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Go figure. I've only used the DX1 II with the included USB-C cable and zero issues with the DAC or amp.
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Just tried some FFTs now and saw the noise floor pumping with headphones out, weird. I’ll test different USB cables, although the one I used is from Topping and no issue with rear RCA. Still plenty of PS noise with rear balanced outputs.
The review is expected to be a mix of very good and very bad results…
Bleib
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Lots of thanks for testing. So it's clearly cheaper for a reason..
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Just want to clarify - you get noise in measurements via USB connection? So it is a "ground-loop" related issue? Or the same with optical connection? For my use case, headamp + preamp for iLoad Micro Monitor with connection via RCA, this issue PS noise is not critical, but interesting to see the full review.
Bleib
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The noise has to come from the USB, RCA is clean but not headphones and balanced.
I have an IFI USB filter (paid only 15 euro), wonder if helps anything at all.
best result you will get with Topping HS02 with an external power source (if I remember correctly, there is a limitation of HS02 power output), but it is 5 times more expensive then IFI USB filter
Bleib
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Yeah, I'm not buying that, I only bought the IFI because it was dirt cheap used.
I notice no noise with headphones and I only use it for gaming. Sounds identical to Soundblaster AE-5 which has a dedicated headphone amp as well.
I forgot to ask earlier, but do you have the means to measure the filters? I'm curious if they work "as advertised" as well.
Yes of course
I have it, I can try.
Sokel
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I would be also nice to replicate a couple of measurements with DSP active so to see if it's plagued by the quantization errors we see here and there, like here, D50 III, etc.
Bluesound Node N132 Streamer review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the 2024 Bluesound Node N132 . I purchased mine new from a reseller. Price was around 500€. Note that this is the 2024 model. You may find the previous model (2021) much cheaper. Amir reviewed this one here. The Bluesound Node combines a...
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Oh I had plans to actually use the rear balanced out, is it still a concern in line out mode?
Either way, looking forward to the review before I decide experimenting with my audio setup.
That is the main concern yes, at least on my side. It picks up noise like if the cable was not connected.
I’d need to do that yes, just need to find time.
So far, here are my first (not so) quick findings:
- Rear RCA shows max 120.6dB from Opti and USB, excellent.
- Rear balanced suffer constant PS leakage, reducing the SINAD to 102dB at best, very bad.
- Front unbalanced phones out show same performances as rear RCA. The SNR into 10kohm load is more than 95dB at 50mVrms output in low gain mode.
- Front balanced phones out show a SINAD of max 122.6dB (@7.7Vrms max output), and still an excellent 119.5dB @4Vrms. Low gain mode reduces the output to 1.6Vrms and SINAD to 119.2dB.
- Optical input suffers drops and loss of connection when fed with devices that have more than 1ppm clock deviation, pointing to lack of PLL or ASRC to process the incoming signal on the Topping(?). With device of precision better than 1ppm, the signal is stable within the Topping.
- Optical output replicates input and shows a clock deviation of 19ppm from opti input to output (source better than 0.5ppm), again suggesting that the Topping relies on its internal clock only for both optical in/out, ie acting as the clock master in both cases. I will probably need assistance from @KSTR or someone who’s used to clock sync issues, to investigate further.
- Internal clock deviation is -10ppm, from USB input to analog output.
- Noise floor is "pumping" when fed by signal from USB, not from Optical input (TBC).
All the above need to be replicated more than once, and investigated. Not only this device offers several features, but the issues with some of them will require much more time than usual to properly report.
- Rear RCA shows max 120.6dB from Opti and USB, excellent.
- Rear balanced suffer constant PS leakage, reducing the SINAD to 102dB at best, very bad.
- Front unbalanced phones out show same performances as rear RCA. The SNR into 10kohm load is more than 95dB at 50mVrms output in low gain mode.
- Front balanced phones out show a SINAD of max 122.6dB (@7.7Vrms max output), and still an excellent 119.5dB @4Vrms. Low gain mode reduces the output to 1.6Vrms and SINAD to 119.2dB.
- Optical input suffers drops and loss of connection when fed with devices that have more than 1ppm clock deviation, pointing to lack of PLL or ASRC to process the incoming signal on the Topping(?). With device of precision better than 1ppm, the signal is stable within the Topping.
- Optical output replicates input and shows a clock deviation of 19ppm from opti input to output (source better than 0.5ppm), again suggesting that the Topping relies on its internal clock only for both optical in/out, ie acting as the clock master in both cases. I will probably need assistance from @KSTR or someone who’s used to clock sync issues, to investigate further.
- Internal clock deviation is -10ppm, from USB input to analog output.
- Noise floor is "pumping" when fed by signal from USB, not from Optical input (TBC).
All the above need to be replicated more than once, and investigated. Not only this device offers several features, but the issues with some of them will require much more time than usual to properly report.
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This is fantastic to hear. Always wondered, since I'm a PC guy, I always ask questions about motherboards and USB ratings, as well as power management for the USB ports which put them into low power mode, I wondering if that is it, cause I know a lot of people don't have this issue
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Have you tried changing the optical connection settings described in the manual? Topping doesn't describe them in detail. The SMSL DO100 has an optical input adjustment from 1 to 9. When I set the TV to 1, I hear clicking sounds, but when I set it to 9, everything is fine. Maybe this setting will help?
Thanks for the tip, this one only has 2 settings, and it's the same issue with both.
Bleib
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Yes, and neither work with Fosi Merak... Topping also wrote this in their latest email
"Regarding the S/PDIF connection issue between the Fosi Merak CD-player and the DAC, we have also noted the test results you mentioned."
A view on the 8 filters
This is at 44.1kHz sampling rate.
Filter 7 and 8 overlay nearly perfectly but their respective impulse is a little different.
Filter 3 preserves audio bandwidth, is fully active at 24kHz and has the best attenuation.
This is at 44.1kHz sampling rate.
Filter 7 and 8 overlay nearly perfectly but their respective impulse is a little different.
Filter 3 preserves audio bandwidth, is fully active at 24kHz and has the best attenuation.
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