Topping DX1 II DAC & HP Amp Review

[Pausi]

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.

Tried it, but it didn't work. Getting clicks when changing source and even songs with the same bitrate.

 

[Mike123]

Still clicks when changing songs/bitrate/sources

I listen to music from the balanced line output. There are no clicks when changing songs.

This is not acceptable even in a Lo-Fi environment.

Like many dissatisfied people, you're exaggerating your own problems as if they were universal. I have a wonderful hi-fi and a wonderful-sounding DX1-II. It is connected via a balanced output as a DAC. It's my main DAC and runs for 4-10 hours a day. It has no serious playback issues. Yes, I have an external volume control. But if I can't hear any clicks at all at -11...-13 dB of attenuation, I seriously doubt the clicks coming from my DAC are even remotely annoying.

 

[Pausi]

I listen to music from the balanced line output. There are no clicks when changing songs.

Like many dissatisfied people, you're exaggerating your own problems as if they were universal. I have a wonderful hi-fi and a wonderful-sounding DX1-II. It is connected via a balanced output as a DAC. It's my main DAC and runs for 4-10 hours a day. It has no serious playback issues. Yes, I have an external volume control. But if I can't hear any clicks at all at -11...-13 dB of attenuation, I seriously doubt the clicks coming from my DAC are even remotely annoying.

Well I'm not the only one with this problem and it's a fact on my device and others. Since you don't have this problem it doesn't mean it doesn't exist and that I'm exaggerating. It CAN mean that there is a hardware problem on many devices.

 

[Mutex]

Can't be used as a pure USB-connected DAC via balanced line out to a hifi-system (4.4mm to dual XLR).

What use-case is that? To bridge a PC to the Hifi-system?

 

[Pausi]

What use-case is that? To bridge a PC to the Hifi-system?

Or used as an external DAC from a preamp/streamer.

 

[Mutex]

Or used as an external DAC from a preamp/streamer.

Wait, are you trying to upgrade the Wiim's built-in ES9038Q2M with the ES9039Q2M of the DX1 II?

 

[Pausi]

Wait, are you trying to upgrade the Wiim's built-in ES9038Q2M with the ES9039Q2M of the DX1 II?

Nope. It's not about an upgrade or using an external DAC for me, but maybe for others. I want to use a DAC with balanced out to an amplifier with only XLR-balanced inputs.

 

[Matias]

So in your case this pops happen even on balanced outs to the amp?

 

[Mutex]

Nope. It's not about an upgrade or using an external DAC for me, but maybe for others. I want to use a DAC with balanced out to an amplifier with only XLR-balanced inputs.

Interesting setup. So, the DX1 II clicks, but the E50 II doesn't? I wonder what's the main difference between both designs in DAC mode.

 

[Pausi]

So in your case this pops happen even on balanced outs to the amp?

Yep that's correct.

 

[sphenicstands]

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.

Whilst this is another reason I wouldn't purchase the DX1-II and I thank you for posting your experience, which I find helpful, if you re-read the reviews, you'll find that both Amir and NTTY did test the line outs. They may have not tested them in the exact way you want. However, given their reviews are completely free, not even advertising sponsored, and performed in their own time, I suggest it's somewhat presumptuous to assert what they should or should not test. Furthermore, I would also suggest the reviews on ASR appear to serve a specific niche purpose, that of technical signal measurement and do not attempt to cover ground that perhaps other more traditional reviews may, that of the user experience.

 

[Pausi]

Interesting setup. So, the DX1 II clicks, but the E50 II doesn't? I wonder what's the main difference between both designs in DAC mode.

Me too. Just tried an old Topping D10 Balanced USB DAC with the older XMOS XU208 microcontroller. Works like a charm, but no PEQ-settings or headphone amp. So I really wonder what went wrong at Topping when implementing this.

 

[Pausi]

Whilst this is another reason I wouldn't purchase the DX1-II and I thank you for posting your experience, which I find helpful, if you re-read the reviews, you'll find that both Amir and NTTY did test the line outs. They may have not tested them in the exact way you want. However, given their reviews are completely free, not even advertising sponsored, and performed in their own time, I suggest it's somewhat presumptuous to assert what they should or should not test. Furthermore, I would also suggest the reviews on ASR appear to serve a specific niche purpose, that of technical signal measurement and do not attempt to cover ground that perhaps other more traditional reviews may, that of the user experience.

