Comments on: Topping Centaurus Review https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/ Quality audio reviews Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:03:25 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 By: Rudi https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/#comment-193428 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 14:21:55 +0000 https://www.headfonia.com/?p=144308#comment-193428 In reply to Mario Despatie.

Thanks! The reason why the DX9 wasn’t compared is simple – I don’t have one. When it was still new, I couldn’t get a sample from Topping to review. It uses an AK4499EQ DAC which is similar to the AK4499EX combo DAC of the SMSL RAW-DAC1 I compared. The AK4499EX has a separated AK4191EQ modulator chip whilst the AK4499EQ has it built-in.

Frankly I wish Topping would use the AKM chip in more of its higher tier DACs.

]]> By: Mario Despatie https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/#comment-193406 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 03:04:03 +0000 https://www.headfonia.com/?p=144308#comment-193406 Good review. You compared it to the Fiio K19, but not to the Topping DX9 which is the direct competitor of the Fiio K19. You never did a review on the DX9 either… In my opinion, it’s the best product Topping has made so far.

]]> By: Rudi https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/#comment-192817 Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:10:14 +0000 https://www.headfonia.com/?p=144308#comment-192817 In reply to Jossor.

Sure, but it’s still lossy. I’d like to see a faster adoption of lossless codecs.

]]> By: Rudi https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/#comment-192816 Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:09:26 +0000 https://www.headfonia.com/?p=144308#comment-192816 In reply to Michel.

I’m not sure they had enough time to gauge interest that fast. Judging by the amount of the increase it might have to do with VAT.

]]> By: Rudi https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/#comment-192815 Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:08:23 +0000 https://www.headfonia.com/?p=144308#comment-192815 In reply to Silu.

I don’ t think the Centaurus will cannibalize the Cyan 2. Topping ultimately caters to a different audience than Holo. It’s only advantage over the Cyan 2 is the PEQ. If you’re not into using it, the Cyan 2 looks like a better choice. Galvanic isolation generally makes the DAC more source agnostic, so it can perform at its best despite the electronic crud coming in.

]]> By: Jossor https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/#comment-192770 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:17 +0000 https://www.headfonia.com/?p=144308#comment-192770 Topping says there is LDAC on this dac.

]]> By: Michel https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/#comment-192729 Sat, 21 Dec 2024 15:02:39 +0000 https://www.headfonia.com/?p=144308#comment-192729 Looks like a good product the 200$ price increase when Topping discovered we had interest in the product just killed my buying intend.

I surely wait for a second hand to see how it compare.

]]> By: Silu https://www.headfonia.com/topping-centaurus-review/#comment-192723 Sat, 21 Dec 2024 09:37:29 +0000 https://www.headfonia.com/?p=144308#comment-192723 Thank you for the review. I’d love to see a sound performance comparison with the Cyan 2, as many people wonder whether the Centaurus cannibalizes the C2 or not. The review mentions some design differences and the lack of galvanic isolation, but how does this translate into actual SQ difference?

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