Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[Soundproof]

This might actually work/work now: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-ii-dac-hp-amp-review-ntty.71973/post-2630587

Thanks a lot, I saw that, but didn't explore it properly. Have to iron out the rest first.

Got mine yesterday, set it up, and it SHOULD be correct, but no sound despite visible/available in MacOS and Qobuz. First thought it was the 3.5/4.4 out that was buggered, but I suspect it has something to do with MacOS config/setup. Have only 3 possible test variations for output (all 3.5mm) and one for input, thus I can't establish whether it's the 3.5 mm or not. Suspect it is me and the MacOS setup though, I never was good at sound on computers. Alsa/Pipewire/PulseAudio is not obvious to me in Linux

 

[Roland301]

One of the key innovations from Topping is to bring us balanced output in this price range.

The Schiit Vestri also has a balanced output at similar price point so the DX1 isn't the only one.
Less features and inputs though, and the touch controls are annoying, although it also lacks the DX1's odd quirks.

I think it's the built in PEQ at this price point that makes the DX1 ii special, personally.

 

[sphenicstands]

Have only 3 possible test variations for output (all 3.5mm) and one for input, thus I can't establish whether it's the 3.5 mm or not. Suspect it is me and the MacOS setup though, I never was good at sound on computers.

You don't have a phone or tablet you can try as the USB-C input? It may or may not work either, due to power requirements but still worth a shot?

 

[Garfunkiest]

That's completely wrong. The most common sample rate for music streaming is 44.1 KHz because that is what the music is mastered for (CD). You only get access to higher sample rate in premium lossless/high-res tier.

For youtube video, if you are consuming that through the browser, then you are using the OS pipeline. There, you can set the sample rate to anything. Set it to 44.1 kHz and you will avoid the 48 kHz.

And I thought the 48 kHz issue was limited to Toslink. It certainly didn't show up in my Jitter and THD+N vs Frequency which use 48 kHz sampling.

It is this kind of sloppy posting that is getting me to respond to you all. You arguing while misstating the most basic

This post isn't entirely accurate. For one, YouTube (and YT Music and the majority of web apps) uses the Opus codec, which is, by design, only 48kHz. Expecting people to resample largely defeats the point of a dedicated DAC (even if the differences are inaudible).

Anyways thanks to everyone beta testing this thing. I usually wait 6 months from release before buying stuff like this, but I fear this might require a hardware revision. Shame that it's the only DACAMP on the market that has the feature set I want.

FWIW This is where the whole 44.1kHz thing actually comes from: an awkward compromise between what formats could be played and recorded by PCM adapters to both PAL and NTSC VCRs/VTRs.

 

[NTTY]

This might actually work/work now: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-ii-dac-hp-amp-review-ntty.71973/post-2630587

USB to opti out only, but it doesn’t work from optical input. That’s what I explained in my review. To be confirmed by other members though.

 

[sphenicstands]

USB to opti out only, but it doesn’t work from optical input. That’s what I explained in my review. To be confirmed by other members though.

Maybe I misunderstood but I thought @giraffe was saying they have since tested on the latest firmware and it works optical in to optical out?

 

[NTTY]

I did a ton of testing in my review, including opti in to out, and could not have the PEQ enable in that case (firmware 2.69). Again, this is to be confirmed by other members to rule out a specific issue with my item.

 

[Soundproof]

You don't have a phone or tablet you can try as the USB-C input? It may or may not work either, due to power requirements but still worth a shot?

Kind of wrote that one off because I was convinced low power would make it pointless. Would indeed help in the elimination process. Did a quick test just now, but I did the setup of the Android rather strict 18 months ago and haven't bothered with it since. I will have another look and see if that's possible at all. Much obliged

 

[sphenicstands]

Got mine yesterday, set it up, and it SHOULD be correct, but no sound despite visible/available in MacOS and Qobuz

Just remembered I think @NTTY had a similar issue initially and discovered it was OS master volume being set to mute when connecting the Topping, which doesn't happen with other DACs but I don't know if @NTTY was using a Mac ...

Also maybe worth checking, is the UAC switch on the back of the DX1 II set to UAC 1 or 2? AFAIK, no one's mentioned testing UAC 1 yet.

