6 hours ago, Lansche plasma guy said:

Did they end up doing this review Ittaku?

 

 

Latest issue not out yet, but it will be in it.

And there it is, the Topping D90SE review (by Steven Stone) in The Absolute Sound, and shock horror, the reviewer concluded it's as close to a perfectly true-to-source material as a DAC gets.

 

The tides, they are a changing.

1 hour ago, Ittaku said:

And there it is, the Topping D90SE review (by Steven Stone) in The Absolute Sound, and shock horror, the reviewer concluded it's as close to a perfectly true-to-source material as a DAC gets.

 

The tides, they are a changing.

 

Certainly are.  I praise Topping for managing to do good original work like this, in a severely difficult market, where competitors steal ideas and copy designs,  and still they keep prices reasonable.

2 hours ago, Ittaku said:

And there it is, the Topping D90SE review (by Steven Stone) in The Absolute Sound, and shock horror, the reviewer concluded it's as close to a perfectly true-to-source material as a DAC gets.

 

The tides, they are a changing.

 Looking  forward to read the full review. I am using a Mytek Manhattan 2 which uses the same 9038pro chip and is an excellent preamp as well as streamer when used  with a ARC Ref 150 into  SF Amati speakers. 

 

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/mytek-digital-manhattan-ii-dac

 

Recently ordered a March Audio power amp to do an A/B with the tube power amp and the Topping would be great partner for a second system. The Mytek was 7K plus so the Topping may work out being bargain of the century.

 

 

Just now, digoxin said:

 Looking  forward to read the full review. I am using a Mytek Manhattan 2 which uses the same 9038pro chip and is an excellent preamp as well as streamer when used  with a ARC Ref 150 into  SF Amati speakers. 

 

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/mytek-digital-manhattan-ii-dac

 

Recently ordered a March Audio power amp to do an A/B with the tube power amp and the Topping would be great partner for a second system. The Mytek was 7K plus so the Topping may work out being bargain of the century.

Should work well. As far as clean neutral sounding affordable electronics go, I believe we are entering a golden era. The next level in the artifice of making recordings sound more real in hifi is the last bastion that high end audio has to offer at an exorbitant mark up by comparison. I accepted long ago that what I'm paying for in my high end gear was just the right level of colouration to move it into that category - that and beautifully engineered craftsmanship pieces that amount to sculptures for the hifi room. But below that level, it is now insane how good a sound you can get at an affordable price if you're willing to forego any preconceived ideas based on the past. I do have backup electronics worth literally one tenth the cost for whenever my high end gear is out of action (such as being revalved) and the step down is smaller than most people would be likely to admit, but I'm not afraid to do so. It also is great news for people on a much smaller budget.

Agree the democratisation of hifi gear I am sure will open great music systems to the average punter which will hopefully encourage more into this hobby/passion. Similar to how camera systems have moved from large format to medium to SLR and now camera phones which have remarkable amount of capabilities and with post processing give the same amount of  quality in the end result for most. I wonder whether 'post processing' in the form of EQ /room correction/ filters from a   clean neutral signal in the DAC/amplification path will be where digital is heading. People still like 'pretty looking' things so I am sure that will still play an important role with speakers especially.

 

I've decided the only reason I keep my digital subscription to both Stereophile and The Absolute Sound is to stay abreast of new hardware. The reviews have long since lost any meaning to me, and so have the endless tirades about how things that don't affect sound allegedly do. Only Stereophile's measurements have any worth beyond that. I'm also not a fan of ASR's "everything sounds the same" philosophy either. What is one to do when you're an audiophile and cynic at the same time...?

5 hours ago, Ittaku said:

And there it is, the Topping D90SE review (by Steven Stone) in The Absolute Sound, and shock horror, the reviewer concluded it's as close to a perfectly true-to-source material as a DAC gets.

 

Aah, but does it sound any better than my E30s, Con?  

 

Andy

 

1 minute ago, andyr said:

Aah, but does it sound any better than my E30s, Con?  

No. I'd be willing to bet my left tstcl it sounds identical with 96k material, which is exactly what you're dealing with after your ADC.

2 minutes ago, Ittaku said:

No. I'd be willing to bet my left tstcl it sounds identical with 96k material, which is exactly what you're dealing with after your ADC.

 

Whew!  Thanks, Con - you've just saved me $5k!  

 

Andy

 

Back on topic, my room treatment should be arriving in the country today, and will be shipped within a week according to Geoff. I've been let down often enough in the past to know not to hang my hat on such a prediction, but I'm cautiously optimistic. Best case scenario I'll be starting a string of get togethers in 2 weeks' time...

