Part of a Topping Mini-Series
Before we get started, check out Apos Audio. They are a great up-and-coming distributor with a phenomenal-looking website and excellent customer service. They also offer free shipping, the lowest price guarantee, a 2-year warranty, and a now 45-day return!
Also thanks to Apos for sending this unit. I’m not being compensated for this review, but do make a small commission from them should you decide to purchase from any of my links.
This is also not a full shootout, but more of a review + sound comparison. The official shootout is coming!
Now…
Who is the Topping D50S/A50S stack for? How does it sound?
How does it compare with the similarly priced iFi Zen CAN Signature 6XX and the more affordable E30/L30 combo?
Is it worth a purchase at around $470?
All of these answers and more, coming up…
Greetings bass head and welcome aboard. Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music… All over again so…
Topping A50/D50S
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Apos!
What’s in the box?
Quick note: You will have to use your own power brick for use with the D50s’ DC cable. To me, this is pretty annoying, but your mileage may vary.
Who is the Topping D50S/A50S stack for?
This incredibly hefty and well-built stack targets the audiophile/gamer demographic with its 32-bit/768kHZ/DSD capability, Bluetooth capability, and plenty of connections including USB Type-B, Coaxial In, Optical In, and RCA Out for the DAC.
The Amp section provides a pair of RCA inputs for use with the DAC, as well as RCA outputs for connection to separate powered speakers.
Like the E30/L30, you can game with it on console via optical, and the coax allows you to connect to basically anything in a home theater environment.
Easily cycle through your different connections with the remote, or just use the mini-joystick on the front which can also be used for the volume adjustment on the DAC itself.
- Recommended: Beginners Guide: What is a USB DAC?
Audiophile snobs will love its less than minuscule 0.00007% Total Harmonic Distortion at a 32 Ohm load (0.00006% into a 300 Ohm load), it’s almost nothing output impedance of less than 0.1 (identical to the E30/L30 combo) and plenty of power.
- Related: What is Output Impedance?
Power
Peak power numbers indicate 1.4W @ 32 Ohm, and 192mW @ 300 Ohm.
Continuous power (what you will be using) for the unbalanced ¼” jack comes in @ 485mW @ 32 Ohm and 52mW @ 300 Ohm, i.e. plenty.
For reference, the HD600 at 300 Ohm requires roughly 20mW from an Amp to get pumping.
For the 4.4mm balanced connection, 1950mW @ 32 Ohm and 208mW @ 300 Ohm.
I didn’t find any of the 10 headphones I have here at the pad (including the K240M 600 Ohm Austrian model) hard to drive, so turn that frown upside down buster!
- You may like: RMS Power vs. Peak Power In Headphone Amplifiers
If you weren’t aware, VRMS (Root mean square) is the actual power that the device is capable of handling for long periods of time.
It’s used to control and lower the voltage (V) sent to these components in order to avoid exceeding their maximum voltage capabilities (i.e. it needs to be consistent, steady, and continuous).
From Electronic Design:
You want your libido high, but not so high that you’re banging everything in sight like a rabid dog!
Okay, that was a poor analogy but it was funny SO LAY OFF ME!
The only other feature that the A50s/D50s has is the filter modes and some other misc. items.
Short press the power button on the D50s to enter.
There’s a brightness display setting for 30% 60%, 100%, and AUTO, as well as a Bluetooth on/off and an auto shut-off setting.
I prefer to keep this OFF, as it’s pretty annoying when the screen goes blank after 10 seconds.
Upon further inspection, it doesn’t seem like the display stays on regardless.
Sound
But how does it sound?
In a word, cleanli. That’s not a word, but this stack is incredibly similar to the E30/L30 homie.
Clean, neutral, and incredibly transparent.
There’s not really much else to say with Amps & DACS like this, no matter what some audiophile a**hole says.
They present to you the music as is. No coloration, no distortion, no warmth, and NO WARNINGS, BUSTER!
With my K702, I’m at about 1-2 o’clock on 0dB gain.
There are so much dynamism and synergy. I can barely take all the scaling! I feel like an Oompa Loompa scaling larger, and larger, and larger until I pop!
I’m running Tidal Hi-Fi and Spotify Premium, so anything 24-bit/44kHz and up.
- Related: Tidal vs. Spotify [Definitive Guide]
Zen CAN Signature 6XX comparison
It’s interesting to note that the Zen CAN Sig takes less volume to reach acceptable levels on 0dB gain with the DAC maxed out (11-12 o’clock on the amp vs. around 1-2 on the A50s), but the sound difference between the 2 is obvious albeit subtle.
The Zen CAN is a more relaxed and laid-back presentation of the music. It’s lusher and more inviting.
It wants you to kick back and act like a weirdo about it. Scotch, cigars, caviar, the whole 9.
Just make sure to hold your pinky out.
The A50s/D50s seem more forward, with vocals that stand out a bit more and come across with a bit more clarity and immediacy.
Do you like that word salad? Do you want another one?
In all honesty, they sound incredibly similar at the end of the day.
I’m going back and forth on Oh Wonder’s 2015 self-titled and it sounds great on both. The difference likely won’t be discernable in a blind test.
I’ve listened to a lot of music with it over the last month or so, but I generally only add songs I really enjoy to the playlist. Check it out! Topping A50s/D50s Playlist.
