TOPPING releases new gear so often it sometimes feels like they’re speed-running the entire DAC industry, but every now and then one of these boxes actually makes you stop and go, “Okay… that’s a lot of hardware for the money.” The new E50 II is exactly that moment. For $199, you’re getting AKM’s AK4497S at the core, an XU316 USB stage capable of PCM 768kHz and native DSD512, LDAC/aptX Bluetooth, ADAT-capable optical, balanced TRS outputs, a legit preamp mode, and a full ten-band PEQ controlled through TOPPING’s apps. In a market where prices keep creeping up and features trickle down one firmware update at a time, the E50 II shows up fully loaded on day one.
Compact Desktop Hub for Modern Listening
The E50 II is built for the desk first: small enough to disappear under a monitor, solid enough to anchor a real two-channel chain. With USB-C, coaxial, and optical digital inputs plus balanced TRS and single-ended RCA line outputs, it slots cleanly into powered monitors, power amplifiers, and external headphone amps without turning your workspace into a wiring crime scene.
At the center sits AKM’s AK4497S stereo DAC from the updated VELVET SOUND family. The line-out stage posts a THD+N of 0.0001% at 1kHz and up to 131dB of dynamic range, meaning the E50 II adds virtually no noise or coloration. Quiet moments stay legitimately quiet, dense arrangements stay unlocked and spacious, and fine details—reverb trails, room ambience, string noise—hold their shape instead of dissolving into haze.
FPGA Clocking & ADAT-Capable Optical Input
Both coaxial and optical inputs feed into an FPGA+PLL TopSync circuit with JitterNull processing, keeping timing errors extraordinarily low—roughly -160dB in common jitter measurements. The optical port pulls double duty as both S/PDIF and ADAT, letting the E50 II step into more complex, studio-leaning setups where multi-channel ADAT is still part of the workflow.
LDAC & Bluetooth Flexibility
Driven by Qualcomm’s QCC5125 chipset, the E50 II adds a wireless layer without tanking fidelity. You get LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC, with support up to 96kHz/24-bit over Bluetooth. That means you can leave a clean wired path from DAC to speakers or amp while streaming straight from your phone or tablet—and still get performance that rivals what many dedicated digital audio players manage when you’re off the clock.
Ten-Band PEQ With App and Desktop Control
A built-in ten-band parametric EQ lets you shape the system to your taste instead of surrendering to the room. Using Topping’s in-house algorithms and the Topping Tune desktop software, you can edit frequency, gain, and Q per band—with full independent left/right control. The software supports loading target curves, compensating raw mic measurements, and saving multiple presets for quick A/B comparisons. Paired with the Topping Home app, you can adjust EQ, volume, and routing straight from your phone, no chair-departures required.
Powerful Balanced and Single-Ended Outputs
The output stage is designed for real-world flexibility. Single-ended RCA can run at 2.6Vrms or 5.6Vrms, while the balanced TRS line hits a surprisingly muscular 11.3Vrms (23.2 dBu)—useful for pro monitors or amps that want hot input levels, and fully adjustable so you’re not forced into gain mismatches. Independent level settings for balanced and single-ended outs make it easy to dial in the right drive whether you’re feeding a headphone amp, a compact desktop power amp, or a pair of studio monitors without risking overload or anemic signal.
Built-In Preamp Mode With Remote Control
Beyond standard fixed-level DAC operation, the E50 II includes a full preamp mode with adjustable output volume. That means you can run it straight into a power amp or active monitors and control your listening level directly from the unit—no external preamp required. The included IR remote adds real quality-of-life perks: mute, tweak volume, switch inputs, and change modes from your chair instead of performing a desk-lean yoga routine.
Both the balanced TRS and single-ended RCA outputs can operate independently or simultaneously. That makes it easy to feed two chains—powered monitors plus a headphone stack, for example—or keep a “work” rig and a “late-night listening” rig connected at all times. If you frequently move between speakers and an external amp, you can leave everything plugged in and simply switch outputs on the fly.
The front panel stays clean and clutter-free. You get three display brightness levels to suit everything from nighttime listening to sunlit desks, and touch-sensitive controls that handle input switching and mode changes with taps, long-presses, or double-taps. No knobs, no distractions—just a compact control surface that gets out of the way and does its job.
TOPPINGI E50 II Specifications
- Product Type: Desktop DAC with selectable fixed or preamp output mode
- DAC Chip: AKM AK4497S stereo DAC (VELVET SOUND architecture)
- USB Interface: XMOS XU316
- Supported USB Sample Rates:
- PCM: 44.1kHz–768kHz / 16–32 bit
- Native DSD: DSD64–DSD512
- DoP DSD: DSD64–DSD256
- Digital Inputs:
- USB-C
- Coaxial
- Optical (S/PDIF and ADAT)
- Wireless Input:
- Bluetooth (Qualcomm QCC5125) with:
- LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
- Line Outputs:
- Balanced TRS
- Single-ended RCA
- Output Levels (PCM):
- RCA: 2.6Vrms or 5.6Vrms (selectable)
- Balanced TRS: 5.3Vrms or 11.3Vrms (up to 23.2 dBu, selectable)
- Measured Performance:
- THD+N (A-wt): 0.0001% @1kHz (SE & BAL)
- Dynamic Range: up to 131dB (BAL), 130dB (SE)
- SNR (A-wt): up to 131dB (BAL), 130dB (SE)
- Noise (A-wt): 1.7µVrms (SE), 3.0µVrms (BAL)
- Frequency Response (BAL): 20Hz–40kHz (±0.3dB)
- Channel Crosstalk: −130dB @1kHz
- Jitter: as low as −160dB on optical/coax
- Output Impedance: 50Ω (SE), 100Ω (BAL)
- Coupling: AC-coupled outputs
- Control Options: Infrared remote, touch front panel, TOPPING Home app (Bluetooth)
- Parametric EQ:
- 10-band PEQ, independent L/R channels
- Supports PEQ processing up to 192kHz / 32-bit PCM
- Power: External DC input (rear panel)
- Dimensions: 5.1″ × 6.1″ × 1.6″ (12.9 × 15.5 × 4.1 cm)
The Bottom Line
If you’re building a compact, modern desktop system and want real functionality without torching your budget, the TOPPING E50 II is the kind of DAC that deserves a spot on your shortlist. Studio folks who need ADAT, apartment listeners who want LDAC Bluetooth, measurement-minded users who care about ultra-low distortion, and anyone who wants PEQ without adding more boxes will all find something to like here.
It also pairs naturally with affordable amplification: the TOPPING MINI 300 ($139) desk amp for a simple, clean two-channel setup, or the TOPPING B100 ($299) mono blocks if you want more muscle and a path to a small but serious hi-fi system. In short, the E50 II is aimed at listeners who want flexibility, modern features, and a clear upgrade path without stepping into four-figure territory.
Where to buy:
Available in black, silver or white.
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