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Topping’s D70 Pro OCTO Eight DAC/Preamp is Only $599?

$599 for all of this? The new Topping D70 PRO OCTO DAC offers hi-res support up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and is also a pre-amplifier.

Topping D70 Pro OCTO DAC in Silver Front Angle

One of the best things to come out of the Head-Fi revolution was the desktop DAC/pre-amplifier and thousands of consumers considered one for the first time during the pandemic. High-end DACs and pre-amplifiers have traditionally been significant expenditures but all of that changed thanks to brands like Schiit Audio and Topping.

Topping has proven that Chinese brands can offer high-end solutions that are often both more affordable and superior to their counterparts in North America and Europe.

The D70 has been a staple of the Topping DAC lineup for some time now and we’ve already seen it evolve from a dual AKM 4497 in the first model to the D70s that added MQA support, and the D70 Pro Sabre which switched to an ESS 9039Pro chipset. All 3 products were well received by enthusiasts and performed well on the test bench and on the desktop.

Topping D70 Pro OCTO DAC in Black Front Angle

The desktop DAC/pre-amplifier market is highly competitive and there is significant price sensitivity with so many options. The new Topping D70 Pro OCTO DAC utilizes 8 Cirrus Logic 43198 chips and can also serve as a pre-amplifier for use with amplifiers or active loudspeakers.

The new Topping D70 Pro OCTO uses 4 chips per channel to help increase detail and reduce noise and might be the first 8-chip implementation of the 43198 in a desktop DAC.

With a SNR of 128 dB using the RCA outputs or 134 dB using the XLR outputs, it certainly appears that Topping has indeed increased its dynamic range and with a THD+N of <0.00008%, the DC70 PRO offers a remarkably low level of noise.

Topping D70 Pro OCTO DAC in Silver Front and Back

Connectivity

The D70 Pro OCTO retains the USB, Coax, Optical, AES, and Bluetooth inputs of the D70 Pro; it also supports LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC and SBC so most users will find a protocol compatible with their devices.     

The USB input supports up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 making it compatible with 99% of the music currently available in digital formats.

Optical and Coax are likely limited to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD64 (Dop) like its predecessor but that specification is not currently listed.

Besides the novel DAC implementation, the D70 Pro OCTO has several other features that make it a very versatile unit. It has both RCA and XLR outputs and has configurable output for both as well.  

The two output options are 4V and 2V (XLR/RCA respectively) or the newer standard 5V/2.5V standard. Topping allows users to select fixed or variable output modes when feeding a headphone amplifier, power amplifier, or active loudspeakers.

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Another handy feature is the integral volume memory that is independent for each output; adjusting the XLR output will not throw off the RCA output level when a user switches back and forth between them.

Topping D70 Pro OCTO DAC with A70 Pro Headphone Amplifier in Silver Stacked
Topping D70 Pro OCTO with A70 Pro Headphone Amplifier can be switched on/off together via 12V Trigger Connector.

Industrial Design

The external design remains the same for the most part; the unit is still brushed aluminum or black anodized with a large multi-function knob on the far right and a full color customizable display on the far left.   

The display can be switched between a VU meter, spectrogram, and an info view which can easily be changed via the multi-function knob or the provided remote control. 

The rear panel houses a pair of RCA outputs, a pair of XLR outputs, Coax, Optical, and USB inputs, AES input, Bluetooth antenna connection, switchable power input port (120V or 240V) and a pair of 12V trigger ports.

What’s really surprising about the new Topping D70 Pro OCTO DAC is the price — only $599 USD. The Chinese manufacturer is offering a lot of flexibility with this new DAC/pre-amplifier and it might prove to be one of its best yet.

How does it perform? Our review sample has been ordered and we should have a more comprehensive review in September.

Where to buy: $599 at Amazon | HiFiGo

For more information: topping.audio

Comparison

D70 Pro SABRED70 Pro OCTO
RCAXLRRCAXLR
THD+N (A-wt)<0.00008% @1kHz<0.00006% @1kHz<0.00008% @1kHz<0.00007% @1kHz
THD @90kBw (No-wt)<0.0004% @20-20kHz<0.0002% @20-20kHz<0.0004% @20-20kHz<0.0002% @20-20kHz
SNR (A-wt)128dB @1kHz133dB @1kHz128dB @1kHz134dB @1kHz
Dynamic Range (A-wt)128dB @1kHz133dB @1kHz128dB @1kHz134dB @1kHz
Frequency Response20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB)20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB)20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB)20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB)
20Hz-40kHz (±0.2dB)20Hz-40kHz (± 0.2dB)20Hz-40kHz (±0.2dB)20Hz-40kHz (±0.2dB)
Output Level2.1 Vrms @0dBFS (4V Mode)4.2Vrms @0 dBFS (4V Mode)2.1 Vrms @0 dBFS (4V Mode)4.2Vrms @0 dBFS (4V Mode)
2.5 Vrms @0dBFS (5V Mode)5.0Vrms @0 dBFS (5V Mode)2.6 Vrms @0 dBFS (5V Mode)5.0Vrms @0 dBFS (5V Mode)
Noise (A-wt)<1.0uVrms<1.0uVrms<1.0uVrms<1.0uVrms
Channel Crosstalk-128dB @1 kHz-140dB @1 kHz-124dB @1kHz-149dB @1kHz
Channel Balance0.3 dB0.3dB0.3 dB0.3 dB
Output Impedance50 ohm100 ohm50 ohm100 ohm

Note: Testing from TOPPING laboratory under AC220V 50Hz condition.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. ORT

    August 23, 2023 at 10:21 pm

    Welcome back Sir Will of J!

    “J is back! The keeper of the light! All hail J! All hail J! Oh J can you see by the dawn’s early light.”

    This looks quite nice! I have kept my Emotiva XDA-2 for years now and only yesterday wondered if I would ever try it out as a preamp.

    I doubt it as I much prefer integrated amps or an AVR but this Topping is tempting. Topping makes me think of the Constance Bennett/Cary Grant film, “Topper”.

    The Topping is pretty nice looking but not quite the “Metropolis” Fembot that Constance would make. I would doubtless use the Topping as just a DAC, albeit a nice looking one! I semi-digress…Would that still be digressing to some?

    Welcome back oh keeper of the light!

    ORT

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