Is this a good option for an external DAC?

[CheekyBadger]

Hi everyone, hope all is good with you guys

So, I have my little set up - love it, but I'm thinking about an external DAC that can support DSD and higher res files as I have hundreds of them (from my favourite artists) in my collection.
Would this be a good choice do you think? https://www.scan.co.uk/products/topping-d50-iii-desktop-dac-silver
I don't need a pre-amp or headphone out as I have just got my new Technics EAH-AZ100 IEM's (awesome btw)

Oh and this came today to throw a bit of retro VU action into the mix haha! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Douk-Audio-Display-Spectrum-Indicator/dp/B0B5WB1B8P

IF this is a good choice, then what's the best way to connect it all up etc, i.e from Ultra to Topping then from Topping to M20 Active Speakers?

Many thanks as always for any advice.

 

[vdp]

What is your current setup? WiiM mini, pro or Ultra?

At that price point I wouldn't immediately expect it to be better than the Ultra dac but guess only trying it will tell you if you like it less/more or don't hear a difference..

 

[CheekyBadger]

What is your current setup? WiiM mini, pro or Ultra?

At that price point I wouldn't immediately expect it to be better than the Ultra dac but guess only trying it will tell you if you like it less/more or don't hear a difference..

Heya, Ultra (as per my signature) - Fair comment - I think I'll give it a go then send it back if the difference isn't noticeable.

Cheers.

 

[EddNog]

Hi everyone, hope all is good with you guys

So, I have my little set up - love it, but I'm thinking about an external DAC that can support DSD and higher res files as I have hundreds of them (from my favourite artists) in my collection.
Would this be a good choice do you think? https://www.scan.co.uk/products/topping-d50-iii-desktop-dac-silver
I don't need a pre-amp or headphone out as I have just got my new Technics EAH-AZ100 IEM's (awesome btw)

Oh and this came today to throw a bit of retro VU action into the mix haha! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Douk-Audio-Display-Spectrum-Indicator/dp/B0B5WB1B8P

IF this is a good choice, then what's the best way to connect it all up etc, i.e from Ultra to Topping then from Topping to M20 Active Speakers?

Many thanks as always for any advice.

What will be your source to feed the external DAC?

I ask because WiiM will not send DSD to an external DAC. It converts all DSD to PCM before sending it out.

Just trying to save you money/suffering.

-Ed

 

[Maurizio]

Hi everyone, hope all is good with you guys

So, I have my little set up - love it, but I'm thinking about an external DAC that can support DSD and higher res files as I have hundreds of them (from my favourite artists) in my collection.
Would this be a good choice do you think? https://www.scan.co.uk/products/topping-d50-iii-desktop-dac-silver
I don't need a pre-amp or headphone out as I have just got my new Technics EAH-AZ100 IEM's (awesome btw)

Oh and this came today to throw a bit of retro VU action into the mix haha! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Douk-Audio-Display-Spectrum-Indicator/dp/B0B5WB1B8P

IF this is a good choice, then what's the best way to connect it all up etc, i.e from Ultra to Topping then from Topping to M20 Active Speakers?

Many thanks as always for any advice.

I have been using the Topping D50s for a long time and I was very satisfied with it. Sound quality, for me, top.
Great sound stage both in depth and width. Very detailed sound both in low and high frequencies. No roll-off.
Solid bass and perfectly audible highs (cymbals) without being annoying or too sparkling.
As I said, for me, a great choice, also considering the price.
I still have it, but I have put it aside a bit because now I use the Topping D70Pro Sabre. This is even better, but it also costs three times as much.

 

[Burnside]

What will be your source to feed the external DAC?

I ask because WiiM will not send DSD to an external DAC. It converts all DSD to PCM before sending it out.

Just trying to save you money/suffering.

-Ed

And it will be limited to 24/192…

 

[hgo58]

And it will be limited to 24/192…

And you can apply EQ/DSP. That is not possible with DSD.

