Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[Pausi]

I have just received my DX1 II and have updated to the latest firmware via Mac (Tahoe 26.x) via a chromium-based browser. Works great as a computer/tablet/game console USB-powered headphone amp, both via unbalanced 3.5 mm and balanced 4.4 mm out. Can't be used as a pure USB-connected DAC via balanced line out to a hifi-system (4.4mm to dual XLR). It produces a click sound every time you change input channel/bitrate or just skip forward or backward a song. Not extremely loud, but loud enough, and very annoying. Haven't tried RCA-out. I wouldn't use the DX1 II in pure DAC-mode. I'm using a WiiM Ultra as streamer and preamp. Connected a Topping E50 II via USB and both single ended and balanced out worked flawlessly.

 

[staticV3]

Can I access the Topping web app using iPad OS after updating firmware using Windows 11?
And using this $2 USB C splitter below here?
View attachment 544948

The Toslink digital input is planned to be used for Apple Airport Express as an AirPlay receiver so the DAC can join as multi room speakers in Apple Home app because currently my streamer is only Apple Music in HomePod.

iOS and iPadOS do not support WebHID, so the answer is no.

 

[Bleib]

V15.86.22.86 Firmware Release Notes​

• Added: Option to keep either the volume level or sample rate displayed on the screen.
• Added: Left/right channel balance control.
• Added: PEQ preview, supporting cloud PEQ presets and AutoEQ profiles.
• Optimized: Smoother audio transitions when adjusting PEQ parameters, enabling or disabling PEQ, or switching between PEQ profiles.
• Optimized: When “OPT Output Volume Follow” is enabled, muting the device also mutes the optical output.
• Fixed: Audio was not automatically muted when entering the settings menu.
• Fixed: PEQ could briefly become inactive when switching between USB and OPT inputs.
• Fixed: Some known issues.

Here:

Topping Home - Preset Cloud

Explore and share audio presets with the Topping Home community

home.toppingaudio.com

Buffer increased to 1024 after the update.

 

[mr_samsonite]

I have just received my DX1 II and have updated to the latest firmware via Mac (Tahoe 26.x) via a chromium-based browser. Works great as a computer/tablet/game console USB-powered headphone amp, both via unbalanced 3.5 mm and balanced 4.4 mm out. Can't be used as a pure USB-connected DAC via balanced line out to a hifi-system (4.4mm to dual XLR). It produces a click sound every time you change input channel/bitrate or just skip forward or backward a song. Not extremely loud, but loud enough, and very annoying. Haven't tried RCA-out. I wouldn't use the DX1 II in pure DAC-mode. I'm using a WiiM Ultra as streamer and preamp. Connected a Topping E50 II via USB and both single ended and balanced out worked flawlessly.

RCA out will probably click as well. Thanks for confirming that the 4.4 mm output does the same. I was thinking of getting some cables to use that instead but now I'll just hope there is a F/W fix...

 

[Mutex]

I ordered a DX1 II now to replace a DX5 II that bricked on me after 7 months (I did get a refund from the seller, as mandated by German law). Let's see how the DX1 II goes.

DX1 II, instead of another DX5 II, because I don't trust Topping with more than ~119 EUR anymore. In Germany I get a 2 year guarantee by law, where repair + shipping costs (both ways) need to be covered by the seller (which drove the seller to refund me instead of a repair, due to the high shipping costs to China they'd need to cover). If the DX1 II fails after 2 years, 119 EUR isn't a big loss.

Under normal conditions however, an official factory warranty of only 1 year + personal shipping costs to China in case of a repair, are actually red flags people living in countries with lesser consumer protection should be aware of, especially when going with the more expensive models from Topping.

 

[Mike123]

Under normal conditions however, an official factory warranty of only 1 year + personal shipping costs to China in case of a repair, are actually red flags people living in countries with lesser consumer protection should be aware of,

Residents of such countries are well aware of this. Even more so. If a device is bought on AliExpress and breaks within a day or a week, the likelihood of getting a replacement is slim to none. So I'm saying goodbye to the 120 euros in advance. Perhaps that's why my toppings don't break . My seven-year-old DX3 Pro works correctly.

 

[Bleib]

No broken Topping for me either. Not even PA5 but then again I had some extra cooling for it, might have helped

 

[Demmers]

V15.86.22.86 Firmware Release Notes​

• Added: Option to keep either the volume level or sample rate displayed on the screen.
• Added: Left/right channel balance control.
• Added: PEQ preview, supporting cloud PEQ presets and AutoEQ profiles.
• Optimized: Smoother audio transitions when adjusting PEQ parameters, enabling or disabling PEQ, or switching between PEQ profiles.
• Optimized: When “OPT Output Volume Follow” is enabled, muting the device also mutes the optical output.
• Fixed: Audio was not automatically muted when entering the settings menu.
• Fixed: PEQ could briefly become inactive when switching between USB and OPT inputs.
• Fixed: Some known issues.

Here:

Topping Home - Preset Cloud

Explore and share audio presets with the Topping Home community

home.toppingaudio.com

Buffer increased to 1024 after the update.

