1. Introduction
The TOPPING D70 PRO SABRE is a high-fidelity Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) designed to deliver exceptional audio performance. Featuring the flagship ES9039SPRO DAC chip and XMOS XU316, it supports high-resolution audio playback and offers versatile connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC and aptX-Adaptive. This manual provides detailed instructions for setting up, operating, and maintaining your D70 PRO SABRE to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Image: TOPPING D70 Pro SABRE DAC units in silver and black finishes.
2. Key Features
The D70 PRO SABRE incorporates advanced technologies for superior audio experience:
- ESS ES9039SPRO DAC Chip: Flagship 32-bit DAC chip for high-resolution audio.
- Hi-Res Audio & Hi-Res Wireless: Supports high-fidelity audio playback both wired and wirelessly.
- Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC & aptX-Adaptive: Advanced Bluetooth codecs for high-quality wireless streaming.
- Ultra-low THD+N: Achieves less than 0.00006% Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise at 1kHz (A-wt).
- Colour Display: Intuitive full-color screen with various display modes.
- Aurora UI: User-friendly interface with three touch buttons.
- Versatile Outputs: RCA single-ended and XLR balanced outputs.
- Remote Control: For convenient operation.
Image: Visual representation of key features including ES9039SPRO, Hi-Res, LDAC, low THD+N, color display, Aurora UI, RCA&XLR outputs, and remote control.
3. Package Contents
Please check that all the following items are included in your package:
- TOPPING D70 PRO SABRE DAC Unit
- Remote Control
- USB Cable
- AC Power Cable
- Bluetooth Antenna
- Warranty Card (may also serve as a quick start guide)
Image: Contents list diagram showing the D70 Pro SABRE unit, remote control, USB cable, AC cable, Bluetooth antenna, and Warranty card.
4. Setup
4.1 Connecting the D70 PRO SABRE
Follow these steps to connect your D70 PRO SABRE to your audio system:
- Power Connection: Connect the AC power cable to the D70 PRO SABRE's power input and then to a suitable power outlet (100-240VAC 50-60Hz).
- Bluetooth Antenna: Screw the provided Bluetooth antenna onto the designated BT connector on the rear panel for optimal wireless performance.
- Audio Input:
- USB: Connect a USB cable from your computer (Windows, Mac, Linux) or mobile device (iOS/Android) to the USB Type-B input on the D70 PRO SABRE.
- Optical (SPDIF): Connect an optical cable from your audio source to the OPTICAL input.
- Coaxial: Connect a coaxial cable from your audio source to the COAX input.
- AES: Connect an AES/EBU cable from your audio source to the AES input.
- Audio Output:
- RCA: Connect RCA cables from the D70 PRO SABRE's RCA outputs (L/R) to your amplifier or active speakers.
- XLR: Connect XLR cables from the D70 PRO SABRE's XLR outputs (L/R) to your balanced amplifier or active speakers.
- 12V Trigger: The D70 PRO SABRE features 12V Trigger input and output interfaces. These allow it to be triggered by other devices to switch on/off, or to actively trigger other devices synchronously. Connect compatible devices to the IN and OUT ports as needed.
Image: Rear panel showing XLR, RCA, Coaxial, Optical, USB, AES, BT, 12V Trigger, and AC power input.
Image: Detail of the 12V Trigger IN/OUT ports and AC power input.
4.2 Driver Installation (Windows Only)
The D70 PRO SABRE is plug-and-play compatible with Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android systems, requiring no driver installation. For Windows systems, a driver is required for ASIO applications. The USB hardware is based on XMOS XU316 and uses a custom Thesycon driver for stable and reliable performance.
Please download the latest driver from the official TOPPING website and follow the installation instructions provided with the driver package.
Image: Screenshot illustrating Windows sound settings for D70 Pro SABRE.
4.3 Typical Connection Diagram
Image: Diagram showing a typical audio chain: PC → D70 Pro SABRE → Headphone Amplifier → Headphones.
5. Operating Instructions
5.1 Aurora UI and Display
The D70 PRO SABRE features a full-color screen and three touch buttons for navigation. The display provides real-time information about playback, and you can switch between various display modes such as FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) and VU (Volume Unit) meters according to your preferences. The volume knob also offers customized functions when pressed.
- Navigation: Use the touch buttons to navigate menus and select options.
- Volume Control: Rotate the knob to adjust volume. Press the knob for additional functions.
- Language: The UI supports switching between Chinese and English.
Image: Aurora UI showing full color screen, touch buttons, display modes (FFT, VU), volume knob functionality, and language selection.
5.2 Output Modes
The D70 PRO SABRE offers versatile output options:
- RCA Single-Ended Output: Standard analog output.
- XLR Balanced Output: Professional balanced analog output.
- Simultaneous Output: You can choose to turn on only the desired output channel (RCA or XLR), or both outputs simultaneously. This is useful for connecting to two different systems or for bi-amping setups.
Image: Rear panel highlighting RCA and XLR outputs, demonstrating flexible output mode switching.
5.3 Output Level Selection
The D70 PRO SABRE supports different output voltage levels to match various audio equipment:
- XLR: Choose between 4V and 5V output.
- RCA: Choose between 2V and 2.5V output.
This flexibility allows you to adapt to more devices and optimize performance based on your system's requirements.
