Topping D90 III Discrete Full Balance HiFi DAC Preamplifier - BT 5.1 Support LDAC PEQ Adjustment with Bluetooth Remote Control (Black)

My setup consists of the following: Parasound A21 amp, BAT VK-30 tube preamp, Pass Labs SR-2 Speakers, Eversolo DMP A6 streamer, Marantz CD player/transport. I have been using the DAC in the Eversolo with good results but wanted to try a standalone DAC and after doing a lot of research this seemed like the best bang for the buck around that $1000 price range. The difference in sound between the Eversolo and the D90 Discrete was quite surprising. Hard to put in words but the first thing that comes to mind is "smooth". It really took the edginess off the sound especially in the midrange that I didn't realize was there. It made the system even easier to listen to, not that it was fatiguing to begin with, but now even more so which I didn't think was possible. The treble also improved quite a bit, more "air" for sure, and again just smoother. Sound stage has def widened a bit as well. These are my first impressions after a week of listening. I have been switching between the eversolo and the topping as I have them both hooked up using XLR to my pre, so just a push of a button to change inputs between the two to compare in real time. Not one time did the topping not sound better, smoother, just more enjoyable. Even the wife could easily tell a difference and thought the topping was by far better. My CD transport sounds much better now as well using the topping vs the internal Eversolo dac. What also is great is I now have an EQ I can save that will work using the CD player where the Eversolo EQ only worked on the internal player. I like to turn the treble, around 16k, up a few DB with a Q around 3 to help air out the top end and I have a 400hz bump I can smooth out as well in my listening room. The topping tune software was super easy to use. The remote is finicky though and my only complaint, it just sometimes randomly doesnt want to work, then it will work fine most of the time. Not a big deal as I dont switch inputs very often and use the volume on my preamp 99% of the time. Switching to this DAC vs using the Eversolo has made a great improvement to my setup and I am very very happy with it, I love the way it sounds, so much more natural, smooth, more detailed, its just a great piece of gear. On paper the specs of this thing are nothing short of incredible, I couldn't imagine a better sounding DAC at this price and if your considering it as an option I couldn't recommend it enough, I would be surprised if it did improve your setup as well to a noticeable degree. I sure took me by surprise.