Topping DM7

[Grizaudio]

Curious if any active speaker users have used this unit?

8channels, excellent measured performance, and it runs the newest ESS DAC chip. 

https://www.topping.audio/productinfo/862560.html

 

Particularly looking for compatibility feedback with latest Ubuntu linux kernels. 

 

 

 

Edited September 14, 2022 by Grizaudio

[rand129678]

On 15/9/2022 at 7:48 AM, Grizaudio said:

Particularly looking for compatibility feedback with latest Ubuntu linux kernels. 

 

 

Looks like kernel 5.10 and newer is ok:

 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-dm7-on-linux-generally-and-raspberry-pi-os-specifically.36211/

 

And if you use Roon ROCK:

 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-dm7-8-channel-dac-review.35661/post-1257407

[Grizaudio]

6 hours ago, rand129678 said:

 

 

Looks like kernel 5.10 and newer is ok:

 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-dm7-on-linux-generally-and-raspberry-pi-os-specifically.36211/

 

And if you use Roon ROCK:

 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-dm7-8-channel-dac-review.35661/post-1257407

Thanks, I found these two links also. Many thanks  

[Nada]

On 15/09/2022 at 7:48 AM, Grizaudio said:

8channels, excellent measured performance, and it runs the newest ESS DAC

 

That looks like a great match for  active DIY systems using digital volume control  and  into  power amps with true balanced inputs. What do you use? 

 

Do you like the "ESS sound" . Some AKM DAC users dont but we all hear differently.

[Grizaudio]

6 hours ago, Nada said:

 

That looks like a great match for  active DIY systems using digital volume control  and  into  power amps with true balanced inputs. What do you use? 

 

Do you like the "ESS sound" . Some AKM DAC users dont but we all hear differently.

 

That's how I use my Motu Mk5 Ultralite (Ultralite is ESS). 

Roon does everything. DSP, convolution crossovers, volume, streaming etc. 

 

The DM7 is of interest to me, for a number of reasons: 

1. The Motu MK5 takes circa 4 seconds to switch sampling rates - And I don't want to resample. I delay Roon by 4 seconds, when it needs to switch sample rates.  I would rather an instant switch. 
2. Topping has trigger output for power amplifiers (I find this works better than signal sense, which sometimes turns my amps off when listening at low volumes at night.)  
3. Topping runs the latest ESS chip, and preforms slightly better than the Motu (But we are already at inaudible noise/distortion levels with the Motu MK5)  

 

@Nada I have used so many DAC's over the years. Implementation seems more important than the chip itself.. 

I have heard good and bad ESS, Cirrus Logic, Analog Devices, AKM, R2R (TDA, PCM) etc. I'm yet to hear FPGA conversion. 

 

One of the worst DACs I ever heard was the NAD M51 (Early ESS) - Nasty sounding thing, IMO.  

Conversely one of my favourite sounding DAC's/Streamers was the Pioneer N70/50a. Super smooth, dynamic, detailed etc - Ran ESS. Highly recommend sound. Just a shame Pioneer didn't keep the streaming software relevant. This DAC/streamer sounded a lot better to me than my TDA1541a tube DAC.  

 

IMO..... When I compared my Pioneer n70a to my RME ADI2 dac fs, and other AKM dac's, I could hear added warmth from the AKM DAC's. The so called "Velvet sound". 

AKM IMO does something to the sound around 200-250hz. A warming of the sound, cheaper AKM DACs sound a little congested/bloated in this region. I'm sure measurements wouldn't show anything. 

For me, RME mostly sorted the issue, and it wasn't as noticeable with this DAC. But RME now uses ESS too. 

 

For me, modern ESS done well sound great. 

In a multiway active speaker setup, modern ESS solutions (Like: Products like the Okto DAC Pro, Topping DM7, Motu MK5) offer incredible sound quality and value.

But if a manufacturer like Holo Audio produced a multiway R2R 8ch DAC - I would certainly give it a try.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 17, 2022 by Grizaudio