Topping D30Pro is a traditional desktop USB external decoder that supports fiber optic and coaxial inputs for S/Pdif in addition to USB inputs. XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced Lineout outputs are provided. In today's view, such functions and applications are really quite traditional, although the audience is very small, but thanks to netizens for sending tests. In addition, the four CS43198 schemes used by the D30Pro also appeared on the iBasso DX300 that was recently evaluated, although the functions and positioning of the two are very different, but they can also refer to each other under the Lineout performance, so that we can further understand the performance of the CS43198 DAC in various states.
About the Toppin brand, SOOMAL is not unfamiliar, in 2010 digital power amplifier products and around 2016 Toppin launched a very small portable ear amplifier products, we have done tests, these several evaluations to see the performance of Toppin is still quite good. As a traditional external decoder, the D30Pro has a small appearance, and the aluminum alloy shell workmanship and details look exquisite.
<b>Appearance and functionality</b>
The D30Pro decoder uses an orange LED screen on the front to display relevant information, and a pressable digital encoder on the right. The screen font design is large, which is convenient for information reading. Just in the default state is displayed is the output volume of the dB value, feel that if the display mode is always on then better? For example, display DSD128, 384kHz or something? Looks more sensual. Of course, in the playback music switching mode, the screen will display the working sample rate or PCM, DSD mode. The right knob digital encoder adjusts the volume and switches the input interface by pressing down.
TOPPING D30Pro USB external decoder
The rear interface is also a traditional conventional configuration. The AC power connector was replaced by a socket with a small switch, which matched its small body. The unbalanced output of RCA and the balanced output of XLR, the S/Pdif input of RCA coaxial and square port fiber, and the B-port input of USB2.0 are presented on the back side without much explanation. In addition, the Toppin D30Pro is also equipped with a remote control, may be due to cost considerations, Toppin multi-product common remote control? So not all functions on the remote control are useful. However, the most commonly used should be the volume adjustment and FIR filter switching. In addition, the brightness adjustment of the screen display is also a unique function on the remote control.
TOPPING D30Pro USB external decoder - XLR balanced output
TOPPING D30Pro USB external decoder - RCA output and S/Pdif digital input, etc
Functionally, the D30Pro uses four CS43198 DAC chips, which are connected in parallel to form a fully balanced output. This solution may be more common at present, and the XMOS 208 scheme is used on the USB input, which can support the decoding of DSD256 and PCM32bit/384, and support DSD Natvie and DoP. S/Pdif section, coaxial can support PCM and DSD64 [DoP] inputs up to 24bit/192kHz.
<b>Objective testing</b>
In the objective test, we performed a signal RMAA test and sweep frequency analysis on Lineout. In the actual test, the analog output part voltage 0dBFS is 2Vrms [balanced to ±2Vrms]. However, a small problem was encountered, and under the RCA output, accompanied by noise of about -55dBFS, it was impossible to complete the normal signal analysis test. This noise is not brought by the test recording equipment, and it can be subjectively felt in actual use, mainly "yummering" noise. According to official information, distortion indicators are given for both RCA and XLR outputs, and it is speculated that this may be an individual problem. The netizens who sent the test may have to take the machine to apply for a warranty. The test below only shows the objective performance under XLR output.
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Frequency Response Curve @BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Noise Distribution @BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Dynamic Range @BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Total Harmonic Distortion @BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Intermodulation Distortion @BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Resolution Curve @BAL Lineout
Test the project
44.1kHz/16bit
96kHz/24bit
Noise level, dB (A):
-95.1
-116.9
Dynamic Range, dB (A):
95.0
116.8
Total harmonic distortion, %:
0.00053
0.00028
Intermodulation distortion, %:
0.00529
0.00098
Stereo resolution, dB:
-94.2
-114.5
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Frequency Sweep @BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Frequency Scan 96kHz@BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Resolution @BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Frequency Scan DSD@BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Resolution Analysis @BAL Lineout
TOPPING D30Pro USB External Decoder - Frequency Response and THD Distortion Curve @BAL Lineout
From the objective test results, the performance of the D30Pro is good, which is also the performance that CS43198 should perform, and the test indicators basically reach the theoretical limit value. In terms of frequency scanning, the DSD performs well and the filtering is clean. The system is stable under Windows, iPadOS and Android. There is no problem with sampling rate following under UAC 2.0.
<b>Subjective hearing</b>
The subjective hearing part of the D30Pro is done using the XLR adapter RCA to the Airpulse A100 speaker, and the XLR output to the new Dirk A600 amplifier and speaker system. The sources compared include the recently reviewed iFi micro iDSD signature version, the iBasso DX300 Lineout, and the simple CS43131 Type-C sound card as a reference.
