Your reviews are getting better and better, always to the point of music. Most reviewers takes too much time to things you can see on the product page. I am owner of D50s/A50s stack with Sennheiser 560S using balanced cable and I am happy with the sound, no need for upgrade. And big drawback with A50 III for me is missing preamp. But addition of balanced input (and addition of balanced output on DAC) was very much asked from people so Topping is listening to us.
It's good that Topping released a amp with real balanced output. But I missed the comparison with A30 Pro that is in the same price range. Based on the comparison with L30 II it seems A30 Pro has a better sound than both.
I don't have it with me anymore. From what I can recall, A30 pro was warmer in the bassline, more laid back in the midrange and not as extended in highs. I think it would boil down to preference and headphones matching.
This is what most people NEED. Start with this amp and a basic DAC. If you get noise or ground loop problems, you can upgrade to a balanced DAC to fix them ! If not, save money and be happy 😊
@@FabioGrenkh a DAC is a Digital to Analog Converter. If your source is analog, you don't need a DAC... but usually we use digital sources like a computer, streaming, CDs, etc so we need to transform the digital signal in a analog signal that we can hear. My suggestion is that you get the "Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter". It is affordable and good quality compared to other dongles. You can use it as a DAC+ headphones amplifier, or only as the DAC with the Topping A50 III as the headphones amplifier. Hope this helps ✌️
@@1337sim1 Thanks for the reply! I actually have an Apple dongle, but it’s the lighting to 3,5 one. Would this work? Topping A50 -> RCA to 3.5 cable -> 3.5 to lightning -> iPhone ?
According to specs, there is no much difference between SE in/Bal out and Bal in/Bal out. Have you tested it by any chance? Seems a50 iii is most affordable full balanced HP amp choice, would be even better if it can benefit just from RCA input. I also believe linear power supply will be #1 choice to improve sound even more.
Can you please include iem drive ability as well in the future? I like to use iems with my desktop setup and they are way more challenging to get best out of, compared to even most power hungry hps. Specifically, volume pot usability and noise floor. Thanks. I enjoy your reviews and purchased 2 dacs based on them.
Would Topping A50 III work well with mid price DAP (e.g. iBasso DX180, DX260) or even cheaper ones such as Hiby R4? I was thinking to get a new DAP with good DAC so that I can carry around, but when I am in home I can plug into a more powerful amp to get better sound quality.
DR07 is both a DAC and an amp in one. So I can only compare it to the D50/A50 III stack. Stack does sound more powerful but DR07 is really not far behind. Once a better power supply is added to it, they are in the same ballpark.
When I tested RME ADI-2, it bested Topping E70V by offering higher resolution. It's roughly in line with Topping D70 Pro. So I'm pretty confident that D50 III will not be able to match D70 pro and RME level of performance. If that happened, it would be an insane bang for the buck.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you very much for communicating. I have an ADI-2 dac and I keep looking towards China's DAC :) I don't think it's true that a better dac chip makes a better sound either.
Appreciate your precision of wording, principles of comparison and sense of humour
Appreciate the work you put to help the community make an informed desicion. Thanks !
Big thanks for your support!
Your reviews are getting better and better, always to the point of music. Most reviewers takes too much time to things you can see on the product page. I am owner of D50s/A50s stack with Sennheiser 560S using balanced cable and I am happy with the sound, no need for upgrade. And big drawback with A50 III for me is missing preamp. But addition of balanced input (and addition of balanced output on DAC) was very much asked from people so Topping is listening to us.
I bought the DO400 based on your recommendation! Half way through this review I was hoping you might compare the two!
Shiit magni heretic is at a great discount $59 usd. for me was worth it even after shipping and import fees. :)
Excellent review - as is always the case from you 👍
....even if I own the A50S 😐
It's good that Topping released a amp with real balanced output.
But I missed the comparison with A30 Pro that is in the same price range. Based on the comparison with L30 II it seems A30 Pro has a better sound than both.
