DAC Topping E30
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After sharing our initial impressions a few weeks ago, we’re pleased to be sharing our full review of the new Topping E30 Digital to Analogue Converter with Headfonia readers. The E30 is available now for $129 USD at the time of writing. Show [responsivevoice_button] Note: The E30 was sent to Headfonia by HiFiGo in exchange for sharing our honest impressions with our readers. As always, our thoughts and conclusions are our own, and we’re appreciative of the opportunity. Preaching to the converted Often one of the first questions the newly-enlightened personal audio enthusiast will ask is “…do I need a DAC?”. Unless you’re planning on listening solely to vinyl, reel-to-reel or other strictly analogue sources, then the answer is “yes”. The casual hobbyist will be able to tell you that any device capable of turning 1’s and 0’s into something resembling music has a DAC inside – from your laptop to your smartphone. However, those devices are designed to do much more than simply decode music files, and so they don’t (always) employ the best components nor employ the proper power supply or topology needed to give the best quality audio playback. Enter the dedicated digital-to-analogue converter – one of the first stepping-stones that a budding audiophile can take on the route to achieving better sound. The differences between DACs can be marginal, but with the right chain of devices and a keen ear, they can reward with a more realistic, transparent, and ultimately more engaging listen – particularly if your source device has a sub-optimal native converter. Chinese manufacturer Topping has been on somewhat of a purple patch of late when it comes to bringing an impressive range of both digital and analogue gear to market. In the past couple of years alone, they’ve released a range of DACs, amps, and hybrid units that have impressed both our review team as well as the personal audio community at large with thoroughly well-packaged products that combine performance and thoughtful design with extremely sharp pricing.  Topping E30 Enter the ‘hot-hatch’ DAC Their newest DAC, the E30 isn’t quite their cheapest offering (their D10 models opens proceedings well-under $100 depending on the outlet), but at $129 it sits firmly within at the ‘budget’ end of the spectrum. This means it’s both worthy of consideration for the first-time DAC-buyer, and also finds itself up against some well-established competition from the likes of Schiit Audio, SMSL and JDS Labs (to name a few). Entry-level DAC performance has improved markedly in recent years, with trickle-down technology allowing more affordable digital-to-analogue converters to outperform high-end DACs from yesteryear from both an objectivist measurement-sense, as well as in terms of features and user experience. Topping has been spruiking the E30 as somewhat of a ‘hot-hatch’, in that it’s a compact desktop unit that packed with features and specifications that Topping is pretty chuffed about including at this price-point:
The E30 is a straight-up DAC – it won’t stream wirelessly, it doesn’t have Bluetooth (unlike its big brother, the D50s), and it can’t power headphones (unlike the more expensive DX3 Pro, or more expensive again DX7 Pro). However, on paper, it presents some compelling features that warrant a closer look. The new AK4493 chip sits at the heart of the E30, allowing it to decode PCM files up to 32-Bit/768kHz, as well as DSD natively up to DSD512. While most listeners won’t have too many (if any) music at that high-end of the resolution spectrum, it’s impressive for a DAC at this price. Those curious about MQA should note that it will not unfold that file-type natively, and while I don’t want to delve into a war of words about the pros and cons of that proprietary file-type, rest assured you’re won’t really be missing out on anything in the enjoyment stakes. Topping E30 Features and design Not much larger than a deck of cards, the E30 is svelte enough to nestle onto most desktops and looks sufficiently ‘high end’ to add an understated sense of purposefulness. Available in both black and silver options, the E30’s main chassis is made from a single piece of aluminium and certainly feels hi-fi to the touch – full marks from me on the build-front. As well as a pair of RCA output connectors and the ubiquitous USB connection (the E30 include a type ‘A’ female port) on the rear panel, the E30 also provides optical and coaxial digital connectivity, which are entirely welcome at this price point. The E30 starts to become a more compelling proposition when it comes to inspecting the front panel, which features a rather cool-looking orange and blue LED panel which informs the user of sample rate, volume, input, and file type. The brightness is switchable between three different levels, but I highly recommend opting for the brightest setting – it gives a nice warm glow that evokes an 80’s Knight Rider-esque kind of vibe. Topping E30 There’s no physical on/off switch on the device – the E30’s front panel features a touch-sensitive switch that powers the unit on and off, switches between the different digital inputs, and allows the user to select pure-DAC or pre-amp mode. Yes, you read that last point correctly – the E30 has controllable volume, allowing it to attenuate a signal upstream of