Some info about Topping's incoming DX1 II

[Power Pop 23]

In a November 2019 review of a $130 ifi Zen DAC/Headphone Amp, Amir was displeased to have to spend $25 on an adapter to convert the 4.4mm balanced jack on the back panel to an XLR interface.

 

[tccalvin]

This looks amazing on paper. Will keep my eyes peeled for early adopter feedback!

 

[Matias]

In a November 2019 review of a $130 ifi Zen DAC/Headphone Amp, Amir was displeased to have to spend $25 on an adapter to convert the 4.4mm balanced jack on the back panel to an XLR interface.

View attachment 533388

7 years later the balanced 4.4 mm is common now for IEMs/headphones, and apparently becoming more common for line level output of tiny devices.

 

[Roland68]

Not so exotic if you come from the "portable" world: many dongles & DAP have "balanced" Line-Out through a 4.4mm Pentaconn port. DX1-II is not really portable, but not very big either... It'll be interesting to know if Topping has implemented some plug insert detection in order to minimize the inevitable pops & clicks caused by the many brief short-circuits when you plug/unplug something.

Sure, balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn for headphones is popular nowadays, nothing new here. Just seeing this used for line level balanced output is what surprised me. But yeah, it's the same really, just used differently, you are right.

iFi and other manufacturers have been using this 4.4mm connector on their desktop devices for quite some time as a space-saving alternative to XLR and TRS.

 

[Bamboszek]

Personally, I'd prefer two 3.5mm TRS balanced outputs, as I can't stand Y-splitter cables.
Besides, two 3.5mm would be even cheaper and easier to find, while maintaining a similar size.

We can't complain though - a 5-pin 4.4mm connector can currently be purchased on Aliexpress for less than $2.50.
Topping definitely saves itself the hassle of dealing with less technically inclined customers by using a proprietary 4.4mm plug.
I bet someone would try to stick standard 3.5mm to balanced 3.5mm output jacks.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I have no idea how much it costs Topping Audio to make a DX1 II DAC/Headphone Amp.

I worry the DX1 II may be an example of 'involution' in China and leave Topping (and their competitors) with less capital to maintain and develop products.

Involution is characterized in the August 2025 link below as an intensely competitive, price-cutting zero-sum race to the bottom and largely attributed to the inability of the government in China to increase domestic consumer demand to match production capacity - for various reasons.

What’s New about Involution?

“Involution” is a new word for an old problem, and without a very different set of policies to rein it in, it is a problem that is likely to persist.

carnegieendowment.org

Given the general drop in prices over the years for (small) audio gear that measures as performant, I wonder if some prospective customers for the DX1 II are going to decide to wait and see if a cheaper option emerges sooner than later ?

 

[thomwithah]

While its clearly a value, especially for use as a DDC and whatnot, some choices here seem really very strange, to me. For example, it's being marketed as a gaming device and touted for UAC 1.0 support, yet the only way to adjust microphone level is through a PC's settings (/topping driver).

There's no mic volume/"game" (or other audio) volume adjustment via the main knob or the remote. Maybe they exist, but I can't think of a single similar product, marketed as "gaming ready," or similar, that doesn't offer on device mic / game mix adjustment.

 

[vdem]

Ok, such an attractive price was irresistible on AliExpress (with store and Ali coupons), so I went ahead and ordered for $102 (with all applied discounts)

 

[tccalvin]

While its clearly a value, especially for use as a DDC and whatnot, some choices here seem really very strange, to me. For example, it's being marketed as a gaming device and touted for UAC 1.0 support, yet the only way to adjust microphone level is through a PC's settings (/topping driver).

There's no mic volume/"game" (or other audio) volume adjustment via the main knob or the remote. Maybe they exist, but I can't think of a single similar product, marketed as "gaming ready," or similar, that doesn't offer on device mic / game mix adjustment.

That's true. Marketing it as a gaming device is a bit of a stretch but it's still great that it's compatible with consoles and that you can plug in a TRRS jack with no issue.

