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1. #Cirrus logic cs4398 dac review drivers#
2. #Cirrus logic cs4398 dac review full#
3. #Cirrus logic cs4398 dac review plus#

Soundstage seems to be decently wide and deep, with a presentation of instruments that does not shove them in front of you, while instrument separation is at least on par with that of the Zorloo ZuperDAC (which in turn is great for the price and size).

There’s also a noticeable “issue” with low-bitrate MP3s and Youtube videos, which sound very bad – just do your ears a favour and don’t use them at all. There is no “smoothing” of the records, so if they are harsh or bad the D30 won’t mask it – you will very likely hear artifacts, noises and other nasty things. There is no noise coming from the unit – the background is black. I also used a few tracks from the 2L Hi-Res evaluation tracks collection in both FLAC and DSD. I used mainly 16 bit/44.1 kHz FLAC files, but I also listened to a few 24 bit/192 kHz FLAC files. I used the Topping D30 in tandem with the Topping A30 desktop headphones amplifier.

#Cirrus logic cs4398 dac review drivers#

Windows, on the other side, does not recognize the device and requires drivers to be installed. I tested it under Linux Mint 18.1 with Linux kernel 4.10. Talking about drivers, the Topping D30 is supported by Linux out-of-the-box – there is no action required on the user’s part to make it work. In my experience, it only did so before I installed the drivers. The left LED on the front indicates the device’s power status, while the second informs of whether the D30 can lock the input signal – if it can’t, it will light up in red. While this may be disappointing for those who look for a one-stop all-in-one device, the separation of DAC and amplifier also leaves room for improvements in the amplification section without the need to replace the DAC. The Topping D30 is meant to be used together with an amplifier – be it a headphones amplifier or a speaker amplifier – and cannot be used on its own. While the most discerning users may complain about the lack of support for higher resolution content, there’s little doubt that what is provided already exceeds what most listeners require.Īs I previously wrote, output is only provided via two RCA connectors on the back. The Topping D30 not only sports support for files up to 24-bit/192 kHz, but it also supports DSD64 and DSD128 – although support for DSD is only provided through USB and using DoP (DSD over PCM) or ASIO. The wide amount of connectors on the back leaves ample choice to the user, and in addition to that one can achieve 24-bit/192 kHz content playback independent of the chosen input.

Note: all of the information above comes from the manufacturer’s site. The Topping D30 uses the Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC chip, which is still a great chip even though it’s a bit dated (it was first launched in 2010, if what I read is correct). More exotic connections are left out, but those three means should be more than enough for most users.

#Cirrus logic cs4398 dac review full#

The front side only hosts the power switch, the input selector (USB/coax/optical) and two LEDs, contributing to maintaining a polished look, while the back is full of connectors: besides the power connector, there are a USB port (type B) and SPDIF via coaxial or optical for input and two RCA connectors (left and right) for output. Schiit Magni 2, O2 amplifier) with no effort, while also keeping its own identity. The combination of brushed aluminium and solid, almost sharp lines contributes to making the Topping D30 look unmistakably modern, yet classic. There are four rubber feet under the shell that help keep it in place. The writing is obtained through laser etching, so it should stand well the passing of time. The device appears to be rather solid and well-built. The Topping D30 has the same overall design as the Topping A30: it is a solid-looking chunk of brushed aluminium, with front and back sides that are slightly larger than the body and which show the nuts that hold it all together.

#Cirrus logic cs4398 dac review plus#

The Topping D30 comes in a simple cardboard box, which holds the DAC, the power supply, a USB drive with Windows drivers and manuals, a USB cable plus a warranty card. Support for 24 bit / 192 kHz content and up to DSD128 Switches and connectors are placed conveniently You can check out the manufacturer’s website for additional information. It also supports hi-res content up to DSD128.ĭisclaimer: I received a sample directly from Topping and I won’t have to return it. It comes in a nice package, too! The company recommends using it in conjunction with the Topping A30 headphones amplifier, but it can be used with a plethora of devices – both in input and output. The Topping D30 is a DAC with plenty of connections and support for hi-res formats – including DSD.