Topping D503: Compact DAC with Versatile Features

The Topping D503, priced at $230, outperforms the SMSL SU-1 and SU-8, offering dynamic, clean sound and variable output.

### Topping D50 Mark III: A Comprehensive Review and Comparison
* 🔊 The Topping D50 Mark III is a compact DAC that measures **perfectly**, receiving a **Pink Panther award** from ASR.
* 💰 Priced around **$230**, the D50 Mark III is approximately **three times the cost** of the SMSL SU-1, offering **balanced TRS and single-ended outputs**, as well as various inputs including **USB-C, coaxial, and optical**.
* 🎛 The device features a remote control for **volume adjustment** and comes with the Topping Tune app for Windows, allowing users to download **EQ settings**.
* 🔊 Equipped with a pair of ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips, the D50 Mark III delivers **higher signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, and lower distortion** than the SMSL SU-1 with the AK4493 chip.
* 🎶 In terms of sound quality, the D50 Mark III is described as having a **more analog vibe**, **balanced, clean, and dynamic**, with **articulate and punchy bass**, and a **believable top end**.
* 💬 When compared to the JDS Labs J2 DAC and the $1,000 SMSL SU-8, the D50 Mark III is favored over the latter due to its **more organic sound**.
* 💡 Overall, the reviewer loves the Topping D50 Mark III, recommending it for those in need of a **small form factor DAC with variable output and volume control**, especially for **digital inputs**.
* 🎧 Additionally, the D50 Mark III comes with **LDAC Bluetooth support** and is considered a **fantastic headphone stack** when paired with the A53 headphone amplifier.

this is a treat for me, because this was one of the first products that I ever reviewed. Not this one, we're now two generations later. What are we talking about? This is the Topping D503, little tiny deck, lots of functionality. We're going to compare it to the SE1, which is my budget deck of choice. We're going to compare it to a Jell Labs J2, and we're going to compare it to $1,000 of SMSL SU-8, or as I like to call it, the SMSL Sucks. So, sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and let's talk about the Topping D503. [Music] Let's run through some specs real quick. There's a whole bunch of them. This thing measures perfectly. It gets a Pink Panther award over at ASR, which is great for the Topping D53. Will it get the coveted Cheap Keep AIO man garbage pale kid award? Let's find out. This is how big it is compared to a cell phone, compared to a pen, a Ridge pen.

which incidentally these Ridge pens are really good. This video is not sponsored by Ridge, but Ridge has sponsored a bunch of videos, and I like Ridge. This is how big it is compared to a Metallica guitar pick. Most importantly of all, this is how big it is compared to the smsl su1, again my budget deck of choice. This comes in at $70 or $80, depending if it's on sale or not. This the topping d53 comes in around $230. I'm no mathematician, but I think that's three times the cost of the smsl su1. On the back, it's fairly straightforward. You have balanced output in the form of TRS cables connections. TRS, they look like this, been used in pro audio for a long time. So, if you want to run balance, you're going to need to get a pair of TRS cables. You also have single-ended outputs. You get a left and a right, a white one and a red connection. For inputs, you have a coax fuel in, you have an optical in, and you have a USBC.

input: You also have to run this off of a USB power connection, so this is a 5V power device, which I like because it gives you an option. That option is running this off of a power bank, battery powered. Some people think that if you run stuff off of batteries, you lower the noise associated with some cheap 5V power bricks. This is a 5V power brick. You probably have a whole bunch of 5V power bricks around for your cellular telephones or your iPad. I don't believe this came with one, so you either have to provide your own or go buy one. But with a 5V DAC, you can play around with a battery supply, which may or may not impact the sonic characteristics of the D53 from Topping. On the front, you have a laughably small display. However, it is usable. Other cool thing about this product comes with a remote control, which means this has a variable output. Variable output means that you can control volume from a remote control or locally on the unit itself.

