Topping E30 - worth it?

[Mark Dunlop]

Hi All
I have the chance to pick up a hardly-used Topping E30 for half the new RRP. My CD player is a Rotel CD14 Mk1 and my question is this - Is the DAC in the Topping going to be better than the one in my CD14? No point in buying it if not. The DAC in the CD14 is a Wolfson IIRC. It's an Asahi-Kasei in the Topping, apparently.

Cheers.
m.d.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

My (un)educated guess is "no". Not worth the effort.

 

[Al ears]

I would say no as well as the E30 isn't simply a DAC it's also a preamp which you certainly do not need.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

FWIW I think you can turn off the pre-amp function and have fixed out. But if we're comparing a £500 CD player with DAC with a £50 DAC with pre-amp, I'd be pushed to think the latter was a better DAC. Different, maybe?

 

[Mark Dunlop]

Confirmed what I thought, guys - nice one. I shall politely pass on the offer.
m.d.

 

[Al ears]

FWIW I think you can turn off the pre-amp function and have fixed out. But if we're comparing a £500 CD player with DAC with a £50 DAC with pre-amp, I'd be pushed to think the latter was a better DAC. Different, maybe?

Whether or not it can be switched out is irrelevant, he will be paying for it.
That was my point.
If you're in the market for a DAC then simply buy a DAC.....

 

[Noddy]

Hi All
I have the chance to pick up a hardly-used Topping E30 for half the new RRP. My CD player is a Rotel CD14 Mk1 and my question is this - Is the DAC in the Topping going to be better than the one in my CD14? No point in buying it if not. The DAC in the CD14 is a Wolfson IIRC. It's an Asahi-Kasei in the Topping, apparently.

Cheers.
m.d.

The Topping E30 measures well:

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

The Rotel CD14 came out a few years ago, and at that price you’d expect to hear no improvement when using the Topping. Technically one might measure better than the other.

 

[DougK1]

All this Chi-Fi might measure well but does it actually sound better? Maybe the manufacturers are concentrating too much on measurements and not enough on how it actually sounds

Classic example, I bought a Topping A90D head amp, it measured exceptionally well but it is no better than the sockets on my CDP and amp. The only benefit was the facility to use a balanced connection which just gives more available volume. I'm not convinced.

 

[Al ears]

All this Chi-Fi might measure well but does it actually sound better? Maybe the manufacturers are concentrating too much on measurements and not enough on how it actually sounds

Classic example, I bought a Topping A90D head amp, it measured exceptionally well but it is no better than the sockets on my CDP and amp. The only benefit was the facility to use a balanced connection which just gives more available volume. I'm not convinced.

Exactly, too much emphasis on measuring well has absolutely no bearing on how it will sound, always considering an on its own is pretty pointless when it is actually used as part of a system.
i have heard speakers that apparently measure well with flat frequency curve, and whilst they might work well in a studio environment don't standca chance of doing the same in your average home environment.

 

[Noddy]

All this Chi-Fi might measure well but does it actually sound better?

Most hifi that I see is made in China. My speakers, streamer and amp are. So too are my wireless headphones and iPhone. As for Chinese design, they are quite capable of matching the West, Japan and Korea. Many august British brands such as Quad, AudioLab, Mission and Wharfedale are now Chinese owned.

 

[DougK1]

Most hifi that I see is made in China. My speakers, streamer and amp are. So too are my wireless headphones and iPhone. As for Chinese design, they are quite capable of matching the West, Japan and Korea. Many august British brands such as Quad, AudioLab, Mission and Wharfedale are now Chinese owned.

When I say Chi-Fi I'm referring to the so-called disrupters, the home-grown brands designed and manufactured in China, e.g., Topping, Fosi, etc.

The only piece I have in my system is the head amp, the rest is made in: Japan, UK, and EU. Personally, I don't think the Chinese have quite matched the legacy brands, and as for longevity the jury is still out... I'm definitely not pleased with my head amp's power led which has dimmed to a point where I can't see if it's on stand-by or off!

 

[Noddy]

When I say Chi-Fi I'm referring to the so-called disrupters, the home-grown brands designed and manufactured in China, e.g., Topping, Fosi, etc.

I did refer to Chinese design, as well as pointing out that most are China manufactured anyway.

The only piece I have in my system is the head amp, the rest is made in: Japan, UK, and EU. Personally, I don't think the Chinese have quite matched the legacy brands, and as for longevity the jury is still out...

My £400 Chord Mojo failed after 2 years. Supposedly made in England, but that can mean just assembled in England. My £1,000 Arcam Solo Movie, failed after about two years, beyond economic repair. My £300 Audeze Sine headphones fell to pieces after a few years: earpads split, digital cable failed, left earpiece failed. My Bose QC25 is well made but the earpads are cheap and nasty and fell to pieces. My £1300 Japanese microscope is good but has some serious faults. Chinese ones I’ve used are cheaper and better. I had two Apple watches and one Withings Scanwatch replaced under warranty when they fell apart because they are glued together. The last warranty replacement of each was sold on eBay unused. So much for non Chinese designed quality. My older stuff never failed, including Teac, Arcam and Sennheiser. My view is that stuff is no longer designed to last much beyond the warranty period. Wireless headphones with non replaceable batteries. Watches with crystals glued on. Items with plastic that goes sticky after a few years.

And I look after my stuff. I’ve sold numerous cameras and lenses that look almost like new after many years use. The watches that fell apart were almost mint.

Of course you might be right, one person’s experience proves nothing, but I will happily buy well known Chinese brands such as Wiim.

I'm definitely not pleased with my head amp's power led which has dimmed to a point where I can't see if it's on stand-by or off!