The audiophile joke was classic. Excellent

@iiWiReviews

Ай бұрын

Glad it made you smile. Thanks

You are the best reviewer. Thank you for the wonderful review. I hope many people subscribe and like your videos.😍😍

Your observations about the sound quality of this DAC using a cheap wall wart power supply are very intriguing. Recently I discovered Topping makes a linear power supply (P50) for this DAC and the DX3 Pro+ which is what I have. It costs $129 in the US which is only $20 more than the iFi you mentioned and it’s a substantial brick not a wall wart. When I first heard the DX3 Pro+ I was stunned by its clarity and neutrality. It caused me to question whether my audiophile preferences were just listening to colorations, for $200. Reviews I read said the tonality of the DX3 Pro+ were on the cold side of neutral. Quite possible, I thought but not so sure. At any rate I bought the P50 which I thought was a bargain for $129 and it made a really big difference and one could state that with the power supply it deserves, the DX3 Pro+ is definitely no longer on the cool side of neutral, it’s just neutral, period. I can therefore say without hesitation if this DAC you reviewed is that good with a cheap power supply, it is in reality an even better DAC and Topping has created an inexpensive upgrade option which I suspect makes it quite a bit more formidable.

D50 III as a DAC is currently the one to beat for sure at the 200-250$ price point. The inclusion of a PEQ is what sets it apart from others like the D6-S or DO100 Pro. Do note that PEQ is only available on USB and supports 32bit and up to 192kHz sampling. Someone that might want to use HDMI ARC can look at the newly released DO100 Pro from SMSL. I think it's better than the D6-S because of the HDMI ARC support and also it has 2x9039Q2M instead of 1x9039Q2M and apparantely a 4v/5v switch which the D6-S doesn't have. For combo units as someone already mentioned SMSL DL200 or C200 great value for money. You can even buy a headphone amp on top and run it TRS to TRS/XLR if you feel the one inside the unit is lacking as the DACs are good on their own.

@AnomieDomine

Ай бұрын

Neither PEQ nor HDMI ARC are very useful without the other. I can get PEQ from a Qudelix 5x for half the price, or from equalizerAPO on PC, what I can't do is EQ headphones for my home theater setup fire stick and Xbox

@DeDovla

Ай бұрын

@@AnomieDomine No doubt the Qudelix 5K is a great device, but most people (myself included) consider it only in a portable context. My comment is referring to something that you'd use with a PC/TV (not that you can't use Qudelix that way, but it's more capable as a portable device).

@AnomieDomine

Ай бұрын

@@DeDovla I'm with you, I did upvote because I think that's a super helpful comment, I was hopping there was something I'd missed. I've always wanted to get something to rival the adi2 but I haven't found an affordable one that works for my setup. I am thrilled to see PEQ and didn't know earc was even an option in the price range. Hopefully the line isn't being drawn arbitrarily to collude and avoid a great value all in one to compete with the RME for listeners. I have the original d50 and thx789 for desktop and dx3 pro using optical for my TV but I haven't found a good option now that I upgraded to all HDMI 2.1 (pioneer receiver has dirac for surround)

@DeDovla

Ай бұрын

@@AnomieDomine I think that in a year or so we might get some nice new releases with the features you’re mentioning, since usualy when one chi-fi DAC brings something to the table they tend to either undercut themselves (price-wise) or they start to compete with each other. So it can only get better from here.

@jamesbennett1634

27 күн бұрын

I agree on the inclusion of the PEQ giving the D50 III the edge. I have a question - how do you actually use the PEQ? Through a phone? Hook up to a computer? Or do you have to use the remote, and the little screen that is on the DAC? Thanks for any help.

I bought a D50s, it is my first DAC separate. I really like it and so far don’t see the need to upgrade. Your video was one of the reasons I went with it. Thank you.

Always nice to return and listen to your easy listening critiques . Very low key and informative. I always wonder how my original topping D90 sounds vs many of your newer DAC reviews , and worth upgrading .It is bass strong and I can’t afford the denafrips which probably is the more musical sound and soundstage I like .

That sounds very truthful and honest opinion. I agree there is not much differences in economical similarities in general just a touch of flavour as I've observed with 1K dacs. Well respected.

Hi from Australia! I've been following you for a while and have always enjoyed your take on products. I'm really interested to hear your take on wiim amp. I know it's been reviewed elsewhere your review always hits the spot for me. 😅

Great review as always Srboljub👍 many thanks... It should be interesting how this dac stands against older higher tier dacs like Tradutto for example, which costs now 400,- I mean, if the technology goes so fast, that older dacs (pricier) can compete with the new ones..