powered monitors, or a power amplifier (among other uses). And how do you control the volume? With a remote, of course! Along with an AC power cord and type-A USB cable, the E30 ships with an extremely premium-feeling remote control that allows you to control the unit from afar as well as selecting a number of other features including muting, display contrast, auto-standby feature, as well as choosing between six different digital filter settings. The remote alone is a standout feature at this budget tier, giving the E30 instantly more utility than other competitors’ DACs. Head over to Page Two to continue our review, just CLICK HERE. TOPPING E30 | DAC | Pre-Amp | USB DAC | Touch Screen | DSD512 | 🎧 We are reviewing the TOPPING E30, a tiny DAC with entry-line price but high-class specs. The TOPPING E30 features a Hi-Res audio certification with support for DSD512 and up to 768kHz/32-bit audio. Further, in-depth techy specs include: 126dB of dynamic range, AK4493 DAC chip, -113dB off distortion, an XMOS XU208 and an AKM AK4118 receiver. TOPPING might be less popular than mainstream western brands but the Asian company has gained a solid reputation with their bang for buck alternatives products including the:
The brand lists 5 different colors for the TOPPING E30, but you can actually can buy the TOPPING E30 in:
FIND ALL: Earphones Scores Compared MORE: In-Ear Headphones Reviews SEE ALSO: Headphones Technical Specifications TOPPING E30 Review Tests & Scores AFAdvanced FeaturesThe TOPPING E30 features include advanced options such as:
FOR YOU: True Wireless Earbuds Coupons MORE: True Wireless Earbuds Reviews WWeightTOPPING E30 weight in Ounces and TOPPING E30 weight in grams. MORE: In-Ear Headphones Weight Comparison SEE ALSO: Earphones Size Comparison AAccessories & PackagingThe TOPPING E30 unboxing results in a USB cable for USB DAC, an USB to DC cable, an infrared remote control and a screen protector that is already placed on the screen. The DAP comes inside small white box but with a generous amount of soft padding inside as to grant a safe transportation and delivery of the unit.
DesignThe TOPPING E30 has a nearly unibody construction with a very clean and minimal aesthetics that are inline with the rest of the brand’s catalog of products. The metal shell has a brushed metal finish in both the silver and the black version. With dimensions of just 3.2cm×10cm×12.5cm, the TOPPING E30 is a mini DAC that can be fitted in any desktop. With it’s USB DAC capabilities, users might think that the unit will get powered by the USB cable but, instead, it needs a DC connection as it cannot be powered by the same USB input signal connection (though a smart USB 5V power requirement is needed and a USB to DC cord is included) Despite being rated to need a power input of 5V 1A, we found that standard/legacy USB 2.0 ports could power up the TOPPING E30 without issues. Operation & ControlThe TOPPING E30 has a single multifunction touch-enabled button that is placed on the front panel – right next to the screen. Despite sounding like an interesting idea, this button has very limited functionality. Indeed, this button acts only as a power button and an input mode switcher. Fortunately, the TOPPING E30 comes with a bundled infrared remote that enables the full control of the unit and access to all the functions of this DAC. It is fair to notice, though, that the remote is large in comparison to the tiny size of the DAC – as a point of reference, the remote of the TOPPING E30 vs TOPPING MX3 is identical in size.
An odd aspect of the E30’s remote is that 4 of the buttons do not correspond to any function of the unit and do not serve to control any additional feature.
MORE: Earphones Amplification Power Comparison MORE: Best Basshead Earphones SEE ALSO: Best Fun Sounding Earphones Chart Construction & BuildThe TOPPING E30 is build entirely in metal (besides the front plastic screen and the rear plastic panel) making it feel much more premium than it’s price suggests. Despite the rugged metal build, the E30 is very light with a weight of 265g, approximately. If you are a TOPPING fan or already own products from them, you can expect the same level of quality build and construction materials with the TOPPING E30. The brand ships the screen with a screen protector that is intended to be removed but it can be left in place if you want to ensure a further protection to scratches – the DAC’s touch button will respond equally as well with or without the screen protector.
ScreenThe TOPPING E30 has front screen that shows all the relevant information regarding input modes, filters, dB, kHz, etc. The resolution of the screen is not specified by the manufacturer but at first sight appears to have better definition and resolution than the screen of the TOPPING MX3. The screen’s brightness can be adjusted through the menu enabled with the remote control – there are 3 levels of brightness available. The style of the screen uses the same superb orange “fonts” over black background as most TOPPING products. This color scheme combined with the big digits make it a pleasure and ease to read – that can be seen even with the sun pointing at it. On the other hand, the mode indicator on the screen uses a dimmer white-ish light that is kind of harder to see, in comparison to the orange used for the rest of the screen’s indicators.