I don't have it with me anymore. From what I can recall, A30 pro was warmer in the bassline, more laid back in the midrange and not as extended in highs. I think it would boil down to preference and headphones matching.
This is what most people NEED. Start with this amp and a basic DAC.
If you get noise or ground loop problems, you can upgrade to a balanced DAC to fix them !
If not, save money and be happy 😊
Can I only get this without a DAC?
@@FabioGrenkh a DAC is a Digital to Analog Converter.
If your source is analog, you don't need a DAC... but usually we use digital sources like a computer, streaming, CDs, etc so we need to transform the digital signal in a analog signal that we can hear.
My suggestion is that you get the "Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter". It is affordable and good quality compared to other dongles.
You can use it as a DAC+ headphones amplifier, or only as the DAC with the Topping A50 III as the headphones amplifier.
Hope this helps ✌️
@@1337sim1 Thanks for the reply! I actually have an Apple dongle, but it’s the lighting to 3,5 one. Would this work? Topping A50 -> RCA to 3.5 cable -> 3.5 to lightning -> iPhone ?
@@FabioGrenkh yes 😎
@@1337sim1 Perfect, thanks! :)
According to specs, there is no much difference between SE in/Bal out and Bal in/Bal out. Have you tested it by any chance? Seems a50 iii is most affordable full balanced HP amp choice, would be even better if it can benefit just from RCA input. I also believe linear power supply will be #1 choice to improve sound even more.
Could you elaborate on „linear power supply“?
"bears, cats, and dancing bimbos" hahah
Can you please include iem drive ability as well in the future?
I like to use iems with my desktop setup and they are way more challenging to get best out of, compared to even most power hungry hps.
Specifically, volume pot usability and noise floor.
Thanks. I enjoy your reviews and purchased 2 dacs based on them.
I keep forgetting that some people use IEMs with desktop products because I'm not... I'll try and remember to include them in the future.
@@iiWiReviews cool thanks, I only listen to desktop gear. I also have Chord Mojo but don’t like tiny soundstage.
Excellent
Would Topping A50 III work well with mid price DAP (e.g. iBasso DX180, DX260) or even cheaper ones such as Hiby R4? I was thinking to get a new DAP with good DAC so that I can carry around, but when I am in home I can plug into a more powerful amp to get better sound quality.
Did you find an answer?
How is topping Dx3 pro+ and Fiio K7 compared to A50 3?
Still no Pre-Amp features like A90 and L30.
Is it better than FX Audio DR07, recently reviewed? Of course, FX has only SE output but like for like?
DR07 is both a DAC and an amp in one. So I can only compare it to the D50/A50 III stack. Stack does sound more powerful but DR07 is really not far behind. Once a better power supply is added to it, they are in the same ballpark.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks Srbo!
Can you please compare the soundstage between do400 and the d50III+a50III stack?
DO400 has slight advantage there.
@@iiWiReviews Have you also compared d50iii to the dac line out of do400? Or will you cover it in the upcoming d50iii vid?
0:41 😁
which one do you suggest me beetween topping a50 iii and l30 iii? i need it for my hd600 connected to my apollo twin, via balanced line out
I'm not aware that L30 III exists yet... Only L30 II that I compared with here
Bears cats and dancing bimbos 😂😂that about sums it up 👍it doesn't get much worse than that😉
I'll admit I occasionally enjoy at least two of these three categories. I don't care for cats that much. 😄🤫
Is d50iii review possible?
It's coming soon.
@@iiWiReviews I'm looking forward to it. Is it comparable to the rme? The rme is very well received in the market.
When I tested RME ADI-2, it bested Topping E70V by offering higher resolution. It's roughly in line with Topping D70 Pro.
So I'm pretty confident that D50 III will not be able to match D70 pro and RME level of performance. If that happened, it would be an insane bang for the buck.
@@iiWiReviews Thank you very much for communicating. I have an ADI-2 dac and I keep looking towards China's DAC :) I don't think it's true that a better dac chip makes a better sound either.