DACs — TOPPING E50 II

The E50 II is a compact desktop digital-to-analogue converter from the Chinese maker TOPPING, announced on 8 December 2025 at a US price of USD 199. It uses the AKM AK4497S stereo converter from the updated VELVET SOUND family and can work either as a fixed-level DAC or as a preamplifier with adjustable output. Buyers choose between black, silver and white casework.

Key specs that matter

An XMOS XU316 controller handles the USB-C input, accepting PCM from 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz at 16 to 32 bit, native DSD64 to DSD512 and DoP up to DSD256. The optical socket is dual-format and reads both S/PDIF and ADAT, and a coaxial input sits beside it. Wireless reception uses a Qualcomm QCC5125 chip covering SBC, AAC, LDAC and the aptX family including Adaptive and HD, up to 96 kHz and 24 bit. TOPPING quotes THD+N of 0.0001% at 1 kHz on both outputs, A-weighted signal-to-noise and dynamic range of 131 dB balanced and 130 dB single-ended, channel crosstalk of -130 dB at 1 kHz and residual noise of 1.7 uV on RCA against 3.0 uV on the balanced jacks. Frequency response on the balanced side is 20 Hz to 40 kHz within 0.3 dB. The chassis measures 12.9 x 15.5 x 4.1 cm and takes power from an external DC supply at the rear.

Engineering and use context

Coaxial and optical signals pass through an FPGA and PLL stage that TOPPING calls TopSync, with JitterNull processing, and jitter on those inputs is given as low as -160 dB. A ten-band parametric equaliser with separate left and right settings runs on PCM up to 192 kHz and 32 bit. Frequency, gain and Q for each band are set in the TOPPING Tune desktop software, which also loads presets and allows A/B comparison, while the TOPPING Home app controls the unit from a phone or tablet over Bluetooth. Touch-sensitive keys on the front panel, three display brightness steps and an infrared remote for volume, mute, input and mode round out the controls. The box includes the remote, USB A-to-C and C-to-C cables and a Bluetooth antenna.

Pairing

Balanced TRS jacks deliver 5.3 or 11.3 V (23.2 dBu), while the RCA pair gives 2.6 or 5.6 V, and each output keeps its own level setting. Both outputs are AC-coupled, can run at the same time and have output impedances of 100 ohm balanced and 50 ohm single-ended. In preamplifier mode the remote-controlled volume lets the E50 II drive powered monitors or a stereo power amp straight away, so a separate line stage is not required.

Alternatives

The TOPPING E70 Velvet uses the AK4499EX with an AK4191 modulator, adds XLR outputs and a 12 V trigger, and quotes THD+N below 0.00006%.