RME ADI-2 fs against Topping D90SE

The Topping D90SE or LE is now $719. I got mine today and my previous comment holds on the complexity of the RME. I have 3 DACs and there is no chance I will remember the nuances of each DAC. I setup the Topping D90LE just now to the default filter #3 and VALVE mode. I am not looking at these settings again.

I was trying to decide between the 2 a few days ago. I heard a brand new RME (no break-in) back in Sept 2021. I owned the Topping D90SE before but sold it since I liked the Benchmark DAC3B more (they are similar).

I ended up buying the non-MQA verson, D90LE last week because I did not want to deal with the hassles of all the playback options on the RME. My friend who owns the RME is thinking of getting another DAC that is simpler to use. He thinks the RME is a bit better than the Benchmark DAC3L.

The following is the system I have the Topping D90LE setup on. Damn fine listening experience. I got this so I can listen in bed, the RAAL SR1a headphone is not bed friendly.

I think my streaming setup really pushes this to a very high level, even though the amp is not the best.

- Schitt Jotunheim R headphone amp (used $400)
- Topping D90LE DAC ($719)
- EtherRegen ($640) (I use this in reverse order)
- Sonore OpticalRendu ROON ONLY + LPS ($1400)
- Sony XDR FM tuner (modded $500)
- RAAL CA-1a headphone ($2000) + RAAL Jotunheim cable

I have a ’better’ DAC in the Musetec 005 which I need to listen more with 2 RAAL specific amps, the Schitt Jotunheim R and the incredible RAAL VM-1a. At this point I am leaning towards the Benchmark DAC3B and Topping D90LE for the headphones.

Matching gear is the most important consideration and comments in isolation about gear are "comments in isolation" 😀