- Compact footprint with good connectivity, LDAC and aptX
- Automatic S/PDIF and ADAT detection and mode switching
- $199 / €199 (approx £175 / AU$400)
“Topping releases a new DAC” isn’t really news: it does plenty of them, from the ultra-affordable D10s to the G5 portable headphone DAC/amplifier and premium D90 III Sabre. But the new E50 II is interesting because it’s an impressive Hi-Res Audio DAC that packs a lot into its desktop-friendly footprint.
It’s cheap too: $199 / €199 (about £175 / AU$400). That means it undercuts many of the best headphone DACs and comes in at the same price as the pretty good iFi ZEN DAC 3, although the two devices have key differences: the iFi is also a headphone amplifier, but lacks the Bluetooth capabilities of the Toppingen.
Topping E50 II: key features
The Topping E50 II is built around AKM’s AK4497S DAC and over USB is capable of linear PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512 (DoP DSD up to DSD256).
Despite the compact size, there are plenty of connectivity options here with USB-C, coaxial and optical S/PDIF. RCA and balanced jacks take care of the outputs.
The digital interface is based on the XMOS XU316 and the digital inputs support both S/PDIF and ADAT (the latter on the optical input). The E50 II automatically detects whether the input handles S/PDIF or ADAT and switches modes without you having to lift a finger.
Wireless support is also good thanks to a Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth module with LDAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive and aptX HD in addition to the obligatory SBC and AAC codecs. However, there is no aptX Lossless.
The Topping E50 II is now available in a choice of three finishes: black, silver and white. The front panel comes in any color you like as long as it’s black.
The best headphone DACs for every budget
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