with this handy dandy little joystick bunch of settings in here, including EQ settings, which you can download into this unit via an app called topping tune. Only if you have a Windows machine because I could not find the download for topping tune for a Macintosh machine, which means I can't use the EQ settings. Many people use Macintosh computers, and I think it would be hoov topping if they had a program that would work with Macintosh computers so that people could unleash the full capabilities of the topping def 53. If you use a Macintosh like I do, I do have some windows machines, so if I really wanted to, I could do it, but I don't really want to, so I'm not. There's also a bunch of filter rolloff settings that you can change in this unit, seven, I think, to be exact. I lied to you, there's eight. Are you ready for them? Here we go: minimum phase, that's mode one, that's default; linear phase, fast rolloff apodizing, that's two; linear phase, fast rolloff, that's three, that's if you don't

want the appetizing uh linear pH fast rolloff low Ripple. If you don't want High Ripple, you want the low Ripple linear phase slow rolloff minimum phase fast rolloff. That's if you don't want maximum phase fast rolloff minimum phase slow rolloff and then minimum phase slow rolloff low dispersion. I find personally they don't really make that big of a difference. What would make a difference though is having 10 different EQ settings that I could use depending upon which type of headphone or speaker I was using. That would be really convenient except it doesn't work on a Macintosh sound comparison. The first one, the smsl SU U1, has a 4493 akm DA chip in it and then whatever else they did to it. The topping d53 has a pair of es of saber 9039 q2m, one for the Left Channel and another for the right channel, which delivers higher signal to signal to noise ratio, higher dynamic range, and lower distortion than the d50s. We'll get this.

out of the way sounds good sounds real real nice compared to the su1. The thing that jumps off the page for me, and remember I'm lazy when it comes to making videos, so I left the d53 in default mode. I don't like all the different choices, so if you do get this device, remember there will be more options. And if you're using any of my videos to make a purchasing decision, you may want to rethink your life. Just kidding. I appreciate you watching. I appreciate everybody watching. So listen to Hello Nasty by the Beastie Boys. I'm addicted to that album lately. It's awesome. The thing that jumps off the page for me initially, and I think anybody that was doing their own comparison would be able to hear that the su1 a little bit spicier in the upper mid-range, a little bit spicier in the treble, had a little bit less of a natural sound. And this, the 1, is a very good Dack. Frankly, I think the su1 sounds

a lot better than sml's more expensive options. Still utilizing the 4493 chipset from akm, so the topping easiest way I can describe it compared to the su1 has a more analog Vibe. Very balanced, very clean. Su1 also has a lot of Dynamics, but with those Dynamics come a little bit of smearing on the base on the bottom. Or the D3 was very articulate with the bass, still Punchy, still powerful on the bass. More balanced top ends, more believable top end tamber was better. Is it three times better than the su1? Probably Yes, actually it is. Not saying the su1 is bad. I think the d53 is much better. How did I listen to these? Well, thank you for asking. I actually listened to him through the a53, which is a headphone amplifier, a little tiny one that matches the same dimensions as the d53. I also listened to it on speakers via the za3 playing through the emotiva xb2. Headphones I was listening to are the verum 2os. I love these headphones. They did a Kickstarter.

for those headphones anyway, they sound awesome. Completely my sound. Clean. Punchy on the bottom. So much clarity on top. When I'm trying to hear the differences between Dax or really any type of sources, I generally go with a product as far as headphones or speakers that has a lot of clarity so that I can hear those differences. Jell Labs J2 Dack comes in the one that I have comes in around $250, so there's not a huge differential in price between the D53 and the J2 if you're getting the non-socketed version and you don't get a USB. The one I compared it to has the Saber 9026 Pro in it. The differences between the J2 and the 853 is the 853 seemed a little bit more dynamic on the bottom when it came to headphones on speakers. I didn't hear it quite as much, but the sound stage and imaging as far as a three-dimensional space was better on the J2 than it was on the A53. A53 just kind of feels like it's a bit of a wall.

