DDC, DACs and HPamp combo units WITH PEQ/DSP

[john61ct]

There is these days a lot of excitement around Topping DX1 II

both positive about the value pricing combined with stellar objective measurements

and many reports of implementation faults that hopefully will get corrected with firmware updates.

The topic of this thread is OTHER units that are perhaps comparable, maybe "a bit" more expensive, but not in the the pricey range of industry paragons like RME and miniDSP.

Please, besides points of comparison with those models, discuss that Topping model elsewhere, by default here:

Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

It's quite amazing what this little fella can do with individual 10 band PEQ, volume + remote, and high SINAD balanced output. It's almost unfair to other DACs! :)

www.audiosciencereview.com

...

Digital inputs and outputs (DDC) flexibility would be fantastic.

Preamp analog outputs along with a good HPamp section, call that combination "pretty important", with balanced I/O a big plus.

The DAC functionality plus DSP-based EQ is the core requirement, in addition to the usual USB and ADC inputs, so can act downstream of another DAC if desired.

Not talking about full blown DRC or even crossovers / bass management, just ad-hoc user PEQ (or GEQ?) qualifies, seems user defined bands are a big plus?

Specify if the PEQ is done "in hardware" or relies on the app / software - tbh I don't understand that distinction very well, someone please ELI5

New RME ADI-2 Pro EX AD/DA audio interface

I’m not so sure audio engineers are that concerned with obtaining the absolute best. They need good performance and robust, reliable tools above all else. I wasn't so sure either. But that was what Google Search AI told me in its summary response to my query... (so it has to be true? :cool:)...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Finally, please indicate portability aspects, as opposed to desktop-only

Relevant:

New Web Based control app for DACs with PEQ

It's an open source project that looks to be vibe coded using AI, but it works fine on a few my USB DACs like the Black Pearl and Fiio JA11. I find it easier to use than the original manufacturers apps plus there is no need for registration. If your DAC uses WalkPlay it will work with this app...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john61ct]

A post stating the Topping DX1 II is "pretty unique", implying this thread should not really get much traction for the time being.

Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

That is not "this DAC" despite the name, nor a currently produced model anyway so that specific comparison is a waste of time. I think the point is, they should focus on the basics implementing new DAC chips, make sure their products work properly AS DACs before adding all the EQ bells and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[ATTI]

JDS Labs Element IV
E1DA PowerDAC V2.1

 

[john61ct]

JDS Labs Element IV DAC & HP Amp

BIG KNOB! Loudness Contour!

very clean

headphone amp A+ powerful

use USB isolator if needed

or TOSlink input

SE RCA preamp output & HPamp

...

DSP features, especially HPamp
fully configurable Crossfeed algorithm

supports a dynamic Loudness Contour feature via a software update

Automatic Preamp Gain algorithm, prevent digital clipping as you adjust the master dial
up to full 12-band user-custom Parametric EQ per channel (up to 24 total bands when configuring separate Left and Right ear settings

JDS Labs Core web app used to graphically tweak and share EQ profiles, stored on hardware

Lowshelf, Peaking, or Highshelf

center frequency, the Q-factor (bandwidth sharpness), and the specific gain value (+/- 30 dB) for each

strictly a minimum-phase digital equalizer. This implementation introduces standard, predictable minimum-phase shifts that naturally accompany frequency response adjustments
does not support phase tuning (allpass filtering or manual phase delay adjustments)

JDS Labs Element IV DAC & HP Amp with EQ Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the JDS Labs Element IV (4) stereo DAC and headphone amplifier with support for parametric equalization. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $499. The Element IV implements their large and joyful horizontal volume control...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john61ct]

E1DA PowerDAC v2.1 DAC + HPamp

"portable" but see power caveat below

Full Digital Amplifier (FDA), "digital-to-power" topology, converts the PCM digital input signal straight to Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) waveforms, eliminating line-level DAC stage entirely

no dedicated preamp output, cannot bypass the powerful internal amplification stage to get a clean line-level signal – see E1DA 9038SG3 or 9038D6K instead

...

