Mark  
An interesting piece of audio equipment just dropped and it’s very #WeirdAudioMastodon
Topping announced a new high end DAC it has the modular R2R DAC from Holo who makes $1200-6000 DACs that I consider to be among the best ever made. Topping isn’t just using their technology, they are using the R2R module from Holo with topping electronics. I’m true topping fashion the measurements blow away any other R2R DAC close to thing price. This is very hard to do with R2R technology.
Dec 12, 2024 at 5:53pmWeb
Show threadMark  Dec 12, 2024
It’s only $200 less than the holo cyan 2, but it allows for ten band parametric equalization which is really useful to have in a DAC. It also has similar visual appeal to the RME ADI DAC that’s super popular.
One of the obscure things Holo DACs can do that nearly no DACs on the market can do is play CD quality or even high res audio at its native resolution. Pretty much every modern DAC rescales the audio poorly and does play true bit perfect audio. This is the only DAC under $1000 that can.
Show threadMark  Dec 12, 2024
I’m generally not a fan of topping. They make great low cost high performing DACs but they sound clinical and grainy to me. Recently they e been trying to make more audiophile stuff that’s smoother and a bit sweet for lack of a better term. I’m not rushing out to buy this, but I’m certainly very curious to read reviews and third party measurement. My guess is the measurements are indeed great but the output stage will be more clinical than the Holo Cyan 2.
Show threadMark  Dec 12, 2024
I’m in the market for one of these in the next five years so we’ll see. I’m also happy to see more devices with ten band PEQ. this is what EVERYTHING, especially headphone gear should have.
Show threadMark  Dec 15, 2024
Some measurements from ASR https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-centaurus-r2r-dac-review.59283/. The DAC measures as good as an atom DAC and the benchmark DAC. This is beyond human hearing. I don’t place a lot of stock in these reviews, but it is interesting that topping not only has the R2R DAC with the best measurements but they did it for an entry level R2R price.
The big question does it sound good? We’ll have to wait for people who actually listen to music.
Topping Centaurus R2R DAC Review

This is a review, detailed measurements and listening test of the Topping Centaurus R2R stereo balanced DAC with PEQ filter support. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $999. The unit has the elegant look of the new Topping DACs with high resolution, high contrast screen, nicely...

Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
Show threadMark  Dec 15, 2024
In his listening impressions he does say it sounds smooth like an R2R DAC, which is the most important part.
Show threadbriDec 12, 2024
@Mark (fyi, i think you missed a zero at the end there — topping would be pulling off some real wizardry if it were under $100 😅)
Show threadMark  Dec 12, 2024
@brhfl thanks for catching that