Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[pier25]

Well, it's up on the web now too

DX1 II V15.83.22.83 Firmware Update - Topping audio

TOPPING, born in 2008, has evolved into a beloved global HIFI brand favored by users worldwide. We firmly believe that higher-quality music playback devices are essential for truly showcasing the allure of music. By investing extensively in professional technology and exceptional industrial...

www.toppingaudio.com

It's not. There are no download links for the DFU app only a link to the web app (see attached image).

 

[Soundproof]

May I just say:
The acceptable extent of access to a device I have purchased by the manufacturer is limited to a check for and perform updates, be it software or firmware. I don't see any reason whatsoever for providing a vendor with any information beyond that unless it is voluntary and error logs restricted to that devise. I have not puchased a diagnostic tool, and I have not purchased a logging/tracking device.

That's valid for a plethoria of devices and attchaed apps - any bt earbuds, Logitech and what not. Beyond sound quality, that's why I get awkward cables for headsets and IEMs, because I really like to move around with buds, and that's why Topping dac/amps with Topping Tune is attractive.

For laymen it is virtually impossible to control this, one has to rely upon the vendors. And in general, I don't. So (without having any control over what Tune grabs), if their software turns into what everything else is, I will drop them like red glowing iron.

 

[Bleib]

It's not. There are no download links for the DFU app only a link to the web app (see attached image).

Oh, didn't expect this, first time it has happened. I'd expect it online a few days though

 

[heraldo_jones]

It's not. There are no download links for the DFU app only a link to the web app (see attached image).

Hi Pier!
Yes, it's a shame that Sequoia isn't supported for those of us who still rely on that version of macOS.
That said, I managed to update my DX1 II this morning using Parallels Desktop 20 with a Windows 11 virtual machine. A friend of mine also told me he successfully updated his unit using VirtualBox, which is similar to Parallels but free.
Saying this just in case you want to give it a try.

 

[heraldo_jones]

BTW in Macos Sequoia 15.7.5 with the latest update there are a few random noises/clicks/micro interrumptions while playing music (24/48khz)

 

[SlowLife]

I have backed up the DX1 II firmware files.

Spoiler: DX1 II Firmware Changelog

V15.83.22.83 (Jul 9, 2026) [D5CBA705]

Fixed: Random noise that could occur after playing audio via USB input for a period of time.

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V15.69.22.69 (June 25, 2026) [7FE5923E]

Improved: OPT input compatibility, now supports a wider range of CD players
Improved: UAC 1.0 compatibility, now supports Switch 2, PS5, and other devices
New: UAC 1.0 microphone input
Fixed: Several other known issues.

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V15.54.22.54 (June 3, 2026) [1044B6A3]

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

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V15.53.22.53 (June 2, 2026) [358B77A6]

Fixed: Random noise occurring after USB playback for a period of time
Changed: Volume adjustment enabled for UAC 1.0
Optimized: Crackling on analog output when switching sample rates on Mac computers

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V15.50.22.50 (May 28, 2026) [78DA979D]
Fixed: EQ may not take effect in some music playback scenarios.
Fixed: PEQ may sometimes not take effect after quickly switching sample rates.
Add: Custom functions for single-click and double-click actions of the device knob.
Fixed: Several other known issues.

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V15.46.22.46 (May 25, 2026) [FA93CF75]

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.
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V15.43.22.43 (May 20, 2026)

Added: Support for Web Home browser-based control
Fixed: Several other known issues

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V2.26 (February 25, 2026)

Initial version.

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[Dreamic]

I was still having popping but managed to solve it and wanted to share this here as I think it's interesting. The "Preferred ASIO Buffer Size" doesn't appear to only apply when using ASIO, I found some discussion of this elsewhere. If you lower samples too much and maybe uncheck safe mode, when I would start Discord or Steam (and likely other things I was doing) it would trigger popping when music is playing almost every time, raising it has seemed to completely stop that.

So the "Preferred ASIO Buffer Size" seems to be relevant in non-ASIO, using shared mode, which also almost certainly means you can shave some latency when using shared mode, see how low you can go before problems (but the bulk of latency will still be from Windows).

Spoiler: Windows audio latency is like 95ms from game

People may want to look at 8:23 above as apparently choosing 512 samples (or higher) massively increases your game audio latency vs 256 (and choosing lower than 256 doesn't really help further).

Spoiler: See here

I emailed Topping about this because if it's as it appears then it should be 256 by default to give customers way better gaming audio latency for a gaming branded device.

The DXI II might actually be pretty flawless for me now currently then.