7-band parametric EQ (PEQ), filters (LPF, HPF, APF), and a compressor/limiter

E1DA PowerDAC V2.1

The newest PowerDAC for the Head-fi universe is released! It is pretty much the same device as PDv2, however, now PowerDAC can work with unbalanced headphones as well. HPToy iOS/Android app was modified to get the switch for 3 output modes: 1) Balanced - the same as PDv2 balanced 2.5mm TRRS up...

www.linsoul.com

...
From Google (feedback welcome)

HP amp: Balanced (600mW)
SE RCA (lower power via adapter) vs "Unbalanced Boost" gain (full 600mW with crossfeed)

third-party measurement data for Full Digital Amplifier (FDA) devices like the PowerDAC V2.1 is minimal compared to standard DACs.

Traditional audio analyzers (like an Audio Precision machine) cannot measure its signals cleanly without a physical headphone load or a specialized hardware low-pass filter attached. However, hardware measures include

Output Power: 600mW per channel into a 15-Ohm load at 1% THD

For standard 32-Ohm loads, it reliably pushes around 320mW

Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz (+/- 0.2dB)

THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise): It scales directly with the digital signal volume level:
* 0dBFS (Max Volume): < 0.05%
* -3dBFS: < 0.03%
* -10dBFS: < 0.01%

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): ~ -108dB(A)

Output Impedance: relatively high at 1.5Ω, better for planar or high-impedance dynamic drivers, less so for lower impedance sensitive IEMs, can result in an audible noise floor / hiss

draws high current over the USB rail, so requires a quality USB power supply

Review and Measurements of E1DA 9038S BAL Portable DAC & Amp

Thanks! I think I almost have all the info I need before choosing the dac/amp to use with my iPhone! The last thing I want to figure out is power consumption. Do you know how I could compare the power consumption between the Linsoul E1DA 9038S Susumu 3000 Gen3 (4 vrms), Luxury & Precision W2 (4...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

www.head-fi.org

 

[mdsimon2]

Sharing this more for proof of concept as the devices that support it (Okto dac8 PRO and Stereo) are in the RME price range, but there are special firmwares that implement rather powerful IIR DSP on the XMOS XU216.

GitHub - fabriceo/AVDSP_DAC8: AVDSP for DAC8PRO and DAC8STEREO

AVDSP for DAC8PRO and DAC8STEREO. Contribute to fabriceo/AVDSP_DAC8 development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

The manuals have the most information and are an interesting read.

AVDSP_DAC8/documents at main · fabriceo/AVDSP_DAC8

AVDSP for DAC8PRO and DAC8STEREO. Contribute to fabriceo/AVDSP_DAC8 development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Admittedly it is not the most user friendly, however it is very easy to prototype filters using software DSP on attached USB host (computer) and then implement those filters in AVDSP. It is also possible to verify the output of the AVDSP filters using no additional hardware other than an attached computer running REW via bi-directional USB.

Michael

 

[john61ct]

Future learning fodder anyway, and free software why not?

But for hardware, besides the cost per box issues, going to multi port devices could balloon the category to maybe lotsa models with very different use cases?

Just in case, divide and conquer, please post MCH "value gear like the Okto dac8 PRO" here:

Relatively inexpensive MCH DAC / DDCs with DSP built in

Branching discussion from such devices that are similar in function to the Topping DX1 II targeting consumers This thread seeks to capture Multi Channel models, perhaps from the pro / prosumer realms, even if now only available secondhand The **key** requirement is some sort of included DSP...

www.audiosciencereview.com

...

thanks!

