Topping E70 Velvet DAC

[HAL]

Decided to order the Topping E70 Velvet DAC with the AKM AK4499EX DAC.  This is a 32bit R2R balanced output DAC.  The new version is a two IC implementation since their foundry fab fire took out that one IC line.  Going to use this with the headphone rig.

I heard a prototype of the original one IC AK4499 in the dspNexus 2x8 and sounded better than the stock AK4493EQ DAC.  Problem was the prototype ran at 104C, so component longevity would not be good, so a redesign in the future might happen.  Since the production unit is not released, still TBD.

Will see what happens.

https://apos.audio/products/topping-e70-velvet-desktop-dac-digital-to-analog-convertor?_pos=2&_sid=79e63c641&_ss=r

[ejk]

I was checking that out the other day. Let us know how it sounds. If you could hook it up as a Pre for a bit, I would be more interested.

[Nick B]

Decided to order the Topping E70 Velvet DAC with the AKM AK4499EX DAC.  This is a 32bit R2R balanced output DAC.  The new version is a two IC implementation since their foundry fab fire took out that one IC line.  Going to use this with the headphone rig.

I heard a prototype of the original one IC AK4499 in the dspNexus 2x8 and sounded better than the stock AK4493EQ DAC.  Problem was the prototype ran at 104C, so component longevity would not be good, so a redesign in the future might happen.  Since the production unit is not released, still TBD.

Will see what happens.

https://apos.audio/products/topping-e70-velvet-desktop-dac-digital-to-analog-convertor?_pos=2&_sid=79e63c641&_ss=r

Will be interesting to get your thoughts as you’re an analog guy. Am curious, what dacs you might have tried before this one.

Nick

[jmc207]

I was checking that out the other day. Let us know how it sounds. If you could hook it up as a Pre for a bit, I would be more interested.

I too would am interested in your impressions, especially if hooked to a preamp.

Thanks, John

[doug s.]

+1, and especially if hooked to a preamp.  i have a modded art di/o in my bedroom setup, and both a modded art di/o and a topping e70 (earlier iteration, w/dual ak 4497eq chips.  both have gotten stellar reviews, the topping more recently, of course. i'm certainly happy w/both.

there's a few folk on a local-to-me f/b audio page i've recommended this dac to, (as well as even less expensive smsl d6 and do100 dacs), who believe you have to spend >$2k for a really good dac.  or at least $1k, certainly.

doug s.

I was checking that out the other day. Let us know how it sounds. If you could hook it up as a Pre for a bit, I would be more interested.

I too would am interested in your impressions, especially if hooked to a preamp.

Thanks, John

[HAL]

I will post my feedback, but it will go into my headphone rig without a preamp or as the preamp depending on how you look at it since it will control volume. 

My speaker system uses a DSP as the preamp, even for phono.

[Nick B]

Decided to order the Topping E70 Velvet DAC with the AKM AK4499EX DAC.  This is a 32bit R2R balanced output DAC.  The new version is a two IC implementation since their foundry fab fire took out that one IC line.  Going to use this with the headphone rig.

I heard a prototype of the original one IC AK4499 in the dspNexus 2x8 and sounded better than the stock AK4493EQ DAC.  Problem was the prototype ran at 104C, so component longevity would not be good, so a redesign in the future might happen.  Since the production unit is not released, still TBD.

Will see what happens.

https://apos.audio/products/topping-e70-velvet-desktop-dac-digital-to-analog-convertor?_pos=2&_sid=79e63c641&_ss=r

Will be interesting to get your thoughts as you’re an analog guy. Am curious, what dacs you might have tried before this one.

Nick

Sorry Rich. I got my “Hal’s” mixed up. Still interested in your impressions

[HAL]

Well it arrived late, so now it is sitting in the post office until I get back next week. 

The setup will be the E70 feeding my iFi headphone amp and Audeze LCD MX-4 phones.   Might be able to get my old battery powered Erno Borbely headphone amp working.  My attempt at a stereo volume control I worked on with Gary Dodd with LDR's, works, but it is tweaky.  Probably just put my Alps Black Beauty 100K Ohm stereo control back in.  It is a bit of a Frankenstein build.

[doug s.]

here's two possibilities for ldr pots that won't break the bank:

http://diyparadise.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18
i used this for a few years between my melos ma333r and outboard x-over when the melos was acting up - it was at least as transparent as the melos' ldr pot, even tho it was an additional component and interconnect in the chain. (there's a less expensive eva shown on the website, that's only a single input but a bit less expensive; afaik they won't make it anymore; otherwise i'd have bought that one. eva2 has 3 inputs.)

and this - someday when i get motivated, i'm gonna put one of these in the melos, to replace the $15 pos alps pot that assfuck mark porzilli put in when he was too lazy to properly fix the volume control after he'd sat on it for 3 years:
https://tortugaaudio.com/products/diy-preamp-components/electronic-stepped-attenuator-epot-v3-mini/

doug s.