 

[solaphion]

can someone explain to me like i am 5 why the f*** there is no dedicated independent power input for stable power supply? who designs something like that? this device is not a dongle, so why?

 

[solderdude]

can someone explain to me like i am 5 why the f*** there is no dedicated independent power input for stable power supply? who designs something like that? this device is not a dongle, so why?

There is ... in the form of a currently widely used USB-C connector which is usually more reliable than the often problematic plethora of different size barrel connectors.
The power supply does not even have to be stable nor super low noise, it just has to be able to supply enough current (0.7A minimum).
There is also a power injection cable available.

 

[Soundproof]

can someone explain to me like i am 5 why the f*** there is no dedicated independent power input for stable power supply? who designs something like that? this device is not a dongle, so why?

Because it has been designed for a very specific usage scenario - being attached to a PC/Mac with power through USB. Devices tend to be designed with a price target in mind, adding stuff beyond what's needed for the intended scenario will either increase the price or reduce/remove profit.

They offer an USB power splitter for those who wants to use it outside the scenario, which means that those who don't need that functionality won't have to pay extra to have it. Featurewise it's spot on for what it is intended for.

 

[pernando]

The Windows 11 USB driver was producing random noise.
However, the noise stopped once I installed the Windows 7/8 version instead.

 

[JeffGB]

I just recieved one of these little things today. I've updated the firmware to the latest and the latest driver 6.16 and all seems to be working ok. It took me a while to figure out the settings for PEQ but it's all working fine now. I do have one question though. In Amir's test, he says he used the default filter setting and the roll off is excellent in the graph but the manual says that they have set the default to 5 which is, per the manual, linear phase slow rolloff which normally would not be a quick roll off as shown in the graphs. Filter 6 is supposed to be the minimum phase fast rolloff, which is normally the high performance setting. I'm wondering if the manual is wrong or if the slow rolloff filter actually measures as a fast rolloff. I've got mine changed to 6 but would like some confirmation about which is actually the correct high performance setting (ie: flattest response in the audible band plus excellent attenuation).

 

[solderdude]

measured by @NTTY

The default filter is not filter 5 as Amir measured this response:

Amir did not measure each filter.

 

[ATTI]

Anyone who looks only at filters frequency response, you forget about impulse response of those filters like at image. You can find all them in ES9039Q2M official datasheet.

 

[OldTimer]

Because it has been designed for a very specific usage scenario - being attached to a PC/Mac with power through USB. Devices tend to be designed with a price target in mind, adding stuff beyond what's needed for the intended scenario will either increase the price or reduce/remove profit.

They offer an USB power splitter for those who wants to use it outside the scenario, which means that those who don't need that functionality won't have to pay extra to have it. Featurewise it's spot on for what it is intended for.

USB-C power splitter cable (C to C+C) is only $2. Why is it not included in the box?

 

[The Capstan]

Topping says the DSP works with both USB and TOSLINK inputs. So, unless I'm mistaken, this is the first such low-cost high-quality DAC whose DSP works with more than just the USB input. With independent left and right channels, you have everything you need to perform room correction. For $113, this is truly incredible value.

If you have two subwoofers, then perhaps you could chain two DX1 II via the TOSLINK output of the first? Can the TOSLINK output be set to a pass through? Or can it only output the signal after it has been processed by the DSP? Even if they can't be chained in that way, there are very cheap TOSLINK splitters.

Interesting idea. The only issue is a potential latency due to DSP processing (I guess possible also because it is likely done in software), so second unit could be slightly delayed.

I see the possibility to use as crossover for 2.1 systems, so both DSPs need to be enabled. It is a use case I am interested in.

Ale.

 

[solderdude]

Anyone who looks only at filters frequency response, you forget about impulse response of those filters like at image. You can find all them in ES9039Q2M official datasheet.

Just remember those impulse responses are taken with 'illegal' signals (that can NOT exist in any digital recording).
It is merely a test signal.
What it is good at (when timing has not been manipulated) is what delay time there is which may be of influence with gaming or video (if the delay is long enough)

 

[solderdude]

USB-C power splitter cable (C to C+C) is only $2. Why is it not included in the box?

Because not everyone will need it ?

 

[Bleib]

The filter thing is strange, as when I first used it was set to 3, but when I reset it once it set itself to 5

 

[solderdude]

3 looks like it would be the 'best' filter option and by the looks of Amir's measurements it is very likely 3 would have been the default.
5 would be rolled-off audibly (for young folks )
For >40 y.o. filter 2 might be even better (full attenuation at Nyquist and -0.5dB at 19kHz)