I just received a new Topping E50 DAC that I purchased in hopes that it will improve the clarity of the sound of our TV for my wife who has some hearing loss. I have not hooked it up to the TV yet, but I did connect it to my computer in my bedroom system which consists of a Marantz 2ch receiver, Monitor Audio RX-1 Silver speakers and Audirvana as my music player. After downloading the windows driver, I had it up and running in a minute. From the first few notes I was very impressed. The DAC that I have been using in the system is a Schiitt Modi Plus which sounds pretty good in its own right. But the E50 has more clarity and detail while retaining musicality and tight punchy bass. There is no glare or harshness. The Modi has a hint more depth and slightly wider soundstage but not by much. The Modi is also warmer while the E50 is more neutral with a touch of bottom end warmth. I am hoping that as the E50 breaks in that things will improve. The E50 does not come with a power supply. Instead, it comes with a usb power cable to connect to your computer, however, I ordered a $20 Jameco wall wart linear power supply that should arrive tomorrow. It also comes with a cheap usb cable that I used intially to connect to my computer. Unfortunately, it caused very faint clicks and pops in the left channel which resolved once I swapped in an Oyaide neo class D+ Class A usb cable.
I will report back once I get the new power supply and I have about 100 hours on it. One thing for sure is that the guys at ASR who think that these cheap DAC's can sound as good as more expensive DAC's need to get their hearing checked. The E50 sounds great for the $200 price but it can't hold a candle to my Luxman or Chord DAC.
Cheers,
Larry