Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Good build quality, with an aluminum casing and scratch-resistant glass front panel
- The AKM AK4499EX flagship DAC chip delivers high-resolution audio with accuracy and detail
- Smooth, silky sound while maintaining detail and transparency
- It can function as a fixed-level DAC or a preamp with variable level output
- Supports a variety of inputs including USB, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth 5.1
Product Considerations
- The setup menu might be less than intuitive and require reading the manual
- A reviewer noted that it does not have i2S or BNC connections
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Topping E70 (non-Velvet/ES9028Pro version), the E70 Velvet has better bass extension, a richer midrange, and a more authoritative bass
- Vs SMSL SU-9 Pro, both are comparable, but the E70 Velvet has a more forward presentation with a slightly fuller and warmer midrange
Takeaway: The Topping E70 Velvet is a versatile DAC that delivers exceptional sound quality and detail, making it a great choice for audiophiles. Its sleek design and user-friendly features enhance the overall listening experience.
All
E70 Velvet
reviews

Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Topping emphasizes achieving extremely low distortion and high signal-to-noise ratios in their products, often exceeding the measurable limits of testing equipment.
- They offer a range of products (DACs, headphone amplifiers, and integrated amps) that can be easily stacked together, creating a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing desktop setup.
Select products
D10s:
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Offers a simple yet effective solution for those seeking a budget-friendly DAC with solid performance. Features a USB input and RCA output, making it ideal for small setups or desktop use, unlike the D10 Balanced which offers additional balanced outputs for more complex systems.
D10 Balanced:
- Positioning: Mid-range option with balanced output capabilities.
- Description: Stands out with its balanced outputs, providing better noise rejection and improved sound quality compared to the D10s. This makes it suitable for users who need balanced connections for their audio systems.
D50s:
- Positioning: Mid-tier DAC with enhanced features for audio enthusiasts.
- Description: Equipped with dual DAC chips, offering superior sound quality and more detailed audio reproduction than the D10 series. It also includes Bluetooth connectivity, making it more versatile for users who want wireless streaming capabilities, unlike the D10 models which lack this feature.
D50 III:
- Positioning: Advanced DAC with high-resolution audio support.
- Description: Improves upon the D50s with upgraded DAC chips and enhanced power supply design, delivering even clearer and more dynamic sound.
D90 III Discrete:
- Positioning: High-end DAC with discrete component design for audiophiles.
- Description: Features a fully discrete circuit design, providing exceptional sound quality and precision, setting it apart from the D50 series.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
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Used
Topping
What if you spend more?
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Clean and transparent sound signature, faithfully reproducing the source material without adding coloration
- Excellent measured performance, achieving some of the highest signal-to-noise ratio and lowest distortion levels
- Higher output setting of 5V XLR/2.5V RCA can cause input overload with some preamplifiers or headphone amplifiers
- Supports a wide array of digital inputs including USB, I2S, Optical, Coaxial, AES, and Bluetooth with comprehensive codec support
Product Considerations
- Included remote control found to be basic or not fully functional by some reviewers
- Menu system can be cumbersome to access
- 'Louder' sound signature compared to other devices was not always ideal for some reviewers
- ESS DAC chip employed might not be the best for DSD playback
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Topping D90 MQA: The D90SE has better bass impact and transient response, with more detail and transparency, while the D90 MQA is smoother and more relaxed
- Vs Gustard X-16: Sonic differences are difficult to discern, with the D90SE offering a similar level of performance
- Vs Topping EX-5: The D90SE plays a little bit cleaner—the notes are just a little bit more in their lane, everything is just a little bit sharper, a little bit cleaner
- Vs Matrix Audio Element X: The D90SE had a clearer and more transparent sound, but the Element X has a much nicer volume control and preamplifier section
- Vs Schiit Modi Multibit: The D90SE provides superior detail retrieval, making the sound more transparent, dynamic, and accurate
Takeaway: The Topping D90SE is a top-performing DAC that delivers incredibly clean and detailed sound, making it a great choice for audio enthusiasts seeking a transparent and accurate listening experience. It provides great value for its price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Very detailed and resolving sound, capable of revealing nuances in music
- Fast, punchy, and dynamic sound, especially good for electronica, rock, and metal
- Produces a holographic soundstage with good depth and focus, better than some entry-level R2R DACs
- Has a very low noise floor, making it easy to focus on faint sounds
- Tonally neutral and linear frequency response, revealing the quality of the recording
Product Considerations
- The plastic remote control may feel cheap compared to the unit
- Some reviewers would prefer more warmth and life in the midrange
- Can sound analytical at times, lacking some refinement or lushness compared to some other DACs
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- D90 Discrete is more detailed and resolving than the D90 SE/MQA
- D90 Discrete has higher resolution, dynamics, and snappiness, than the SMSL SU-10
- D90 Discrete has greater resolution, inner tone textures, and is snappier and punchier, than the Chord Cutest
- D90 Discrete is faster, more precise, and punchier, than the Holo Audio Scion 2
- D90 III Sabre has better transparency and dynamics, and is more forward-sounding, than the Topping D70 Pro Octo
- D90 III Sabre is more neutral, with a tidier and quicker bassline, and more etched tone edges, than the SMSL SU-10
Takeaway: The D90 offers impressive resolution, dynamics, and a holographic soundstage, making it a great option for those seeking a detailed and accurate listening experience. It has an honest, ultra-linear sound, especially good for audiophiles who don't want colorations.