You have been very patient. I did speak to Geoff earlier this year about getting someone over the check up my room and options for room treatment. I was going to wait until I got curtains/blinds and bookshelves put before getting started. Maybe I should  get the process started earlier. Did go with Artnovion or another option? I quite like the look of the Artnovion Avalon Flow panels. 

1 hour ago, andyr said:

 

Whew!  Thanks, Con - you've just saved me $5k!  

 

Andy

 

Thats great, you've got an extra $5k to spend on power cords!

1 minute ago, digoxin said:

You have been very patient. I did speak to Geoff earlier this year about getting someone over the check up my room and options for room treatment. I was going to wait until I got curtains/blinds and bookshelves put before getting started. Maybe I should  get the process started earlier. Did go with Artnovion or another option? I quite like the look of the Artnovion Avalon Flow panels. 

I went with Artnovion, but it's basically been 9 months since this process began.

7 hours ago, Ittaku said:

And there it is, the Topping D90SE review (by Steven Stone) in The Absolute Sound, and shock horror, the reviewer concluded it's as close to a perfectly true-to-source material as a DAC gets.

 

The tides, they are a changing.

Interesting.

A friend bought the D90SE based on the ASR review.

 

It sounded (sounds) really great.  But then we tried the Denafrips Ares then the Pontus 2, then the Venus 2 then the Terminator Plus.

 

We all unanimously thought (in the system used anyway) that the Ares wasn't better but was as good with different strengths and weaknesses.  Some would go for Ares some for D90SE.  

 

The Pontus 2 and above were just so much better it felt like someone bought a machine gun to a knife fight.  The Venus 2 was really excellent and the Terminator Plus was stunning.

 

I still read reviews for fun or for basic information or to keep on the lookout for interesting sounding products but don't hold much belief in them too much anymore.

 

LPG

On 18/03/2022 at 4:41 AM, Ittaku said:

perfectly true-to-source material as a DAC gets

 

Thats clearly a questionable statement from any reviewer unless the reviewer is in the recording studio to hear the acoustic source in the flesh. Like John Atkinson of Stereophile has done. Its interesting to see the gear he has said he has purchased. He doesnt seem to go down the audiophile route too often.

 

Your superb system could be one of the best test labs in the world for a DBT of sources. Its not just the quality of the gear you have but also the room size and omni sound allowing a merry band of well eared punters to volunteer for a DBT comparing eg DACs.

 

It would be fascinating if you set up a quick DBT as part of a get together.

 

Id suggest a method along the lines of:

1. start the DBT before the wine flows

2. use your MSB as the main comparator

3. start with a very poor measuring DAC like a $10 16bit ebay special so there is  huge difference to see if everyone can pick A vs B. Expect some wont. Some punters have hearing with low A-B discrimination training. They then get excluded.

4. then swap to a superb measuring modern DAC to test the MSB against

5. level matching will be critical

6. you need an assistant to plug the DACs into different preamp inputs so no one knows which is which and to  switch  A to A or A to B, following a random print out.

 

That could even be fun for ten minutes?

1 minute ago, Nada said:

 

Thats clearly a questionable statement from any reviewer unless the reviewer is in the recording studio to hear the acoustic source in the flesh. Like John Atkinson of Stereophile has done. Its interesting to see the gear he has said he has purchased. He doesnt seem to go down the audiophile route too often.

For the record, the reviewer in question used recordings he engineered himself so in this circumstance, I'd say you have to give him much more latitude.

3 minutes ago, Ittaku said:

used recordings he engineered himself

 

Perfect. Thats a reviewer actually  worth reading. Is there a link?

Edited March 19, 20223 yr by Nada

Just now, Nada said:

 

Perfect. That a reviewer worth reading. Is there a link?

Online for free usually lags about one month behind the magazine publication. I got it digitally yesterday.

Finally have a firm date for installation of room treatment, next Tuesday & Wednesday. Please don't let me lose my remaining hearing before the hifi is finalised...

Excited for you sir.

140 of 3 different panel types ready to be installed tomorrow. Watch this space.

 

This will be a big new chapter in the life of this thread. Long day/s ahead for the installers. Wishing you a smooth and swift setup.

 

It is close to rivaling the Hamer Hall acoustic job.

 

https://au.marshallday.com/our-work/performing-arts/hamer-hall-renovation/

18 minutes ago, digoxin said:

This will be a big new chapter in the life of this thread. Long day/s ahead for the installers. Wishing you a smooth and swift setup.

Thanks, I'm planning to outline the changes here but then finally start a new thread since it's almost a completely different system to the opening post now

@Ittaku looking forward to read your impressions on the outcomes of the acoustic treatments. Also excited to see what the room will look like post treatment!