 

[CedarX]

DX1-II is certainly small, but I can’t stop wondering if a DSPi board could be integrated inside, hacking the optical input at some downstream point…

 

[Asher]

could be marketing with much less bullshit

Listen deeper? deeper what?
React faster? React to what?
Play sharper? What sharper? to pierce your eardrum ?

They're marketing the DX1 II as a gamer DAC. The other ad copy refers to having PEQ profiles for better hearing footsteps in video games, etc. "Listen", "react", and "play" in this context refer to getting a competitive advantage in gaming.

Still marketing-speak, but not entirely nonsensical.

 

[Chanur]

That's true. Marketing it as a gaming device is a bit of a stretch but it's still great that it's compatible with consoles and that you can plug in a TRRS jack with no issue.

The gaming market is much much larger than HiFi so it's kind of smart to do so.

 

[deprogrammed]

I am never an early adopter. Only 8 left! Well, here I am. Bought off Amazon. White. Be here first couple days of June. This will be used for headphones only so the other functionality is a bonus. Might come in handy in the future. I have the Tanchjim one with DSP, Qudelix 5k, and a Fiio Snowsky. I really like these PEQ enabled devices, I appreciate the blend of software and hardware. What I am missing is the topping has is pretty trivial but this is a hobby. A volume knob and something a bit more substantial to stay on the desk. I expect some growing pains with the software. I hope they treat it like Qudelix and Wiim do. I want to see how it behaves with a phone or tablet and a hub. Price point makes it much easier to dive in.

 

[Matias]

It's taking a while for my vendor to ship though, I wonder if it is already back ordered...

 

[Bleib]

It's taking a while for my vendor to ship though, I wonder if it is already back ordered...

From my experience the official shop is the fastest. Shenzenaudio might take one extra week before it's shipped.. about:ish

 

[Rosenbloom]

Just arrived....

 

[Chanur]

Great stickers. Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[Rosenbloom]

I have no idea how much it costs Topping Audio to make a DX1 II DAC/Headphone Amp.

I worry the DX1 II may be an example of 'involution' in China and leave Topping (and their competitors) with less capital to maintain and develop products.

Involution is characterized in the August 2025 link below as an intensely competitive, price-cutting zero-sum race to the bottom and largely attributed to the inability of the government in China to increase domestic consumer demand to match production capacity - for various reasons.

What’s New about Involution?

“Involution” is a new word for an old problem, and without a very different set of policies to rein it in, it is a problem that is likely to persist.

carnegieendowment.org

Given the general drop in prices over the years for (small) audio gear that measures as performant, I wonder if some prospective customers for the DX1 II are going to decide to wait and see if a cheaper option emerges sooner than later ?

Regarding involution, it is indeed evident in China. Manufacturers in China are struggling to survive amid fierce market competition, resorting to aggressive price-cutting while simultaneously pushing their employees to work harder and harder. Meanwhile, younger generations have grown skeptical of spending heavily on consumer goods. For music lovers, splurging on HiFi equipment is now widely seen as paying an “intelligence tax”. The era of overpriced HiFi has passed, and consumers in China are far more discerning than before.

When I listen to music with the DX1 II, I realize just how much “intelligence tax” I had paid during my earlier HiFi journey.

 

[Bauhaus]

Regarding involution, it is indeed evident in China. Manufacturers in China are struggling to survive amid fierce market competition, resorting to aggressive price-cutting while simultaneously pushing their employees to work harder and harder. Meanwhile, younger generations have grown skeptical of spending heavily on consumer goods. For music lovers, splurging on HiFi equipment is now widely seen as paying an “intelligence tax”. The era of overpriced HiFi has passed, and consumers in China are far more discerning than before.

When I listen to music with the DX1 II, I realize just how much “intelligence tax” I had paid during my earlier HiFi journey.

View attachment 533742

Does the web-driver works already?

 

[Bleib]

Wow, very fast delivery, impressive