV D2R if you can live with the special design 😅 waiting for some reviews 👍🏻

[@craoui]

@@justasimplefox same I just need a dac