The Zen Can Sig has a bass boost (they call it “6XX”) *Roll eyes* and a 3 gain stage vs. 2 for the A50s/D50s, but the A50s/D50s has Bluetooth capability whereas the Zen CAN does not.
I found it interesting that both have the 4.4mm balanced option.
So, is this stack worth a purchase?
Both the Zen CAN Sig and Topping stack here come in at an identical $470 or thereabouts.
The E30/L30 is around $270.
Well, if you buy the more expensive stack, I’ll get a higher commission, so that’s the one I’m going to recommend today!
SHILL!!
Final Verdict
Nah, in all honesty, I’d bypass all of these and get a JDS ATOM.
The reasons are obvious and not so obvious.
The obvious reason is that the A50/D50s is horribly overpriced. I’d never under any circumstance fork over that much for an amp and DAC.
Ever.
And you shouldn’t either.
I know the ATOM doesn’t have Bluetooth or high DSD support, but unless you have fat stacks of cash, you’re probably not going to want to pay $99 for a DSD file.
That’s right, they can be that expensive. I also don’t think those 2 things are worth $200 more than the E30/L30 combo in this case.
In any event,
The not-so-obvious reason is that even despite their extreme cleanliness, the Topping amps can come off a bit overly sterile and thin – as if they’re lacking musicality.
The ATOM is clean and neutral, but it’s not in your face about it.
The other not-so-obvious reason is that Topping products are known to have QC issues and I’d rather you feel great about spending your money on a reliable product from an extremely reputable company.
So the ATOM is my recommendation.
Learn More:
Now you may be wondering, “Well, I want Bluetooth and I want it naow!”
I understand.
The best all-in-one solution that provides Bluetooth and much more is an Amp/DAC that I wholeheartedly recommend to people who are looking to buy something and then not really upgrade in the future.
It’s an incredible value given its versatility and has plenty of power to boot.
Interested?
Learn More:
Video Discussion
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Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Topping E30/L30 Stacked Review, and are better equipped to make a purchasing decision!
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Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Is the Topping A50s/D50s something you would invest in? I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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8 comments
Hi,
Thanks for the review.
I wonder how the D50S+A50S compares to the Dragonfly Red only in terms of pure audio quality.
Is the extra bulk justified for my efficient IEMs and more so for my Ananda?
Hey man, thank you! I just did a demo for you and the difference is quite clear. The A50/D50s stack is more boxed in sounding, with a narrower image. Both are incredibly clean and pretty neutral, but the A50s/D50s seems like it’s trying a bit harder whereas the DF Red sounds more natural to my ears.
The DragonFly Red has probably the best portrayal of Soundstage width and depth out of any Amp/DAC I’ve tried and is one of the main reasons I tend to recommend it the world over. If you’re familiar with my blog and channel, I tend to really dump on Amps and DACS in general because they mostly sound the same with very marginal differences. The DF Red (and I’ve always said this) does stand out in terms of it really presenting the music well, with loads of openness and fantastic spacing between the instruments. It’s like opening your window and letting a cool breeze in. These sentiments were only re-inforced with this latest demo.
The A50s/D50s is simply outclassed here, which is hard to believe considering its price tag. The DF Red is a little faster and also more lively sounding. The best way to describe it is if you put both of your hands on each side of your head and then move them out maybe 1-2 inches. That’s the D50s/A50s. Now do the same thing, only move your hands about 6 or so inches from your head (give or take). That’s the DragonFly Red.
I was using an AKG K702 and Spotify Premium for the demo with this playlist, but I was shocked at how poorly the A50s/D50s did with the great Soundstage of the 702. It didn’t sound nearly as open as it did with the Red.
I would take the Red over it in a heartbeat, to be honest with you. No, I don’t think the extra bulk is justified for the Ananda. I would go for the Red and not think twice if you don’t already have it! It seems like you do. Please let me know your thoughts.
can the dragonfly red drive the 6xx well though, I’m still confused how powerful the little beast is. I have the hipdac at he moment and 6xx on the way from Drop US to the UK. I’m concerned the hipdac will drive them balanced, an also the dragonfly red which I may use as a dac into the zen can which I am thinking of getting. I really balk at buying the zencan as my DAC as I already have the hipdac with no line out so that’s no use for me
Yeah, it’s plenty man. Also yeah the DF Red makes a perfect DAC into lots of amps. That’s actually primarily what I use it for nowadays. 🙂
I’ve just read what you said about, “The DragonFly Red has probably the best portrayal of Soundstage width and depth”, thats your comment considering to Topping D50s/a50s.
And how was your opinion about portrayal of Soundstage from Ifi zen DAC and E30?
Thanks
Hey man! It’s not going to be as wide or open sounding, but you may not really care. Most of that depends on the track, with the DAC playing a small part.
Sup homie, I was wondering if your statements hold when using the balanced output of the a50s. I’m looking into the e30 w a50s for my hd650’s because (yes attack me) I want to get all of the scaling that was promised to me ! ;D currently using a hip dac and sometimes feels like the sound is too muddy for me, I’m looking for more clarity and already have a balanced cable for it. Also I kind of close to max out on high gain balanced on the hip dac, so more headroom can’t hurt can it? Other reviewers stated that the single ended on the a50s is weirdly weaker than the l30 and performs much worse than the balanced output hence my question!
Hey man! Sorry I don’t have that one here anymore lol. I did just get a hip-dac 2 in though xD