Topping E30 DAC - or something else?

[Entrigo]

Looking for a cheapish decent DAC to use to connect my Macbook Air or iPhone to my all analogue amp so I can hopefully stream Apple Music lossleess.

Already have a Wiim Pro Plus as streamer and a Marantz SACD8005 on the way (I can use the latter DAC from my iPhone but not Mac) so don't want to spend too much on this. There's a couple of Topping E30 selling for around £70/80 - are they good or should I look at something else?

BTW - Not very clued up about digital music, DACs etc, don't have any hi-res, DSD PCM (whatever they might be) files and would only be using it for Apple Music...

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Topping E30 DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping E30 USB DAC. It was kindly sent to me by the company for testing. Unfortunately I did not get pricing information. As soon as I get it, I will post it. EDIT: just heard back. US cost is just $129.99! This is a bit of a new look...

www.audiosciencereview.com

It´s transparant, it will have no negative influence in your chain.
If it has the features you need, go for it.

 

[Entrigo]

Topping E30 DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping E30 USB DAC. It was kindly sent to me by the company for testing. Unfortunately I did not get pricing information. As soon as I get it, I will post it. EDIT: just heard back. US cost is just $129.99! This is a bit of a new look...

www.audiosciencereview.com

It´s transparant, it will have no negative influence in your chain.
If it has the features you need, go for it.

Was just reading about QC issues and a few of them failing...

And now wondering if I should just shell out for a better one and run my Wiim through it as well.

 

[nopiano]

Is there an analogue output from the latest MacBooks? I'm typing this on a 2022 MacBook Pro model but I only have a printer and the mains adapter plugged in.

I'm thinking I used to run a stereo 3.5mm jack plug to 2xphonos into my system many years ago, from an earlier MacBook. And today, the USB converter I connect the laser printer with would presumably work with a Dragonfly, for example?

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Was just reading about QC issues and a few of them failing...

And now wondering if I should just shell out for a better one and run my Wiim through it as well.

I have a Topping EX5 going on 4 years and it has been trouble free.
Excellent headphone amp as well (the reason I still have it as I actually do not need a separate DAC).

EX5 - TOPPING AUDIO

www.toppingaudio.com

 

[Entrigo]

Is there an analogue output from the latest MacBooks? I'm typing this on a 2022 MacBook Pro model but I only have a printer and the mains adapter plugged in.

I'm thinking I used to run a stereo 3.5mm jack plug to 2xphonos into my system many years ago, from an earlier MacBook. And today, the USB converter I connect the laser printer with would presumably work with a Dragonfly, for example?

Yes, at the moment I am connecting it to my amp from the headphone out but someone somewhere suggested an external DAC instead of the Apple one would sound better.

I mean - it's the age old issue: it sounds good enough to me that way but then so did my Wharfedale Diamond speakers 3 years ago until I heard the Focal and realised what I was missing out on. Or using a Google Chromecast Audio as streamer until I heard the Wiim...

The Air only has a USB C but easy enough to get an adapter - that was the plan. And actually yeah I did look at Dragonquest in the past... Although attaching it to an adapter makes it less neat - hence I was thinking about a desktop one connected with a USB C to B cable.

 

[Jasonovich]

The Topping E30 is a good choice, I believe the SMSL SU1 for a similar price is even better.
If you can spread your budget a little further.
FiiO's K11 with better construction and sound quality is worth considering.
The non R2R version I've seen on AliExpress for £115 and R2R about £130.
Also it also comes with a headphone socket and wide array of connector options.

 

[nopiano]

Yes, at the moment I am connecting it to my amp from the headphone out but someone somewhere suggested an external DAC instead of the Apple one would sound better.

I mean - it's the age old issue: it sounds good enough to me that way but then so did my Wharfedale Diamond speakers 3 years ago until I heard the Focal and realised what I was missing out on. Or using a Google Chromecast Audio as streamer until I heard the Wiim...

The Air only has a USB C but easy enough to get an adapter - that was the plan. And actually yeah I did look at Dragonquest in the past... Although attaching it to an adapter makes it less neat - hence I was thinking about a desktop one connected with a USB C to B cable.

Oh, I see, then you’ve obviously considered the options. I remember hearing an early Dragonfly connected to a hugely expensive Hifi, and it sounded glorious, just wired to a MacBook of the day! When I see used ones for fifty quid or less I sometimes think “I must try one”!

 

[Entrigo]

Oh, I see, then you’ve obviously considered the options. I remember hearing an early Dragonfly connected to a hugely expensive Hifi, and it sounded glorious, just wired to a MacBook of the day! When I see used ones for fifty quid or less I sometimes think “I must try one”!

Well got the Topping for £50 on eBay in the end. Pretty inexpensive "gamble".

What Dragonquest did you try?

 

[Entrigo]

The Topping E30 is a good choice, I believe the SMSL SU1 for a similar price is even better.
If you can spread your budget a little further.
FiiO's K11 with better construction and sound quality is worth considering.
The non R2R version I've seen on AliExpress for £115 and R2R about £130.
Also it also comes with a headphone socket and wide array of connector options.

Sorry for the philistine question but what's R2R and how does it work /affect playback etc?

 

[Jasonovich]

Sorry for the philistine question but what's R2R and how does it work /affect playback etc?

Not at all 😊
R2R or Ladder are an array of voltages that function like 010101....etc. takes a different approach to mainstream DACs that are based on chipsets.
Below I had to plagiarised the exact definition from Wikipedia
An R–2R ladder configuration is a simple and inexpensive way to perform digital-to-analog conversion (DAC), using repetitive arrangements of precise resistor networks in a ladder-like configuration
I hope this helps 😉