Topic: RME and Topping A90

Hi, I know this question was here thousand times, but still I want to ask.
How do i exactly set rme settings when connected via RCA to amp Topping A90?
The thing is im using EQ, the highest peak (shelf) is +6db on 77hz and also +2,5db shelf on 150 Hz.
What ref to set and what volume to lock for best possible SNR?

Thank you very much all.

Re: RME and Topping A90

Sorry, wondering why you want to integrate a topping here, the ADI-2 Dac is already an excellent phones preamp.
IMHO you can only make it worse by adding more and more electronics and cables that are not needed.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

3 (edited by KaiS 2021-09-15 19:00:21)

Re: RME and Topping A90

tom.trchalik wrote:

Hi, I know this question was here thousand times, but still I want to ask.
How do i exactly set rme settings when connected via RCA to amp Topping A90?
The thing is im using EQ, the highest peak (shelf) is +6db on 77hz and also +2,5db shelf on 150 Hz.
What ref to set and what volume to lock for best possible SNR?

The peak level change effect of an EQ setting on music is hard to calculate, as phase shifts participate in this.
It’s always higher than the accumulated gains at a certain frequency.

Therefore:

Switch on ADI-2’s Auto Reference Level.
Set Topping’s Volume dial at about 2 o’clock.
Now choose Topping’s gain setting where Topping’s and ADI-2’s headphones level is about the same.

This way you don’t need to care about how much gain any ADI-2’s DSP function produces.
The smart function “Auto Reference Level” calculates that for you.


@ Ramses:
I guess he likes the sound.
Might change if he starts to compare it with ADI-2 DAC smile