 

[CheekyBadger]

Thanks guys - I will be using the Wiim as the streamer, but the USB C input on the Topping for my DSD and 32bit content via my SSD - it will work this way, no?

Cheers.

 

[EddNog]

Thanks guys - I will be using the Wiim as the streamer, but the USB C input on the Topping for my DSD and 32bit content via my SSD - it will work this way, no?

Cheers.

As I said, it will not send the DSD material in native DSD; it will convert the material to PCM (as someone else said, at 192KHz/24-bits) before sending it out to the external DAC.

-Ed

 

[EddNog]

And you can apply EQ/DSP. That is not possible with DSD.

Absolutely, which is why, personally, I am okay with it, since I use external room correction (DSPeaker Anti-Mode X2D), and the room correction more than makes up for whatever little I lose from not getting bit-perfect DSD output.

But I wanted to be sure the OP understood, fundamentally, what the WiiM does with DSD-encoded material.

-Ed

 

[CheekyBadger]

As I said, it will not send the DSD material in native DSD; it will convert the material to PCM (as someone else said, at 192KHz/24-bits) before sending it out to the external DAC.

-Ed

Hey, I’m confused sorry - if I’m plugging the content into the topping thereby being the last link in the system before the speakers then how come the WiiM would convert? Would understand if I was plugging into the WiiM usb port but I’m not ( which is why I went for an additional bit of kit to get the best from my DSD tracks - pls help me understand lol thanks.

 

[Burnside]

I don't see anywhere that suggest that the Topping DAC supports USB media so it can't read or stream from a USB drive connected to it. Plus your WiiM would have no knowledge of the USB drive so it couldn't access the files to stream them, DSD or otherwise.

 

[hgo58]

USB C input on the Topping for my DSD and 32bit content via my SSD

I don't think that will work. It will require that the DAC includes a media player.

The USB-C input is for a USB audio stream (DSD or PCM format).

 

[EddNog]

Hey, I’m confused sorry - if I’m plugging the content into the topping thereby being the last link in the system before the speakers then how come the WiiM would convert? Would understand if I was plugging into the WiiM usb port but I’m not ( which is why I went for an additional bit of kit to get the best from my DSD tracks - pls help me understand lol thanks.

You need something that will, “play,” the DSD to the DAC. Simply attaching USB-attached storage won’t work. An inexpensive DAP would do it, like say a HiBy R1, but that won’t have remote control if you want that. A FiiO JM21, if I’m not mistaken, supports remote control by way of a screen casting app for smartphones.

-Ed

 

[CheekyBadger]

You need something that will, “play,” the DSD to the DAC. Simply attaching USB-attached storage won’t work. An inexpensive DAP would do it, like say a HiBy R1, but that won’t have remote control if you want that. A FiiO JM21, if I’m not mistaken, supports remote control being a screen casting app for smartphones.

-Ed

Ahhh right, that's where I've got confused - sorry, thicko here, only just entering this world
Hmmm, I'll have to reconsider then....
I might just convert all my DSF files to FLAC 24bit 192khz if I can't find an easier option..... Converting formats, both video and audio I know and I'm good at, it's the end point (the tech side) that gets me confused, which cable goes where and which is the better sound bla bla - and the more I add or I want to add the more confused I get.
Thanks for the understanding, and patience....

Have a great weekend.

 

[hgo58]

Ahhh right, that's where I've got confused - sorry, thicko here, only just entering this world
Hmmm, I'll have to reconsider then....
I might just convert all my DSF files to FLAC 24bit 192khz if I can't find an easier option..... Converting formats, both video and audio I know and I'm good at, it's the end point (the tech side) that gets me confused, which cable goes where and which is the better sound bla bla - and the more I add or I want to add the more confused I get.
Thanks for the understanding, and patience....

Have a great weekend.

You can "just" play your DSD files from the WiiM Ultra. It will do the needed conversation and you will have the benefits of the DSP (Graphical EQ, Parametric EQ and Room Correction).

The DAC in the Ultra is fine for driving your active speakers. You don't need anything else.