Tks My Friend, hard & clean !!!

the placement is great 👌

Thanks for the review! I would like to see a comparison with the Geshelli J2S base model & Aune X8. Then do the power supply upgrade & OpAmp rolling

Thank you again for your great descriptions of what you hear and your sincere opinion of this product. I am really enjoying your song recommendations, watching with Tidal open and listening to some great new tunes. My vision isn't so great and it's kind of hard to read the titles on the screen. If it wouldn't be too much trouble I would greatly appreciate it if you could add a list to the description of your videos. I think a lot of people like me would find great new music that way. Keep up the good work man.

You nailed it! That’s exactly the type of info we’re looking for : what are my best options according to your experience/ expertise for x or z budget ? Always Happy to hear news from your channel 😊 Oh btw : have you had any info about the DAP Hiby R4 ?

Hi, thx for your review - quiet interesting at this prive point. i would be interested how sound improves with a better power supply like ifi or something similar.

Would love a review of the FiiO K19. Especially on how to connect something like it or other dac amp stacks to a 2.1 surround setup, like, for instance, is a receiver required?

Enjoying Sonata De Grillo. Cheers.

Try and get the Topping DX9(15th Anniversary) with the AK449EQ DAC chip for review. I don't think SMSL has anything to compete with it. The DX9 is a departure from all the other Toppings. The amp has plenty of power but the AK449EQ DAC chip is the Star of the Show. Great All in One

@CraciunAlexandruGh

Ай бұрын

Wait 1 month :)))))

@JTB--

Ай бұрын

@@CraciunAlexandruGh Are you saying there will be another Topping and SMSL next month as there always is lol.... or do you know of an SMSL All in One that will compete with the DX9?

Thank you very much for your review! I'm thinking about getting the Aune S17 Pro and was wondering which DAC would you recommend to pair with it, up to 800USD. Something more on the smaller side would be nice, since the Aune is quite bulky and I think I can't stack anything above or bellow it. Many thanks!!

Great review. And nice to hear you troll Bluetooth users :) For some the integrated Parametric EQ makes the D50 III a "completely new previously unseen value". You mentioned PEQ's utility for tuning multiple headphones, but it is equally useful for tuning your speakers to their placement and room's acoustics. Recently DAC manufacturers have added lots of adjustments like a choice of roll-off filters that make little real difference. PEQ gives you something to fiddle with where you can achieve major benefits. I hope more mfg add this feature (which I expect costs them almost nothing). As you noted, it works only on the USB input and many PC users can accomplish the same thing through Software like AutoEQ.

Replacing the power cable for the D6s is still an option and costs less than an Ipower X (unless you want to go over board. (Throw in a door stop as well....) I find those cheap over sized Chinese power cables act as good rf filters. Less sibilance and more sweetness to the sound.

Does it have a changeable OP-AMPS?

You gotta get the DO100 pro and DO200 Pro !

I really want to move away from delta sigma DACs, I have a hiby FC6 R2R and really like the natural sound it produces, I really hope you can review the holoaudio cyan 2 dac, I think that's the DAC I want.

Liked and Subscribed

Does this dac work with IR Remote?

Would be great to compare d50 iii+ a50 iii stack to new hifiman ef500, which is 460$ combo unit with streamer. So price is similar. DS vs R2R.

is the A50iii and D50iii a better combination than DX7pro+ ?

How does this compare to the SMSL SU-1, which apparently has a great DAC Backend? ?

@iiWiReviews

Ай бұрын

This one is just ever so slightly reacher and more spacious sounding.

Worth selling e50+ zen can for a50 d50 stack? And 4.4mm is a must is there anything else around the price range, maybe a dac amp combo?

what are the top 3 around 200-350$ for sound stage resolution to power sennheiser hd 490 pro headphones 130ohm. Mostly for gaming so i can hear details much beter when allot of sounds are happening at same time edit: i have smsl c200 at the moment and waiting for 490 pro headphones to be delivered 😆

Sorry sir, could you compare several cheap DAC with LDAC capable, below $100. In market should be FiiO BR13, smsl B2, xduoo xq50ii, etc

Would this be a noticeable upgrade from the DAC in the Wiim Pro Plus? I am looking for something better to tide me over while I save up for something more significant.

@iiWiReviews

Ай бұрын

It should be a decent upgrade if the rest of the system is transparent. I would also suggest investing in a dual output linear power supply like Allo Shanti or anything similar... It could power both Wiim and D50 III with clean power and bring further improvements.

