-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)
Total Score
Introduction
I’m here with a review of the D50iii, the latest product of the Topping D50 series that desktop and stereo audiophiles have loved for years. Built using the latest components, this compact dac is also a highly functional device. Let’s see if it can impress us with its sound.
I purchased the product myself with the intention of writing an independent review. I spent about 150 hours before reviewing it.
Design & Build
This is exactly what comes out of the box of the D50iii, which comes with a complete box content:
- Topping D50 III DAC unit
- Bluetooth remote control
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- Bluetooth antenna
- User manual
- Product information card
I love this slim and minimalist design! I think this is one of the best design choices for a dac to look like this. The inputs and outputs are grouped at the back. Since the device has input options such as coax, bt and optical in addition to usb, an extra usb power port has been added. On the front, there’s a power button, a tiny display and a joystick to navigate the menus.
Specs & Technology
The Topping D50iii seems to be built with the most up-to-date or optimal components possible. Full output parameters of the D50iii (LineOut/USB In @96kHz):
| Parameter | RCA | TRS |
|---|---|---|
| THD+N @1kHz (A-wt) | <0.00008% @1kHz | <0.00006% @1kHz |
| THD @20-20kHz (90kBW) | <0.0004% @20-20kHz | <0.0002% @20-20kHz |
| SNR @MAX OUT 1kHz (A-wt) | 127dB @1kHz | 132dB @1kHz |
| Dynamic Range @1kHz (A-wt) | 127dB @1kHz | 132dB @1kHz |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz (±0.1dB) | 20Hz-20kHz (±0.1dB) |
| 20Hz-40kHz (±0.3dB) | 20Hz-40kHz (±0.3dB) | |
| Output Level | 2.0Vrms @0dBFS (4V Mode) | 4.0Vrms @0dBFS (4V Mode) |
| 2.5Vrms @0dBFS (5V Mode) | 5.0Vrms @0dBFS (5V Mode) | |
| Noise (A-wt) | <1.1uVrms | <1.3uVrms |
| Channel Crosstalk | -136dB @1kHz | -147dB @1kHz |
| Channel Balance | 0.3dB | 0.3dB |
| Output Impedance | 50Ω | 100Ω |
Note: The above data is obtained from TOPPING lab tests under AC220V 50Hz, with the D50 III set to 5V output mode.
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.
Topping D50iii with A50iii (a headphone dac?)
I actually want to talk about this duo here, but my main focus will be on the Topping D50iii. I listened to this duo with the Hifiman Arya Stealth and Oriolus Monachaa, and the Topping D50iii brought a smile to my face with its neutral, detailed and high-resolution sound.
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’s Sound As A Stereo Dac (Finally as it should be)
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.
Topping D50iii vs Fiio K11 R2R as Stereo Dacs
Of course, they are not of the same class. I’m writing this part as a personal opinion to give you an idea. Fiio offers both headphones dac/amp and stereo dac at a cheaper price, while Topping D50iii is more expensive and is a stereo dac. I used them both with the Edifier Mr4 2.0 with Atlas Integra RCA cable. Regardless of the subject, I think this affordable active speaker is more than up to the money.
While the Fiio K11 R2R plays darker and warmer, the D50iii is overwhelmingly more technical and noticeably more neutral. Timbre-wise, both are successful. The K11 R2R has more pronounced lower guitar notes and more midbass punch, so it sounds better with 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 Mr4’s music mode (warmer and more colorful).
What you need to know here is that the Fiio K11 R2R is a rival to the combination of the D50iii+A50iii pair in its stand-alone functionality. So here we have a $170 vs $430 situation. It is worth reminding again, I wrote this part just to give you an idea.
Last Words
Taken on its own, the Topping D50iii is a great stereo dac with very good technique and the wanted neutral character. Combined with the A50iii, it makes a desktop set that satisfies all needs. Topping has done justice to the D50 and A50 series by producing very good products for the price.