<b>Overall impression:</b> The D30Pro sound style has the typical CS43198 and CirrusLogic well-known DAC style, the sound line is smooth, the high frequency is beautiful, and the style is warm. As a desktop device, compared with the most entry-level Type-C C43131, the sound thickness and dynamics are still much stronger, but can it compete with the higher price DX300? More on that below.
<b>High-pitched performance:</b> The high frequency of the Toppin D30Pro is delicate, the resolution is excellent, the sound density is not pursued to the extreme, and the high-frequency stretch and gentleness are mainly relative to the micro iDSD Signature and DX300. Of course, the D30Pro's high-frequency style is very close to the player style that also uses four CS43198s. They are still superior in density, dynamics, and layers to the common Type-C CS43131 sound card. Compared with the micro iDSD of the DSD1793, the CS43198 is more rounded and balanced, while compared with the DX300, the D30Pro is at a disadvantage in terms of dynamics, density and soundstage. Of course, the DX300 is much more expensive in terms of price.
For strings and other performance aspects, the details and dynamics of the D30Pro are actually quite outstanding, fully in line with the level of the desktop decoder at a price of about 2000 yuan. Transient speed and characteristics have the distinctive characteristics of the CirrusLogic family, not as obvious as the BB 179x series of finishing taste, but with more graceful and smooth lines. It may be the limitation of product positioning [after all, the D30Pro is not expensive in the desktop decoder], which is weaker than more advanced products in terms of spatial sense and extremely high frequency extension.
<b>Midrange performance:</b> Toppin D30Pro vocal performance is full, sound dynamic performance is good, with the speaker system can get a very abundant dynamic performance, if there is no more advanced decoder and player comparison, the dynamic performance of this part of the sound, we are still quite satisfied. Its style is also very similar to the CS43198 or CS43131 equipment, the mid-frequency is warm and mellow, but not as loose as the BB 179x, relatively speaking, BB's 179x series MSG is a little heavier, while the CS43198 is more in pursuit of a warm and smooth listening. For some feminine vocals, if there are higher requirements, it is true that the CS43198's D30Pro is slightly missing some stretching flavor. Of course, other CS43198 also taste this way.
In terms of performance such as the big dynamic symphony, the Toppin D30Pro performs well, and should be better than the explosive power of the micro iDSD Signature. In terms of style, it is softer than the DX300, and the DX300 style will be relatively more masculine, bright and transparent. It is worth mentioning that in terms of dynamic performance, the DX300 is also more dynamic than the D30Pro in terms of dynamic performance, and it is faster than the style of the D30Pro in terms of transient speed.
<b>Bass performance:</b> The low-frequency style of the Toppin D30Pro seems to remind us of the beautiful legend that the CS43198 is a combination of CS+Woflson. The low-frequency transient style is really a bit like that, and this feeling is vaguely felt on the cS43131's iBasso DC03. The D30Pro's low-frequency sense of volume is abundant, even slightly abrupt, with a good enough speaker, the low-frequency power sense is very good, and the explosive power is also good. It's just that the speed of the deeper part of the low-frequency dive is faster, slightly wooden, and it can't be stretched, so it sounds stunned. This is really a bit like the Wolfson WM8740 of that year, of course, the surrounding configuration of that year should not be as good as it is now. However, the low frequency of the D30Pro is not too ugly, but in the low frequency atmosphere is a large proportion, the sound pressure is large when the power is too sufficient, but the stretch is not enough. This naturally does not exist on the micro iDSD Signature. The DX300's low frequency has no similar traces, perhaps the D30Pro is slightly overpowered at the low frequency. It is more suitable for concerts that like explosive power and explosive listening, but it is not good for pursuing the details of the delayed transient after the explosion.
A similar style is quite beneficial for the connection of low and medium frequencies, it makes the sound of the middle and low frequencies, and even the lower part of the middle frequency, more full, and more rounded and smooth, more suitable for the performance of the midrange itself full of instrumental music, such as cello, etc., in this kind of music, D30Pro and CS43198 equipment will be very clean, but also thick enough, can be regarded as one of the iconic features of this model DAC.
<b>summary</b>
Excluding the possible individual RCA output problems we encountered, The Toppin D30Pro performs well, combined with the current similar products, or expanded into audio player products, topping D30Pro is still a good use of the CS43198 DAC chip most of the strength and advantages, but also has a better cost performance. At the same time, it also shows once again that the average performance of the CS43198 4-chip solution should not deviate too much, of course, from the DX300 we also see that this program definitely has a lot of room for improvement. But after all, there are huge differences in positioning and function between the DX300 and the Tuopin D30Pro, and there are many factors that cause the final performance of the sound, and there is no direct comparison between the two, we are just to discuss the sound performance of the CS43198 program. Overall, if you need a pure USB DAC and think such a function is enough, then the comprehensive performance of the Toppin D30Pro is good.