Image: UI screenshot showing 'Advanced' menu with 'Output level' selection (4V/5V options).
5.4 Integrated Preamp Function
In addition to the fixed output level DAC mode, the D70 PRO SABRE also features a "preamp" mode. In this mode, you can directly adjust the volume and output to a power amplifier or active speakers, eliminating the need for a separate preamplifier.
Image: D70 Pro SABRE (silver) connected to a pair of active speakers, demonstrating its preamp capabilities.
5.5 Independent Volume Memory
The D70 PRO SABRE can memorize the output volume for "Single Ended" (RCA), "Balanced" (XLR), and "All" (both) modes independently. The next time you select a specific output mode, the device will automatically revert to the last used volume setting for that mode.
Image: Display showing volume level and PCM sample rate, indicating independent volume memory.
5.6 Bluetooth 5.1 Transmission
The D70 PRO SABRE supports Bluetooth 5.1 for high-quality wireless audio transmission. It is compatible with various audio encoding formats, including LDAC, aptX-Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC, ensuring a superior wireless sound experience.
Image: D70 Pro SABRE with a smartphone, illustrating Bluetooth input selection.
5.7 Timbre Fine-Tuning
The D70 PRO SABRE allows for direct switching between different timbre modes: Default, Valve, and Transistor. This feature enables you to fine-tune the sound signature to your preference, offering a personalized listening experience.
Image: FFT spectrum graphs demonstrating the sonic differences between Default, Valve, and Transistor timbre modes.
6. Maintenance
- Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the unit. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or solvents, as they may damage the finish.
- Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation around the unit to prevent overheating. Do not block the ventilation openings.
- Environment: Operate the device in a clean, dry environment, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and excessive moisture.
- Power Off: Always power off the unit before disconnecting any cables or moving it.
7. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No power | Power cable not connected or faulty outlet. | Check power cable connection; try a different outlet. |
| No sound output | Incorrect input/output selection, faulty cables, or amplifier issue. | Verify input source on D70 PRO SABRE; check output mode and volume; ensure cables are securely connected; test with another amplifier/speakers. |
| Poor sound quality | Low-quality audio source, incorrect settings, or interference. | Use high-resolution audio files; check sampling rates; ensure proper cable shielding; try different timbre modes. |
| Bluetooth connection issues | Antenna not connected, device out of range, or pairing issue. | Ensure Bluetooth antenna is connected; keep devices within range; re-pair the Bluetooth device. |
| Windows driver not working | Incorrect driver installation or outdated driver. | Reinstall the latest driver from TOPPING's official website. |
8. Specifications
| Parameter | RCA Output | XLR Output |
|---|---|---|
| THD+N (A-wt) | <0.00008% @1kHz | <0.00006% @1kHz |
| THD (No-wt) | <0.0004% @20-20kHz | <0.0002% @20-20kHz |
| SNR (A-wt) | 128dB @1kHz | 133dB @1kHz |
| Dynamic Range (A-wt) | 128dB @1kHz | 133dB @1kHz |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB) 20Hz-40kHz (±0.2dB) |
20Hz-20kHz (±0.05dB) 20Hz-40kHz (±0.2dB) |
| Output Level | 2.1Vrms @0dBFS (4V Mode) 2.5Vrms @0dBFS (5V Mode) |
4.2Vrms @0dBFS (4V Mode) 5.0Vrms @0dBFS (5V Mode) |
| Noise (A-wt) | <1.0uVrms | <1.0uVrms |
| Channel Crosstalk | -128dB @1kHz | -140dB @1kHz |
| Channel Balance | 0.3dB | 0.3dB |
| Output Impedance | 50Ω | 100Ω |
Note: The above data is the result obtained from TOPPING lab test under AC220V 50Hz and D70 Pro SABRE set to 5V output mode.
Image: Detailed specifications table for D70 Pro SABRE DAC.
General Specifications:
- Model Number: D70PRO SABRE
- Material: Metal
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 37 x 9 x 24 cm (approximate, based on 37*24*9cm)
- DSD Sampling Frequencies: 2.8224 MHz (DSD64), 5.6448 MHz (DSD128), 11.2896 MHz (DSD256), 22.5792 MHz (DSD512)
- PCM Word Length: 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit
- PCM Sampling Frequencies: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 352.8 kHz, 384 kHz, 705.6 kHz, 768 kHz
- Inputs: USB Type-B, Optical (SPDIF), Coaxial, AES
- Outputs: RCA, XLR
- Bluetooth: Yes (BT 5.1, LDAC, aptX-Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC)
- Type: Desktop DAC
9. User Tips
- Optical Input: The D70 PRO SABRE includes an optical digital input (SPDIF), which is useful for connecting to devices like TVs or game consoles that offer optical output.
- Matching Amplifier: For optimal performance, consider pairing the D70 PRO SABRE with a matching amplifier like the TOPPING A70 Pro, which shares a similar design language and can be synchronized via the 12V Trigger connector for automatic power on/off.
Image: D70 Pro SABRE stacked with an A70 Pro amplifier, illustrating a recommended pairing.
10. Warranty and Support
TOPPING products are manufactured to high quality standards. Please refer to the warranty card included in your package for specific warranty terms and conditions. For technical support, troubleshooting assistance, or service inquiries, please contact your authorized TOPPING dealer or visit the official TOPPING website for contact information.