MORE: Best Headphones for Libraries Chart SEE ALSO: Best Earphones for Bed ConnectivityThe TOPPING E30 connectivity section is grouped on the back panel. The unit offers 4 of the most mainstream connections on the market: RCA stereo (out), COAX (in), Optical (in) and USB (in) The capabilities of their inputs are:
RELATED TO THIS: Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Reviews SoundSome sound-related technical specifications of the TOPPING E30, that might be interested to audiophiles, include: an output voltage of 2Vrms, with a THD+N <0.0003%, noise floor of <2uV, SNR of 121dB and channel balance <0.3dB. The DAC can receive the input signal through it’s USB connection or through the optical or COAX one. Testing out the DAC performance, the E30 showed extremely clean output without interference, noticeable noise nor coloration of any type – audiophiles on a budget looking for a pristine output sound without having to break the bank will be excited with this DAC. Furthermore, the TOPPING E30 comes packed with advanced customization thanks to dedicated DAC filter modes with 6 different variants: sharp roll-off, slow roll-off, short delay sharp roll-off, short delay slow roll-off, super slow roll-off and low dispersion short delay – it is worth noting that these 6 DAC filters are available on PCM decoding (2 in DSD decoding: F-1= 39kHz, F-2=76kHz) Each mode can be selected through the menus using the “FIR” button on the remote control and can be found as (respectively): F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5, F-6. This tiny beast is not only a DAC, it is also a pre-amp with volume control that can be perfectly matched and used with active speakers or amplifiers and having full-control of the potentiometer through the E30. A hint, by touching and holding the power button (not on the remote) the E30 will allow to choose between solely DAC mode or DAC+Pre-Amp mode. The DAC+Pre-Amp mode enables an endless number of combinations such as using it along with budget tube amps like this or even with more rich-featured tube amps like this xDuoo model or with very powerful amps that lack DAC capabilities. As expected with a DAC with pre-amp, the TOPPING E30 can be matched with powered speakers. In addition to this, this DAC offers a pure DAC mode for high-demanding audiophiles and DSD fans; that brings DSD signal bypassing the modulator and sent directly to the SCF. Measuring the TOPPING E30 frequency response, the DAC demonstrated a flawless flat response and further measurements of the precision of it’s dB range control showed spot on 0.5dB steps.
RELATED: Best Earphones for Daily Commute MORE: Most Comfortable In-Ear Headphones FeaturesBesides the added decoding and DAC capabilities of the TOPPING E30, users will also gain wireless volume control through the TOPPING E30 pre-amp and it’s remote – even when matched with Amps with analog potentiometers. To be more specific, there is a range of 99dB of volume control that can be set at 0.5dB intervals from 0 to -60dB and at 1dB from -60dB up to -99dB. Furthermore, the TOPPING E30 is ASIO compatible and due to their THESYCON customized drivers and the bundled software addons, the TOPPING can be used and enable DSD capabilities in many of the most popular audio players used by audio-enthusiasts. A design detail, that might seem negligible but that makes a great different, this TOPPING DAC has 4 rubber feet that do an outstanding job to keep things in place without sliding.
MORE: Editor’s Picks Earphones Chart MORE: Best Bang for the Buck Earphones Follow us: Get the latest reviews on your favorite social network TOPPING E30 Frequency Response CurveTOPPING E30 Volume Control PrecisionRECOMMENDED FOR YOU: Headphones Frequency Response Curves SEE ALSO: KZ Headphones Frequency Response Curves TOPPING E30 Technical Specifications
YOU WILL ALSO LIKE: Amazon Coupons & Deals MORE: Gearbest Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals SEE ALSO: Banggood Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals SEE ALSO: Aliexpress Coupons – Discounts – Deals – Promo Codes – Sales Deals MORE: Hybrid Earphones Reviews MORE: Single Dynamic Driver Earphones Reviews TOPPING E30 ScoresThe TOPPING E30 impresses with it's decoding and DAC/Pre-amp capabilities at this price point. Indeed, the E30 jeopardizes competitors with bloated price tags on DACs with similar specs and capabilities. The TOPPING E30 proved to be an outstanding option for audiophiles on a tight budget who are looking for an upgrade into a dedicated external DAC. |