Video review
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- The Centaurus produces a very musical sound and can infuse naturalness back into the music
- The midrange is a standout region, with lively, real sound, making acoustic music and vocals magical, with more emotion, vibration, and energy
- Parametric EQ enables users to tune the sound and customize it, distinguishing it from its peers
- The UI is colorful, modern, easy to navigate, and has a good display
Product Considerations
- The upper treble is no longer as defined or sharp, with slightly less energy, definition, nuances, and micro-detail information
- The bass is not the punchiest in its price range, some reviewers found the D90 Discrete to be more impressive in bass punch
- The touch buttons on the display are very hard to see
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Topping D90 Discrete: The Centaurus makes the music a bit more alive and sweeter sounding
- Vs HIFIMAN Serenade: The Centaurus was maybe a little bit more detailed, but still had a very nice warmth to it
- Vs SMSL Raw Pro DAC 1: The Raw Pro DAC 1 might be more resolving of fine details, but does not give you the depth in soundstage and the layering in the soundstage
- Vs Holo Audio Cyan 2: The Centaurus is not the same DAC only cheaper, though the R2R DAC board is the same the Holo Audio Cyan 2 uses
Takeaway: The Topping Centaurus is a very musical-sounding DAC, perfect for listeners that want a more natural, emotional sound, especially in the midrange. With features like parametric EQ, it makes it easy to tailor the sound to their liking.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Pristinely clean sound with exceptional tone clarity from top to bottom
- New colored display and redesigned, intuitive UI (Aurora UI)
- Energetic presentation with increased speed and dynamics
- Offers a choice of output levels: 2V/4V or 2.5V/5V
Product Considerations
- I2S input is absent, a feature that was present on the D70s model
- Included remote control is small, plastic, and needs to be aimed directly at the device
- Valve and transistor sound modes do not significantly alter the sound
- A70 PRO gets hotter than former Topping amplifiers and needs good ventilation
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Topping E70 Velvet, D70 Pro offers cleaner sound, higher detail retrieval, darker background, and increased speed/dynamics
- Vs SMSL SU-9 Pro, D70 Pro offers cleaner sound, higher detail retrieval, darker background, and increased speed/dynamics
- Vs Musician Draco, D70 Pro has slightly better microdynamics and more energetic edges, while Draco sounds slightly more natural with richer tone timbre in the midrange and high frequencies—with NOS mode engaged
- Vs SMSL SU-10, D70 Pro offers slightly more focused sound and greater dynamics, whereas the SMSL SU-10 sounds warmer and more spacious
- Vs Chord Mojo 2, D70 Pro offers slightly better focus, bassline control, and noticeably better dynamics, whereas Chord Mojo 2 presents fuller tonality with richer tone timbre
- Vs Topping D90LE, D70 Pro fully matches the capabilities of the D90LE and might be a slight upgrade in bassline control and midrange clarity
Takeaway: The Topping D70 PRO offers very clear and energetic sound. Its display is well-designed and intuitive to use, making it a good choice for audiophiles.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent specs for the price, including low distortion and wide dynamic range
- It can function as both a DAC and a preamplifier, offering flexibility in setup
- Balanced outputs (TRS) provide improved sound quality—increased depth, richness and clarity
- Clean, detailed, and engaging sound
- Supports high-resolution audio formats, including DSD
Product Considerations
- It does not include a power adapter, requiring users to provide their own 5V power source
- Settings adjustment is described as fiddly, particularly without the remote
- It uses TRS balanced outputs instead of the more common XLR
- Some reviewers found the display to be a clashing orange
- Some reviewers note a slight vibration or rattle in their units
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Apple dongle, the E50 offers a significant step up in clarity, definition, and resolution
- Compared to the SMSL SU9, the E50 offered a more balanced sound, but the SU9 has more resolution
Takeaway: The Topping E50 is a device that provides many features at a good price. With its balanced output and specs, it's a choice for enhancing digital audio.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Solid build quality, CNC-milled from a single block of aluminum
- Features a parametric equalizer (PEQ) with 10 bands that works over USB
- Supports high-resolution audio, including 32-bit 768kHz PCM and DSD512
- Has a clean and balanced sound, with excellent end-to-end extension and transparency
- Compact and desk-friendly size
- Connectivity options should be the last bullets here