of sound on speakers. On headphones, you can't really hear that as much throughout the mid-range. I felt like the J2 was doing a better job of vocal nuances, and in comparison, I felt like the D53 was a little bit more laid-back. Not bad in any way. If anything, it reminds me a little bit of the Denps Aries 12th. So how's the D53 do against the $1,000 SMSL SU-8? I mean SMSL X. Personally, I would choose the D53 every day of the week and twice on Sunday over the SMSL SU-8. But I would choose just about any DAC every day of the week over the SMSL SU-8. I get what the SU-8 is trying to do, and it is okay when it comes to some detail stuff, but it's so harsh on top. D53 much more organic sounding. DACs are a funny thing because you can get some really affordable DACs like the SU-1, which sound great. And just because you're scaling up in price does not mean

you're going to have a direct improvement upon the performance of the products. A lot of times less expensive decks to me sound better. Final thoughts on the D50 Mark 3 from Toing, I love it. I think it's absolutely great. If you need something in a small form factor, I think the D53 should be on your short list. If your budget is a little bit more than the SU1 you have $230, think you should look hard at the D53, especially if you need variable output or if you need volume control. Because you can take the D53 and you can take something like the FZY Audio ZA3. And if you don't need any type of analog inputs, you're done. You can put something like the Weam Mini for 80 bucks. You can put it right on top to the Topping. You can optical into the Topping D53, analog into the ZA3, hook up your speakers, and be done. The things I love about the D53, even on default mode, is it's dynamic, it's clean, it is beaten by

the J2 at a similar price point. When it comes to Sound Stage and imaging, I especially think the $44.93 version of the J2 is going to sound more similar to the D53. As far as Dynamics, Bass control, base amount, but there's a lot more options. If you're a Windows user, you can start playing around with a bunch of those different EQ settings. But if you have something like the Wam Mini hooked up to it, you don't need to worry. Because through the Wam app, you can have an EQ 10 band EQ or a parametric EQ. I don't really do a ton of reviews on headphone amps anymore, but the A53 is also a very good headphone amp. This whole stack together would come in around $430. And if you're tight on Space, it's a fantastic little headphone stack. The D53 also comes with Bluetooth LDAC Bluetooth. I've always wondered why if you have this on a two-channel system. I get it, but you're going to have to get out a pair of

binoculars to be able to see what the screen says. If you're using Bluetooth across the room, I think it's a spectacular little product. It's probably going to be my recommendation outside of the J2 around that $250 and less mark. If you don't need volume control, I'd probably get the J2, the AKM 4493 version, the socketed version, because then you can upgrade the op-amps later. If you need variable volume control and you're doing all digital inputs, then the D50 Mark III is a great choice. If you liked this video and you're looking for the ultimate DAC, you need to check out this video on the Gelli Labs Daisy. I will link it here or here. If you're new here, consider subscribing. Also, want to thank my patrons. If you want to be part of the best Hi-Fi Community out there, sign up for my Patreon. We have a Discord server, we have a Facebook group, we do Zoom meetings. We had one last night, and it really helps out the channel. If you're

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The Topping D503 is a high-cost audio deck, priced at around $230, which is three times more expensive than the budget deck, SMSL SU-1.

It offers a variety of inputs, including coax, optical, and USBC, and can be powered by a 5V power source, giving the option to use a power bank.

The product features a small but functional display and comes with a remote control for variable output volume.

The Topping D53 offers EQ settings and filter rolloff options, but the Topping Tune app is only available for Windows, leaving Mac users unable to access these features.

The device uses ES Sabre 9038Q2M chips to deliver high performance, offering a different sound compared to the SMSL SU-1 with AKM 4493 DAC chip.

The lack of compatibility with Macintosh and the limited video comparison may impact purchasing decisions for potential buyers.

The D53 DAC offers a more balanced and clean sound compared to the SU1, with a powerful and articulate bass.

It is also preferred over the SMSL SU-8 for its organic sound and overall performance.

The D53 is comparable to the Jell Labs J2, with differences in dynamics and vocal nuances, but a similar price range.

The Topping D53 is a great option for those needing a small form factor and variable output.

It offers dynamic and clean sound, with the option for additional EQ settings.

When paired with the FZY Audio ZA3 and Weam Mini, it provides excellent performance for a total of around $430.

The D53 also functions as a quality headphone amp and offers Bluetooth LDAC connectivity.

The J2 is a great option under $250, especially if you don't need volume control and want the option to upgrade later.

On the other hand, if you require variable volume control and will be using digital inputs, the D50 Mark III is an excellent choice.

For those in search of the ultimate DAC, the Gelli Labs Daisy is highly recommended and worth checking out.