 

[SlowLife]

Day 6
FW: V2.69 (V15.69.22.69)
Driver: V6.16.0
4.4Bal LO -> Pioneer DJ VM-50
4.4Bal PO -> EB2S Pro / FT1 Pro / Para / R70x / Misiom Libra
USB @ 32/192kHz
More than 10 hours each day.
Working normally, no distortion issues.

Today I will try 24/96kHz.

 

[techgod92]

Just want to say the obvious. This thing is SO resolving! Many so called "high-end" DACs measure worse, and sound veiled in comparison. I have always been a believer in paying for the value a product provides, rather than branding and wild ideas about "the output stage."

 

[sphenicstands]

Day 6
FW: V2.69 (V15.69.22.69)
Driver: V6.16.0
4.4Bal LO -> Pioneer DJ VM-50
4.4Bal PO -> EB2S Pro / FT1 Pro / Para / R70x / Misiom Libra
USB @ 32/192kHz
More than 10 hours each day.
Working normally, no distortion issues.

Today I will try 24/96kHz.

View attachment 542618

This detail sets the bar in this thread for reporting issues/no issues. Makes it very clear what fw, driver, inputs, outputs, bit depth and sampling rate were used and for how long. I suggest some of the previous to and fro could have been avoided if these details had been included in each report of "I have an issue" vs "I don't have an issue". It also informs readers if the report is relevant to their setup. For example, I don't use balanced connections.

 

[Matias]

Just a small reminder to owners here that the screen auto-off is such a cool and underrated feature. Change volume or sampling rate or input the display turns on, 1s later everything is off and running in stealth mode. Love it!

 

[Bleib]

Just a small reminder to owners here that the screen auto-off is such a cool and underrated feature. Change volume or sampling rate or input the display turn on, 1s later everything is off and running in stealth mode. Love it!

Yes, and I hope one day we can change the setting in exact seconds how fast it turns off

 

[techgod92]

That's completely wrong. The most common sample rate for music streaming is 44.1 KHz because that is what the music is mastered for (CD). You only get access to higher sample rate in premium lossless/high-res tier.

For youtube video, if you are consuming that through the browser, then you are using the OS pipeline. There, you can set the sample rate to anything. Set it to 44.1 kHz and you will avoid the 48 kHz.

And I thought the 48 kHz issue was limited to Toslink. It certainly didn't show up in my Jitter and THD+N vs Frequency which use 48 kHz sampling.

It is this kind of sloppy posting that is getting me to respond to you all. You arguing while misstating the most basic facts here.

@ATTI Amir is 100% right.

 

[techgod92]

I received mine today. Boxing of the highest quality, perfect fit’n finish, USB cables included are fabulous, I cannot wait to power it up tomorrow. Less than $ 120 w tax included (there was a small discount coupon on Amazon) for a DAC performance on par or superior to the big boys, not to mention the high quality HP amp. Bravo Topping. Thank you Amir for testing this gem for us.

I foresee a future where the "high-end" market dries up, once people realize that you don't have to spend thousands, or tens of thousands, to get a literally perfect DAC.

 

[Bleib]

View attachment 542525

Fine, but can't find anywhere to actually buy them lol?!

EDIT: Links to buy them from Toppings own store don't work
However.... https://hifigo.com/products/topping-tc-otg-y20 £3.77?!..... Ignore once shipping to UK is added!

For me the officlal shop works (I'm in Sweden)

From hifigo you can get -5 USD with this code: "NICEDAY$5" without quotation marks

 

[Bleib]

I foresee a future where the "high-end" market dries up, once people realize that you don't have to spend thousands, or tens of thousands, to get a literally perfect DAC.

I suppose people always want to save money, but for many expensive hifi is also a status thing... higher costs will never vanish fully

 

[techgod92]

I suppose people always want to save money, but for many expensive hifi is also a status thing... higher costs will never vanish fully

I agree with you to some extent. But I believe that many audiophiles think the fancy casework and brand make the sound "better." There's a real bias there that can't be fully erased unless they follow objective measurements as the gold standard. The same is true with paying a high dollar amount, leading to expectation bias. Eventually, the trend will move towards measurement-first engineering over status symbols. Give it a few years, I think.

 

[Bleib]

Tried something new with the 48khz, muted the mic, but it made no difference. One plus hour and the bugs came as usual