Product Considerations
- The display is exposed and might break if pushed
- TRS balanced outputs (6.35mm) are not common in home audio, making short cable sourcing difficult
- The PEQ function requires additional software
- Some might prefer more color to the sound
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- D50 MK3 offers more detailing, clarity, and bass control than SMSL SU-1
- D50 III has some warmth, SMSL D6S is more ESS-like hifi, sonic preference dependent on downstream equipment
- D50 III has no DSP capability but has a remote, while iFi Zen DAC 3 offers a ready-to-listen solution with headphone outputs
- D50 III offers more revealing sound, sweeter voices, and a wider soundstage, along with PEQ, than Pro-Ject DAC BOX DS
Takeaway: The Topping D50 III is a compact and capable DAC that offers great performance and features like a parametric EQ. It has a clean sound, good build quality, and is a great option to add to a desktop setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent staging capabilities and 3D presentation
- Natural tonality and good dynamics
- Excellent measured performance, among the best at ASR
- Delivers a lush and full sound with a deep and pleasantly warm bassline
- Good input and output capability
Product Considerations
- A bit cumbersome to operate from the front panel due to combined touch control and rotary knob
- Emits a 'click'/'chirp' to the analog outputs when the input sample rate changes
- Highs are slightly rolled off, making this DAC slightly darker sounding but avoiding any sort of hardness or harshness
- Some users may find the front panel is a massive fingerprint magnet
- Some users reported needing to install the driver twice for it to take on their Windows 11 machine
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Topping E70 Velvet, the E70 is somewhat darker sounding, the E70 Velvet feels more open, more airy, and reveals a bit more about what's going on in the recording in those upper parts
Takeaway: The Topping E70 is a really good DAC for the price because it has excellent sound quality, great staging capabilities, and good dynamics. Its solid build and features make it a good choice for those looking for good value in a DAC.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- A very good DAC for its price point, performing well against other similarly priced DACs
- Clean, well-balanced, and detailed sound, with present and neutral mids
- Functions as a USB to SPDIF converter, providing both coaxial and optical digital outputs from a USB input, a feature that is not common among other Topping products
- Built with brushed aluminum, making it feel nice and sturdy
- Proper certifications (FCC and CE)
Product Considerations
- No volume controls, buttons, or a remote
- Only a USB input
- The digital outputs cannot be used as digital inputs, it cannot receive a digital signal via SPDIF
- Some units have had issues with shutting off and not waking up, but this has been fixed with firmware updates
- There is some tough competition in the sub-$100 price range
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs SMSL Idea, the soundstage is wider, the bass goes deeper and the overall sound is slightly fuller
- Vs Topping D30, the D30 sounds more natural, the soundstage is wider, and notes attack with more energy and body
- Vs SMSL M100, the SMSL M100 offers even greater transparency and resolution
- Vs Schiit Modi 3, the Schiit Modi 3 can offer more sound quality with both great transparency and midrange fullness
- Vs Fiio K3, the Fiio K3 has a headphone amp, is balanced, and has bass boost, which the D10 does not offer
Takeaway: The Topping D10 is a good option for people who want a simple way to get good sound from their computer. It is a very good DAC for the price and offers useful digital outputs.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Comprehensive specifications, aiming to equal or improve upon existing portable DACs
- Features a balanced 4.4mm output and a single-ended 3.5mm headphone output
- High power output, described as the most powerful headphone amp of its size
- Includes XBass+ and XSpace analog processing for sound enhancement
- Supports PCM up to 384kHz, DSD up to 256, and DXD
Product Considerations
- The blue text on the blue chassis is hard to read in almost any lighting condition
- Can be considered chunky compared to other dongle DACs
- Can be noisy and produce audible hiss with sensitive IEMs, though IEMatch can help mitigate this
- High power consumption potentially impacts battery life of the source device
- The digital filters can be tricky to access, according to one review
Takeaway: The iFi Audio GO bar is a powerful and versatile portable DAC/amp that can drive most headphones, providing a clean and detailed sound. It is packed with features and offers good sound quality, making it a great option for enjoying high-resolution music on the go.
Video review
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