TOPPING D90 vs Gustard A22 Comparison Chart

TOPPING D90 DAC

Gustard A22 DAC

Price

$749.99 USD (Standard)

$849.99 USD (MQA)

$1,179.99 USD (Standard)

$1,259.99 (MQA)

Dimensions

1.77 x 8.74 x 6.3 (in)

4.5 x 22.2 x 16 (cm)

13 x 10.2 x 2.56 (in)

33 x 26 x 6.5 (cm)

Weight

6.6 (lbs)

2.9 (kg)

15.4 (lbs; includes packaging)

7 (kg; includes packaging)

D/A Chip

AKM AK4499EQ

AKM AK4499EQ (2x)

Inputs

• USB
• IIS LVDS (HDMI)
• Optical
• Coaxial SPDIF
• AES/EBU
• Bluetooth
• MQA (MQA Version only)

• USB
• IIS
• Optical
• Coaxial
• SPDIF, AES/EBU (all)
• XLR (Single)
• MQA (MQA Version Only)

Outputs

• Balanced XLR
• Single Ended RCA

• Balanced XLR
• Single Ended RCA

Bluetooth

• aptX HD
• LDAC
• 5.0

• None

USB Interface

• XMOS XU208 (Standard)
• XMOS XU216 (MQA)

• XMOS XU208

Sampling Rates

USB: PCM up to 32bit,768kHz / Native DSD up to DSD512 / DSD DoP up to DSD256

IIS: PCM up to 32bit,768kHz / DSD up to DSD512

Coaxial, Optical, AES: PCM up to 24bit 192kHz

USB: : 44.1-768 kHz/16-32 bit, DSD64-DSD256 (DoP), DSD64-DSD512 (native)

IIS: 44.1-768kHz/16-32bit, DSD64-DSD256 (DoP); DSD64-512 (native)

Coaxial, AES: 44.1-384 kHz/16-24 bit, DSD64-DSD128 (DoP)

Optical: 44.1-192 kHz/16-24 bit, DSD64 (DoP)

Dynamic Range

• 128 dB

• 124 dB

Influencer Sound Opinion

“D90 is fast, articulate and it hits like a train when it's needed. It doesn’t roll-off sub-bass information and my usual pugilist music as electronica and rock started throwing punches at me, I finally felt a crazy amount of energy and impact. Finally, I can listen to my rock without feeling that something is missing from my music. In this respect, D90 is sounding like a grown-up, balls to the wall DAC with authority has its chin up and knows to impress a music aficionado like myself. Finally, an AKM based DAC with a slam, speed, and impact, the end must be near for sure.”

—Sandu Vitalie, Soundnews.net

“A22 presented itself open wide sounding, with a precise pin-point imaging. It was slightly smaller sounding compared to the Audio-GD R7 but at the same time the sharpness and leading edge was considerably better defined on the A22. It sounded impressively clear and detailed; I was particularly impressed by the top-end. 

I connected sensitive IEMs as FiiO FH7, I pushed the volume much higher than my comfortable level and started listening to some of my favorite tracks. No matter how hard I pressed myself, the good power filtering said its final words in here, background is simply as black as I’ve heard on any other top-performing DACs. ...I’m pleased to report, that I experienced absolutely the same in the speaker setup.

DAC-A22 is a very resolving and transparent sounding DAC and if resolution is your thing, it could be easily compared to the best ones. This is still the second AK4499 based DAC that I have listened to, but boy, it already outperformed most of the ES9038 PRO based DACs and some of them at higher price points.

It’s not hot news to anyone that out of all D/S sigma DACs, a dual mono AKM design can’t be beaten at their own game and A22 is not shy in showing that off. Even the cheaper Topping D90, sounded exceptionally airy and almost limitless in terms of width. A22, with a close to zero crosstalk, especially on the XLR output is making even crowded hardcore very manageable and easy to focus on anything you want.”

—Sandu Vitalie, Soundnews.net

Influencer Conclusion

“I am not that easily impressed when it comes to audio sources, I evaluated more than 20 audio sources last year and out of all of those, probably only 3 of them created goosebump moments for me. D90 is sounding easily in the top 3 DACs I tested at my place at any price point. It sounds so familiar and yet so different compared to other delta-sigma designs that I don’t know how to start this evaluation….Any music I would play, D90 would always unfold it like candy in front of me. It grew on me because I can now listen to even too-crowded and up-front music with ease, D90 makes that a lot more approachable, I can chew that pill much easier, I’m again impressed.”

—Sandu Vitalie, Soundnews.net

“My definition of “giant killer” is this: if the overall performance is close enough in every single category, then for me it makes more sense to purchase the less expensive unit. That's why I call it “giant killer” ...that's why giant killers can be a $300 or $1,000 DAC, it doesn't matter, the price because if a $300

DAC performance is close enough to a $1,000 DAC, that as far as I'm concerned is called a “giant killer.” This TOPPING D90 is a giant killer.”

—Thomas & Stereo

“DAC-A22 shown to me that if you know how, musical and smooth sounding sources can still be made with flagship D/S chips too. I had absolutely nothing to reproach in the frequency response as from the lowest to the highest octaves, everything was preserved clean, defined and transparent. I consider it having an amazing tonal balance, offering a warmer and heavier tonality, add that impressive holographic image, a wide soundstage on all axes, a smoother presentation and you could listen to music all day long without any listening fatigue.

It also got the title as the best preamp from all DAC + preamp combos that I have tested around here so if you are searching for a nice All-in-One, this just might be the best option for you.”

—Sandu Vitalie, Soundnews.net

Apos Audio Customer Reviews

Take a look at the community reviews: TOPPING D90 DAC

Take a look at the community reviews: Gustard A22 DAC

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