@taho88

Ай бұрын

@@iiWiReviewsThank you for the reply sir. I do currently have a fairly decent dual output LPS powering the Wiim but it has only one 5v output the other is 12v. I May have to consider an alternate power supply for the Wiim if I go for this DAC.Thanks again.

I felt as you about Bluetooth until I bought the iFi Zen Blue V2 streamer. I was astonished how good it sounded using aptx. True high fi. It honestly sounded better than my 99 dollar Wiim wifi streamer. Please test it, you will never think of Bluetooth as low fidelity again. I promise.

@bbfoto7248

Ай бұрын

@scottbennett3119 The iFi ZEN Blue v2 is actually even better when you use it connected via LDAC "Highest Quality" mode at 990/900kbps (your source must be LDAC compatible as well). I have the iFi Zen Blue v2 connected directly to a pair of KALI Audio IN-8 2nd Wave active studio monitors for use as our casual listening bedroom/home office setup, and my own studio recordings are extremely close to the original sound (I'm a drummer/percussionist/saxophonist with a home studio). There was also a noticeable difference between LDAC and Apt-X HD and standard Apt-X, with LDAC (at 990kbps) being superior...especially noticeable in my cymbals on the drum kit and harmonics of my sax.

@scottbennett3119

Ай бұрын

What is your source going into the iFi Zen Blue? My source is a 2017 Samsung Galaxy S7. I also a 2021 Galaxy S21 I could try. I know LDAC is technically superior, but aptx sounds better for whatever reason with my setup. However, I am using a better dac now, so I will try LDAC again and compare the sound with aptx again and also try the Galaxy S21.

@bbfoto7248

Ай бұрын

@@scottbennett3119 You need to go into the '''Developer Options'' of your SGS7 and find "Bluetooth Audio Codec: Playback Quality" and make sure to select "Highest Quality" and 990/900kbps. If the LDAC Codec Playback Quality settings are at 660/600kbps or 330/300kbps and/or set to "Adaptive" instead of "Highest Quality" + 990/900kbps, then the sound quality of LDAC will not be any better than Apt-X. Cheers

@bbfoto7248

Ай бұрын

@@scottbennett3119 You need to go into the '''Developer Options'' of your SGS7 and find "Bluetooth Audio Codec: Playback Quality" and make sure to select "Highest Quality" AND 990/900kbps. If the LDAC Codec Playback Quality settings are at 660/600kbps or 330/300kbps and/or set to "Adaptive" instead of "Highest Quality" + 990/900kbps, then the sound quality of LDAC will not be any better than Apt-X. But when LDAC is set to "Highest Quality" + 990/900kbps, it is better than either Apt-X or Apt-X HD. Cheers

@scottbennett3119

Ай бұрын

Okay, I tried LDAC again with the Galaxy S7 with the newer DAC, which is an SMSL SU9-Pro. The sound is bigger, clearer, more open with a darker background. Yes, it seems better when using this newer DAC! Thanks for mentioning this.

Is it better to upgrade the power supply on a Su1 or spend the money on a slightly more expensive dac like this?

@ricsim78

Ай бұрын

Spend the money on a more expensive DAC, around $200 is a sweet spot, then around 300-350, then 500+.

not bad. i'm still running a e50 until i can find a sub $400 dac that is a worthy upgrade.

@TriAmpHiFi

Ай бұрын

One choice is; Modius $229 + Toroid LPS $119 = $348 Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

as long as one uses Sabre chips in the affordable DAC category, the sonic signature will be thin and most likely dry like the SMSL D6S...i suspect the D50III exhibits same sonic flavor

@ricsim78

Ай бұрын

That is a very untrue generalization. SMSL and Topping have different sound signatures using the same chips. I personally do not like how SMSL tunes their DAC sound, while Topping is hit or miss.

@Hirnlego999

Ай бұрын

Thin is mostly on amp and even more so speakers

@ricsim78

Ай бұрын

@@Hirnlego999 Speakers are about 85% of the sound. But with any decent system, you should be able to hear the difference in DAC sound. I can hear a big difference with my Aune X8 with a linear power supply and Sparkos OPAMP. My Topping E50 sounds sterile with muddy bass in comparison.

@Hirnlego999

Ай бұрын

@@ricsim78 It's more common to think that you hear difference than actually hearing them in a proper scientific blind test, which most can't do or will ever do. I can hear a difference between my e70 and DX5 lite as well, but this was easy to explain as the e70 sends a slightly louder signal to the amplifier. So the ear detects this as a better sounding DAC, but it's impossible to make sure both send out exactly 4v so it's not a fair comparison in the first place. I agree that speakers are mostly responsible for the sound, also add that room plays a major role and also placement and recording quality. Most music is not HQ recordings.