View attachment 545005

"Added: Option to keep either the volume level or sample rate displayed on the screen." - As a Qobuz user, I appreciate this! Miss having the sample rate displayed like on the D10s.

 

[Mutex]

No broken Topping for me either. Not even PA5 but then again I had some extra cooling for it, might have helped

How do you extra-cool it?

 

[Bleib]

How do you extra-cool it?

I sold it many years ago, got a TP RA3 instead.
I had some extra heatsinks attached to it, with right amount so they can be removed without much effort. Plus raised it slightly so that cooler air could enter at the bottom

 

[Pausi]

Sorry to say, but this firmware update does not fix the clicking sounds produced through Line Out when used in DAC-mode.

 

[OldTimer]

iOS and iPadOS do not support WebHID, so the answer is no.

How about the USB-C splitter plug to the Topping USB-C? Will it be okay?

 

[Demmers]

"Added: Option to keep either the volume level or sample rate displayed on the screen." - As a Qobuz user, I appreciate this! Miss having the sample rate displayed like on the D10s.

Aaaaaand..... doesn't work lol!
Advanced Settings > Resident Display > Sample Rate - You see the change on the online interface.... but no change on the device itself! Turned off/on, switched inputs, no change.

 

[Bleib]

Aaaaaand..... doesn't work lol!
Advanced Settings > Resident Display > Sample Rate - You see the change on the online interface.... but no change on the device itself! Turned off/on, switched inputs, no change.

Same for me

Edit: It works now, see below

 

[JeffGB]

The latest update seems to have improved latency. Even though the buffer was changed from my setting of 256 to 1024, the latency stayed lower than before this update. I haven't tried much else yet. I don't have most of the noise problems because I am using an analog volume control on the amp.

 

[ɢǟɨƈɦʊ]

Sorry to say, but this firmware update does not fix the clicking sounds produced through Line Out when used in DAC-mode.

Thanks for the heads up friend

 

[Bleib]

Something new popped up at the webpage, auto-EQ...in beta

Edit: And without a new firmware the sample rate now stays put on the DAC's screen

 

[Pausi]

I have now tried the Topping USB-C data/power splitter cable on firmware v15.86.22.86 with the DX1-II in DAC-mode. The WiiM Ultra as preamp/streamer already delivers 5V/1.5A via USB out and should be enough, but I thought is was worth a shot. After some fiddling with bad contact in the cable the WiiM Ultra recognized the DX1-II. Used a iFi iPower 5V/2.5A as power supply. Sorry to report no difference. Still clicks when changing songs/bitrate/sources. This is not acceptable even in a Lo-Fi environment. My initial suspicion that the DX1-II has a hardware/design problem in line out is reinforced. Reviewers, like Amir, should obviously have tested the Line Out (both RCA-single and balanced). Topping should have made this as a pure USB headphone amp product. Including Line Out is a good idea but is still not working. So be aware of this clear limitation, potential buyers.

 

[OldTimer]

I have now tried the Topping USB-C data/power splitter cable on firmware v15.86.22.86 with the DX1-II in DAC-mode. The WiiM Ultra as preamp/streamer already delivers 5V/1.5A via USB out and should be enough, but I thought is was worth a shot. After some fiddling with bad contact in the cable the WiiM Ultra recognized the DX1-II. Used a iFi iPower 5V/2.5A as power supply. Sorry to report no difference. Still clicks when changing songs/bitrate/sources. This is not acceptable even in a Lo-Fi environment. My initial suspicion that the DX1-II has a hardware/design problem in line out is reinforced. Reviewers, like Amir, should obviously have tested the Line Out (both RCA-single and balanced). Topping should have made this as a pure USB headphone amp product. Including Line Out is a good idea but is still not working. So be aware of this clear limitation, potential buyers.

Thanks to the heads-up. I almost buy it but fortunately it becomes out of stock.

 

[Matias]

I have now tried the Topping USB-C data/power splitter cable on firmware v15.86.22.86 with the DX1-II in DAC-mode. The WiiM Ultra as preamp/streamer already delivers 5V/1.5A via USB out and should be enough, but I thought is was worth a shot. After some fiddling with bad contact in the cable the WiiM Ultra recognized the DX1-II. Used a iFi iPower 5V/2.5A as power supply. Sorry to report no difference. Still clicks when changing songs/bitrate/sources. This is not acceptable even in a Lo-Fi environment. My initial suspicion that the DX1-II has a hardware/design problem in line out is reinforced. Reviewers, like Amir, should obviously have tested the Line Out (both RCA-single and balanced). Topping should have made this as a pure USB headphone amp product. Including Line Out is a good idea but is still not working. So be aware of this clear limitation, potential buyers.

Thanks for sharing, and while true, I think an easy workaround is setting a fixed sample rate so that it does not pop every time sample rate changes.

On your WiiM audio settings you can fix it for example to 24/192 and all albums will be upsampled to it on WiiM, and the DX1 II only receives a steady 24/192 stream and would not pop anymore.

I know, Topping should fix this in firmware or hardware, agree. But meanwhile you can still use it that way.