Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review (NTTY)

[NTTY]

I have tried about twenty different CD and DVD players and the problem with the optical input was with all of them - signal drops. The problem is only at 44.1kHz and its multiples of 88.2 and 176.4kHz. At 48kHz and its multiples of 96 and 192kHz everything is fine. The DX1 II cannot be used to play CDs at the moment.

Interesting finding, thanks, I’ll need to test that too!

 

[1066]

Thanks for the review and investigation NTTY.

It’s quite an important product at this price point, potentially removing the need for more costly devices.

Not with issues though.

Have Topping commented?

 

[Bleib]

I have tried about twenty different CD and DVD players and the problem with the optical input was with all of them - signal drops. The problem is only at 44.1kHz and its multiples of 88.2 and 176.4kHz. At 48kHz and its multiples of 96 and 192kHz everything is fine. The DX1 II cannot be used to play CDs at the moment.

Ah, that explains why SMSL PL20 works. It upsamples to 48. If the problems with 44.1 can't be fixed with a firmware then this DAC needs to be recalled and a new revision should be released. Do it again, do it right

Edit:

Topping support:
"Thank you for your email. We will be out of the office from June 18 to June 21 with no access to emails. We apologize for any delay in response to your email. We will respond to your email as quickly as we can when we return to the office on June 22. Thanks.
Wishing you daily happiness and all the best !~ ^.^"

 

[Multicore]

I initially had an issue with rear balanced output, with lots of Power Supply leakage, and after leaving the device on for many hours, it is all gone.

Burn in!

 

[wgh52]

Burn in!

Well... No...

The real issue then would be bad or even missing/skipped final outgoing quality assurance! Pushing final test to the end user is a "no go!" at least for me.

Regards,
Winfried

 

[Tatteredmidnight]

@NTTY thanks for the thorough and excellent review. Are you set up to perform HP power tests at 32Ω and 300Ω like Amir does? This is of particular interest for this unit since it is USB powered, and I would argue this is as important or more important as SINAD for a HP amp.

 

[Soundproof]

Thanks for the review, much obliged.

Pulled the trigger before the full review, having read the inital tests leading up to it, including the comments in this and the other discussion. Pretty sure it will cover the intended usage when the caveats have been ironed out. Will be using my Mac and a Dab+ radio-adapter (optical conn) as sources.

Appreciate the multiplatform approach, PEQ accessible from Mac, Windows and Linux. Prefer not having to replace everything else if/when swapping platform. It will keep my desk clean too, moving the Mac under my desk where it is ment to be placed. According to the on/off button, that is.

 

[NTTY]

Hi everyone, I updated the review as I thought the Topping would not be a DDC, but it is, just need to activate the EQ, else no digital output.

Doing so, and since there's volume control on the digital out, I could test that it is possible to get rid of intersample-overs by reducing the volume. There's no negative digital impact on that. This is very cool I think.

I will need to run more tests at 24bits. This is a little tricky to test because of the precision involved, and I need to remember how I did those in the past. That said, since the resolution in analog domain is limited to a bit more than 20bits, I could not find a tangible issue.

By the way, I ran again tests from rear analog balanced and got no issue.

 

[giraffe]

Hi everyone, I updated the review as I thought the Topping would not be a DDC, but it is, just need to activate the EQ, else no digital output.

In my test case, USB-in + SPDIF-out works even with equalization turned off.

PC -> dx1 -> su1 -> speakers

Spoiler: dx1ii + su1

 

[Canuck57]

OP - thanks for posting such a comprehensive review.

 

[Janox]

I have a problem with the RCA output - a very loud "click" when switching the sampling rate and switching the PEQ (on the optical input). The same "click" occurs when turning the CD player on and off. Is there no output mute on the RCA?

 

[valcon]

Did I miss the power vs. distortion graphs at different impedances? I couldn't find them

 

[Janox]

The optical output always works - from USB or optical input, with PEQ on or off.

The optical output transmits optical input errors when playing 44.1kHz CDs - sound dropouts.

 

[NTTY]

In my test case, USB-in + SPDIF-out works even with equalization turned off.

Interesting, thanks. Maybe I need to be more patient when I turn this one on/off. I’ll test again.

 

[giraffe]

There are definitely some issues with the firmware.
I encountered a problem where switching presets C1-3 using the remote doesn't apply the saved EQ profile.

I made this short video with on-screen commentary to demonstrate the problem of activating the incorrect equalization profile when switching the settings profile (C1-3 buttons).

Spoiler: Youtube video

 

[Billy Budapest]

In my test case, USB-in + SPDIF-out works even with equalization turned off.

PC -> dx1 -> su1 -> speakers

Spoiler: dx1ii + su1

View attachment 539951View attachment 539952View attachment 539953

Question—what fixes and features are contained in the firmware update?

 

[kazuviking]

Where was this thing when i begun my audio journey? Incredible little thing, give it a mic in and its THE best value feature ratio you can get.

 

[giraffe]

Question—what fixes and features are contained in the firmware update?

The patch download page usually lists the changes.

v2.46

• Fixed: After automatic screen-off, sample rate changes were not synchronized on the web interface.
• Fixed: After automatic screen-off, noise could occasionally be output.
• Fixed: Under USB input, the clock did not switch when the sample rate changed.
• Fixed: Several other known issues.

v2.54

• Fixed: Random noise that occurred after playing for a while.

 

[Dreamic]

Where was this thing when i begun my audio journey? Incredible little thing, give it a mic in and its THE best value feature ratio you can get.

It technically has mic input with the 3.5mm

 

[daniboun]

It technically has mic input with the 3.5mm

Yes check attached file