I can both understand and accept that statement

 

[Mike123]

I turned the volume up on the amplifier to maximum. I switched the DX1-II to preamp mode. I set the volume on the DX1-II to -11 dB (I can't go any louder, sorry). Signal source NAS-> Raspberry Pi 5/Moode (Linux) . I switched tracks: 44.1/48/96/192/352.8 kHz. Most of the time, the switching was practically silent. Occasionally, a small, soft click was audible. Conclusion: This DAC doesn't produce any loud sounds by default on all units. So, either it's a bad unit or there are some other conditions that I don't have.

Update.
I remembered that the PEQ was connected from the RPI, not from the DAC. I connected the PEQ from the DAC and ran the same tests. I detected no difference. Moreover, when switching to 352.8 kHz, the PEQ turns off and blinks. However, this still doesn't cause any significant audio effects. There are occasional minor transition noises. But, in my opinion, these are caused by the abrupt interruption of the song. If the previous song had a high signal level at the moment of interruption, and the new song has a zero signal level, then a click is inevitable.

 

[Pausi]

I turned the volume up on the amplifier to maximum. I switched the DX1-II to preamp mode. I set the volume on the DX1-II to -11 dB (I can't go any louder, sorry). I switched tracks: 44.1/48/96/192/352.8 kHz. Most of the time, the switching was practically silent. Occasionally, a small, soft click was audible. Conclusion: This DAC doesn't produce any loud sounds by default on all units. So, either it's a bad unit or there are some other conditions that I don't have.

Thanks for useful info. I’II get a new tomorrow for testing. Maybe mine is just broken.

 

[Mike123]

Maybe mine is just broken.

What's your signal source? I was playing music through RPI5/Moode (Linux). Are other operating systems or players causing problems?

 

[pier25]

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.

I was finally able to install the Topping Home helper app in macOS Sequoia.

When opening this new app it launched the web app in my default browser (Firefox) so obviously it couldn't connect to my DX1 II. Apparently Topping is not aware the USB API is a Chrome only feature. Anyway, in Chrome I was finally able to update the firmware after a couple of tries.

I've been using it at 48k for the last hour and so far no random clicks/pops. Fingers crossed...

Edit:

Been using the DX1 II for a couple of hours. So far so good.

 

[Mutex]

Mine just arrived.

Used USB-C cable first, directly connected to the back of the PC. Worked.
Used USB-A cable next, connected to powered USB HUB. Also worked.
Updated firmware using a Windows VM.
Punched in the EQ settings for my DT 990 Pro X.
Tested with my reference track Toto - I Will Remember.

The kick drum hits as it should. Approved.

 

[Dreamic]

Why Windows with EqualizerAPO needs an DAC with an equalizer is completely unclear.

I remembered someone making this comment when I was thinking about EQ, and besides being able to use with devices that can't offer EQ, idk why I didn't say it's kinda nice you don't have to rely on Windows / EqualizerAPO and there could be a possible variety of reasons someone would want to use Exclusive modes like Wasapi, ASIO, (low latency being one possible reason) and now they can without losing EQ which I think is kinda nice.

 

[sphenicstands]

I remembered someone making this comment when I was thinking about EQ, and besides being able to use with devices that can't offer EQ, idk why I didn't say it's kinda nice you don't have to rely on Windows / EqualizerAPO and there could be a possible variety of reasons someone would want to use Exclusive modes like Wasapi, ASIO, (low latency being one possible reason) and now they can without losing EQ which I think is kinda nice.

I've been experimenting with EQ in Windows to tame my sub. I opted for CamillaDSP instead of EqualizerAPO because its installation is less intrusive. No need for admin privileges to install anything. However, with a CPU heavy game, I encountered latency that greatly broke lip sync. I haven't yet investigated all the config options so it's possibly fixable but it made me wonder whether dedicated hardware PEQ would be a better/simpler option. Do any of the measurements provided by Amir or NTTY reflect the performance of PEQ for such a scenario? It doesn't look like it?