Topping D90 III Sabre DAC

Description

Topping’s D90 III Sabre balanced DAC is an evolution of the Topping D90SE DAC. In this improved version, Topping has chosen new components and added new features for enhanced performance and a better user experience. This D90 III DAC incorporates an ESS ES9039SPRO DAC chip per channel, a USB XMOS interface upgraded to an XU-316, a new Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth 5.1 receiver chip and a 12V trigger input and output on the rear panel. The high-end components present on the previous version, such as the Altera Max CPLD, are also present. The evolutions made to the D90 III enable it to achieve better SNR, better dynamic range and an even lower level of distortion. The extensive connectivity of this balanced DAC makes it a versatile device with high-end audiophile features.

Topping D90 III: two ESS ES9039SPRO DAC chips

Topping’s balanced DAC is equipped with one ESS ES9039PRO DAC chip per channel for independent signal processing. These DAC chips enable it to support high-resolution PCM 32Bit 768kHz and native DSD streams up to DSD512, while maintaining excellent performance. This is also reflected in the D90 III’s THD+N of less than 0.00006% (RCA) and 0.000045% (XLR), and SNR of 129dB (RCA) and 135dB (XLR).

Topping D90 III: support for high-resolution MQA streams

The D90 III is equipped with an MQA decoder that performs the entire MQA decoding process in-house, so you can enjoy audio files as close as possible to the original studio recordings, on a multitude of its inputs: USB, coaxial, optical and AES/EBU.

Topping D90 III: XU316 XMOS USB interface

The D90 III DAC is equipped with a third-generation XU-316 USB XMOS interface, the performance of which has already been proven. This ensures excellent processing of digital signals passing through the device’s USB port. It also offers a high level of Plug & Play compatibility (Win10, Win11, MAC, Linux, IOS, Android) and excellent stability thanks to a Thesycon driver.

Topping D90 III: Bluetooth 5.1

Topping has chosen to replace its Bluetooth chip with Qualcomm’s flagship Bluetooth 5.1 QCC5125 receiver chip, enabling the D90 III to support high-resolution codecs: SBC, ACC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive and LDAC. So you can enjoy a wireless connection supporting streams up to PCM 24bit 96kHz, a higher resolution than the CD quality standard.

Topping D90 III: Altera MAX II CPLD

The D90’s Altera MAX II CPLD is used to process the clock signal and optimize the quality of the digital sound signal, considerably reducing jitter.

Topping D90 III: Selectable output

The D90 III features a selectable output system. Audio can be routed to the XLR output, to the RCA output, or to both. In addition, an output level can be selected. For example, the XLR output can operate at 4V or 5V, and the RCA output at 2V or 2.5V.

Topping D90 III: Preamplifier function

In addition to the DAC mode with fixed output level, the D90 III offers a DAC + preamplifier mode. In this mode, you can control the volume level. In this way, the D90 III can be directly combined with a power amplifier or active loudspeakers.

Topping D90 III: Custom filters

The D90 III lets you switch from one mode to another with ease. So you can quickly switch from default mode to valve mode or transistor mode, and enjoy a different listening experience.

Topping D90 III: 12V trigger for an enhanced user experience

This function enables the D90 III to be controlled, or to control other devices so that they can be switched on and off simultaneously.

Topping D90 III: High I2S compatibility

The Topping D90 III SABRE supports various I2S transmission protocols: I2S PHASE STD, I2S PHASE REV, I2S DSDR DATA, I2S DSDR LRCLK, DSD FLAG 14 and DSD FLAG 15. It is therefore compatible with most digital interfaces on the market.