Topping E30II lite DAC Preamp - AK4493S Hi-Res XMOS XU208 DAC 32Bit/768kHz DSD512 DSD Direct Mode for USB/Coax/Opt Inputs RCA HiFi Stereo Digital Audio Decoder(Black)

You get a lot for the money. Metal box and orange display is nice.

I’m one of those weirdos that uses active studio monitors with my TV. Previously I was using a cheap ($30) remote controlled dac that didn’t have a screen to show volume level and only had like 10 volume increments. The Topping is easily worth the price just to have more volume control, a screen, and a higher quality remote with clicks buttons. Easy 5/5 stars! The screen brightness is adjustable and even has an auto off feature. The device also automatically enters a standby mode when I turn off my TV. Excellent product. I used a RCA splitter so I can send two outputs- one to my studio monitors and another to my sub. Works amazing.Only thing I would complain about is that the remote is IR and requires to be pointed directly at the unit. Wish remote used RF instead.

I first tried the Topping D50 III. That is a much nicer product, but since I am only using it for my bedroom TV and Chromecast, I didn’t feel it was required. It also had additional features I didn’t need like BT. I did not try the regular E30 II, which has a 2nd DAC chip and upgrades the performance slightly. If I were to try a product that sounds noticeably better, I would look at the USA made Geshelli Labs J2. It consistently gets great reviews, and costs $250++.The E30 design is pretty boring, but the silver model looks pretty decent, showing off the metal casing. There are lots of expensive DACs out there that look much worse. The display is large and clear, easy to see across the room.As others have mentioned, the remote control receiver is quite poor. I re-programmed another remote transmitter to verify that was not the problem. You have to aim the transmitter extremely carefully. Their transmitter is pretty low quality as well. I don’t use the remote, since I put the machine in DAC-only mode, and I have auto-on/off enabled. When in standby mode, the unit consumes practically no power (< 0.1 W). After programming the machine’s settings, via a rather cryptic interface, it is saved permanently.For a power supply, I tried the Mean Well GST18U05-P1J, which has ripple & noise of 80mVp-p. The barrel connector is 2.1x5.5 mm, so it fits directly. An upgraded adapter like the iFi iPower2 seems unnecessary, as the Topping has its own jitter reduction circuitry.As for sound quality, there are certainly reviews on YouTube, and you will have to choose which “expert” to believe.

Really wanted to stream my Apple music through my 2-channel stereo system. Cabled to the Topping E30ii lite via CCK lightening to USB dongle and then to my Yamaha receiver. Works perfectly and sounds great!

This unit seems pretty well made but the remote is really as bad as other reviews said it was. You need to be fairly close and really aim it dead on to have it work. Sound wise despite the reviews describing the sound signature as neutral I have to disagree. I found the sound signature somewhat bright and the highs sound over emphasized leading to listening fatigue on my system. I expected this to be a improvement over my KGUSS Dac K3 using Cirrus CS4398 and CS8416 chip set. After a few days of comparing what I found is the K3 is as detailed as the E30ii Lite without the added brightness. The USB on the E30ii Lite worked flawlessly no noise at all so that is a positive. For those that like that slightly bright sound this is a winner minus the limited range of the remote.

My new TV has no analog audio outputs. I did not want to buy a receiver / amp combo, because I already have an external powered speaker system that takes analog inputs. This preamp perfectly solves the problem, with the remote providing volume control. Works great for us!

I found the sound on this to be a bit muddy in my system. I went with the Schiit modi and I think that sounds much nicer with my Focal chorus speakers and a Yamaha 2 channel receiver. YMMV

It SOUNDS good, is a preamp with remote control of volume, mute & settings. It cannot be bettered at its price!