Topping DX1 II and Sundara (or other planar)

[andreworg]

Hi all,
I am thinking about a DX1 II for a quick setup to drive my Sundaras as an alternative to my "full" setup.
In reviews around, I've read many hints that this may not be ideal. I am no expert, but I already had figured that part out by myself. But I found no actual report from direct experience, not even substantiated speculation.
What should one expect from that? Has anyone actually tried?

 

[staticV3]

Hi @andreworg! Welcome to ASR.

With a balanced cable, the DX1 II can drive the Sundara to a bonkers loud 120dB SPL Peak. About 8x as loud as my normal listening volume.

I have no clue why the DX1 II would somehow be suboptimal, except perhaps that audiophools might perceive it as not expensive enough

 

[andreworg]

Hi @andreworg! Welcome to ASR.

Thanks! As you can see, I've been here lurking for a while It's a very nice place.

Well, the general tone was that the low power due to the USB connection might be insufficient to drive some more demanding models. But to be fair, no one specifically mentioned the Sundara.

 

[Limopard]

I'm using this combo right now. Balanced / high gain it is absolutely sufficient. I'm @-35db with a medium loud source file and it's definitely not too quiet. Single ended you need to go up to -27dB to have it roughly as loud.

 

[staticV3]

I'm using this combo right now. Balanced / high gain it is absolutely sufficient. I'm @-35db with a medium loud source file and it's definitely not too quiet. Single ended you need to go up to -27dB to have it roughly as loud.

For OP, that's 10% and 15% of max volume, respectively.

 

[pier25]

Also using a Sundara with a balanced cable and the DX1 II. Plenty loud for me and not even pushing the amp super high.

 

[ThatM1key]

I nearly got a "JDS Atom Amp 2" because I just wanted a pure amp rather a combo as I got my Topping E30. I found out that the Topping DX1 II existed and I picked that instead for the balanced output, ADC and software. JDS Atom Amp has a lot more power but that's about it, no balanced output. They both are very similar in class (Everything but power of course).

I bought a "Type C" splitter to squeeze a bit more power but the Topping never wanted to pull above 0.5 amps.

In my opinion. I would pick the Topping DX1 II. The Sundara are balanced and the Topping outputs enough power for that ohm range. If you ever upgrade again, you can find another use for the Topping, so much potential with this little guy.

Anybody reading this. Topping DX11 II + Phillips Fidelio X3, great combo.

 

[llmercll]

I have this setup and it gets plenty loud + sounds amazing

I have some crackling when playing DSD files though that i cant fix

 

[davmol]

Just got mine yesterday, and am running 4.4mm balanced to Hifiman Anandas, and it's comfortably loud at -20db and unpleasantly loud beyond -10db so you'll be fine with the Sundara.