@ricsim78

Ай бұрын

@@Hirnlego999 Not true at all, sorry. Volume matching merely makes the differences harder to hear. I can turn up my Topping E50 louder than my Aune X8, and the Aune X8 will still sounds better. DBX tests are tricking your ears, and even within those parameters, people have been able to pick out a superior component. As someone who has 10 DACS at my house and about 30 I have sold, and has 4 audio interfaces, they all sound different in a more resolving system. I can immediately switch between my DAC in my receiver and my Aune, along with other DACS, and they all have a sound signature. SMSL has a sound signature I do not like, even with their flagship models (which I owned and sold) with both the top AKM and ESS DACS. Ladder/R2R DACS sound nothing like Delta Sigma DACS. If you cannot hear differences, either your hearing is bad, or you have a poor system. I have a Pioneer LX-505 9.2 channel receiver with Dirac Live, Harmon Curve +6, Polk Signature towers, center, surrounds, and Atmos, along with a RSL Speedwoofer 10S and it's quite good sounding. I can even hear a difference between CCA and OFC wires, I use all 12 gauge OFC and a MiniDSP Umik-1 to do my Dirac calibrations. I have settled on the Aune with the Sparkos OP AMP as my overall best DAC., but I want to get a good Ladder/R2R DAC soon. I do not think measurements equal good sound, so sites like ASR forums have a lot wrong with them and I cannot stand the "everything sounds the same" cult there.

Re: power supply. How does a battery as power supply compare to a linear p.s. soundwise?

@iiWiReviews

Ай бұрын

I don't use battery power supplies since it's inconvenient for me and my way of using HiFi (long hours). Sme of my friends had good results with battery packs, preferring them to affordable iFi power supplies.

D6S problem: It outputs 5v at max volume which some pre-amps and amplifiers does not like. DL200 outputs the same, costs essentially the same but also gives the buyer a HQ headphone amp. Good remote, responds swiftly, can also make sure the screen automatically is shut down in 5 seconds D50 III problem: The BT remote goes to sleep and it can take a long time before the unit responds. This is awful design, I don't know why Topping can't do proper remotes In my eyes the old SMSL C200 is still the best unit for around 200, although it doesn't look as nice as either of these two and obviously is discontinued. Good remote, 2/4v out, HQ headphone amp

@aeon7748

Ай бұрын

Reviewers never address DL200 after its release review, except cheapaudioman who included it in another video about the best audio equipment for 2023, I really need a DAC/AMP with analog out, how does it sound compared to the D6S(when used as DAC)?

@Hirnlego999

Ай бұрын

@@aeon7748 Haven't compared them 1 vs 1 with quick changes. They should sound completely the same though, fully transparent and all if it was possible to compare them at the exact same output level. I'd also look into DO 100 pro, just released, gives HDMI input as well DO200 pro is more expensive but has a switch at the bottom to run it at 2/4v. No idea if it's good, some report some problems using DACs with Cirrus Logic CS43131

A Loxjie D40 Pro (SMSL DO400 clone) sounds substantially better than this D50III ?

why to do dacs without headphone iem output??...

@skyblinked

Ай бұрын

The amp has that role

One word : geshelli. Haha

When you do a comparison you don't mention functionality like PEQ, Bluetooth etc

The review's quality in general depends on what kind of music the reviewer is listening. Most of the anglosaxon reviewers test gear with only their rock, metal or country music, sometime but rarely jazz and nearly never with classical, european, asian or south american music. They are musically amputated, so are their reviews. It is not the case here and it is the main reason IIWI's reviews are valuable.

What ? No tests with liniar power supply ????

@Hetsu..

Ай бұрын

It is a shame, but i get it, this is a budget unit, most people wouldnt even use an ipower with this, let alone a linear.

@Hirnlego999

Ай бұрын

In ASR measurements it's completely transparent using an "unclean" PC as a source. All these units have electronics to clean things up before it's send deeper into the unit

@CraciunAlexandruGh

Ай бұрын

@@Hirnlego999 IMHO, asr is as useless as it gets.

@Hetsu..

Ай бұрын

@@CraciunAlexandruGh They are deaf.

@CraciunAlexandruGh

Ай бұрын

@@Hetsu.. No...they just listen through an oscilloscope