-Dual ESS ES9039Q2M DACs
-XMOS XU316 USB Controller
-Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC & AptX HD
-Remote Control Support
-Combo USB-C + Dedicated PSU USB-C
USB / Optical / COAX / RCA / TRS BAL
TRS 4V or 5V & RCA 2V or 2.5V
-Preamp & DAC Modes
-Monochrome OLED Display with Joystick Nav.
-XU316 USB Controller 32bit-768kHz PCM & DSD512 Support
-12V Trigger (3.5mm)
-10-band “Topping Tune” Parametric EQ (PEQ) Support (USB only)
A50iii Output Power:
===>2150mW x 2 @16Ω THD+N<0.1% 1400mW x 2 @32Ω THD+N<0.1% 190mW x 2 @300Ω THD+N<0.1% 100mW x 2 @600Ω THD+N<0.1%
===>2150mW x 2 @16Ω THD+N<0.1% 1400mW x 2 @32Ω THD+N<0.1% 190mW x 2 @300Ω THD+N<0.1% 100mW x 2 @600Ω THD+N<0.1%
===>3500mW x 2 @32Ω THD+N<0.1% 2700mW x 2 @64Ω THD+N<0.1% 760mW x 2 @300Ω THD+N<0.1% 395mW x 2 @600Ω THD+N<0.1%
===>3500mW x 2 @32Ω THD+N<0.1% 2700mW x 2 @64Ω THD+N<0.1% 760mW x 2 @300Ω THD+N<0.1% 395mW x 2 @600Ω THD+N<0.1%
Total Score
Introduction
Topping D50iii and A50iii. Not only are they one of the best stacks to come out in recent times, they do it at a very reasonable price. I’ve reviewed these two devices separately before, and now it’s time to review them as a set.
Functional, strong, high resolution and neutral character. At the time of writing this review I have spent around 180 hours with the Topping D50iii and A50iii. I purchased the products myself to write an independent review.
Design & Build
When we stack the A50iii on top and the D50iii on the bottom, the resulting image looks both simple and professional. As a whole, the front side has an on-off button, a display, a joystick, two headphone outputs and a volume pot. This sound pot only controls the headphone outputs, while the speaker outputs can be controlled with a joystick or controller. In the back, there are a lot of entrance and exit idols. Of course we connect the D50iii and A50iii with some of these.
I have already reviewed the output details and box contents in depth before. Since I don’t want to drown this section in details, I’ll leave a link. You can see the output data and box contents closely by clicking on Topping D50iii and Topping A50iii.
Specs & Technology
The Topping D50iii and A50iii make optimal use of the latest components and technologies, resulting in high control with zero bottom noise. In doing so, they do a very satisfying job in terms of sound.
The Topping D50iii uses two of the latest ESS chip 9039Q2M. It supports LDAC and supports the connection with an external antenna. In addition to a THD of less than 0.00006% in balanced output, the Topping D50iii also offers EQ tuning that can be accessed directly on the device. I love the fact that the Topping D50iii has a remote control, something we’re no longer surprised by in the Topping line, but it’s a plus point.
Like the D50iii, the Topping A50iii uses current components, but unlike the D50iii, the A50iii uses more components from the previous generation. The Topping A50iii has a very low total harmonic distortion and is also compatible with sensitive headphones. It does perhaps the most basic thing you would expect from an amplifier at its best, you get a linear gain response when you turn up the volume.
Topping D50iii & A50iii with Hifiman Arya Stealth
The Hifiman Arya stealth with the Topping A50iii and D50iii pair sounds very analytical and wide, with a natural and slight midcentric presentation. A fully recessed sound and great imaging, yes this is a true planar performance. I have a hard time with this pairing in acoustic genres, but it’s very enjoyable in metal genres. When I turn on Far from Any Road by The Handsome Family, the song from that great show, I hear the vocals and the guitar very close together. I think this has something to do with the pairing. On the other hand, with this setup, Ne Obliviscaris – Forget Not wipes the rust off my ears. By the way, surprisingly listening to hiphop with this pairing is very enjoyable. With this setup you get a very flat sound, which lacks the necessary color in some genres, but the sound is still great.
Topping D50iii & A50iii Stack As A Stereo Dac
Let’s talk about the main use case of the Topping D50iii. First of all, I have to say that it has a great technique that will easily suffice up to the mid-fi class. The resolution, imaging, detail reproduction is way above its price. It’s also very good at capturing nuances and textures with a very natural feel. It transmits all frequencies in a very transparent way. I think it will fit better with relatively warm sounding equipment. This includes old Marantz amps and slightly warm-profile Klipsch, Q Acoustics speakers. But if you have a mid tier Kef or even a solid Sonus set, I don’t think this device will let you down.
Sound
Topping D50iii and A50iii produce a neutral-based sound with extremely low coloration for both headphones and speakers. This character brings with it a superior technical achievement. This basically ensures a powerful sound for headphones and the “right” sound for loudspeakers.
The Topping A50iii and D50iii is a 90% neutral sounding stack set with almost no impact on the sound. However, it adds a slight coloration to the sound with a micro warmth in the mid-range. When it comes to technical aspects and subtle nuances, the D50iii does a great job. It produces very clear and clean sound with very low distortion. The Topping A50iii creates a transparent frequency response that adds texture without damping the lower frequencies. It maintains the same transparency with very little coloration in the midrange and is very detailed in this area. There is a micro-coloring in the treble range as in the mids, but it’s a small brightness that has an analytical effect on the sound. In this area the Topping D50iii and A50iii both have an airy and natural extension.
Topping D50iii & A50iii vs FiiO K11 R2R
Of course they are not in the same class. I used both with an Edifier Mr4 2.0 with an Atlas Integra RCA cable. Whatever the case, I think this affordable active speaker is more than worth the money.
The Fiio K11 R2R plays darker and warmer, while the D50iii is overwhelmingly more technical and noticeably more neutral. In terms of timbre, both are successful. The K11 R2R has more prominent lower guitar notes and more midbass punch, so it sounds better in Mr4’s reference (monitor) mode. The Topping D50iii, on the other hand, offers more separation and more detail, as well as a neutral tonality, so it sounds better in the Mr4’s music mode (warmer and more colorful).
When it comes to headphones, the gap widens a little more. The power of the Topping D50iii and A50iii set is up to 3500mW at 32ohms thanks to the A50iii, while the Fiio K11 R2R has 1300mW at 32ohms. In addition, the K11 R2R adds body and warmth to the headphones, while the D50iii & A50iii duo has a much more neutral character. In terms of resolution, separation and detail reproduction, as you might expect, the Topping D50iii and A50iii are ahead. Obviously, I have written this unfair comparison just to give you an idea of the situation. If we look at the price tags, the main competitor of the D50iii & A50iii pair will be the Fiio K9.
Last Words
I love this dac amp pair! Topping D50iii and A50iii are almost unbeatable in the price-performance ratio. Both individually and as a stack. I expect Topping to dominate the sub-$600 range for quite some time with these solid devices. If you are looking for a stack with neutral character, good technique and a device that will meet all your needs on the desktop, these two are my recommendation.