Well it arrived late, so now it is sitting in the post office until I get back next week. 

The setup will be the E70 feeding my iFi headphone amp and Audeze LCD MX-4 phones.   Might be able to get my old battery powered Erno Borbely headphone amp working.  My attempt at a stereo volume control I worked on with Gary Dodd with LDR's, works, but it is tweaky.  Probably just put my Alps Black Beauty 100K Ohm stereo control back in.  It is a bit of a Frankenstein build.

[HAL]

here's two possibilities for ldr pots that won't break the bank:

http://diyparadise.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18
i used this for a few years between my melos ma333r and outboard x-over when the melos was acting up - it was at least as transparent as the melos' ldr pot, even tho it was an additional component and interconnect in the chain. (there's a less expensive eva shown on the website, that's only a single input but a bit less expensive; afaik they won't make it anymore; otherwise i'd have bought that one. eva2 has 3 inputs.)

and this - someday when i get motivated, i'm gonna put one of these in the melos, to replace the $15 pos alps pot that assfuck mark porzilli put in when he was too lazy to properly fix the volume control after he'd sat on it for 3 years:
https://tortugaaudio.com/products/diy-preamp-components/electronic-stepped-attenuator-epot-v3-mini/

doug s.

Well it arrived late, so now it is sitting in the post office until I get back next week. 

The setup will be the E70 feeding my iFi headphone amp and Audeze LCD MX-4 phones.   Might be able to get my old battery powered Erno Borbely headphone amp working.  My attempt at a stereo volume control I worked on with Gary Dodd with LDR's, works, but it is tweaky.  Probably just put my Alps Black Beauty 100K Ohm stereo control back in.  It is a bit of a Frankenstein build.

doug s.
Mine works and has adjustable impedance for the LDR's.  The adjustment range is just a bit limited.  Not sure I hear enough difference compared to the ALPS Black Beauty 100K Stereo pot to make the difference worth while. 

A stepped volume attenuator with Texas Components/Vishay bulk metal foil would be my preference with a really good silver contact rotary switch.   

[HAL]

The Topping E70 Velvet DAC arrived today.  Now to get it setup in the headphone rig for a try.

[doug s.]

regarding pots, my 2nd choice, next to the tortuga would be a stepped attenuator from khozmo, with takman rey or amrg amtrans resistors.  but there's no way they'll fit inside my melos pre anyway. 
https://khozmo.com/index.html

looking forward to see what you're hearing w/the e70 velvet.

doug s.

here's two possibilities for ldr pots that won't break the bank:

http://diyparadise.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=18
i used this for a few years between my melos ma333r and outboard x-over when the melos was acting up - it was at least as transparent as the melos' ldr pot, even tho it was an additional component and interconnect in the chain. (there's a less expensive eva shown on the website, that's only a single input but a bit less expensive; afaik they won't make it anymore; otherwise i'd have bought that one. eva2 has 3 inputs.)

and this - someday when i get motivated, i'm gonna put one of these in the melos, to replace the $15 pos alps pot that assfuck mark porzilli put in when he was too lazy to properly fix the volume control after he'd sat on it for 3 years:
https://tortugaaudio.com/products/diy-preamp-components/electronic-stepped-attenuator-epot-v3-mini/

doug s.

Well it arrived late, so now it is sitting in the post office until I get back next week. 

The setup will be the E70 feeding my iFi headphone amp and Audeze LCD MX-4 phones.   Might be able to get my old battery powered Erno Borbely headphone amp working.  My attempt at a stereo volume control I worked on with Gary Dodd with LDR's, works, but it is tweaky.  Probably just put my Alps Black Beauty 100K Ohm stereo control back in.  It is a bit of a Frankenstein build.

doug s.
Mine works and has adjustable impedance for the LDR's.  The adjustment range is just a bit limited.  Not sure I hear enough difference compared to the ALPS Black Beauty 100K Stereo pot to make the difference worth while. 

A stepped volume attenuator with Texas Components/Vishay bulk metal foil would be my preference with a really good silver contact rotary switch.

[HAL]

The Khozmo stepped attenuator with the remote is similar to the design I used.  Just an Arduino uC board controller to really nice audio relays like Gary used in his preamps and buffers.   All on a protoboard to test the design.

For the first trial using Dale/Vishay metal film resistors to test before purchasing the Texas Components naked metal foil resistors.  Really good channel matching at 0.01% tolerance for the values.  Will see what happens.

[ejk]

Hi Hal. I umderstand what you want to use it for but some of us are curious how it sounds as a 2 channel preamp. If you could do.me the favor when you have a chance to hook it up to your stereo system I would greatly appreciate it

[HAL]

ejk,
The stereo system is down due to water problems in my listening room.  It will be a long process before it is up and running.  This is what I have until then.

The E70 Velvet DAC is setup in the headphone rig.  Now to let it run-in for 24 hours for more listening.