 

[john61ct]

Luxsin X8 DAC & HPAmp

Luxsin X8 DAC & HP Amp Review

Since it remembers remembers settings per output, just like with the PEQ you can also use hearing compensation for your speakers if you so wanted to :p

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john61ct]

Topping M62 Professional Interface

Topping M62 Portable Audio Interface Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping M62 Portable (battery operated) Audio Interface (ADC/DAC) and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $ 249. There is a ton of functionality for which, I am not qualified to fully describe. But we are talking...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john61ct]

ARC ON·EAR "interface" DAC/amp/DSP from IK Multimedia

ARC ON·EAR "interface" DAC/amp/DSP from IK Multimedia

Targeted at music creators, maybe sound engineers? Dunno if serious kit... Canned frequency response calibration for 50+ headphones, especially modern IEMs https://www.forbes.com/sites/marksparrow/2026/07/05/ik-multimedia-releases-major-update-to-arc-on-ear-headphone-interface...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john61ct]

new SMSL SU-3, 32 bands

SMSL SU3 AK4496 Digital to Analog Convertor (DAC)

shenzhenaudio.com: professional headphone, earphone, amplifier, dac, decoder, hifi player, cable supermarket. you will find good price here.

shenzhenaudio.com

 

[audiofromaustria]

Is there a model from SMSL analog SMSL SU-3 Desktop DAC but with two AK4496 and own power supply?
I already own the SMSL SU-1.

 

[john61ct]

Is there a model from SMSL analog SMSL SU-3 Desktop DAC but with two AK4496 and own power supply?
I already own the SMSL SU-1.

This thread is about logging DDC / DAC units known to feature user PEQ or other DSP.

Also I do not understand your question, so maybe reword it starting a new thread?

Finally, AK4496 ??

 

[john61ct]

TRN Black Pearl: Portable USB DAC & Headphone Amp with 10-band PEQ

Review of TRN Black Pearl: Portable USB DAC & Headphone Amp with 10-band PEQ

Important Update (8/16/25) WalkPlay/TTGK is another company reacting to the issue of DRE-induced distortion associated with the CS431xx chips! A new firmware release for the TRN Black Pearl changed a key parameter related to DRE operation. With this firmware installed, the Black Pearl does not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Pictus]

https://apos.audio/blogs/news/new-fiio-k13-desktop-dac-amp-ess-version

The FiiO K13 is a desktop DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamplifier built
around two ESS ES9039Q2M DACs and a fully balanced signal path.
An XMOS XU316 USB interface supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512, while
the balanced headphone amplifier delivers up to 2400mW + 2400mW into 32Ω.
Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC, 10-band parametric EQ with Auto EQ, multiple analog
and digital outputs, and separate AC and DC power inputs give the K13 enough
flexibility to operate as a headphone amplifier or the digital control point
of a desktop speaker system.

 

[john61ct]

FiiO K13

Interestingly also a coax S/PDIF DDC output

unfortunately not processed by the DSP PEQ

DACs or DDCs with simultaneous concurrent outputs

Looking to collect a list. No need to post all the details, just list the inputs and which outputs are concurrent. Compare / contrast features / SQ issues welcome if known to you.

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[john61ct]

Adding speaker amps too so long as DAC included

Fiio Jade Audio Level One

DDC, DACs and HPamp combo units WITH PEQ/DSP

There is these days a lot of excitement around Topping DX1 II both positive about the value pricing combined with stellar objective measurements and many reports of implementation faults that hopefully will get corrected with firmware updates. The topic of this thread is OTHER units that are...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Note, no ADC, this amp does not digitize analog signals, analog RCA input routes it straight through to the power amp section

Therefore the digital EQ features do not apply to analog source inputs, unless you insert a nice dedicated ADC yourself, e.g. miniDSP PocketADC or ADept

 

[ATTI]

Fosi ZH1

New Fosi ZH1 Dac-Amp

Just saw this little ditty pop up in my email. At a $150, I couldn't say no. I have the JDS labs Element IV connected to my Mac Studio for work. I'm going to put this on my night stand at my bedside connected to my iPad Mini, and make this my night-night amp. We'll see how it goes. Blast, FOSI...

www.audiosciencereview.com